Vence, a town that charmed us immediately, was also a town we weren’t planning on visiting during our trip to the French Riviera. Prior to the trip, Tim and I researched the best towns to visit, such as Nice (our home base for three days), Antibes, Cannes, Villefranche su Mer, Eze, Cap Ferrat, and St. Tropez. Tim and I visited all of these towns but it was Vence we fell in love with.
During our flight from the US we sat next to a woman who attends the Cannes Film Festival every year. She told us that we should visit Vence while in the French Riviera, as it is one of her favorite towns. We are so glad we took her advice!
Vence is a town in the French Riviera but it does not sit on the Mediterranean Sea like the other popular towns. It sits up in the mountains, removed from the hustle and bustle of the French Riviera, and off of the radar of many tourists.
Tim and I spent several hours wandering through the old, pedestrian-only, medieval streets of the town. A group of men were in the park playing boules, shops were open, but the town was relatively quiet. Tim and I loved meandering through these streets with no itinerary, no time pressure, and no expectations.
And maybe that is why we love Vence so much. For a town very underrated in tour guides it has a lot to offer. We passed by great cafes, did some shopping, and ate some of the best pastries we have ever had. But mainly we loved how quiet, charming, and authentic Vence felt.
It doesn’t take a lot of time to see the best of Vence, but it deserves a visit on anyone’s trip to the French Riviera.
Photos of Vence
How to Get to Vence
The best way to get to Vence is by car. From Nice, take A8 west along the coastline. Then take M336 to Vence.
To make things confusing, there is a Vence and a St. Paul de Vence just a few kilometers apart. These photos are from Vence.
More Information for Your Trip to France
FRENCH RIVIERA: Plan your visit to the French Riviera and Provence in our 10 Day French Riviera Itinerary. We also have information on driving the Monaco Grand Prix Course, the Cannes Film Festival, touring the Provencal wine region, and how to cycle up Mont Ventoux.
CHAMONIX: Riding the cable car to Aiguille du Midi is one of the best things to do in Chamonix. Also, learn how to hike to Lac Blanc and the Argentiere Glacier, two of the best hikes in Chamonix.
BEST OF PARIS: For a list of the top experiences in Paris, read our article Best Things to Do in Paris. Learn how to put these together in our 3 Day Paris Itinerary.
TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Here are 15 fairytale destinations to visit around the world. And if you are considering a trip to Europe, check out our article 30 Beautiful Places to Visit in Europe.
Planning a trip to France? Read all of our articles in our France Travel Guide.
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Comments 5
Great pictures!
Vence was also one of my favorites! We had a car for a day and drove the loop starting at Vence and then heading to Tourrettes de sur Loup and Gourdon. Don’t miss those gems when in French Riviera.
And on a personal note: I love your blog! Surprised my parents this years with a trip to Amsterdam and Venice where they literally followed your footsteps. And had a great time too, first time on their own without a tour guide. Thank you, now your blog is our go to when planing next trips.
Author
That’s so nice to hear!! Your loop from Vence sounds wonderful…makes me want to go back. 🙂 Thanks for writing in! Cheers, Julie
I’m so happy that you have visited the beautiful Vence! Not many tourist get there because they choose St Paul de Vence. It’s also beautiful, but smaller. Greetings from Nice, Tomek.
Author
I have to say “thank you” to the lady on our plane to Nice who recommended it. She was right…it’s a beautiful spot to visit. Cheers, Julie