Day Trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence | Art, Views & Hidden Corners

Day Trip from Nice, France: Explore Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of the Côte d’Azur’s most famous hilltop villages! Discover its art-filled alleys, stunning views, and the legendary Fondation Maeght.
Once home to artists like Picasso, Chagall, and Prévert, this medieval gem near Nice is a must-see for art lovers. Join us for a walk through its cobbled streets, a great lunch, and breathtaking views.

⏱️⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️⏱️
00:00 Intro
00:52 Matisse’s Chapel in Vence
02:16 La Colombe d’Or
03:16 Hidden Alleys & Quiet Corners
04:35 Lunch in “Le Tilleul”
05:36 Church, Folon & Prévert
06:59 Wandering the Village
08:11 Lookout Point
08:37 The Cemetery
09:44 Walking the Ramparts
10:27 Fondation Maeght

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[Music] Just half an hour from Nice lies one of the Kotazio’s most famous villages, S. Paul Deance. It’s where Shagal painted, Picasso ded, and artists still fill the cobbled streets with color. Wandering through its narrow alleys, galleries, and ramparts feels like stepping into a painting. ready to lose track of time with us? It’s not the easiest place to reach by public transport. You pretty much need a car. So, unless you’ve got your own, you can rent one. We actually work with discovercars.com, book a guided day trip, or just grab an Uber from cany mail like some of you already do. We’ve got plenty of surprises for you in this video. And the first one’s coming right up. Before heading to S de we just had to stop by this famous chapel in nearby V Chappelle de Rosair designed by Matis himself who literally called it his masterpiece when it was blessed in 1951 just 3 years before his death. It’s only a short detour from S Paul and you can easily explore both the chapel and its small museum in under an hour. Matis, who had been living in Nice for about 20 years, moved to Vance in 1943. When the Dominican sisters decided to build a chapel a few years later, Matis, who had once been cared for by one of them, offered to design it. What followed were 4 years of intense, dedicated work. And here’s what the tiny chapel looks like inside. Everything from the ceramic murals and stained glass windows to the furniture and even the priest’s vestments was designed by Matis himself. The chapel may be small, but as Matis put it, through the play of color and line alone, it had reached the dimension of infinity. All right, time to head to S. Paulo Devos, where Matis was a regular along with so many other famous artists of the time. We’ll show you their favorite hangout spot in just a minute. But first, take in the village’s main gathering place, Plour. It’s where locals and visitors meet any time of day to play around of Pon or just enjoy a coffee in the sun. Well, before we step through the old town walls, let’s take a quick peek at La Colomb right here on Plastigor. This legendary hotel/rest restaurant or should we say the ru family drew artists like moths to the kortazulite. The castle matis bra leger ker cesar even writers like Jack Pre and James Baldwin came here to eat chat and sometimes paint with a painting. So yeah, no surprise the restaurant feels a bit like a museum today. Anna and I popped in for a quick drink at the bar. If you’re planning to have lunch or dinner, definitely book ahead. And just a little tip, don’t try to sneak in just for a look. This familyrun place really values its privacy, which honestly is part of what makes it so special. That’s probably why regulars have been coming back here for decades. Oh, and one last thing, the Color usually closes for most of November through January. Okay, time for the old town. So, let’s get moving right through the part where you’ll most likely enter the old town. Still probably guarded by a cannon from a 16th century battle. Every corner here whispers a thousand years of history. But honestly, you don’t even need the backstory. The sheer charm of this village is enough to cast a spell. And the light, no wonder Zivos became a magnet for artists and writers back in the early 1900s. Right now, we’re wandering through the quietest, prettiest alleys far from the tourist crowds. Don’t miss Rudier. Just dive in and lose yourself in the maze of narrow walkways. Oh, and if you’d like for someone to show you around, you can always book a guide at the tourist office. So, by now you’ve probably guessed it. This village was made for art, and that vibe is still everywhere today. It’s so much fun to wander down the main street and peek into all the gallery windows. You’ll find every style you can imagine. And if you’re thinking of taking a one-of-a-kind piece home with you, well, this is the place to do it. And suddenly, it’s high time for lunch. One of these spots in town, Latiel, is already buzzing with people under the huge lime tree that gave the place its name. And that’s where we’re headed, too. They offer a nice deal. The dish of the day, plus a starter and dessert for €39, or the man with either a starter or dessert for 32. Anna and I aren’t really tempted by today’s special, though, so we go for raaka dishes instead. First, a little appetizer. Surface takes its time, but we can’t complain. It’s hard to mind when you’re sitting in the shade of the big terrace, soaking up the village atmosphere and looking forward to what’s to come even more. Anna ordered a tuna tatar with mango and avocado