Major city · France
Saint-Paul de VenceSaint-Paul-de-Vence
Half a day is enough to walk the medieval lanes and see the Fondation Maeght; a full day if you add lunch at a gallery hotel. Skip if you have only one day on the Riviera.
Saint-Paul de Vence is a fortified hill village that became an artist colony in the early 1900s. Its single street is lined with galleries, and the Fondation Maeght, just outside the walls, holds a major modern-art collection. Most visitors spend 3–5 hours here as a half-day trip from Nice or Cannes.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowded and hot), mid-Dec–Feb (some galleries close)
- Airport
- NCE
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saint-Paul de Vence17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saint-Paul de Vence, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 EU-wide emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNCE Nice Côte d'Azur (About 20 km (12 mi); bus 400 or taxi, about 45 min).NCE Nice Côte d'Azur (About 12 mi (20 km); bus 400 or taxi, about 45 min).
- Getting aroundThe village is pedestrian-only.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€2.50–4.00 (≈ US$3–5)
- Metro or bus rideBus 400 from Nice, one way€1.60 (≈ US$2) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketFondation Maeght entry€15 (≈ US$18) (check)
- Budget bedHostel bed in nearby Vence or Cagnes-sur-Mer, a night, per person€25 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedBoutique hotel double (inside walls), a night, per room€200 (≈ US$250)
- High-end bedBoutique hotel double (inside walls), a night, per room€350 (≈ US$450)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €30 (≈ US$35) · Mid €60 (≈ US$70) · High €120 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NCE Nice Côte d'Azur (About 20 km (12 mi); bus 400 or taxi, about 45 min)NCE Nice Côte d'Azur (About 12 mi (20 km); bus 400 or taxi, about 45 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Apr (7 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Paul de Vence: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is pedestrian-only. Park outside the walls (pay lots at the entrance). A shuttle bus runs from the valley car parks to the gate for those who cannot manage the slope.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus 400 from the village gate, about 45 min
Combine Saint-Paul with a morning in Nice old town.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Bus 400 to Cagnes-sur-Mer, then TER train, about 1 h total
Doable as a long day trip.
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus 400 to Cagnes-sur-Mer, then TER, about 40 min
Picasso Museum and the old town.
Door to door: About 2 h
Bus 400 to Nice, then bus 82, about 1.5 h
Two hill villages in one day is rushed; pick one.
Door to door: About 30 min
Bus 9 or 400, about 15 min
Matisse's Rosary Chapel and a lively market town.
Door to door: About 1.25 h
Bus 400 to Cagnes-sur-Mer, then bus 600, about 50 min
Another hill village with a strong food scene.
Grasse
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus 400 to Cagnes-sur-Mer, then TER to Grasse, about 1 h
Perfume factories and a cathedral.
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus 9 from Vence, about 30 min from Saint-Paul
Violet-scented village with craft workshops.
Door to door: About 2 h
Bus 400 to Nice, then TER, about 1.5 h
A long day trip; better as an overnight from Nice.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Inside the ramparts
Boutique hotels only; quiet after 20:00, but parking is outside the walls.Boutique hotels only; quiet after 8:00 PM, but parking is outside the walls.
Valley below the village
Hotels with pools and parking; a 10–15 min walk uphill to the gate.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €30–50 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- €50–100 (≈ US$60–120) excl. bed
- High
- €100 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Valley hotel double (with pool)1 × 1 night × €150 | €150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €60 | €120 |
| Bus 400 Nice–Saint-Paul, return2 × €3 · check | €6 |
| Fondation Maeght entry2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| Parking for the day1 × €12 | €12 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €32 |
| Trip total≈ €175 per person per day, bed included | €350≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €2.50–4.00 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Glass of rosé | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Lunch menu (two courses) | €25–45 (≈ US$30–55) |
| Fondation Maeght entry | €15 (≈ US$18) (check) |
| Bus 400 from Nice, one way | €1.60 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| Parking for the day | €12 (≈ US$14) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking fills by 11:00 in summer; arrive early or use the bus from Cagnes-sur-Mer.Parking fills by 11:00 AM in summer; arrive early or use the bus from Cagnes-sur-Mer.
- The cobblestones are uneven and slippery when wet; wear flat shoes.
- Many galleries close for lunch (12:30–14:00) and all day Sunday.Many galleries close for lunch (12:30 PM–2:00 PM) and all day Sunday.
- La Colombe d'Or is expensive and books weeks ahead for dinner.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- EU-wide emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Saint-Paul de VenceSaint-Paul-de-Vence
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- EU-wide emergency112
Embassy
The US Consulate is in Nice (check address); most other countries have consulates in Marseille or Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 400 Nice–Saint-Paul: about €1.60 (≈ US$2), 45 min (check)
- Taxi from Nice airport: €50–70 (≈ US$60–85), about 30 min
- Parking at the village: €12 (≈ US$14) per day
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-byen sa koot)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-syon seel voo pleh)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twa-let)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saint-Paul de Vence. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded and hot), mid-Dec–Feb (some galleries close) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 9 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Fondation Maeght, La Colombe d'Or, the ramparts walk and the main gallery cluster.
- Eat pages with last-order times for La Colombe d'Or and Toile Blanche.
- Parking status fixture: real-time capacity for the two main lots.
- Bus schedule widget for line 400 from Nice.
Sources
Ask about Saint-Paul de Vence
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