South of France: A Guide to Medieval Saint Paul de Vence (French Riviera)
saint-paul-de-vence
A Medieval Hilltop Village in the French Riviera
☼
when is the best time to visit saint-paul-de-vence
How to avoid the crowds and the heat in Saint-Paul-de-Vence
☼
how much time do you need to see saint-paul-de-vence
Seeing Saint-Paul-de-Vence as a day trip vs. Staying in the Village
☼
best things to do in saint-paul-de-vence
How to Spend the Day in Saint-Paul-De-Vence and Where to Eat In Saint-Paul-de-Vence
☼
where to stay in saint-paul-de-vence
Where we stayed in Saint-Paul-de-Vence and other beautiful properties in the village
☼
Bonjour! If this is your first time on The Weithouse - welcome! My name is Taylor and I’m the girl behind the screen and camera bringing you resources to help you plan the trip of your dreams.
In January of 2022, my husband and I left our home in Atlanta, packed our bags and moved to Paris! Every day we wake up in disbelief that we get to call this incredible city our home, a city full of rich history, world-renowned food, and beauty hidden around every corner.
In this Saint Paul de Vence Travel Guide, we’re sharing everything you need to know to spend a day or a few enjoying the medieval hilltop village located in the French Riviera.
saint-paul-de-vence
Saint-Paul-De-Vence is a medieval hilltop village located in the French Riviera. You’ll likely know the French Riviera as home to famous towns and villages, long popular with international tourists, such as St. Tropez, Cannes and Nice.
There are a seemingly endless number of places to visit in the French Riviera, but if you want a taste for a beautiful, medieval, hilltop village, then you’ll want to take the short drive inland from Nice to discover the tiny charming village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
According to Saint-PauldeVence.com, the village has a history that started before the 14th century and has continued into the modern day. More recently, the town became a popular destination for both artists and the cinema, with many film directors using the ancient walls of St. Paul de Vence as a backdrop for film studios. When visiting Saint-Paul-de-Vence today, you’ll discover a village that both maintains its historic authenticity and acts as a home to art and artists.
the best time to visit saint-paul-de-vence
The best time to visit Saint-Paul-de-Vence is going to be outside the peak tourist and summer seasons. Peak tourism season in the French Riviera is May-August, with July and August being especially busy. August is European vacation, meaning many local French and Europeans will be stationing themselves in the French Riviera to enjoy their summers.
July and August also have the highest potential of being hot. And with Saint-Paul-de-Vence being up on a hill, versus down on the water’s edge, both the heat and the humidity can be stifling. We personally visited mid-July and even after an early morning stroll at 6:30AM, I was drenched from the humidity and lack of breeze.
If you’re looking to visit without the heat and crowds, I’d recommend the months of May, June or September. May and June will provide cooler temperatures and noticeably less crowds than July and August. September in Saint-Paul-de-Vence will provide warmer temperatures, yet without all of the European travelers who had previously been on their holidays in August.
how much time do you need in saint-paul-de-vence
If you are planning to visit Saint-Paul-de-Vence as a day trip from Nice or Antibes, you don’t even need an entire day for your visit. To walk from one end to the other of the village takes roughly 8-10 minutes, so the amount of village to explore is relatively small. For a day trip to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, I would recommend giving yourself time to have a meal in the village and to walk through its charming medieval streets and seemingly endless art galleries. A half day or a few hours should be enough time for a day trip to St. Paul de Vence.
If you’re interested in staying in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, I wouldn’t advise staying in the village for too long. We stayed in Saint-Paul-de-Vence for two nights, but we really could have gotten away with just staying one night while still being able to enjoy the village fully. This is simply because there really isn’t all that much to do in St. Paul de Vence, there aren’t that many restaurants or cafes, and if you’re looking to spend time at the beach, you can base yourself in towns within the French Riviera that are much more accessible to the water.
best things to do in saint-paul-de-vence
Whether you plan to stay the night in Saint-Paul-de-Vence or just visit for the day, here are a few ways to explore all the village has to offer.
