Are you planning to spend your next vacation on the French Riviera and are you looking for a charming and picturesque destination? Look no further and come visit the city of Vence (06)!
Located in the heights of Nice, just 30 minutes from the heart of the metropolis, the city of Vence has many attractions for tourists and curious people in search of discoveries.
In this article you will find the 10 must-see places to visit if you choose to come to Vence as well as associated suggestions (shops, restaurants, etc.) to complete your trip!
And don’t hesitate if you have any questions, just leave a comment at the bottom of the article: I will answer them as soon as possible!
Good discovery 😀!
1. THE OLD TOWN
Located in the heart of the city, old Vence and the medieval city are worth the detour if you like charming places full of history.
Let yourself be carried away by the charm of the city and wander the little streets, each one cuter than the next 🥰!
Here are the squares and streets not to be missed during your stroll in the historic center of Vence:
- Place du Grand Jardin: This is the largest square in Vence where you will find an underground car park for parking as close as possible to the city center. Place du Grand Jardin has many bars and restaurants and regularly hosts city events such as the Les Nuits du Sud Festival.
- La Porte du Peyra: This beautiful door will give you access to the historic city and the lovely Place du Peyra (this is the subject of paragraph 2 😉).
- La Place Vieille: Located near Place du Peyra, this is the smallest square in France according to the 1996 Book of Records!
- Rue du Marché: This street will immerse you in the soul of the City with its narrow charm and its small food shops. Yet historically, there were only stables and kitchens on this street!
- Place Godeau: The gray granite column of Estérel is one of the two formerly twinned columns offered by the city of Marseille in 230 in honor of the God Mars Vintium. Its ‘twin’ column is located at Place du Grand Jardin.
- Place Clémenceau: There you will find the Town Hall as well as the Notre-Dame de la Nativité Cathedral (see paragraph 3). Take the time to have a drink or eat on the large shaded terrace of the Clémenceau restaurant, it’s very pleasant in summer!
- Rue de la Coste: Without doubt the most ‘instagrammable’ street in Vence; It’s true that this street is pretty 🤩. To your photos!
- Place du Frêne, the Château-musée and the city ramparts: cf. paragraphs 4 and 5.
2. THE PLACE DU PEYRA AND ITS FOUNTAIN
Located in the historic city of Vence, Place du Peyra is accessible via the majestic pedestrian gate of the same name.
Former forum, Place du Peyra was completely renovated in 2005.
As soon as you arrive on the square, you will discover the Fontaine du Peyra ⛲️ dating from 1822 and designed by the architect Etienne Goby. This pretty fountain is built with stones from the Sine and replaced a previous version dating from 1539 which served as a watering trough for animals returning from the fields and travelers’ horses.
You will find several restaurants on Place du Peyra; It’s so nice to have lunch or dinner there on the terrace in the summer 🤗! The small restaurant Thé Au Rendez-Vous, nestled between the Place and rue du Marché, attracts locals and will delight your taste buds (remember to book).
3. THE NOTRE-DAME DE LA NATIVITÉ CATHEDRAL
Located on Place Clémenceau next to Vence Town Hall, Notre-Dame de la Nativité is a cathedral classified as a Historic Monument which offers beautiful medieval architecture as well as works of religious art.
This is the seat of the former diocese of Vence.
Among the works not to be missed if you enter the Cathedral:
-a Gallo-Roman sarcophagus dating from the 5th century: the tomb of Saint Véran
-the mosaic representing Moses saved by the waters created by Marc Chagall in 1979
4. THE CASTLE-MUSEUM OF VENCE
If you like modern art, take a trip to the Vence Museum located in the Château de Villeneuve on the Place du Frêne, near the ramparts of the historic city!
Built in the 17th century, adjoining the 12th century guard tower, the Castle was for a long time the home of the Lords of Villeneuve, Counts of Provence and Lords of Vence. Completely renovated, the Château de Villeneuve – Fondation Emile Hugues is today a mecca for modern and contemporary art.
Good to know, a boutique bookstore will allow you to leave with a little souvenir from the Museum 🖼.
Find all the practical information on the Museum’s official website to organize your visit.
5. THE PLACE DU FRÊNE AND THE CITY RAMPARTS
Located near the historic city, Place du Frêne offers you a breathtaking view of the Lubiane valley, the Matisse Chapel and the surrounding heights. You will notably see the Baou des Blancs, this large rock which dominates Vence at an altitude of 673 meters!
You can also take a tour of the City Ramparts from Place du Frêne; the latter date from the 13th century.
