This lover of light and the Mediterranean land lived in Saint-Paul for nearly 20 years, tirelessly integrating the village and its ramparts in his paintings. Here, Marc Chagall painted his favourite theme, love, over and over again.
The village of Saint-Paul de Vence hides many treasures within its ramparts. You need to take your time to discover them, at the turn of a street, behind a fountain, at the foot of a bastion... Stroll through the pedestrianised heart of Saint-Paul de Vence to discover its history and heritage.
Departure point: Place Charles de Gaulle (jeu de boules area) at the entrance to the village, beneath the ramparts
A new look at our history and heritage
Along the squares and lanes, history is revealed through some twenty heritage interpretation panels. Places of heritage, houses of illustrious people, life in the past, memorable events... a new heritage itinerary marks out the immense heritage of Saint-Paul de Vence.
Bonus content via NFC technology!
Each heritage interpretation panel has an explanatory text, a photo and an NFC chip. All you have to do is point your smartphone at the NFC chip to access enriched content: period films, poems, interviews, old postcards and videos... !
With its century-old plane trees, it is the place where the people of Saint Paul like to meet. Yves Montand and Lino Ventura have played some fierce games of pétanque on this legendary square. It is bordered by the Café de la Place, where you can sit and enjoy the lively atmosphere, and by the famous Colombe d'Or, which has welcomed some of the greatest artists of the 20th century: Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, Braque, Léger, Folon...
Walk along the ramparts as you climb towards the village and enter through the Porte de Vence.
Don't be intimidated by this powerful 16th-century fortified gate. It is a reminder that Saint-Paul was once an important border stronghold. The ramparts of Saint-Paul, built on the orders of François 1st, have remained intact since they were built. The gateway is lined with a 14th-century machicolated tower, a vestige of the medieval walls.
Turn right into rue de la Tour, then walk south along the ramparts to the Porte de Nice. Enjoy the panoramic view over the vineyards and olive groves of the Saint Paul countryside and the Mediterranean. Enter the cemetery.
Soak up the atmosphere of this cemetery with its centuries-old cypress trees.
This is the final resting place of the painter Marc Chagall, who spent the rest of his life in Saint-Paul, between 1966 and 1985. He lies beside his wife Vava and her brother Michel.
Leave the cemetery, go back past the Porte de Nice and take the Rue Grande. Let yourself be captivated by the charm of these houses, which have preserved traces of their past splendour.
At no. 71, you'll find a beautiful 16th-century gabled house with cross- and half-gabled windows opening onto the street. A little further on, at no. 92, is the mansion of the Alziary de Roquefort family, one of whose members, Honoré, was viguier of Saint-Paul.
Take advantage of rue Grande to browse through the artists' studios, painting galleries, boutiques and craft stalls.
Its intimate character and the rustle of its fountain invite you to stop off for a while.
Take the time to stop off for a moment, if only to admire the doorway with its pointed arch at no. 9 or to look at the ground floor of the Cherry boutique, which you can guess was once a stable.
Located in the heart of the village, it was once the market square. Taste the coolness of the vaulted wash-house where the washerwomen used to come to beat their washing.
Don't be surprised if the sundials decorating the facades indicate that it's always a good time to take a refreshing break by the large fountain.
Perhaps you'll have the pleasure of hearing the chimes of the bells that still set the rhythm of village life today. This square is lined with monuments that are among the jewels in the crown of Saint-Paul's heritage: the former keep of the castle that is now the Saint-Paul town hall, the church of the Conversion of Saint-Paul built between the 14th and 16th centuries and the chapel of the Pénitents Blancs decorated by the artist Jean-Michel Folon.
Stop off at the Folon chapel: visiting this chapel means discovering the admirable work designed by Jean-Michel Folon. It's also an invitation to get to know this artist, who has forged links with Saint-Paul de Vence for over thirty years.
Departure point: Place Charles de Gaulle (jeu de boules area) at the entrance to the village, beneath the ramparts
A new look at our history and heritage
Along the squares and lanes, history is revealed through some twenty heritage interpretation panels. Places of heritage, houses of illustrious people, life in the past, memorable events... a new heritage itinerary marks out the immense heritage of Saint-Paul de Vence.
Bonus content via NFC technology!
Each heritage interpretation panel has an explanatory text, a photo and an NFC chip. All you have to do is point your smartphone at the NFC chip to access enriched content: period films, poems, interviews, old postcards and videos... !
With its century-old plane trees, it is the place where the people of Saint Paul like to meet. Yves Montand and Lino Ventura have played some fierce games of pétanque on this legendary square. It is bordered by the Café de la Place, where you can sit and enjoy the lively atmosphere, and by the famous Colombe d'Or, which has welcomed some of the greatest artists of the 20th century: Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, Braque, Léger, Folon...
Walk along the ramparts as you climb towards the village and enter through the Porte de Vence.
Don't be intimidated by this powerful 16th-century fortified gate. It is a reminder that Saint-Paul was once an important border stronghold. The ramparts of Saint-Paul, built on the orders of François 1st, have remained intact since they were built. The gateway is lined with a 14th-century machicolated tower, a vestige of the medieval walls.
Turn right into rue de la Tour, then walk south along the ramparts to the Porte de Nice. Enjoy the panoramic view over the vineyards and olive groves of the Saint Paul countryside and the Mediterranean. Enter the cemetery.
Soak up the atmosphere of this cemetery with its centuries-old cypress trees.
This is the final resting place of the painter Marc Chagall, who spent the rest of his life in Saint-Paul, between 1966 and 1985. He lies beside his wife Vava and her brother Michel.
Leave the cemetery, go back past the Porte de Nice and take the Rue Grande. Let yourself be captivated by the charm of these houses, which have preserved traces of their past splendour.
At no. 71, you'll find a beautiful 16th-century gabled house with cross- and half-gabled windows opening onto the street. A little further on, at no. 92, is the mansion of the Alziary de Roquefort family, one of whose members, Honoré, was viguier of Saint-Paul.
Take advantage of rue Grande to browse through the artists' studios, painting galleries, boutiques and craft stalls.
Its intimate character and the rustle of its fountain invite you to stop off for a while.
Take the time to stop off for a moment, if only to admire the doorway with its pointed arch at no. 9 or to look at the ground floor of the Cherry boutique, which you can guess was once a stable.
Located in the heart of the village, it was once the market square. Taste the coolness of the vaulted wash-house where the washerwomen used to come to beat their washing.
Don't be surprised if the sundials decorating the facades indicate that it's always a good time to take a refreshing break by the large fountain.
Perhaps you'll have the pleasure of hearing the chimes of the bells that still set the rhythm of village life today. This square is lined with monuments that are among the jewels in the crown of Saint-Paul's heritage: the former keep of the castle that is now the Saint-Paul town hall, the church of the Conversion of Saint-Paul built between the 14th and 16th centuries and the chapel of the Pénitents Blancs decorated by the artist Jean-Michel Folon.
Stop off at the Folon chapel: visiting this chapel means discovering the admirable work designed by Jean-Michel Folon. It's also an invitation to get to know this artist, who has forged links with Saint-Paul de Vence for over thirty years.
Services
Services
Pets welcome
Rates
Rates
Free access.
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Openings
Openings
All year 2025 - Open everyday
Location
Location
Contact Balade au coeur du village
Spoken languages
Spoken languages
Environment
Environment
- Village centre
