12 Amazing Things to Do in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France
Nestled in the French Riviera, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a blend of artistic legacy and medieval charm. This hilltop village, with its cobbled streets and picturesque views seriously feels like you’re stepping into a fairytale, and the buildings and well-preserved ramparts are rich with stories from the past.
Once a medieval fortress, the village is now a hub for artists, having been a retreat for famous artists like Matisse and Chagall. Art is not confined to galleries here; it spills into the streets through murals and sculptures, harmonizing with ancient architecture.
I’ve visited France 10 times and the French Riviera 3 times. During those visits, I’ve traveled to many villages and towns in southern France, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence is as good as any of them.
In this post, we’re sharing the top things to do in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, plus helpful info for your visit.
Note: As in many countries, cities in France can share similar names, and there is another town, Vence, just a few kilometers north. These are distinct villages, though it is easy to mix them up.
A guided tour is a convenient way to visit the village, as you get the benefit of a local guide who handles all logistics, and you can easily visit multiple villages and cities in one day.
This small group “Best of the Riviera” tour is a great option – besides Saint-Paul-de-Vence, you’ll also visit Grasse (the birthplace of perfume), Cannes (the glitzy seaside city), and Gourdon (another charming perched village).
12 Incredible Things to Do in Saint-Paul-de-Vence
1. Walk in Through the Porte de Vence
The Porte de Vence is the northern gate of the city, and is where most visitors enter. The gate is a series of several arches leading through the ramparts to get into the city, which hails from the 14th century.
As you walk through, stop in the small little courtyard just before you reach the city. This little courtyard is Place Neuve, and you can see the slits in the walls used to drop items onto attackers, as well as the historic cannons built into the city walls.
2. Wander Through Old Town
Walking around Saint Paul de Vence, France is a treat. The village is just ridiculously charming and idyllic, with narrow, cobblestoned streets, quaint stone walls, ivy climbing up the sides of buildings, and greenery and potted plants dotting the sidewalks.
Wrought iron signs for artists’ workshops accent the stone walls, with occasional sculptures or paintings being displayed on sidewalks. Plus, the entire town is pedestrian-only, so the village is free from the noise of motorized vehicles.
It’s the kind of place where you want to take a picture every 10 steps, and you turn a corner and just laugh because there’s yet another adorable alley in front of you.
You can absolutely see why artists were drawn to and inspired by this idyllic paradise, which brings me to my next point….
3. Admire All of the Art
While Saint-Paul-de-Vence has a history of being a hotspot for artists, it’s not just history – the creative tradition continues today.
The town is filled with painters, sculptors, and other artisans. Artwork and sculptures are displayed on the streets, and workshops and galleries are open to the public to walk through and admire. It almost feels like a living, breathing museum.
I was particularly intrigued by this interesting sculpture of a woman (above) that has such a fascinating design. Another street has a sculpture of a girl sleeping on a hammock strung between the buildings, above the heads of the visitors that walk by (below).
4. Place de la Grande Fontaine
Though tiny, the Grand Fountain Square has been a gathering place in the village for centuries, and is about as close to a “main square” as you’ll get in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. This tiny square features a large fountain, a small covered archway, and some randomly placed but aesthetically pleasing red umbrellas.
Back in the 1600s, this square was used for a weekly market, although this market no longer takes place.
5. Chapelle des Penitents Blancs
The Chapel of the White Penitents, also known as the Folon Chapel, is a quiet masterpiece in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The chapel has been in the village for a long time, but was painted very recently by Jean-Michel Folon, a painter who had strong ties with the village.
The chapel was first established for the Brotherhood of the White Penitents in the late 1500’s, who were laymen concerned with doing good deeds and caring for the poor and needy. This brotherhood was quite popular in southern France – you can see Chapels for the Penitents Blancs in Eze and Menton as well.
Jean-Michel Folon restored and painted the chapel in the early 2000’s, covering the walls with paintings, mosaics, and stained glass.
- Hours: 10am-12:30pm, 2pm-5pm (6pm from April 15-Oct 14)
- Entrance Fee: €3
6. Eglise Collegiale Saint Paul
The Collegial Church of Saint Paul is the main church in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Because it was built and expanded over the course of several centuries, there are several different architectural styles in use in this building.
While the main nave and pews of the church are more simple, the chapels on the perimeter are intricate and ornate. The chapel to Saint Clement actually contains the relics of the saint, which were brought to the village from Rome.
- Hours: Mon-Fri: 8.15am-4.15pm; Sat-Sun: 10am-6pm
- Entrance Cost: Free
7. Porte de Nice
The Porte de Nice is the city gate at the opposite end of the town from the Porte de Vence, at the southern edge of the town. The fortified city of Saint-Paul-de-Vence looks like a long, skinny oval, with the two city gates on the far ends. The picture above is taken from just inside the actual fortified city gate.
