Curator’s statement
I was lucky enough to grow up in one of the most beautiful villages in the world, Saint-Paul-De-Vence, a French Riviera enclave located 20 minutes away from Nice and 30 minutes from Cannes.
When I was a child, the amount of tourists grew so much during the summer than, like many, my family and I would leave the area, to only come back at the end of August. Upon our return, I would hear all about Brad Pitt and other celebrities that came for their yearly stay at famous hotel La Colombe d'Or, hanging out at the local café and playing "pétanque". You knew summer was over when the Hollywood crowd would return to Los Angeles and the locals would fill in the village's tiny streets again. Now, Saint-Paul-De-Vence is getting famous again, hosting the latest show of French fashion Designer Jacquemus at the Fondation Maeght, an incredible indoor / outdoor museum showcasing artists like Braque, Calder, Chagall, Giacometti, Hepworth, Kandinsky, Léger, Miró and more... I miss Saint-Paul so much and here are the best hotels I would recommend staying at for the most authentic South of France experience.
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Where to stay
La Colombe d'Or Hotel and Restaurant
Simple, stone-walled hotel decorated with art from the 1920s and offers relaxing rooms and suites.
Le Domaine du Mas de Pierre
Nestled amidst breathtaking gardens, this exquisite hotel offers refined accommodations, exceptional dining and world-class amenities.
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$100 food / beverage credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Château Saint-Martin & Spa
Set in a hilltop château, this dreamy property boasts gardens and terraces overlooking the Mediterranean.
Fora Perks
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$100 food / beverage credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel Le Saint Paul
Experience timeless luxury and French elegance at Hôtel Le Saint Paul, where historic charm meets modern comfort in the heart of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Fora Perks
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$100 food / beverage credit
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Breakfast daily
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible
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La Colombe d'Or:
If you are looking to experience the real "provençal way of life", look no further. This iconic hotel made its debut in 1920 as a café bar and shortly after became a 3 rooms inn, hosting artists like Henry Matisse, Joan Miró and Marc Chagall. It now has 25 beautiful rooms and an atmosphere transporting you into the heart and soul of the South of France. Everything there is simple, timeless and chic, including the restaurant serving authentic provençal food to locals and international celebrities. Truly the place to be.
Best for: Couples, families and art lovers.
Le Domaine du Mas de Pierre
Open year-round, this beautiful hotel and spa is the perfect place to relax. The 76 rooms have been renovated in 2021 and are spread out between nine authentic "Bastides", typical provençal houses. The pool layout makes it seem like you are in heaven on earth, and the four restaurants will give you plenty of choice when it comes to eating. What is there not to like?
Best for: Couples and families looking for a luxurious home away from home.
Château Saint-Martin & Spa
Perched in the hills of Vence, a town right next to Saint-Paul and featuring incredible views of the Mediterranean coastline, this hotel is one of the most incredible properties in the entire South Of France. It is the kind of place that you have to see to believe it. With 52 suites, 6 villas, a world-class spa, a pool, 4 dining options and more, Château Saint-Martin is the ultimate French luxury experience.
Best for: Couples and families. The hotel offers babysitting services, tennis lessons and more.
Le Saint-Paul
This hotel is located within the ramparts of Saint-Paul-De-Vence, which makes it an experience of its own. To reach Le Saint-Paul, you have to walk down the tiny cobbled street of the medieval village, giving you the opportunity to live like a local for a few days. This five-stars hotel is set in a 16th century provençal country house and has a total of 16 rooms, each offering the perfect blend of history and luxury. This is where you will enjoy true French hospitality and sophistication. The restaurant is to die for, and the views too!
Best for: Couples who love to walk around and experience vacations the French way.
Need to know
If you are looking for a one of a kind South Of France / French Riviera vacation, Saint-Paul-De-Vence is where you need to be! There is an endless amount of things to do and incredible restaurants to discover in the region, making it a holiday you will want to take over and over again. Having grown up there, I know the area like the palm of my hand and still dream of it everyday.
This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to France. In need of further inspiration? Check out Anne Bisgaard’s guide, Wine Regions You Should Visit in France.
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Travel Advisor
Juliette Michaels
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