St Paul de Vence & Maeght Foundation

Traveling the highway from Monaco, St-Paul de Vence is visible from afar, perched high above the rolling countryside. It is among the few fortress towns that once dotted the French Riviera to survive into the modern era with its medieval appearance intact. In the 1920s, the village was discovered by painters such as Modigliani and Bonnard, whose informal gatherings evolved into a larger artistic community here. Your visit begins just outside the medieval fortifications, at the Fondation Maeght, the private museum opened by publishers and art dealers Aimé and Marguerite Maeght in 1964. Catalan architect Josep Lluís Sert designed the complex of modern structures and surrounding gardens, where diverse works by such 20th-century luminaries as Fernand Léger, Alexander Calder, Georges Braque, Alberto Giacometti, and Joan Miró are on display. Then step back in time as you enter the walled old town. Your guide will share local history and lore on an hour-long guided stroll along the cobblestone streets lined with art galleries, shops, cafes and beautifully restored homes. Your walk ends in the center of the village at Le Saint-Paul, a Relais & Chateaux hotel housed inside a 16th-century former residence. Sit down to an elegant three-course lunch out on the property’s flower-bedecked terrace. After the meal, enjoy some free time to explore on your own before the return drive to Monaco.