The next 3 spots on this list are located right by the Porte de Nice.
8. Walk the West Ramparts
Ramparts surround the entire village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and you can actually get up and walk along them! The best access point for the ramparts is by the Porte de Nice, which has a stairway leading up the walls.
While the ramparts encircle the entire city, the western side has the more exciting pathway, as it’s much more elevated above the street than the eastern side. Walking the ramparts was very fun, but be careful, as there are no guardrails and you could hurt yourself if you fell.
As you walk, you’ll get a unique and beautiful vantage point looking at the city and then down over the countryside below.
9. Southern Viewpoint
The Southern Viewpoint is accessible by the Porte de Nice, right where you climb the stairs to access the ramparts. This viewpoint overlooks the valley and all the houses that dot the valley below. It also overlooks the Cemetery of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, which is just outside the city walls.
When we visited, it was drizzling so the views were more obstructed, but I imagine the vista would be even more stunning on a sunny day.
10. Cemetery
Just outside the Porte of Nice is the town cemetery, a large and expansive cemetery with manicured hedges, some sculptures, and nice views.
The biggest draw of the cemetery is the grave of renowned artist, Marc Chagall. Chagall was a Belarus-born painter who spent much of his adult life in France, particularly in Vence and Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Chagall was a major modern art player in the Cubism and Surrealism styles. While his art resembles the abstract shapes of modern art that Picasso is famous for, Chagall used “emotional and poetic associations” to create his paintings, making them often much softer and more pastoral.
The beautiful Chagall Museum in Nice is dedicated solely to his works. I didn’t know much about Chagall or his work before, but visiting the Chagall Museum turned me into a fan!
Chagall was Jewish, and it is respectful in Jewish culture to leave stones on gravesites.
11. Place du General de Gaulle
This unassuming square is just outside the Porte de Vence and is a popular petanque playing spot. Petanque is essentially the French version of bocce ball, and it is particularly popular among older French men. You will see groups of cute old men playing this game in parks and squares all over France.
12. Viewpoint of the Village
Saint Paul de Vence is one of the “perched villages” of Provence; that is, villages “perched” on top of a hill. Historically, it makes a lot of sense why there are so many villages like this – it’s a very smart tactical place to be able to defend yourself against invaders.
Today, it also makes for some great views of cities from below, and luckily there are some great places to admire Saint-Paul-de-Vence perched on its hill.
One good spot is on the intersection of Route des Serres and Chemin Fonette, just a couple minutes’ walk outside of the walled city. I’ve dropped a pin at this location here.
Practical Information For Visiting Saint-Paul-de-Vence
How to Get to Saint-Paul-de-Vence
There are a few different ways to get to the village. You can arrive via bus (or bus + train) for just a few euros. You can drive yourself, or take an Uber or taxi. Finally, visiting as part of a guided tour of the French Riviera is also a great option.
For more information, read my detailed guide on how to get to Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
How Long Do You Need in Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
A half day is a perfect amount of time to leisurely explore the town and visit all the sites in the village.
Where to Stay When Visiting Saint-Paul-de-Vence
I’d recommend staying in Nice, spending a few days exploring Nice, and then making it your home base to do more day trips around the Cote d’Azur.
In Nice, these 3 hotels are my top recommendations:
Alternatively, staying in Saint-Paul-de-Vence itself can be a fun way to experience rural Provencal life, and you can use the village as your home base. The walled city has just a couple of hotels and a few villas to rent – these are a few good accommodation options:
Finally, if you want to stay just outside the walled city, there are a number of really lovely villa hotels to stay in. Here are a couple of great options:
Where Else to Visit on the French Riviera?
The south of France is a great area to explore – there are tons and tons of little towns and coastal cities to visit and discover.
Besides Saint-Paul-de-Vence, I’d recommend spending a few days in Nice. I loved visiting Antibes, a fairly large coastal city, as well as Cannes, the glitzy city famous for luxury living and the Cannes Film Festival.
I also love the colorful towns of Villefranche-sur-Mer and Menton, as well as the coastal hike around Cap Ferrat. Grasse is the perfume capital of France and is such a fascinating place to visit. Finally, Eze and La Turbie are also amazing villages to visit!
What to Do in Saint-Paul-de-Vence – The Wrap Up
One of my favorite aspects of the Provence region is the hilltop villages, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence epitomizes so much of what makes them so fun. The old, stone buildings, the winding streets, the dramatic vistas, and artistic scene combine to make a truly memorable visit. You are sure to love your time here!
