Vence: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The historic town of Vence has been preserved within its surviving medieval fortifications. The Chapelle du Rosaire, also known as the Chapelle Matisse, was built in 1951 and entirely designed and decorated by Henri Matisse. It has been listed as a historic monument by decree of 28 December 1965. The design in shades of blue, green and yellow comprises three frescoes created by Henri Matisse in collaboration with the ceramicist Le Bourdillon: Saint Dominic, the Virgin and Child, and the Stations of the Cross.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Vence can include the town in their travel plans.

Culture

The Musée de Vence presents thematic exhibitions of modern and contemporary art at the Château de Villeneuve / Fondation Emile Hugues. It complements its exhibition programme with artist talks, educational workshops for young people, concerts, readings and guided tours. The signposted “In Matisse’s Footsteps” route connects the Musée de Vence with the Chapelle du Rosaire; blue markings on the ground indicate the way, and the route takes around 15 minutes.

The Witold Gombrowicz museum space, Espace muséal Witold Gombrowicz, opened in 2017 in the Villa Alexandrine, where the Polish writer lived from 1964 to 1969. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de la Nativité is listed as a historic monument and was the seat of the former Diocese of Vence. The Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs now serves as an exhibition venue. The Lavoir de Vence was built in 1811, altered in 1832 and given its present form in 1861.

Landscape

The Col de Vence reaches an altitude of almost 1,000 m and offers panoramic views over the Mediterranean from Nice to Cap d’Antibes. The Col de Vence has an extensive network of trailheads for hikes. A signposted hiking trail leads around the Baou des Blancs; the round trip is given as 10 km and 3 hours, and offers panoramic views from the summit from Cap Ferrat to the Estérel.

The signposted Parcours de l'eau leads to the Source de la Foux and offers panoramic views of Vence and the coast. More than twenty fountains in Vence are supplied by water from the Source de la Foux. The Fontaine du Peyra is located at the main entrance to the historic town of Vence.

Local life

At the Marché des producteurs locaux, visitors can sample regional produce. Le Craquelin is a brioche available in Vence, shaped with sugar and covered with a decoration of cream and almonds; it is offered in several sizes in the town’s pastry shops.

Other destinations: Villeneuve-Loubet, Lucéram, Peymeinade, Saint-Auban, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Sallagriffon, Aspremont, Cagnes-Sur-Mer

For the higher-level travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.