vence · nice airport : 10 miles - cannes : 20 miles - cagnes-sur-mer railway station: 8 miles ......

CONTACT Tourist Office of Vence

Place du Grand Jardin 06140 VENCE

Phone: +33(0) 4 93 58 06 38 www.vence-tourisme.fr

[email protected]

Press KitVence

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Geographical situation 3

Vence, faces of Provence… 4

Vence, history of a village of Provence 5

What you must see… 6-7

Festivals and Events 8

But also… 9

Vence, at the heart of one of Europe’s greatest natural areas

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Possible subjects for articles 11-14

Information request 15

In this press kitSummary

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Altitude 1 050 feet - Population: 19 951 Nice Airport : 10 miles - Cannes : 20 miles - Cagnes-sur-Mer railway station: 8 miles - Paris : 578 miles -

Monaco : 30 miles - Nice : 15 miles - Saint Paul de Vence : 3.11 miles - Tourrettes sur Loup : 3.11 miles« Col de Vence » is 3 200 feet altitude.

Vence

Geographical situation

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Historical Centre

Vence, faces of Provence…

« Le Craquelin »

« Vence, everything here is a gift of nature »

Vence is a real jewel which has had the skill or cleverness not to lose its soul. A sort of magic, a timeless grace occupies this place, appealing and privileged.

The greatest artists such as Chagall, Dubuffet, Dufy, Matisse, Soutine… have always been fascinated and inspired by this city full of multiple facets.

Starting-point for superb excursions in the back country and in the Alpes, the « Pays Vençois » is one of the mot attractive of the Alpes-Maritimes. It is for this reason that it is also one of the most sought-after.

On the foothills of the Alpes, as a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean and the Riviera, hotels and lodgings of prestige and tradition combine to make Vence a recognised and envied tourist destination, one of the last secret gardens of the Côte d Azur.

To be discovered by wandering in the streets of the historic centre which has kept all its character, on little shaded squares or sunny terraces, you discover here the gastronomy of Vence, with the aromas of olive oil, garlic, thyme, « serpolet » and « sarriette »....

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Vence, history of a village of Provence

The history of Vence stretches back to the most distant ages, long before the existence of Rome. The region of Vence attracted man very early because it offered at the same time food, water at the foot of the Baous, and protection in the caves or behind the « castellaras » created on the hills (a protected space for families and their flocks at times of danger). In the age of metals, the Nérusii, a little celto-ligurian tribe, were settled in Vence.

In 16BC the Nérusii were beaten by Rome and submitted to it. The Romans settled in Provence. In 14BC the province of Alpes Maritimae was born. The roads were improved, and Vence, due to its geographical position, became a privileged city of latin colonisation. We still find today many remains of the Roman occupation. The activity of the ports and commercial routes facilitated the arrival of Christianity. The town became a bishopric.

In 1119 some monks came together to form the Order of the Templars. At Vence, at the château Saint-Martin, we see the ruins of the former commanderie. Romée de Villeneuve, minister of Raimond Béranger IV of Provence, came to establish a little dynasty of Vence, in 1232. Nothing much changed in Vence when, in 1481, Provence was united to France. From 1507 to 1511 the Episcopal seat remained vacant; the nominated bishop renounced his throne to

become Pope Paul III in 1534. Under Louis XIV, Richelieu created the Académie Française. One of the first places was granted to Antoine Godeau, who, as a result, took holy orders and became Bishop of Vence. The 18th century was a time of famine and troubles. Monseigneur Surian, also a member of the Académie, replaced Monseigneur Godeau.

The Revolution suppressed the bishopric. Vence became chiet town of a canton. As far as the Vi l leneuve family is concerned, its last representative, Clément-Louis Hélion, marquis and Peer of France, died in 1834, leaving no living descendant; with him died the Vence branch of the Villeneuves. The bishop s palace was destroyed in 1904 and the present Mairie was built in its place. The château des Villeneuve was bought by Emile Hugues, mayor of Vence 1945-1959, deputy, senator, Keeper of the Seals, who made a gift of it to the town.

The beginning of the 20th century saw the beginning of residential tourism, based on the quality of the climate. The arrival of artists brought a period of renewal to the town. At- tracted by its particular light, the purity of the air, the quality of life, artists, writers, sculptors and poets gave Vence an exceptional cultural reputation.

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What you must see…

More than 2000 years of history are told to visitors (routes in the historic town are available in the Tourist Office).

‣ Roman columns offered by Marseille around 230.

‣ The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Nativité

Built in the 4th century, it incorporates very many vestiges classed as historic monuments.

‣ The ash-tree, painted by Soutine. To the north, the place du Frêne, built under King René, offers a panorama over the valley of the

Lubiane, the Baous and the Chapel of the Rosary.

‣ To be seen also - the orientation table, a monolith and the Baptisterie of Saint Véran (11thcentury).

