Hike to Saint-Paul De Vence

Trail Description – Hike to Saint-Paul

The hike to Saint-Paul de Vence is a relatively easy 3.2 km trip that goes through a small forest area along the south side of the main road to the town. Along the way, you pass the beautiful Saint Elisabeth chapel and the small Malvan river, which continues down towards Saint-Paul de Vence and flows into the coast at Cagnes sur Mer.

• Length: 3.2 km
• Difficulty: Easy
• Duration: 1 hour excluding breaks
• Elevation: +/- 178 m

Trail Start

The trip starts at the Media Library/library in Vence on Avenue Colonel Meyere. Right across from the library is a water fountain with delicious fresh water from the Foux spring, where you can supply yourself with water before starting. The locals actually fill up water from this spring and it’s also served in certain restaurants in town.

Then follow Avenue Colonel Meyere southward and after about 600 m, turn left onto Chemin de la Pouiraque.

Saint Elisabeth Chapel

Follow Chemin de la Pouiraque until you reach the beautiful little Saint Elisabeth chapel.

Do take a look inside the chapel and enjoy the beautiful fresco paintings by Giovanni Cavanesio.

Here, turn right onto the old road to Saint-Paul, Ancien Chemin de Saint-Paul. It goes very steeply downhill towards the main road Avenue Emilie Huges. On the way down, the final destination Saint-Paul de Vence can be glimpsed on the horizon.

On the opposite side of the main road, Avenue Emile Huges, 40 meters to the left, Ancien Chemin de Saint-Paul continues.

Here there is a hiking sign with the path to Saint-Paul de Vence. Follow the road that continues steeply downhill towards the Malvan river, where the forest trail begins.

Follow the road until you come to a water treatment plant. On the left side of the road is an almost hidden path. There are no signs, but this is the one you should follow. From here, you quickly come to the small bridge that crosses the Malvan river.

The Journey through the Forest

Cross the bridge, turn left and now follow the forest path for about 1 km. It starts to go slightly uphill towards the end as you approach Saint-Paul. The path ends at the road, Route de Vence. Here is also a small water fountain where you can supply yourself with fresh spring water. Then follow the road to the left and you’re immediately at Saint-Paul de Vence.

Saint-Paul De Vence – a Gem in the Landscape

The artists’ town Saint-Paul de Vence impresses from the first visit. It is VERY busy during the holiday season, so it’s recommended to visit Saint-Paul outside the season.

A cozy pit stop could be at café Le Fromager, where you can enjoy the sun’s warmth, either under the parasol or directly in the sun if you’re visiting the town in the off-seasons. Le Fromager is also one of the eateries that stays open in the off-seasons, when many others are closed.

By Mette Willumsen – 2022