Situated in the department of Alpes-Maritimes, Vence will win you over with its Mediterranean climate, its beautiful religious heritage and its fine food.
Nestled between the sea and the mountains, just over 10 miles from Nice, Vence will awaken your senses with the flavours of the south, fantastic architecture, vast natural spaces, and gentle sunshine on your skin.
The history of Vence began in the "baous", the limestone mountains that give the region its rugged terrain. The caves were inhabited since the Palaeolithic and Neolithic eras and regularly occupied until the modern era. Under the influence of the Ligurians, Vence grew more powerful with the rise of Christianity and became an important episcopal town from the 4th century. During the Roman conquests, the town was turned into a small fortified town, which continued to thrive in the Middle Ages, ruled by bishops or powerful nobles.
Today, Vence is very popular destination for art and culture lovers. When you visit, you'll be following in the footsteps of great painters such as Dubuffet, Chagall and Matisse, who lived there. In addition, Chagall designed the whole interior of the Chapelle du Rosaire, which he himself considered to be his masterpiece. Other religious buildings include Nativité-de-Marie Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century, the unmistakable Chapel of the White Penitents, with its multicoloured glazed tile dome, and Notre-Dame de Larrat Chapel, to mention just a few.
Vence also boasts a remarkable natural heritage and is a real paradise for hikers, with hundreds of miles of marked paths: everything you need to discover the many sides of the Côte d'Azur. Walking along the narrow mediaeval streets of the old town is like taking a step back in time. Quench your thirst at the town's fountains, breathe in the scent of the local markets and taste the local flavours of garlic, rosemary and olive oil.
One thing's for sure: whatever's on the menu for your holiday in Vence, it'll be a feast for the senses!