‣ The château de Villeneuve is on the Western wall of the historic town, by the Esplanade du Frêne. Since 1992 it has housed the Fondation Emile Hugues with its prestigious exhibitions that have now made of Vence an essential destination for contemporary art lovers.

‣ Vence hold within its walls many artists galleries and studios. Although some are not open to visitors, most are open to the public.

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…In the historical centre, a vaste open-air

museum

In the past Vence had only 3,000 inhabitants, living essentially from the vine and the olive-tree. The old town is one of the rare mediaeval towns to have retained its walls. The town has three gates, those of the Peyra, the Signadour and of the Portail-Levis, protected by their towers, drawbridges and barbicans. You can find the columns of Marseille, vestiges of the great era of Rome in the 3rd century, the tower and the château of the Villeneuves, the five gates, the former bishop s palace, the cathedral and its treasures, the squares (among which lies the Place Vieille, the smallest in the world), the fountains, of which that of the Peyra is classed as a historic monument, little streets such as the rue des Portiques, which remind you straightway of the Middle Ages. Guided visits are offered to help you discover more than twenty centuries of history and traditions.

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The Chapelle du Rosaire

…Outside the Historic Centre

Vence, the diocese of which was the smallest in the Kingdom of France, still today has numerous chapels offering a circuit bequeathed during the centuries by the builders of sacred art (circuit available from the Tourist Office and on vence.fr).

‣ Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs - The original feature of this chapel is its belltower: a remarkable dome of varnished tiles. Note the choir-stalls and the floor which have kept their ancient paving of octagonal bricks. Classified as a «Historic Monument » in 1944, it is today a place of temporary exhibitions of mostly local artists.

‣ Chapelle du Rosaire - conceived and decorated by Henri Matisse.

The Chapelle du Rosaire, conceived by Henri Matisse remains a sacred art monument, unique in the world. From 1948 to 1951, Matisse drew up the plans for the edifice and all the details of its decoration : stain glass windows, ceramics, stalls, stoup, cult objects, priestly ornaments... It was the first time that a painter entirely designed every detail of a monument, from the architecture to the furniture.

‣ At the foot of the Baoux, between three rivers, Vence has two springs, a mass of fountains and a washhouse (a water circuit is available from the Tourist Office and on vence.fr).

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The Pénitents Blancs

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Festivals and Events

The Nuits du Sud Festival

The fountains feast

Dates of the eventsFebruary ‣ Saint Valentine’s Ball and Election of the Queen of

Vence

March /April "

‣ Easter festivities with its traditional animations. Since 1922, at this time, the Queen has been crowned, with the « danse de la souche », folklore groups, the « messe du siège » and the grand battle of flowers.

May ‣ Vence celebrates its differents cultures ‣ The pottery market ‣ The fountains feast

July / August

‣ The Nuits du Sud Festival, a world music festive event. It is always a time for sharing great moments, for discovering new talents and getting together. www.nuitsdusud.com

‣ The Antiques Show ‣ The patronal festival of Sainte Elisabeth

September ‣ Le moyen pays fête ses traditions - A festival of traditions, of trades, of music and dance , to mark the end of summer.

november ‣ The cinematographic meetings

December ‣ The Christmas celebrations - Fireworks, festivities and shows for children.

Vence, the town of festivals and culture, offers all year long many events to promote its traditions, and also music from elsewhere, with the Nuits du Sud Festival. Every summer, on the Place du Grand Jardin, the festival welcomes famous artists, who attract thousands of

visitors.

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But also…

Every day: Flowers and growers’ Market - Place du Grand Jardin.

Mardi : Market - Historic town.

Mercredi : Antique dealers, dealers in old books - Place du Grand Jardin.

Vendredi : Market « du Pays Vençois » - Place du Grand Jardin et Historic Town.

‣ The Château de Villeneuve - Fondation Emile Hugues: At the entrance of the Historic Town, this museum is a remarkable place for Modern and Contemporary Art exhibitions.

Tel : +33 (0)4 93 24 24 23 www.museedevence.com

‣ The Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs: Local artist’s exhibitions all year long (free entrance).

Tél : +33 (0)9 77 72 85 19

‣ The Provençal Museum: A walk through time for a better understanding of the population’s life styles in the past century.

Tél: +33 (0)6 85 81 20 03

‣ The Galerie Bleue: Located in the heart of an old olive oil mill is a singular art gallery for exhibitions.

Tél: +33 (0)9 65 15 65 07

Conferences cycle at the mediatheque

Music season - theatre season

Markets

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Vence, at the heart of one of Europe’s greatest natural areas

Excursions, by mountain-bike or by car, you go to discover the great spaces of the light of the Côte d Azur.

Horseback riding

Between sea and mountains Vence will seduce you with its cultural riches but also by the diversity of its landscapes. You can travel the back country in a sporting way, yet still take the time to linger by its natural and geological heritage.

