
The Rosary Chapel is famous for the stained glass windows
The white rosary chapel by Matisse is famous for its stained glass windows that reflect a myriad of exquisite colors on the white marble floors. Visit the chapel on a day where the sun is shining, and you get all the beautiful light in through the beautiful painted windows. Matisse used only three colors: yellow, green and blue. Yellow symbolizes the sun’s light and God, green symbolizes nature and blue symbolizes the Mediterranean, the sky and the Madonna.

Matisse lived in the city himself and was responsible for everything from architecture, furniture and not least his painting work. The painting work that combines the artistic and the spiritual is a lasting proof of Matisse’s genius. It all took four years (1949-1951), and the work was done in gratitude to the Dominican nuns who had helped him over a serious illness. He started working as a 77 year old and he died 3 years after its completion. He regarded it himself as the masterpiece of his life, the result of a lifetime’s search for the truth.
Matisse moves to Vence
In July 1943, Matisse moves to Vence in fear that Nice, where he has lived for many years, would be bombed during World War II. He stayed at Villa Le Rêve, where he lived until 1949.
The Rosary Chapel – a building across art and faith
During his stay in Vence, Matisse reunited with sister Jacques-Marie, who was his nurse and night nurse in September 1942 after a serious operation in 1941.
She lived in the Lacordaire home not far from “Villa Le Rêve”. In addition to being a model for him, their friendship also became the starting point for what was to become one of Matisse’s most important works – the decoration of the The Rosary Chapel.
In the summer of 1947, the sisters offered Matisse to decorate the oratorio in their convent. But Matisse had bigger ideas and ambitions. He wanted to design a chapel. With the help of architects Auguste Perret and Milon de Peillon, Matisse began work on the chapel for the next four years. At the age of 77 and in poor health, Matisse began the biggest and most challenging work of his entire career.

A tribute to the sisters of the Dominican order which was completed in 1951, just 3 years before Matisse’s death.
The Rosary Chapel by Matisse was not build without problems and crooked glances
The project did not go completely without resistance. Some of the Dominican Sisters were strongly opposed to the work, suggesting that they were confused by the simplicity and abstraction that prevailed within the painter’s work.
Another great artist of Matisse’s day, Pablo Picasso, also stated that he was concerned and upset to see his artist colleague involved in a church project!
Henri Matisse, however, was a steely atheist who once wrote, that ‘my only religion is love of the work to be created and total sincerity’.

The chapel was officially inaugurated on June 25, 1951. Since then, it has invited visitors to experience this unique building across art and faith.
Read the biography of Matisse here.
By Tommy Sverre – 2022
1. March to 31. October
Monday closed
Tuesday 10-11.30 & 14-17.30
Wednesday 14-17.30
Thursday 10-11.30 & 14-17.30
Friday 10-11.30 & 14-17.30
Saturday 14-17.30
Sunday closed
1. November to 28/29. February
Monday closed
Tuesday 10-11.30 & 14-16.30
Wednesday 14-16.30
Thursday 10-11.30 & 14-16.30
Friday 10-11.30 & 14-16.30
Saturday 14-16.30
Sunday closed
- All
- Churches & chapels
- Fountains
- Hiking
- Markets
- Museums
- Viewpoints
- Wash-houses
Hike Vence – Baou des Blancs
The hike from the center of Vence to the top of Baou des Blancs is a stunningly beautiful and varied trip all year round. When the summit is reached, the reward is a fabulous view.
Hike to Saint-Paul de Vence
This hike to Saint-Paul de Vence from the center of Vence is neither too long nor too strenuous, but rather beautiful and cozy.
Saint Elisabeth chapel
Saint Elisabeth chapel in Vence impresses with its rediscovered fresco paintings by Giovanni Canavesio, and its history dates back to the 14th century.
Ranch El Bronco
Horseback riding and hiking from the top of the Col de Vence – for both beginners and experienced.
The markets in Vence
A visit to the markets in Vence is a must if you really want to feel the character and authenticity of the city.
The Museum of Vence
The Musée de Vence / Fondation Émile Hugues is situated in the heart of the historic city center and is among the very popular sights on the Côte d’Azur.
Cathedral Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité
Here in the middle of the old medieval town of Vence you will find France’s smallest cathedral. Usually one expects cathedrals to be large and impressive…
The Peyra fountain
It stands in the city’s most idyllic square and has been watered from the Foux spring since its birth in 1822.
Viewpoint – F. Moutet
From near and far you can see the Baou Mountains rising majestically on the horizon. Depending on from where one looks at the mountains, they assume different…
The Wash-house at Avenue des Poilus
The wash-houses have their own history, which dates from the 19th century and testifies to the challenges of the …
Gombrowicz Museum
Dedicated to the Polish master writer Witold Gombrowitz and beautifully situated in Villa Alexandrine.
Chapel Pénitents Blancs
This chapel is the largest and most interesting chapel in Vence. Centrally located, just a few hundred meters from Place Grand Jardin, on the ancient Roman road to Castallane…
- All
- Aqueducts
- Churches & chapels
- Food & Wine
- Museums
La Petite Cave – a wine cottage in a unique 14th-century cave
If you like wine in exceptional surroundings, La Petite Cave in St. Paul’s cave is a must visit. The cave dates back to the 14th century.
The Collegial Church
The 17th century marked the golden age of the church in Saint-Paul de Vence. Here, in 1666 the church was raised to the rank of Collegial Church by the bishop Antoine Godeau of Vence
The Cemetery of Saint-Paul de Vence
The cemetery of Saint-Paul de Vence is one of the most visited cemeteries on the Côte d’Azur – here rests several celebrities – including Chagall, Escoffier & Maeght.
Célestin Freinet school
The famous schoolteacher and educator Célestin Freinet (1896-1966) taught in Saint-Paul de Vence between 1928 and 1933.
The Folon chapel – The White Penitents
Experience the admirable Folon Chapel, a design work of Jean-Michel Folon and learn more about an artist who had strong ties to Saint-Paul de Vence for over thirty years.
Le Fromager
Le Fromager in Saint-Paul de Vence offers a nice little stop where you can enjoy different kinds of sandwiches, dried fruits and drinks…
La Colombe d’Or
La Colombe d’Or is one of the world’s most famous restaurants, visited by the most famous people in the world.
The Maeght Fondation art museum
The Maeght Fondation art museum welcomes more than 100,000 visitors in a unique architectural building designed by Josep Lluis Sert.