when I went for a poke bowl with salmon and kinoa and plenty of fresh veggies. [Music] Easy [Music] to say it tastes just as good as it looks. Refreshed after a light lunch, it’s time for some more history. And there are a few gems just steps away from the restaurant. First, a quick stop inside the church in Giz Kial, which mainly surprised us with its rather unusual floor plan. Right next door, you’ll find the Chappelle de Pinlon, dating back to the 17th century. This lovely little chapel was home to the Brotherhood of the White Penitance for more than three centuries, a group dedicated to helping the poorest families in the village until the 1920s. Don’t miss the original triangular shaped bell tower. The interior is even more surprising. You step inside and suddenly it’s all light, color, and calm. The Belgian artist John Michelle Flor redesigned the chapel and worked on it until his death in 2005. The centerpiece is a magnificent mosaic that stretches across more than 100 square meters, shimmering with golds, blues, and soft pastels. But every detail here tells a story. The delicate stained glass windows, the figures on the canvases, the sculptures, all inspired by the Brotherhood’s mission of kindness and compassion. Everywhere you look, you’ll see open hands, ready to give, to help, and to share. Another historic gem is this house right here, Lemiette. It once belonged to Jacqu P, who lived here between 1941 and 1955. P was an acclaimed poet and playwright and of course part of Picasso’s circle of friends and that’s also the guy who has inspired my tattoo. All right, let’s get going toward the southern end of the village. We’re now walking right through the heart of SA. This square used to be the local market until the mid 19th century. Back then, while dunkeys and mules stopped here for a drink, villagers were busy washing clothes in the old stone wash house under the arches. From here, just keep following the little alley. There’s no shortage of even more charming galleries and souvenir shops to tempt you along the way. [Music] We were honestly surprised by how lively it was on a weekday in October. But then again, this is one of the most famous villages on the French Riviera. And here we are stepping out of the village through the Port Dunis, the southern gate of the old fortifications. Right across from it is one of the best viewpoints in town. Climb up the steep steps, walk under the giant olive tree, and take it all in. The Kazu’s coastline stretches out before you. And below, as you can tell, is a peaceful cemetery. It’s actually home to a few famous names. Let’s go take a look. We always love wandering through old cemeteries, especially in a setting like this, overlooking the sea. Right as you enter, you’ll spot a map showing a few of the most notable tombs. And of course, one name stands out. Painter Makshagal. He passed away here in S. Paul in 1985 after spending nearly 20 years in the village. Even today, almost 40 years later, people still come to pay their respects at his grave. But Chagal isn’t the only one who left his mark on S. Paul Deance. Another name you’ll come across here is the Mag family, especially Margarit and M Mag, founders of the legendary Fond Mag. And yes, we’ll take you there in just a minute. Patience. By the way, if you want to stretch your legs a bit more, there’s a lovely little fortification discovery walk just outside St. Paul’s mighty walls. Along the way, you’ll find information boards telling the story of S. Paul’s dual life, both as a medieval fortress and as a peaceful agricultural village. An even cooler way to explore this hilltop gem. Walk on the ramp parts themselves if you’re not afraid of heights. You can hop onto them right next to the lookout point we showed you earlier. And once you’re up there, wow, the views are absolutely stunning. These ramparts date back to the 16th century and are sad to be among the best preserved examples from that era in all of France. Just really watch your step. There’s no railing on one side and things can get a little tricky when you have to squeeze past someone coming the other way. For us, it’s time to head to our final stop for today, the Mag Foundation, which is actually about a 20-minute walk from the village. Set in a stunning natural landscape surrounded by pine trees and silence lies one of Europe’s most important collections of 20th century art paintings, sculptures and graphic works by masters like Shagal Brag Jakometi Miru and Leger just to name a few. Inspired by American art foundations, Margarit and Emmy Mag dreamed of creating a similar haven in France. They commissioned a Spanish architect who had also designed Miro studio in Mayora to bring their vision to life. And in 1964, the Fond Maga finally opened its doors. 60 years later, this place still feels as fresh and alive as ever. Modern and contemporary art fill its light flooded spaces spill into the vast sculpture garden. Today, the collection holds over 13,000 pieces. And with everchanging exhibitions, there’s always something new to see. In summer, the garden comes alive with music and dance, adding yet another layer to this magical place. So take your time when you visit France’s most iconic art foundation. There’s so much to explore and plenty of spots to simply sit back and soak it all in. That’s it for our day in S. Paulo Devon. But before you go, quick heads up. We’ve just launched our Riviera Go memberships. We can’t wait to see you there. And until then, keep watching.