Things to do in Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Saint-Paul-de-Vence is the best-known hill village in the hinterland behind Nice, a walled cluster of ramparts and cobbled lanes now packed with art galleries, a legacy of the artists who settled here through the 20th century.

The Fondation Maeght, just outside the walls, holds one of Europe's major modern art collections in a purpose-built setting of gardens and courtyards.

The village is compact enough to see in two to three hours, but between 11am and 4pm in July and August the single main street fills with coach groups and the walk becomes a queue: come early, ideally before 10am, or later in the afternoon. Entry to the village itself is free; the Fondation Maeght charges a separate admission.