MONACO NEIGHBOURHOOD
@www.saint-pauldevence.com
@philhaber.com
What to do in this jewel? Im-
merse yourself in art or his-
tory or both just by walking
through the town — it hap-
pens naturally. Let HelloMona-
co guide you on a walk through
Saint-Paul de Vence. Soak up
the history and art as you walk.
Medieval walls encircle narrow Penitents Chapel aka Folon Chapel
streets and capture the herit-
age of more than a thousand
years. Seven landmarks to cover will be an
tower with sneaky hidden openings to pour
enjoyable hour well spent.
boiling oil on invaders. Turn right and take
in the panorama of Saint-Paul’s countryside,
source of grapes and olives and truffles and
PLACE DU JEU DE BOULES
honey, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. En-
BENEATH THE RAMPARTS
AT THE ENTRANCE TO
ter the cemetery.
Koons, Niki de Saint-Phalle and a host of other
brilliant artists. You are in nothing other than
an open-air gallery — a kaleidoscope of art.
LA PLACETTE
Hover for a while on this little square, rejuve-
nated by the tinkling sound of water in the
fountain and then on to:
PLACE DE LA GRANDE
FONTAINE
This was once the market square. Enjoy the
coolness of the air in the vaulted washhouse
where washerwomen would gather to scrub
and beat their washing.
THE VILLAGE
A celebrated square lined with century-
old plane trees. Yves Montand and Lino
Ventura played hotly disputed games of
pétanque here.
PLACE DE L’ÉGLISE
Turn right, up Montée de la Castre —
a love story awaits — Number 2 is the
house that Simone Signoret lovingly
shared with Yves Montand. Continue to
Place de l’Église, the highest point in the
village. This square is edged with monu-
ments that are jewels from Saint-Paul’s
illustrious past: the keep of the château
now the Mairie (town hall) of Saint-Paul,
the Church of the Conversion of Saint-
Paul from the 14th and 16th centuries,
and last but not least the Folon chapel.
Perhaps you are looking for a more ac-
tive visit and a more casual ambiance. Then
HelloMonaco suggests you do the medieval
town walk before lunch.
ONE OF THE FINEST MEDIEVAL TOWNS
ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA, SAINT-PAUL
DE VENCE IS CELEBRATED FOR ITS
CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUMS AND
GALLERIES.
The «Café de la Place» stands on one
side: its terrace is the perfect spot for
taking in the ambience. Try its inex-
pensive table d’hôte lunch after your
walk. You will have plenty of mon-
ey left over. The famous «La Colombe
d’Or» is on the other side of the Place.
Lunch here is a little pricey but what is
the price of an unforgettable experience —
following on the heels of its regulars who in-
cluded the greatest artists of the 20th cen-
tury: Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, Braque, Léger,
Folon, etc.
Continuing your walk follow the ramparts,
climbing towards the fortified inner part of
the village, and enter by the Porte de Vence.
LA PORTE DE VENCE AND
THE RAMPARTS
This awe-inspiring, majestic gateway and the
ramparts are still intact from their historic
origins. The entrance is also protected by a
THE CEMETERY
Several centuries old Cypresses shade the
grave of artist Marc Chagall, who spent the
final years of his life in Saint-Paul and died at
the age of 97.
RUE GRANDE
Leave the cemetery through the Porte de Nice
and take Rue Grande. Take the time to browse
along Rue Grande, the beating artistic heart of
this cultural mecca. Wander into artist studios,
art galleries, boutiques and craft shops. Gal-
lery windows display works by Chagall, César,
Eat lunch at «Café de la Place», inexpensive
good hearty food and cheerful ambiance.
And then walk or cycle it off after lunch on
a path that starts between the ramparts and
the restaurant «La Petite Chapelle». There is
an outstanding view over 2 hectares of ter-
raced vineyards. Continue walking among fra-
grant citrus trees and bitter orange trees, with
scented flowers. And you will pass century-old
olive trees and fig trees. From courtine Saint
Mître, admire the 80 recently planted truffle
oaks. Follow the pines along courtine Sainte-
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