Vence, medieval city of 12nd century

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’...

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.

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 castle 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.

Hill walkers and Nature lovers paradise, the countryside around Vence offers a wild charm and incomparable panorama in all season. From the mountain pass of Vence to the forest of la Sine and des Baous to the Plan des Noves, Vence is the point of departure for superb walks and hikes: over 200 km of signed footpaths are accessible to all in the vast and open green spaces of the French Riviera.
* Circuit "Saint-Paul"
Starting from the Place du Grand Jardin, take the Avenue de la Résistance to the Place Maréchal Juin. Turn left, take the Boulevard Emmanuel Maurel (along the car park), walk to the Sainte Anne Chapel, which is located on the right, at the corner of the Chemin du Baric. Go down this road straight on till the small bridge on the Malvan. After the stream , climb in the woods of la Sine area ; here the path is paved again.
You are on the Chemin des Messugues. On your left hand side, there is another path, the Chemin des Cades, it is more direct but also steeper. These two roads connect the tarred road of la Sine which you take on your left.
After a pleasant walk on this road edged with pine trees and holm oaks, a road sign directs you to leave the road and turn left on to the path of the water-course. This water-course carries to Saint Paul, the water from the source of the Malvan, near the castle of that name, better known as the château de la Reine Jeanne.
According to the popular tradition, in the XIVth century , Jeanne Queen of Naples granted a right to this water to the people of St Paul, the spring-head being on her lands. This channel still supplies today several fountains in the village. Walking among the trees and plants alongside the path, you will discover the village of Saint Paul. On the left, the road ends with a mill whose wheel was formerly powered by the water of the channel.

* The guide
True invitation with strolls in the middle of Vence, this guide reveals the extent of the richnesses which our natural heritage offers to us, cultural and architectural. It proposes, of the circuits sets of themes and emblematic, of the walks to discovered vaults, course of water, circuit of the trees… as many routes at the beginning of Vence.
* Beautiful walks in the heart of Vence
Corners of paradise, a succession of sites and landscapes exceptional, a fabulous environment… to décourvir at the beginning of the downtown area.