Trips from Nice: Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Saint-Paul-de-Vence is not just a small village nestled on a hilltop – it is more of a living gallery, where art, nature and history coexist in a harmony that I have felt so clearly in few places. Already near the town, along the road lined with olive trees and cypresses, you could feel that you were heading towards something special. As I entered the village through the thick city walls, it was as if I had fallen into another era: cobblestone streets, arches, flowered window sills, and quiet, understated beauty everywhere.

A strange duality vibrated in the air: the calm village atmosphere and creativity were present at the same time. This is no coincidence: Saint-Paul-de-Vence has attracted artists for decades. Marc Chagall, among others, lived and created here, and his grave rests in the village cemetery. Galleries, small workshops and contemporary exhibition spaces line the narrow streets of the village, and even the walls of the houses are adorned with a statue, a line of poetry or a colorful mosaic.

The fact that the shops advertise themselves with special signs contributes greatly to the atmosphere. These make the streets unique and interesting, just like the statues and fountains that appear unexpectedly.

The view from here is also fabulous – not as dramatic as from Éze, but atmospheric: olive groves, hills and the sea in the distance. Every time of day shows a different face of the village, but for me the most beautiful was when the main street turned golden in the light of the setting sun and the lights of the galleries slowly came on.

Getting to Saint-Paul-de-Vence from Nice is surprisingly easy, and the drive itself is part of the experience. If you’re driving, it’s a comfortable 30-40 minute drive – take the A8 motorway towards Vence or Cagnes-sur-Mer, then take small winding roads to the village. There are several designated car parks around the village, as you can only get around on foot within the city walls. If you prefer public transport, you can take bus 400 from the centre of Nice (e.g. from the Parc Phoenix or Vauban stops), which stops right at the bottom of the village – from there it’s a short, slightly uphill walk to the historic centre. The bus ride takes around an hour, but it’s pleasant and cheap, and you’ll pass other typical Riviera landscapes along the way. It’s a good idea to go in the morning, so you can avoid the crowds and explore the village’s charm before the daytime visitors arrive.