Saint-Paul-de-Vence Guide

Perched high above the French Riviera, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of the most beautiful and iconic villages in France.

Surrounded by medieval ramparts and filled with cobbled streets, art galleries and hidden courtyards, the village has inspired artists, writers and travellers for generations.

Just a few minutes from Villa 45, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is the perfect place to spend a morning wandering through narrow alleyways, discovering local boutiques and enjoying lunch with panoramic views across the Riviera.

Top Things to Do

Explore the Medieval Streets

Lose yourself among centuries-old stone buildings, flower-filled windows and charming squares.

Visit Local Art Galleries

Saint-Paul-de-Vence has long been associated with artists including Chagall, Picasso and Matisse.

Enjoy a Long Lunch

The village is home to numerous cafés and restaurants serving Provençal cuisine. Restaurant list here

Watch the Sunset

The village walls provide spectacular views across the countryside towards the Mediterranean.

Our Tip

Visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon when day-trippers have left and the village feels most authentic.

A special mention must be made of the Colombe D’or.The Colombe d'Or restaurant in St Paul de Vence, France, is a famous old French restaurant that has welcomed a whole host of famous diners during its 95 year history. La Colombe d'Or restaurant was opened by Paul Roux and his wife Titine in 1920 as a fairly humble café bar. Its main distinction, was that it had a large open terrace, where people would come at the weekends from the neighbouring villages to dance. Eventually, the cafe-bar was transformed into a small hotel. At the time it only had 3 rooms and even today, there are just 13 rooms.

What made La Colombe d'Or distinct was Paul Roux's passion for art. He cultivated friendships with many local artists, many of whom contributed art works to be displayed in the restaurant (including a piece by Picasso). Later on, artists have decorated various parts of the hotel, including the famous Irish artist, Sean Scully, who has created a large ceramic in the swimming pool area.

During the 1950's, La Colombe d'Or restaurant attracted a loyal following from artists and actors, such as Picasso, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, the Spanish artist, Joan Miro; the French film star, Yves Montand and the American sculptor, Alexander Calder. Yves Montand married his bride, the film actress Simone Signoret, at La Colombe d'Or in 1951.

Do make a reservation early. The food at the Colombe d'Or is traditional French cuisine, with a Mediterranean feel. The main restaurant seats approximately seventy people, with space for a further thirty people in a private dining room. During the summer the beautiful garden terrace can accommodate one hundred diners.

You can find La Colombe d'Or restaurant at Place du Général de Gaulle, 06800 Vence, France. For reservations call 33 4 93 32 80 02.