Perched on a hill overlooking the Nice hinterland, the beautiful village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of the most famous in the region. The village originally developed in the Middle Ages as a French frontier and defensive post against the Duchy of Savoy. Due to its strategic position, the village remained very much intact and, amongst the narrow winding lanes, it still boasts a wealth of 16th century architecture today.
The village's historic ramparts are still complete, and a walk along these affords great views over the many red-roofed, sandstone villas and cypress trees, as well as the surrounding landscape. Having been a playground of the rich and famous for decades now, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a joy to discover.
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Among the other highlights of the village is the Colombe d'Or, a popular hotel and restaurant. For many years, Saint-Paul-de-Vence has been inhabited by some of the world's most celebrated artists, and a significant number of these were known to settle their bills at the hotel with paintings. This has resulted in a priceless collection of art that adorns the walls today, which includes pieces by Picasso and Matisse.
