Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a fortified medieval hilltop village in the Alpes-Maritimes, about 20 km northwest of Nice, famous for its art galleries and for artists who lived or stayed here, including Chagall, who is buried in the village cemetery. There is no train station in the village. The usual route is the TER Zou from Nice-Ville to Cagnes-sur-Mer in about 15 minutes, then Zou line 655 to Saint-Paul-de-Vence for EUR 2.10 (~$2) paid on board; a Lignes d'Azur ticket is not valid on it, and the full journey takes about an hour. By car, the village is about 35 minutes from Nice via the A8 and D336, with paid parking below the village that fills quickly on weekends. The village is compact and car-free, organised along the Rue Grande, a cobbled street lined with galleries, boutiques and cafés, and enclosed by 16th-century ramparts that give views toward the hills and sea. Visitors usually walk the ramparts, enter the Gothic collegiate church and visit the cemetery at the edge of the village. A short distance outside, the Fondation Maeght is a major modern art museum with works by Miró, Giacometti, Chagall and Braque set in a sculpture garden; it is about a 15-20 minute walk or a short drive from the village and has an entry fee. The recommended arc is to arrive in the morning, before the tour groups, visit the ramparts and galleries, then go to the Fondation Maeght in the afternoon. Lunch can be taken at village restaurants; the Colombe d'Or is famous for its art-filled dining room and requires booking. The best seasons are April to June and September to October, when the weather suits walking. July and August are very busy, and the village can feel crowded by midday. Allow four to five hours in total, including bus connections.