Beautiful Belle Époque architecture from 1911
The beautiful Villa Alexandrine houses, today, the local tourist office in Vence, as well as a very interesting museum about the Polish writer, Witold Gombrowicz.
The villa dates from 1911 and represents one of the jewels of the Belle Époque architecture.
Named after a local trader’s daughter
Villa Alexandrine is named after Alexandrine Magdaleine Audibert, daughter of a successful carpenter who was born and raised in the city.
Alexandrine died in 1940 and, 24 years later, the great Polish writer Witold Gombrowicz moves into the villa. Here he lives until his death in 1969 at just 65 years old.
The 400m2 villa is then not maintained and is quietly due over time, and is finally just a shadow of its former greatness.
Vence buys the villa
When the city of Vence buys Villa Alexandrine in 1988, it generates special interest from the Polish government. Through cooperation with the Polish Ministry of Culture, which benefits from the Poles’ expertise in restoration, the entire villa will be completely renovated in 2016-2017 for a total of EUR 1.8 million.
La Villa Alexandrine in 5 floors
The ground floor now houses the local tourist office for Vence , in a significantly larger and more modern version than the previous one with several functional rooms, plasma screens, digital tablets, shop, meeting rooms, etc.
The 1st floor is an exhibition space for local creation and artists from Vence. There are also opportunities to hold exhibitions, conferences, cultural meetings, etc.
The 2nd floor is a museum dedicated to the author Witold Gombrowicz, whose international fame is particularly pronounced in Poland and Argentina.
Other experiences in Vence
- All
- Art
- Churches & chapels
- Events
- Fountains
- Hiking
- Markets
- Museums
- Viewpoints
- Wash-houses
Hikes 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 ...
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.
Art 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 ...
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 ...
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 Fernand Moutet with the Baou mountains
From near and far you can see the Baou Mountains rising majestically on the horizon. Baou de Saint-Jeannet is the most striking of them.
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 ...
Art Rosary Chapel in Vence 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.
