A journey to the historical sites in Saint Paul de Vence, France
Rita and I were in Nice, January 16 we decided to visit one of the beautiful sights of France, the village of Saint Paul, already because this is the real name of the place.
From Nice take the convenient bus 400, which brings us to the destination at a price of 1 euro (20 km)
We arrived about an hour later in St. Paul that is a very popular medieval village, perched on a rocky outcrop from a distance looks like a fortress surrounded by high walls (we shall see that the walls are covered on foot), on which stands a tower, in this period is little known, and then the visit is very enjoyable.
The origins of the village are old but the current arrangement dates from the fourteenth century, but most of what you see is of the XIV-XVII.
The discovery as a tourist resort is relatively new, around 1930, when it began to be frequented by famous painters and artists (Miro, Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, to name a few) drawn from the particular position, then they were actors and film directors.
We enter the village, practically all closed to traffic, passing from the Porte Royale is placed where the mouth of the cannon Lacan, used in 1544 in a battle that took place in Piedmont, a pleasant side two sculptures, then start the tour along the rue Grande, a narrow road , of Roman origin that crosses the country from the Porte Royale to the Porte de Vence, you walk between small brick buildings with beautiful facades, large windows on either side with boutiques, art galleries, souvenir shops, hotels and restaurants, all well added, will often funny sculptures, with this road crossing narrow streets with arches and stairs, note the paving stones, everything is interesting, because in January there are the crowds on a visit, we meet the Place de la Grande Fontaine the famous and elegant fountain in an artistic 1600-1850 square, behind an old laundry, so Placette.
La Grande Rue ends in front of the small cemetery where Chagall is buried the great.
We climb the walls along a stretch (ignoring warning signs) to enjoy the interesting landscape, with the sea in the distance.
Then from the Place de l'Hospice, walk to the west side of the walls, where there are some areas of the viewpoints that are terraced, where the view in some parts comes down to the sea.
Of course be sure to visit the Chapel of the White Penitents Chapel also called Folon, the seventeenth century (including the 2 euro entrance museum, open only in the afternoon, you can take pictures without flash) with the latest in original paintings, mosaics and sculptures modern style (the original hand-shaped altar, symbolizing the giving) designed by Folon, and the Collegiate Church (XIII century, rebuilt in 1700), I might call the cathedral of the village, the same square as the town hall and the tower of the thirteenth century, the remains of an ancient castle.
With regard to the Maeght Foundation, is closed for renovation, but the Colombe D'Or, the famous hotel and art gallery, we tried to enter, but the staff told us that it is necessary to visit the night.
We did lunch at the famous Café de la Place the square in front of 1850 with the tennis bocce (petanque), the dish of the day we paid 14.5 euro, around you will see on display many photos of famous French actors who compete in a game.
Then return to Nice with the 400.
Ferny Forner