Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The village's tiny cobbled lanes get overwhelmingly crowded in high season - come
early or late to beat the rush.
Sights
HISTORIC QUARTER
The Village
Strolling the narrow streets is how most visitors pass time in St-Paul. The village has been
beautifully preserved and the panoramas from the ramparts are stunning. The main artery,
rue Grande, is lined with
art galleries
. The highest point in the village is occupied by the
Église Collégiale
; the adjoining
Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs
was redecorated by Bel-
gian artist Folon.
Many more artists lived or passed through St-Paul de Vence, amongst them Soutine,
Léger, Cocteau, Matisse and Chagall. The latter is buried with his wife Vava in the
cemetery
at the village's southern end (immediately to the right as you enter). The dy-
namic
tourist office
( 04 93 32 86 95;
www.saint-pauldevence.com
; 2 rue Grande;
10am-7pm)
runs a series of informative, themed
guided tours
(1½ hours, adult/child €5/
free) that delve into this illustrious past. Book ahead; tours are available in English.
Across from the entrance to the fortified village, the
pétanque pitch
, where many a star
has had a spin, is the hub of village life. The tourist office rents out balls (€2) and can or-
ganise
pétanque lessons
(€5 per person).
Fondation Maeght
(
www.fondation-maeght.com
;
623 chemin des Gardettes; adult/student/child €14/9/free;
10am-6pm)
The region's finest art museum, Fondation Maeght was created in 1964 by
art collectors Aimé and Marguerite Maeght. Its collection of 20th-century works is one of
the largest in Europe. It is exhibited on a rotating basis, which, along with the excellent
temporary exhibitions, guarantees you'll rarely see the same thing twice. Find the
fonda-
tion
500m downhill from the village.
The building was designed by Josep Lluís Sert and is a masterpiece in itself, integrating
the works of the very best: a Giacometti courtyard, Miró sculptures dotted across the ter-
raced gardens, coloured-glass windows by Braque and mosaics by Chagall and Tal-Coat.
St-Paul's tourist office (
Click here
) runs guided tours (adult/child €5/free); you'll need
to book ahead.
ART MUSEUM
