What to See & Do
Vence Overall Appeal ★★☆☆☆
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Old Town | ★★★☆☆ | Walking Around | Self | Free |
| 02 | Matisse Chapel | ★★☆☆☆ | Chapel + Garden + Panorama | Self | Paid |
| 03 | Vence Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Art | Self | Paid |
| 04 | Cathedral | ★☆☆☆☆ | Cathedral | Self | Free |
| 05 | Viewpoint Moutet | ★☆☆☆☆ | Panorama | Self | Free |
| 06 | Food & Craft Market | ★☆☆☆☆ | Food & Craft Market | Self | Free |
| 07 | Gombrowicz Space | ★☆☆☆☆ | Writer W. Gombrowicz | Self | Free |
01. Old Town
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Walking Around
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Old Town of Vence has preserved its entire setting within its circular medieval enclosure. This charming area invites visitors to stroll through its narrow, winding streets lined with historical stone houses, picturesque squares, medieval gateways, colorful façades, and local shops.
02. Matisse Chapel
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Chapel + Garden + Panorama
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Located outside the town center, the Matisse Chapel, also known as the Rosary Chapel, is a small yet striking chapel constructed in the mid-20th century and designed by the French artist Henri Matisse, featuring stained-glass windows and minimalist interiors.
The chapel caused a stir upon its inauguration, as it challenged traditional notions of religious art with its bold colors and modernist approach.
There is also a small museum space where officiants’ chasubles, whose design was also a project by Matisse, are on display.
The site also has a garden and offers views of the surrounding countryside, as it is perched on a hillside.
03. Vence Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Modern & Contemporary Art Museum
Visit Self
Cost Paid
This museum is dedicated to modern and contemporary art through thematic exhibitions.
It is housed in the town’s former small château.
Exhibitions sometimes take place outside the château, notably in small chapels around the town, which are only open for these occasions.
04. Cathedral
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Cathedral
Visit Self
Cost Free
The cathedral, one of the smallest in France, originally dates back to the 11th century and was remodeled numerous times over the following centuries. It combines several styles: Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque.
05. Viewpoint Moutet
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Panorama
Visit Self
Cost Free
At the western entrance of the Old Town, there is a stone terrace offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
06. Food & Craft Market
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Food & Craft Market
Visit Self
Cost Free
The town’s food market takes place from Tuesday to Sunday mornings, with a larger market on Friday mornings.
On Wednesdays mornings, it also features antiques and collectibles.
07. Gombrowicz Space
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Writer W. Gombrowicz
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Gombrowicz Space is a small cultural center dedicated to the 20th-century Polish writer Witold Gombrowicz, who lived in Vence during the last years of his life. It is located within the tourism office building.
