Vence

As the seat of a succession of bishops, there's no shortage of chapels but it was the gravitational pull Vence exerted over artists that makes it an obligatory stop on any art pilgrammage. Matisse, Dufy, Chagall, Soutine and Dubuffet stayed and painted in Vence, seduced by the town's particular magic.

The main attraction of Vence is Matisse's Chapelle du Rosaire, the extraordinary chapel entirely designed by Matisse as a gift for his former nurse and model who became a Dominican nun. From the stained-glass windows to the candlesticks, the chapel is a monument to Matisse's genius and a significant artistic landmark.

Art-lovers will also want to check out the Chateau de Villeneuve which houses the Fondation Emile-Hugues. This 17th-century mansion now holds modern and contemporary art exhibitions on a regular basis.

Depending on the season, you can use Vence as a base to launch hikes of varying difficulty or attend the summer concert series, Nuits de Sud, to enjoy music from Africa, South America and the Caribbean.

Where to Stay

Getting to Vence

There's no train station in Vence but bus No 400 connects Nice and Vence. You can find the schedule here.

Tourist Information

The Vence tourist office has more information about visiting Vence.

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