Vence Travel Guide

Introduction

925km (575 miles) S of Paris; 31km (19 miles) N of Cannes; 24km (15 miles) NW of Nice

Travel up into the hills northwest of Nice, across country studded with cypresses, olive trees, and pines, where carnations, roses, and oleanders grow in profusion, and Vence will come into view. Outside the town, along boulevard Paul-André, two olive presses carry on with their age-old duties. But the charm lies in the Vieille Ville. Visitors invariably have themselves photographed on place du Peyra in front of the urn-shape Vieille Fontaine, a background shot in several motion pictures. The 15th-century square tower is also a curiosity.