To satisfy your shopping desires and/or your cravings for the day, I advise you to take a break in the L’Atelier Francais concept store. There you will find a boutique dedicated to 100% French-local products as well as a charming tea room. Taste their pastries made by one of the renowned chefs from the neighboring village, Tourrettes sur Loup 🧁!
6. THE ROSAIRE – MATISSE CHAPEL
Built in 1951, the Rosaire Chapel or Matisse Chapel was entirely designed and decorated by Henri Matisse for the Dominican sisters during his stay in Vence. It took him 4 long years to build this contemporary masterpiece.
It will be easy for you to recognize this building thanks to its white and blue tiled roof as well as its thirteen meter high wrought iron cross ✝️.
You will also be able to discover all of Henri Matisse’s preparatory works in the museum space: drawings, engravings, models, photos, texts as well as liturgical vestments.
Visit the official Chapel website to access practical information and organize your visit.
7. THE CHAPEL OF THE WHITE PENITENTS
Located a hundred meters from the Place du Grand Jardin, the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs stands out thanks to its architecture and in particular its bell tower and its dome with polychrome tiles.
In the 17th century it was the seat and place of prayer of the brotherhood of White Penitents.
Important in Provence, from the 13th century, this brotherhood had a humanitarian role in the face of poverty, illness and death.
Restored, the pretty Chapel is today an exhibition space dedicated to contemporary visual arts.
8. THE COL DE VENCE AND ITS PANORAMA
What if you took a little height? The Col de Vence takes you to almost 1000 meters above sea level, 963 meters to be completely exact 🤓!
You will see, on the road, the landscape will change as you gain height and the vegetation will mainly give way to rock once you reach the top!
The highlight of the show is the exceptional panorama offered by the Col de Vence over the Mediterranean Sea 🌊!
Please note: several hikes are possible from the Pass and stargazing outings are organized there by the city. Ask the Vence Tourist Office if you are interested.
For the little anecdote, know that the Col de Vence is also known to be a UFO den 👽… it’s up to you to judge!
You like animals ? Around the Pass you will find several equestrian centers offering horseback riding. La Cavetière, an educational farm, also offers pony rides as well as an encounter in the countryside with the animals present (sheep, rabbits, donkeys, pigs, etc.).
9. MARKETS & EVENTS IN VENCE
Markets in Vence
Every week, market gardeners, traders and restaurateurs 🛍 meet you in the city’s most emblematic squares.
- Every Tuesday morning, ready-to-wear and its accessories are in the spotlight at Place Maréchal Juin
- Wednesdays, time for second-hand dealers and second-hand booksellers Place du Grand Jardin
- On Friday mornings, everything comes together to satisfy as many people as possible: food, ready-to-wear, accessories… Place du Grand Jardin and Place Maréchal Juin
The Nuits du Sud Festival
In July, don’t miss the Nuits du Sud festival! The city pulls out all the stops and welcomes many renowned artists to the Place du Grand Jardin.
After a break in 2023, the Festival returns from July 4 to 13, 2024 🎶!
The Salon des Antiquaires
In August, the Place du Grand Jardin welcomes antique dealers from the surrounding area for the Salon des Antiquaires. If you like to hunt for old furniture, trinkets or works of art, go there from the first day!
10. THE HILLTOP VILLAGES
There are a range of small hilltop villages around Vence, each one as charming as the next ❤️.
Here are the 3 neighboring hilltop villages that I advise you to discover if you are passing through Vence:
- Saint Paul de Vence, the most famous hilltop village on the Côte d’Azur! This little gem owes its fame to its beauty but also to its artistic soul. In the heart of the village you will find numerous art galleries as well as the famous Maeght Foundation presenting more than 13,000 works (Miro, Braque, Chagall, Giacometti…).
- Tourrettes sur Loup. Wouldn’t this be the miniature version of Saint Paul de Vence? More confidential and much less touristy than Saint Paul, Tourrettes sur Loup will charm you with its beautiful historic city. The city is the capital of Violet, which it celebrates at the beginning of March every year.
- Gourdon. Certified one of the most beautiful villages in France, Gourdon hangs on a cliff 760 meters above sea level! The village offers an exceptional panorama of the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Gorges du Loup, the canyon of the French Riviera.
I hope that these 10 must-see places will make you want to come and visit Vence, this pretty town on the Côte d’Azur 😀!
Do not hesitate to discover my other articles on the city of Vence on the Blog.
Enjoy your stay in Vence and see you soon!
