VENCE a Provencal town
It is a small and pleasant town located just inland from the Cote d’Azur. It has kept its traditional Provencal atmosphere, while having the Riviera hotspots of Monaco, Nice, Monte-Carlo and Antibes just a short drive away. Along with nearby St-Paul-de-Vence, there’s more contemporary art here than anywhere else in France
The historic centre
The old town has been beautifully preserved. A large number of medieval buildings form a tight circle around the central square. There are five gateways to get in, each with a unique design. The port d’Orient is the largest one and was designed so that the local bishop, Monseigneur Pisani de la Gaude could arrive at his Episcopal palace without having to leave his carriage.Vence has had a long history of artistic talent. The town is full of galleries showcasing the best of its many renowned residents’ artwork. One such individual is Pierre Vidal who described the town as ‘the sweet nest’. Another infamous resident was the writer, doctor and seer, Nostradamus, who also had kind words to bestow upon the town, “Garden of Vence, marvel of Provence”.
Vence has always been a market town. If you want to try some of the local produce then the best place to go is Rue du Marche. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding it if you follow the scents coming from the fish, flowers, honey, bakeries, fruit and vegetable stalls.