Vence, France Hotels, Vacations, Tourism

With abundant water and the sheltering pre-Alps behind, VENCE has always been a significant city. The old town is blessed with numerous ancient houses, gateways, fountains, chapels and a cathedral (daily 9am–6pm) containing Roman funeral inscriptions and a Chagall mosaic. In the 1920s it became yet another haven for painters and writers: André Gide, Raoul Dufy, D.H. Lawrence (who died here in 1930 whilst being treated for tuberculosis contracted in England) and Marc Chagall were all long-term visitors, along with Matisse whose work is the reason most people come. Towards the end of World War II, … more »