St. Paul De Vence anyone? - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

barry1 · 03-15-2008, 03:09 AM

Anyone been to St. Paul De Vence. From the looks of it a tour to there from the ship would only allow you an hour or so there. Doesn't seem like very long. How long does it take from the ship to there? Looks like a real nice small village,
Thanks

Barry

*Lars* · 03-15-2008, 04:20 AM

Hi Barry1,

St Paul de Vence is a quaint little fortified Medival town in Provence. Some say the most beautiful with breathtaking views over the riviera and the sea.
Its an "Artists town" as in the 1920´s painters like Matisse, Soutine, Chagall, Renoir, Signac, Modigliani, Dufy etc used to live here. It was also a haven for writers, poets and actors.
Places to see there is The Collégiale church. Chapel St Mathieu.
Museum : Fondation Maeght - paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics.
Or just walk around the narrow streets, visit the gardens, sit and unwind with a Pastis, have some amazing Provence cooking. I can recommend you to try a restaurant called Le Vieux Moulin which serves authentic Preovencal cuisine. The restaurant itself is housed in an oil mil.
But if you only have an hour in St Paul de Vence you will not have time for much more then rushing through the street.
Depends which port your ship is docked or anchored in.
From Nice it will take 1 hour.
From Villefrance 1.5 hours.

smitty · 03-15-2008, 03:20 PM

as lars says it's a very nice small town, a bit twee, but nice all the same.

barry1 · 03-16-2008, 12:52 AM

Imyren:
Thank you for your reply.
Wow Spain. A lot closer to St. Paul de Vence than me. I am in Southern California. The shore excursion is 4 hours so I guess it would be 1 hour going, a couple of hours there and 1 hour back. My main objective for going there is photography. From your experience is St. Paul one of the best small villages along the mediteranian to photograph? It does seem to have a definite "personality".

Thanks
Barry

barry1 · 03-16-2008, 12:58 AM

Smitty:
Thanks for your input. "a bit twee". I had to look up twee to see the definition. I think I got the jest of it. How did you travel there? And how long did you stay there? Some day would also like to visit Ireland and venture out into the small villages and countryside.

Thanks
Barry

barry1 · 03-16-2008, 01:01 AM

Mediterranean spelled correctly............

*Lars* · 03-16-2008, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry1

Imyren:
Thank you for your reply.
Wow Spain. A lot closer to St. Paul de Vence than me. I am in Southern California. The shore excursion is 4 hours so I guess it would be 1 hour going, a couple of hours there and 1 hour back. My main objective for going there is photography. From your experience is St. Paul one of the best small villages along the mediteranian to photograph? It does seem to have a definite "personality".

Thanks
Barry

St Paul de Vence deffinalty has lots of charm and personlity and you would be able to take some amazing photos. One reason the town has become so over crowded with tourists is just because of its picturesqueness. If its one of the best small villages along the Med can be discussed. For sure its among "the best" list somewhere but I could mention quiet a few others that I would prefer, but they might not be on the "cruise line trail"
I used to live in Nice for a while so getting to St Paul for me was easily done by car. I never stayed in a hotel there.

Out of interest, what cruise ship are you going on???

smitty · 03-16-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry1

Smitty:
Thanks for your input. "a bit twee". I had to look up twee to see the definition. I think I got the jest of it. How did you travel there? And how long did you stay there? Some day would also like to visit Ireland and venture out into the small villages and countryside.

Thanks
Barry

drove fron cagnes-sur-mer.only about half an hour away.

barry1 · 03-17-2008, 02:25 AM

Imyren:
Yes unfortunately the crowd is also there. The best photos are without any people but would have to make the best of it. Is there any time of year that it is less crowded, and how about the weather? Planning on Norwegian Cruise Lines. It will be a while yet however. I plan trips months in adavance so when I am there I know where I am going. If you go on a cruise your land time is limited so you have to have all your ducks lines up in advance, unless you are one that likes to just walk around without any itinerary.

Thanks
Barry

*Lars* · 03-17-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry1

Imyren:
Yes unfortunately the crowd is also there. The best photos are without any people but would have to make the best of it. Is there any time of year that it is less crowded, and how about the weather? Planning on Norwegian Cruise Lines. It will be a while yet however. I plan trips months in adavance so when I am there I know where I am going. If you go on a cruise your land time is limited so you have to have all your ducks lines up in advance, unless you are one that likes to just walk around without any itinerary.

Thanks
Barry

Very much agree on the planning part. I do the same.
As for the least crowded time to visit St Paul de Vence it would be the months of October to Mid March....The average fall and winter temps are around 11C-15C (50F-60F)