Sommaire / Summary
Visit Saint-Paul-de-Vence because it is the world's most famous little village on the Côte d'Azur. Indeed, in this village perched on a promontory, two foundations and artists' studios welcome visitors all year round. And that's not all. Here we present the essentials of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
What to visit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Everything is worth visiting in Saint-Paul-de-Vence: the old village, the Maeght foundation, the CAB foundation, the Folon chapel, the artists' studios, but also the old cobbles of the Grande rue, the oil mill, the keep, etc.
Maeght Foundation
The Fondation Maeght was created in 1964 by Aimé and Marguerite Maeght, with modern architecture by Josep Lluís Sert.
The first private art foundation, it focuses on all areas of modern and contemporary art.
It exhibits the most famous artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
See our page on the Maeght Foundation.
CAB Foundation
The CAB Foundation (Contemporary Art Brussels) is a center for contemporary art, specializing in minimal and conceptual art from the 1960s onwards. This foundation is an extension of the parent foundation in Brussels.
It maintains a permanent collection of works, but opens to the public mainly for its temporary exhibitions.
Citing, among others, the artists: Carl André, stanley brouwn, Philippe Decrauzat, Dan Flavin, Ann Veronica Janssen, Donald Judd, John McCracken, Jean-Pierre Pincemin, Claude Rutault, Keith Sonnier, Fred Sandback.
Practical information about the CAB Foundation
- 5766, chemin des Trious
- Open daily, depending on the exhibition, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (to be verified according to current temporary exhibitions).
- Official website
La Chapelle Folon
Jean-Michel Folon (1934-2005) was a Belgian artist, draughtsman (notably renowned for his illustrations and posters), painter, sculptor and more. He decorated the Chapelle Sainte-Croix or Chapelle des Pénitents blancs.
The multidisciplinary artist created 8 canvases, 4 stained glass windows, 2 sculptures and a very large mosaic. All these works can still be seen today.
With their soft hues, pastel tones and harmony of soft blue and orange-yellow, they give a great impression of tranquility. The very serene, fraternal motifs highlight the spirit of the place, when the White Penitents came to the aid of the poor.
Practical information
- Chapelle Folon
Place de l'église - May 1 to September 30: 10am to 12:30pm then 2pm to 6pm.
October 1 to April 30: 10:30am to 12:30pm then 2pm to 4pm.
Closed January 1, November and December 25. - Official website
Cemetery
The small cemetery of Saint-Paul-de-Vence seems quite modest. However, it contains two tombs of remarkable celebrities:
- Marc Chagall (1887-1985), who lived in Saint-Paul-de-Vence from 1966 until his death. His tomb is a simple slab on the ground, partially covered with stones, according to Jewish custom.
- Aimé and Marguerite Maeght, creators of the Maeght Foundation, whose tomb is also partly covered with stones.
Artists’ studios
The village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence is still home to artists' studios. Most are open to the public, and can be visited with the discretion and respect due to their location. You can visit them with the discretion and respect due to the place.
In the streets, these studios are a bit like the mirror of the galleries that exhibit famous artists.
When you visit, the art lover becomes like one of the characters in an immense tableau vivant.
The old village
The old stones of the village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence always enchant visitors. In fact, you won't know where to turn. Numerous panels provide historical and artistic information about the site. Better still: your phone will give you a multimedia complement of information, thanks to the NFC technology of most smartphones.
The cobblestones of the Grande rue are regularly arranged to form the images on the ground. We never tire of taking photos of them, and sometimes hesitate to walk on them.
Passing here and there through the alleyways, we discover a sort of bridge connecting two houses on either side of the street. These pontis were created to connect, not quite two houses, but several rooms in the same house, rooms located on either side of the street. Sort of private corridors spanning the street.
The fortifications
Situated on a rocky spur, the small village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence was once a stronghold, surrounded by ramparts.
With its towers, ramparts with machicolations and loopholes, its old keep, a large part of the feudal fortifications were completed by Vauban's developments.
All of these fortifications are worth a visit in themselves, through the town and along the outside of the ramparts.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence practical information
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence is not served by any bus. The village is accessible by car or bus.
From Nice or Cagnes-sur-mer, line 655 (Cagne-sur-Mer-Vence by Saint Paul). Stop at St Paul Village.
Informations Côte d'Azur
Jean-Marc Foulquier