1) Stroll through the village
Once you park at the base of the village, the first thing you can do to explore St. Paul de Vence is to stroll straight through the main road of the village. The village is paved with stone and mostly uphill, so I would recommend wearing good walking shoes to do so! Once you’ve strolled through the main portion of the village, you can wander through the streets that jut off to each side of the main road.
2) Walk along the ramparts
After you’ve explored the interior roads of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, head to the exterior of the village and walk along the ramparts that surround the town. You can walk a large portion of the circumference of the town along the narrow rampart walls, which will provide views of the sea below and of the village behind you.
3) have a gastronomic experience at one of the villages restaurants
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is home to a handful of French restaurants that are sure to provide a unique gastronomic experience for your French Riviera travels. During our stay, we ate at Restaurant Le Tilleul, which has a beautiful exterior courtyard overlooking the valley below. Another famous restaurant in the village is La Colombe d’Or which you would need to make reservations for in advance.
4) Photograph the beautiful facade of Maison de Jacques Prevert
One of the most beautiful buildings in the South of France is the former home of poet Jacques Prevert. The building stands alone on a corner of two alleyways and is now covered in abundant jasmine (which you will find in bloom if you happen to be there in June). You can find the building at 4 Rue de la Cassette, 06570 Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
where to stay in saint-paul-de-vence
If you do choose to stay a night or two in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, you’ll discover there is no shortage of beautiful hotels and Airbnb rentals within the village. Whether you’re looking for traditional indulgence or a more authentic Airbnb stay, you’ll love these Saint-Paul-de-Vence properties below.
If you’re trying to figure out where to stay in the French Riviera, be sure to check out our roundups up the Best Hotels in the French Riviera and the Best Airbnbs in the South of France.
Luxury townhouse in the heart of medieval St Paul de Vence
During our two nights in Saint-Paul De-Vence, we stayed in the stunning Luxury townhouse in the heart of medieval St Paul de Vence, an Airbnb rental within an ancient townhouse that has been updated with luxury features. Our room was lovely, with a large bed, a window with a view overlooking the hills surrounding Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and a modern bathroom outfitted with a clawfoot tub and large walk-in shower. The townhouse has three separate suites, with a shared common area, and the suites can be rented individually or the entire townhouse in full.
Stunning historic 12th century apartment of the poet
Sister property to the Luxury Townhouse, this Airbnb rental in Saint-Paul-de-Vence was once the home to poet, Jacques Prévert. The Airbnb is also set inside the walls of the beautiful facade mentioned above, so when booking this property you’re staying in the prettiest building in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The apartment can sleep four people (two couples).
Toile Blanche
If you’re looking for an indulgent stay near Saint-Paul-de-Vence, just outside of the village you will find the modern resort of Toile Blanche. Toile Blanche is a traditional hotel with 16 suites and two pools, allowing for a relaxing experience near the village.
L'Abbaye Hôtel
If you really want to embrace the medieval experience during your travels to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, then don’t miss the opportunity to stay in a 11th-century abbey at L’Abbaye Hotel, located just outside of the village. With just 13 rooms, you’re bound to feel like you have the entire abbey to yourself.
Planning for the south of france?
If you are planning a larger trip through the South of France, check out some of these guides and roundups to help you plan your travels.
The Best Airbnbs in the South of France
South of France: The Best Hotels in the French Riviera
STICK AROUND FOR A WHILE
Need help planning the rest of your trip?
If you’re exploring more of France, be sure to check out our Complete Guide to Paris, our Normandy Road Trip Itinerary, read our quick guide to visiting Monet’s Home & Gardens, or learn what it’s like to live as an American expat in Paris.
FOLLOW ALONG
For all of our live travel content and BTS, be sure to follow us on social media. You’ll get to see what our life looks like as expats in Paris and get to virtually come along with us whenever we are exploring somewhere new.
Heading to Provence and looking to discover the most beautiful villages in the region? Discover the most charming and breathtaking villages to visit during your Provence travels in this curated list.