Vence - La Cité des Arts
The fortified medieval town of Vence has been a cultural, political and religious hub of the region for over 500 years. Templar knights were based in the Château St. Martin above Vence, and visiting aristocracy stayed in the Château Villeneuve and Auberge des Seigneurs, set in the exterior walls of this ancient town.
Known for its exceptional micro-climate and spring water running through fountains throughout the town, people have flocked to the town since the 19th century. As a refuge for health and wellness, Vence became popular amongst authors and artists who found the colour and light inspirational and unlike anywhere else.
Henri Matisse came to Vence to finalise his last project, the Chapelle du Rosaire. He designed, built and decorated every aspect of the chapel from the grand glass stained windows right through to the vestments. It was a built as a thank you to the Dominican Sisters who nursed him through illness, and who still maintain and use the chapel today.
Amongst the winding alleys and market streets you will find Roman stone carvings, as well as reference to some of the many other artists who loved this town such as Raoul Dufy, D.H. Lawrence, Ida Rubenstein and Nostradamus. Marc Chagall created a mosaic piece which still stands in the medieval Cathédrale of Notre-Dame de la Naïveté in Place Clemenceau.
Local walks on your doorstep
The road where L’Escarène is found follows the contour of the Baou hills and provides spectacular views over the coast above Vence and over the Mediterranean sea. This quiet road is flat and ideal for walking with children on cooler days.
At the end of the road you will find the Source du Riou which has a series of quiet and cool waterfalls set between dramatic limestone cliffs. This spring provides drinking water to the town of Vence in a series of public fountains, and eventually joins the Cagne river.
Before the fountains were built, this road provided access to water for everyone in Vence. Most people walked up from Vence, or down from the Chateau St. Martin with donkeys to help. It is for this reason that the road has grown oranges, figs, lemons, olives and the famous Vence Rose for centuries.
With the Préalpes d’Azur National Park on the doorstep, trail hiking is only a few steps away on the Baou Blanc and Baou Noir hills. Follow signposted trails from the Chemin du Riou or further up on the Col de Vence.
Beaches
Placed equidistant between Nice and the Cap D’Antibes, the famous beaches of the Cote D’Azur are all on your doorstep.
With Nice, Beaulieu, Villefranche, Menton and Monaco to your East, and Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Cannes, Mandelieu, Frejus and St. Tropez to your West, the choice is endless!
Sat in the foothills of the Alps, we can’t forget the fresh water beaches at the Lac St.Cassien, Lac St. Croix, along with the Gorges du Verdon, the Gorges du Loup and various other fresh water spots.
Whether you’re looking for lunch and rosé on the beach or a picnic under the trees, the water features in the region are second to none.
St. Paul de Vence
The famous medieval hill top town of St Paul is a 10 minute drive away across the valley.
Famous for its galleries and winding cobbled streets, St Paul de Vence also hosts the famous Colombe D’Or restaurant. The tale goes that artists used the hotel over the past century, and on leaving, left art in lieu of payment. As a consequence, it is possibly one of the wealthiest restaurants in the country!
Whether you dine amongst world famous artists, or choose to have a citron pressé watching an evening game of pétanque, there is something magical about this impressive fortress town.
Nightlife
Nightlife
The Cote D’azur never sleeps. During warmer months the region comes alive with the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival in May. With many other unforgettable events throughout the season, May is the beginning of the summer season.
Whether you go to see the Nuits du Sud festival in Vence, Jazz in Juan-les-Pins, the International Fireworks festival in Cannes, or the open-air cinema in Monaco, you won’t be disappointed.
If big events aren’t for you, maybe you’d prefer clubs and bars to keep it more casual. With Monaco only 40 minutes away, the famous Jimmy’z club and La Rascasse will always entertain. Juan-Les Pins is teeming with bars and people, as are Antibes and Nice.
For those who prefer calmer evenings, there are classical concerts played throughout the cathedrals and churches of the region, as well as outdoor operas in Gattières, St. Jean Cap Ferrat or St. Paul de Vence.
From bars to clubs and casinos to concerts the choice really is endless.
Children’s Activities
The gardens and activities on the estate will keep the children entertained for hours, and when they want to try something new, there’s a variety to choose from.
Just above the hill in the Col de Vence there is pony trekking, and in Vence there are various clubs for swimming, tennis and walking that they can sign up for.
On the coast there are no end of sailing schools, diving schools, water parks, marine parks, oceanographic museums, treetop obstacle courses and much much more!
Activities within the estate
Whether you choose to relax or get active, there is something for everyone young and old alike at L’Escarène.
On site we have a 22m x 9m swimming pool, full size tennis court, diving board, pétanque (boules), elliptical fitness machine, card games table, billiard Table, and a TV snug with DVD/Bluray and cable television.
There is also a large open fire place and a library of books for those quieter days.
