Saint-Paul-de-Vence (France) is a medievalThe village, which is considered to be a "live" art gallery. Here there were many famous guests, there are a large number of art installations, sold the work of the most famous contemporary artists and much more. With the help of this article, we propose to plunge into the magic world of the streets of the part of Nice - Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
What is this wonderful place?
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is located on a hill infifteen kilometers from Nice. This is not a city, because the size of the settlement does not allow it to be called that way, but it is not a village either, because it is not done in culturally and historically significant places. Locals and many tourists call this place the city of one street.
Возник Сен-Поль-де-Ванс (фото можно рассмотреть above) at the turn of the 8th century. At these times, the inhabitants of the coast went into the mountains, tired of the Saracen raids. There they built their home. And in 1538 the settlement was fortified by Francis I.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence built up with small houses16-18 centuries, made of stone. The facade or entrance of each is decorated with flowers in pots and pots, as well as climbing plants. The town is very loved by creative people. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that most of the buildings are reserved for galleries or workshops of artists and sculptors. At one time, celebrities such as Catherine Deneuve, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, Jean-Paul Sartre, Yves Montand, Alain Delon, Marc Chagall stayed here. The latter, by the way, spent the last years of his life here and rests in a local cemetery.
Things to do?
Этот небольшой городок очень любят туристы.Therefore, you need to go here in the morning to avoid crowds and crowding at least in transport. In Saint-Paul-de-Vence there are several observation platforms with a stunning view of the valleys of Provence and the Alpes-Maritimes, monuments, installations, mosaics and various art objects are found everywhere. There are many cafes and small restaurants, where you can also touch the creativity and get inspiration. There is even a sign - a work of art.
Besides the fact that in Saint-Paul-de-Vence you canculturally rich and tasty to eat, it is possible to buy souvenirs for memory: various figurines and postcards with the symbols of the city, small copies of famous art installations and paintings, and much more. This can be done in the souvenir shops or on the market, which runs from Tuesday to Sunday. Also here you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits and local flowers.
Or perhaps you yourself are so imbued with the spirit of creativity that you want to draw a picture and take it with you. To do this, you can buy paints, brushes and paper in the local shop.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence Sights
In a small area literally at every turnYou can meet an interesting object or building. The most famous is the only hotel “Golden Dove”. In it, artists of the 20th century liked to spend time; they often paid bills with their paintings. Now within the walls of the hotel is a rich collection of originals of popular artists. Also, famous actors, writers, poets stayed here.
Besides the fact that various art objects are locatedon the streets of the town, there is also the gallery "Foundation Magician". There are collections of paintings, drawings, graphic works of the 20th century, sculptures. There are permanent and temporary exposure.
In the narrow streets you can find a statue of a horse,made of horseshoes, several monuments and many fountains, next to which there will definitely be green spaces. Also in Saint-Paul-de-Vence there is an old chapel of the Order of the White Penitents. When you enter it creates the feeling that you are in the past. On the walls of the building are preserved frescoes of Giovanni Canavizio.
Special attention is given to the local cemetery.As stated above, Marc Chagall rests here. But not only this is popular. A small area does not look depressing, as you can imagine the first time. It's all the other way around: the cemetery seemed to be another platform for creativity.
Gastronomic tourism
Если думаете, что, приехав за дозой вдохновения, you risk being left without lunch, then you are clearly mistaken. In Saint-Paul-de-Vence there are small restaurants and cafes where you can taste not only beautiful, but also very tasty dishes. What are only inexpensive pancakes with jam!
Local delicacies include:panis (roasted chickpea dough to golden), la porket (baked stuffed suckling pig), sea bass with fennel (grilled stuffed fish). All this can be enjoyed on the summer terraces.
And wine lovers should visit the wine cellar,which was built in the 14th century. It is located in the heart of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The wine collection has a large collection of Provencal wines that can be drunk on the spot or bought as a souvenir. Here are the best vintage wines and products of the best wineries of France. Also in the cellar you can find bottles of Armagnac, Calvados, vodka, liquor.
Festivals and holidays
No city is complete without themed holidays. There are as many as fifteen regulars in Saint-Paul-de-Vence:
- festivals of the exhibition in the gallery "Fund Mag" in the winter and summer;
- the March festival of poets and the festival of olive oil;
- June holidays of music and St. Jean;
- summer festival in the open air;
- July Provencal game Pentak and Ball;
- August feast of St. Claire;
- September Cultural Heritage Days;
- October holiday chestnuts;
- December Christmas Fair.
On such days, the influx of tourists in a smallSaint-Paul de Vence is getting even bigger. But the planned activities are striking in their diverse and rich program. And since it's only an hour to get to the town, you can stop for a night in Nice to fully feel the spirit of the planned celebrations, which last several days.
Nice-Saint-Paul-de-Vence Route: how to get there?
The road from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence takesabout an hour away by bus. Route number 400. Ticket price - 1 euro. On weekdays, the bus runs every 20-25 minutes from 6:55 to 20:20. On Saturdays, dispatch takes place once an hour from 7:50 to 20:30. On Sundays and public holidays, buses from Nice run 1-2 times per hour from 8:00 to 20:30.
By car to Saint-Paul-de-Vence can be reached bymotorway A8, drove onto the road number 48 in the direction of Marseille. The city is located fifteen minutes from the main highway. You can leave the car at the multi-level parking at the entrance to the settlement.
Reviews of tourists
Enjoy great creativityarchitecture and Mediterranean landscapes. Indeed, despite the small size of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, there is something to do. And this is noticed by all who have already managed to visit the concentration of creativity. No one remained indifferent either to narrow streets, nor to architecture, nor to tasty food, much less to art. Those who have visited this town want to return here again to truly relax body and soul.
