Welcome to Vence, located in the hills of the Alpes-Maritimes department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in the South of France. Water is of great importance in Vence. The water from the Foux Spring is considered to be so good, that people fill bottles and jugs to take it home to drink. Vence is a charming and authentic, medieval town in the French Riviera. Vence is North of Nice, Cagnes-sur-Mer and Antibes on the Mediterranean Coast and overlooked by the Col de Vence. Filmed on a beautiful and warm Sunday morning, there is a relaxed rhythm and vibe to Vence this morning. The terrace cafés beneath the plane trees facing the Place du Grand Jardin around La Fontaine Philosophique are great for sitting and watching town activity. Vence is famous for its groves of olive trees and orchards of citrus fruits, the mighty common and holm oaks, Aleppo pines and beautiful gardens filled with the aromas of rosemary and lavender. The old Roman and medieval town of Vence is located on the road to Grasse, the perfume capital of the world. Vence is a small town that has preserved all of the charm of a typical Provencal village. It's people are warm and friendly. In January 2021 the population of Vence was approximately 19,415 people. The “Nuits du Sud” festival of world music, takes place every summer on the Place du Grand Jardin. On the outdoor stage popular names in rock, reggae, pop perform. The town has conserved much of its heritage and there are a number of interesting sights and monuments within the historic, medieval village of Vence. Provence is renowned as the most expansive and celebrated region in France for olive cultivation. In Provence, the beloved olive tree symbolises peace, wisdom, and strength, forming a core part of the region's landscape and cultural essence. Please subscribe - it's free and if you are watching on your television - subscribe easily using your phone camera to scan the QR code image about to appear on you screen. Five historic gateways invite you into this mesmerising centre. Marvel at the 13th-century fortifications, impeccably maintained due to a 15th-century decision to integrate houses along these walls. This clever preservation strategy saved them from the fate of demolition for boulevards, a common occurrence in many medieval towns. Peyra gate - Renaissance gateway constructed in the 15th century and then remodelled in 1810. The Tree of Vence painted by Chaïm Soutine from 1929. The Place du Frêne with its famous Ash Tree (frêne) was donated by François I on his visit with Pope Paul III in 1538, it now stands in memoriam. 'Accord Parfait' is one of Armand Fernandes (1928-2005) works of art, of the Atlantis series from 2005, just a year before he died. Arman was a French-American artist, painter, sculptor and plastic artist. He worked with manufactured objects as art material. Built in the 17th century by the Seigneurs de Villeneuve, the former home of the Lords of Vence, Château des Villeneuve was donated in 1966 by Emile Hugues, former minister and mayor of Vence. The Fondation Émile Hugues, is now a museum offering themed exhibitions that represent modern and contemporary, French and international art throughout the year. Enjoy a sweeping view from Fernand Moulet Belvedere, spanning the Lubiane valley, the Baous, Rosary Chapel, Queen Jeanne's château ruins, Col de Vence, and the Pre-Alps, Jean Dubuffet painted this impressive view in 1961. “La vue sur l’Adret” (The view of the Adret) The painting depicts the houses, streets and hills of le Baou des Blancs. Overlooking the valley, near the Cité Historique, stands the Chapelle du Rosaire des Dominicaines, a small chapel designed by Henri Matisse, featuring his stained glass windows, completed in 1951 during his final years in Vence. Wander the old pedestrian-only streets, full of delightful cafe’s, enticing shops, delicious patisseries and so much more. Explore the enchanting, circular heart of Vence, a historical treasure that proudly preserves its fortifications. Today, these ancient defences blend seamlessly into a ring of timeless houses, replacing the traditional stone barriers. The most famous of Vence’s fountains is the Fontaine du Peyra, renovated in 1822 and a classified historical monument. Every May the fountains are decorated with flowers, and celebrated with a musical parade as part of the “Fête des fontaines”. Place du Peyra was once the square where public executions took place, now enjoyed with its cafes and famous fountain fed by the Foux Spring, which was rebuilt in 1822. There is still a very strong art connection in Vence and you will find numerous beautiful small art galleries to browse. When you’ve explored Vence’s artistic treasures, lunch at one of the towns delightful restaurants and admire the historic architecture that can be found around every corner. The Place Clemenceau is full of wonderful places to eat and drink and watch the world pass by in the warmth of the Provencal sun. Cathedral of Nativite-de-Notre-Dame, Cathedral of the Nativity of Saint Mary was built in the 4th century on the site of a Roman temple. It was rebuilt in the 12th century along with the Saint Lambert Tower. It is known to be the smallest cathedral in France The cathedral houses the marble sarcophagus of Saint-Véran, the bishop of Vence, dating from the 6th century and which serves as the altar. A chapel in the cathedral contains a mosaic by Marc Chagall, "Moses saved from the waters" dated 1979. The two patron saints of Vence town are Saint Véran and Saint Lambert. Inside a lighted enclosure are two busts of the saints, made of wood and paint. Saint Véran was the bishop of Vence 451 to 481 while Saint Lambert served from 1114-1155. Each of the saints has a chapel in the Cathedral dedicated to their memory. At Easter time there is a Procession to the Saint Michel Plateau, honouring the two saints, Saint Véran and Saint Lambert. Subscribe to Walking Tours and Road Trips for a serene and immersive experience, bringing the beauty of quaint villages and vibrant towns right to your screen. Love our walking tours, please consider Buying us a Coffee, link in description below, helps keep the cameras rolling, so we can take more beautiful walks together with you. In Place Godeau you will find a painting by Alexis Mossa, “Vence un passage sous voûte”. There have been some changes to the actual buildings in the scene since it was painted in 1907. We recommend visiting and have filmed the beautiful medieval villages of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Mougins. Watch our videos - links in description below. Porte Levis, is one of the original 13th Century entrances, there used to be a tower above the gate, sadly this has now been lost. Vence is blessed with an exceptionally mild micro-climate. Summers are hot and dry and winters are mild with periods of rain storms. Winter visitors can enjoy the ski area of Gréolière les Neiges, which is only 45 minutes from Vence. Vence was formerly the ancient Roman settlement of Vintium, and subsequently became the bishopric and seigneury of the Villeneuve family. Thèâtre l’Avant-scène is a very small and quaint Theatre with a scheduled program and availability for hire for larger groups, events and performances. Rue du Marche - Vence has been a market town for centuries, with a food market along the very narrow rue du Marché inside it's walls. It costs nothing to subscribe, yet each click opens a world of free, breathtaking adventures. Don't miss a walk - hit subscribe for your next virtual getaway! Many important historic monuments in Vence are found in and around Place Clemenceau the main square in the town and along the adjacent Passage Cahours. The Town Hall is in Place Clemenceau square and offers a lovely view point. Matisse and Chagall, along with many other artists, such as Dufy, Dubuffet, Carnoustie, and Arman were attracted to Vence by the towns surrounding beautiful landscapes. Please subscribe - it's free and if you are watching on your television - subscribe easily using your phone camera to scan the QR code image about to appear on you screen. D H Lawrence moved to Vence in early 1930 when he was very ill with tuberculosis. He was visited here by H. G. Wells, the Aga Khan and Aldous Huxley. Lawrence died in Vence in 1930, and was buried here for a few years before being exhumed and his ashes sent to Mexico. Enjoy our scenic walks? Support us with a Coffee—link below! Your generosity fuels our journeys, bringing more captivating tours to life for our shared adventures together. Thanks for joining our walk. We eagerly await your company on our next virtual adventure. Subscribe to not miss out on the wonders we'll explore together soon.
