Friday 5/10/19 – So I decided today to get away from the beach and check out these two really cool hill towns; one called St-Paul-de-Vence and the other called Vence.
St-Paul-de-Vence was situated perfectly on this hilltop with views to both the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Alps. They say it’s the most visited village in France but it wasn’t too crowded when I was there. Many artists lived here over the years and painted here because of it’s vistas and great weather/lighting. Marc Chagall lived here and was buried here. I included a pic of his grave that had all the pebbles on it since he was Jewish. I took a guided tour thru the town and they explained all the buildings and history. The guide said back in the day before the Cannes Film Festival got so popular, actors would come here and hang out before the next party or interview they had since this is only about 30 minutes from Cannes. She also said Bill Wyman, former bassist for The Rolling Stones, lives here now and is often seen just hanging out at the local coffee shop. (I peaked in but didn’t see him!). American writer James Baldwin died here in 1987 as well.
As you’ll see in the pictures, there are lots of cute little alleyways all within this walled city. It reminded me of some little towns in Tuscany. In one of the pics you can actually see the snow capped Alps I was just at (I miss those!). Check out the sky in the picture right before the colorful inside of the unusual church. It looks like the symbol of the cross in the sky… pretty cool (and appropriate since I was at the church!). And the church in the next picture is interesting. It is called The White Penitents’ Chapel which was Jean-Michel Folon’s last design project before his death in 2005. The inside does not really feel like a church (other than the white cross to the left) and the entire back wall design is all mosaic tiles that represent the village of St-Paul-de-Vence. With the Folon Chapel, this Belgian artist who lived in Monaco immortalized his love for Saint Paul.They only have services there a couple times a year with the one being in October to honor the artist’s death.
The pictures starting after the church are of the cute little (again walled) village of Vence. It was formerly the ancient Roman settlement of Vintium and subsequently became the bishopric (diocese) and seigneury (Feudal Lordship) of the Villeneuve Family. It too had lots of narrow alleyways and cool little squares where people were out eating and drinking. (I know it’s hard to tell these villages apart)! It felt like such a laid back village and as if I went back in time. Very cool.
Well that’s all for today. Hope you enjoyed it! TGIF!!
Jeff
The Wandering Italian 