Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence day trip from Nice or Antibes or Cannes
A day trip to Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence from Nice, Antibes or Cannes: the Fondation Maeght in the woods above Saint-Paul, a walk on the ramparts and through the village, Chagall's grave, then in Vence Matisse's Chapelle du Rosaire and the old town round Place du Peyra, with the medieval village of Tourrettes-sur-Loup to end the day. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence in 1 day
Day 1
Fondation Maeght
Modern art museum in a building and garden made for it, with Giacometti's courtyard, Miró's labyrinth and works by Chagall and Braque.
Historic centre of Saint-Paul-de-Vence (Place du Général de Gaulle)
The walled village's cobbled lanes of galleries and fountains, ringed by ramparts with views to the sea, and the pétanque square at its gate.
Chagall's grave (Saint-Paul cemetery)
Marc Chagall's simple grave in the small cemetery at the south end of the village, with a view over the valley.
Matisse Chapel (Chapelle du Rosaire)
Small Dominican chapel designed by Henri Matisse down to the stained glass, the black-and-white tiles and the vestments; open only some days.
Historic centre of Vence (Place du Peyra)
Old Vence inside its walls, with the fountain of Place du Peyra, the Château de Villeneuve and a Chagall mosaic in the cathedral.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Medieval village on a rock above the Loup valley, known for its violets and craft workshops; an optional last stop on the way back.
Getting there
By car Saint-Paul-de-Vence is about 30-40 minutes from Nice, Antibes or Cannes, Vence a few minutes further, and Tourrettes-sur-Loup about 10 minutes west of Vence. A regional bus from Nice runs to Saint-Paul and on to Vence in about an hour. Parking at Saint-Paul fills early in summer.
Staying in Nice or Antibes or Cannes? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence
Spring and autumn are the best seasons, warm and with fewer visitors. In July and August Saint-Paul is crowded in the middle of the day, so come early or late. Winter is mild and quiet, though some galleries and restaurants close for part of it.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for France from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence
- Arrive at Saint-Paul early: by late morning in summer the lanes fill with tour groups.
- The Matisse Chapel is closed on Sundays and Mondays, opens only in the afternoon on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and shuts from late November to mid-December: plan the day around it.
- The Fondation Maeght is a short uphill walk from the village; wear comfortable shoes for the slopes and cobbles.
- La Colombe d'Or's art collection is only for guests of its restaurant and hotel; book well ahead.
- Watch, or join, the pétanque games on the square at the village entrance.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Historic centre of Saint-Paul-de-Vence (Place du Général de Gaulle): Dennis G. Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Historic centre of Vence (Place du Peyra): Myrabella, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Matisse Chapel (Chapelle du Rosaire): Matthias Holländer. Original uploader was Rainer Zenz at de.wikipedia, Public domain
- Tourrettes-sur-Loup: Jpchevreau, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
