Vence, France

Find an apartment in Vallauris

Vallauris hotels on the map

Vallauris Golfe-Juan is considered the youngest resort on the Cote d’Azur and, of course, a very promising city in terms of development from a tourist and commercial point of view.

For this reason, it can be said that Vallauris fully justifies its original Latin name – “Vallis Aurea”, which means “Golden Valley”. It has inexhaustible “treasures” – the cleanest beaches, “untrodden” nature of crowds of tourists and the azure sea, which can be seen from almost every point of the city, located on the hills between Antibes, Cannes and Le Cannet.

In addition, Golfe-Juan is still known as one of the main pottery production centers of France. From the end of the 19th century, artisans who glorified Vallauris as the national “forge” of artistic ceramics lived here.

Even the famous artist Pablo Picasso could not resist the temptation to create in this city; here he became interested in pottery, completely covered walls of the chapel, located next to the castle, with frescoes and paintings on the theme of “War and Peace” and created the sculpture “Man with a sheep”, which is currently located in the central square.

The St. Anne chapel is an architectural monument, made in the Romanesque style and having a structure, typical to the Eastern Provence of the XII century; after the French Revolution, it received the status of the national wealth of France. Now it houses the Pablo Picasso museum.

Royal scandal

Recently, the city name, Golfe-Juan, was on everyone’s lips due to the sensational unspoken confrontation between residents and the monarch of Saudi Arabia.

The dispute occurred over the Mirandole beach, which is located directly under the windows of the expensive ruler’s residence. Recently, concreting works began on its territory, and access for holidaymakers to the beautiful sea was restricted.

According to French law, it is a direct violation of the law, saying that coastal areas should be open to all wishing to come; in addition, part of the beach is necessarily separated for those who want to stay alone with nature naked.

Even in the last part, one can see a direct confrontation of the interests of the inhabitants and the monarch, not to mention the construction work begun.

На защиту интересов жителей Валлорис Гольф-Жуан встала организация по защите прав окружающей среды (ADEGV). Мэр города также был возмущен тем, что строительство было начато без согласования с ним.

Оказалось, что король Саудовской Аравии просто решил отдохнуть на Лазурном Побережье во Франции ближайшим летом, и поэтому потребовался лифт, что мог доставить его из виллы к берегу.

It turned out that the king of Saudi Arabia decided to rest on the Cote d’Azur next summer, so an elevator was needed that could take him from the villa to the beach.

Despite all the controversies, the passage to the Mirandole beach during the esteemed monarch’s visit will still be limited for some time due to security concerns.

Being a neighbor of the Saudi king

Golfe-Juan is often compared to the neighboring seaside town of Juan-les-Pins on the Cote d’Azur. However, despite some similarities between small and cozy resorts, they have significant differences.

Golfe-Juan is a calm and peaceful city, where there is no active nightlife with many celebrities. For this reason, Juan-les-Pins is famous for. Vallauris is a place, where one can get unhurried respectable rest. For lovers of extreme sports, there is the opportunity to engage in diving and many water sports.

Among historical monuments, besides Musee National Picasso La Guerre et la Paix, there is Musée Magnelli, Musée de la céramique, where many ceramics are represented.

The city port – Camille Rayon contains many snow-white yachts. That is why you can stay here, having moored to the shore on your own ship.

Buying a home on the Cote d’Azur Golfe-Juan will also not present any difficulties. It will be a profitable and promising investment. There are many beautiful villas at an inexpensive price, compared to the neighboring resorts.

In Golfe-Juan, one can easily become a neighbor of the Saudi king, whose villa is located on the very shore. However, living on the French Riviera is a luxury, worthy of a monarch!

Find an apartment in Vence

Vence hotels on the map

Vence is a cozy little resort in the heart of the east of Provence on the Cote d’Azur, France, located a few kilometers from glorious Nice and the port of Antibes. Vence is often called “the city of craftsmen and artists” in French style.

Indeed, a lot of squares of Vence are occupied by artists and art in its various “sounds”. These are original fountains and sculptures, exhibitions and galleries of artists, craft workshops. Here are the most prestigious areas and “spaces” for the manifestation of creativity organized.

Vence, located not far from the sea line, opening a fascinating view of the neighboring cities and the Cote d’Azur as a whole, its unforgettable natural landscapes, attracted creative people for a long time. Famous artists, such as Matisse, Chagall, Dufy, Karzu and many others, lived in this city and significantly contributed to its cultural heritage.

In addition, in the middle of the 20th century, one of the brightest and most prestigious cultural closed societies in Europe was established in Vence, the Foundation Maeght. It was created to support all existing types of modern art – from architecture to painting and literary creation.

Under the patronage of this organization, many stone creators and artists of the word worked, forming a single cultural space of the city; for example, the courtyard Giacometti or the labyrinth of Miro, impressive mosaics of Chagall, the Bury fountain and the pool.

Beyond the fortress walls of Vence

Vence is surrounded by fortress walls, behind which one can find many architectural buildings of various styles, testifying to the rich past of the small town; these are very ancient buildings in the Greek style and the building of the Belle Époque, as well as Baroque.

Vence has its own “smell”; the city atmosphere mixes aromas of ripe olives, orange trees and flowers: roses, jasmine and lavender. In this fragrance, one can devote a whole day to a stroll along the cobbled streets of the Old Town: see the world’s “tiniest” square, la place Vieille, the beautiful du Peyra fountain and the Cathedral of Vence, La Cathedrale Notre-Dame de la Nativite, which was built in the IV century. The walls of this cathedral are decorated with mosaics by Marc Chagall.

In the west, in the Old Town, the majestic Chateau de Villeneuve is located, which was erected in the 17th century; it is located near the tower, built in the XII century.

Vence is often visited to see the famous La Chapelle du Rosaire by Matisse, built entirely in accordance with his architectural plans. Currently, it still contains works of the great master.

Place du Frêne square, located near the chapel, impresses with its belonging to the historical past. Its name originates from the 16th century, when an ash was planted here, dedicated for the visit of Pope Paul III and François I.

In Vence, one should see several famous villas – the elegant Le Reve, which is literally immersed in greenery and resembles the true dwelling of the “dreams” in the paradise garden. It is no wonder that Henri Matisse chose this place to live and work in.

Another luxury villa, Les Olivades, is associated with the name of Russian ballerina Ida Rubenstein, who spent seven years of her life here and died in Vence.

The old “chateau” Notre Dame des Fleurs keeps the secrets of history behind its walls; numerous shops and workshops form the atmosphere of a traditional French city on the Cote d’Azur.

Vence is famous for its many luxurious festivals – Flower Battles, Festival of Traditions, Spring of Poets, Masters Fair and the world-famous musical show “Nights of the South”, which brings together participants not only from Europe, but also from Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and Africa.

In Vence, one can enjoy the unique nature of the Cote d’Azur, touch its historical heritage, taste the famous “le gnocchi” potato, pastis (anise vermouth) and spend nights without sleep, listening to the stirring music of the best performers.