The Museum of Vence is located in the old Chateau de Villenueve
Located in a 17th-century building on the western wall to the old city, the exhibited art is framed by a special historical buzz.
The Museum of Vence shows alternate exhibitions devoted to contemporary art and to famous artists’ stays in Vence such as Matisse, Chagall, Dufy or Dubuffet.
In its bright rooms, the museum offers an annual program of themed exhibitions representing modern French and international art.
Experience the watchtower, which dates back to the 12th century
The Chateau de Villeneuve was built back in the 17th century by the Seigneurs de Villeneuve next to a watchtower, which still stands there today and dates back to the 12th century.
The chateau was home to the Villeneuve family, also known as the lords of Vence, until the French Revolution.
For a time, the building was owned by Émile Hugues (1901-1966), a former French minister and mayor of Vence. He bequeathed the Chateau de Villeneuve to the City of Vence and thus the Fondation Émilie Hugues arose.
The Chateau de Villeneuve was renovated in 1992. A fresco in the watchtower inspired the choice of colors for the restoration by architect Jean François Bodin, who was also responsible for the restoration of the Museum of Modern Art in Paris and the Matisse Museum in Nice.
Cozy little shop and bookstore
A specialized bookstore at the museum’s exit offers a selection of books, posters, maps and objects related to the museum’s current events and art in general.
Arman (Armand Fernandes 1928-2005)
In front of the entrance to the museum is one of Arman´’s works of art, “Accord Parfait” from the Atlantis series from 2005, just a year before he died.
Arman was a French-American artist, painter, sculptor and plastic artist, known for his “accumulations”, in which he used already manufactured objects as art material.
He was born in Nice, spent a lot of time in New York and lived in Vence from 1968 until his death in 2005. He is today buried in Paris in the Père-Lachaise cemetery.
The Eternal Ash Tree by Chaïm Soutine
The Chateau de Villenueve is located opposite the legendary ash tree immortalized by the Russian painter Chaïm Soutine from 1929. The ash tree is said to have been planted in 1538 in memory of François I and Pope Paul III’s visit to Vence.
At the end of the Place du Frêne is the Belvedere Fernand Moutet, where there is a good view of the four Baou’s; Baou des Blancs, Baou des Noirs, Baou de Saint Jeannet and Baou de la Gaude – the giant cliffs that rise behind the city.
By Tommy Sverre – 2022
Tuesday to sunday 11.00 – 18.00
Monday closed
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Hiking 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.
Culture & History Villa Alexandrine in Vence
La Villa Alexandrine, in Vence, is a unique Belle Époque architecture, which today houses the local tourist office and the museum of the Polish writer, Witold Gombrowicz.
Hiking 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.
Churches & chapels 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.
Advertisement Ranch El Bronco
Horseback riding and hiking from the top of the Col de Vence – for both beginners and experienced.
Markets 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.
Churches & chapels 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…
Fountains 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.
Viewpoints 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…
Wash-houses 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 …
Museums Gombrowicz Museum
Dedicated to the Polish master writer Witold Gombrowitz and beautifully situated in Villa Alexandrine.
Churches & chapels 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…
Art Rosary Chapel by Matisse
The Rosary Chapel by Matisse is together with the cathedral in the old town Vence’s biggest attraction and one of Henri Matisse’s greatest masterpieces.
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Saint-Paul de Vence 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
Saint-Paul de 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.
Saint-Paul de Vence Célestin Freinet school
The famous schoolteacher and educator Célestin Freinet (1896-1966) taught in Saint-Paul de Vence between 1928 and 1933.
Saint-Paul de Vence 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.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup The sundial in church Saint-Grégoire
The sundial is recognized as one of the very first instruments that men used to measure the passage of time because of its simplicity.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup The Church Saint-Grégoire
Cool in summer and warm in winter. Hospitable and peaceful. The parish church of the Provencal medieval village of Tourettes-sur-Loup always welcomes you…
Saint-Paul de Vence 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.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup The Saint-Jean Chapel
The Saint-Jean chapel was built in 1674 and then destroyed by a hurricane in 1925. In 1959 the chapel was given new life thanks to …
Tourrettes-sur-Loup Bastide aux Violettes
The museum allows you to discover the history of the Tourrettes, its terroir, all uses of the violet flower and to observe the cultivation methods and the flower in..
