Itis really Provence that you can see here ; the coast, while not very far at all,seems suddenly going away ,and the old town, with its houses showing the patina of time and its markets where you find all the true herbs of Provence, evoke the back country rather than the coast. Vence is a real jewel which has had the skill or cleverness not to lose its soul. A sort of magic or timeless grace occupies this appealing and privileged place. Numerous painters have endeavoured to capture its landscapes and its colours on their canvases ; Matisse, Dufy, Chagall, Dubuffet, Soutine, Carzou… and so many others.

Starting-point for superb excursions in the back country and in the Alps, the `Pays Vençois’ is one of the most attractive country of the Alpes-Maritimes. It is for this reason that it is also one of the most sought-after on the French Riviera.

On the foothills of the Alps, as a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean and the Riviera, hotels and lodgings of prestige and tradition combine to make Vence as the recognised and envied tourist destination, one of the last secret gardens of the Côte d’Azur.

From the two stars of Jacques Maximin, to the one star of the Commanderie, to the incomparable charms of the little restaurants of the old town, the choice is enormous… By walking in the streets of the historic centre, which has kept all its character, and on little shaded squares or sunny terraces, you will discover here the gastronomy of Vence which smells olive oil, garlic, thyme, `serpolet’ and `sarriette’….

What You Must See…

In the past ,Vence had only 3,000 inhabitants, living essentially from the vine and the olive-tree.

The old town is one of the rare mediaeval towns to have retained its walls. The town had three gates, those of the Peyra, the Signadour and of the Portail-Levis, protected by towers, drawbridges and barbicans. You will find the columns of Marseille, vestiges of the great era of Rome in the 3rd century, the tower and the château of the Villeneuve, the five gates, the former bishop’s palace, the cathedral and its treasures, the squares (among which lies the Place Vieille, the smallest in the world), the fountains, of which that of the Peyra is classed as a historic monument, little streets such as the rue des Portiques, which remind you straightway of the Middle Ages. Guided visits are offered to help you discovering 20 centuries of history and traditions.

…in the historic centre, a vast open-air museum.

More than 2000 years of history are told to visitors (routes in the historic town are available in the Tourist Office).

Roman columns offered by Marseille around 230

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Nativité - built in the 4th century, it incorporates very many vestiges classed as historic monuments.

The ash-tree, painted by Soutine.

To the north, the place Neuve, built under King René, offers a panorama over the valley of the Lubiane, the Baous and the Chapel of the Rosary. To be seen also - the orientation table, a monolith and the Baptisterie of Saint Véran (11th century).

The château de Villeneuve is on the Western wall of the historic town, by the Esplanade du Frêne. Since 1992 it houses the Fondation Emile Hugues where are held the finest exhibitions of the town making Vence as an obligatory stop on the route of Contemporary Art, at only a stone’s throw from the Fondation Maeght.

Vence holds within its walls many artist’ galleries and studios. Although some are not open to visitors, most are open to the public.

…outside the historic centre

Vence, the diocese of which was the smallest in the Kingdom of France,has still today numerous chapels offering a circuit bequeathed during the centuries by the builders of Sacred Art (circuit available from the Tourist Office).

Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs - the original feature of this chapel is its bell-tower : a remarkable dome of varnished tiles. Note the choir-stalls and the floor which have kept their ancient paving of octagonal bricks.

The Chapel of the Rosary, conceived and decorated by Henri Matisse.

At the foot of the Baoux, between three rivers, Vence has two springs, more than 24 fountains and a public laundry (a water circuit is available from the Tourist Office).