The Pays Vençois offers you some forty paths for walkers, certain of which offer you an exceptional view to the Mediterranean and the white sum- mits of the Alps. During the walks you will discover by the paths a subtle mix of Mediterranean scents, the fauna and flora which are sheltered by the Côte d Azur. You will be able to surprise stags, deer, squirrels and owls, and in spring admire the wild orchids which

brighten these itineraries. The path of the balconies of the Côte d Azur is the most famous to discover gently the nature side of the Riviera.

This region, consisting of plains, valleys and the rocky line of the Baous, offers a multitude of paths allowing mountain-biking for all levels, and also horse-riding routes.

For the lovers of aquatic routes, the valley of the Cagne, undoubtedly the finest canyon of the region, will give you moments of pleasure as well as unexpected landscapes.

« La Côte d’Azur des Peintres »"

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Possible subjects for articles

The « Villa le Rêve »

In June 1943 Matisse left Nice and the bombing to set up home in Vence. On the advice of his friend André Rouveyre he came to live in the villa « Le Rève » in June 1943. He stayed there until 1949. From his room on the first floor Matisse found the light, nature and conditions which inspired some of his finest works, such as « Nature Morte aux Grenades » or « Nature Morte devant Fenêtre au Palmier ». He appreciated above all his terrace with its flowers, his magnificent garden and the exceptional view over the historic town.Today it has become a place of memory, and is open to passing visitors, to painters and other artists. It is possible to paint in one of the studios or simply stroll in the garden, which has stayed as Matisse knew it.

Stays for art schools or painting courses are organised all through the year.

For further information: www.villalerevevence.com Tel : +33 (0)4 93 58 82 68

The Historic City

Behind its ramparts, more than twenty centuries of tradition. Built in the 13th century, the ramparts of Vence protect what has become, with the passage of time, the historic city. It is only from 1840 that the houses which make up the city have been open to the exterior. Doubtless it is because of this peculiarity that its character and traditions have remained intact through the centuries. A walk of discovery through the city will allow you to plunge into the heart of history, and appreciate the provençal and mediaeval architecture. (Guided tours by the Tourist Office).

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The « Villa le Rêve »

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The Nuits du Sud Festival

Every summer, Vence welcomes world music and different cultures on the Place du Grand Jardin !

This festival has become a major event on the Riviera with over 50 000 visitors. A success due to a varied high-quality musical program with an affordable price for all.

The festival’s musical program has no particular style, it is open to music from all over the world.

Téo Saavedra, the Festival’s Manager and talent-scout offers a large panel of incredible artists coming from all continents.

For further information: www.nuitsdusud.com Tel : +33 (0)4 93 58 40 17

Femi Kuti"Camille"


The « Chapelle du Rosaire »

Matisse, ill, engaged a young nurse, Monique B o u rg e o i s , w h o s e d e v o t i o n h e m u c h appreciated. Monique Bourgeois, who Matisse described as a « magnificent person », became his confident and model. She liked to draw, and was interested in Matisse work. However, it was another vocation which summoned her; in 1944 the young woman entered the Dominican order and became Sister Jacques-Marie. Becoming a nursing sister, she continued to care for the painter. In August 1947 Sister Jacques-Marie confided to Matisse her wish to see the oratory decorated.Matisse, seeing on a greater scale, conceived the project of building an entire chapel to be offered to the Dominicans. For the first time a painter created a monument in its entirety, from the architecture to the furniture and the stained-glass windows.

Discreet, one notices only the roof of white and blue tiles and its cross of wrought iron, 13 metres high, with its crescent moons and golden flames (the cross shines on the world, light and the fire of love). Simple, luminous, spacious and balanced: the interior of the chapel may be defined thus. The alter in the centre of the

space, opposite the two naves. The colour of the stone in which it is built recalls that of the Eucharistic Bread (stone from the Gard). The walls, the floor and the white ceiling contrast with three stained-glass windows, which let in the light every day. Three colours make up the stained-glass windows: yellow (the light of the sun and of God), green (nature) and blue (the Mediterranean sky). Three great works ,created by strokes on the ceramic tiles decorate the walls of the chapel. Only the reflections from the stained-glass windows give colour to these compositions : « Saint Dominic », « The Virgin and child », and « The Way of the Cross ».

The inauguration and consécration of Notre Dame du Rosaire took place on 25 June 1951 at 10 a.m. Matisse, ill, could not be present at the ceremony, but made the lecture by Père Couturier: "This realization has taken me four years of constant exclusive work. It is the result of my entire active life. Despite all its imperfections, I sti l l consider it as my masterpiece».

For further information: 466, av H.Matisse [email protected] Tél : +33 (0)4 93 58 03 26

Succession Henri Matisse


Do not hesitate to contact us. We are at your disposal for any further information needed

The Foux, its fountains ans wash-house

At the foot of the Baous, between three rivers, Vence has two springs, the Foux and the Riou, a mass of fountains, and a wash-house. The numerous fountains bear witness to the importance of the presence of water, so precious to the agriculturalists and to the general population, and for so long a cause of envy and conflict. The Foux water is so pure that people form lines in front of the fountains in order to fill their bottles.

The Chapels

A land of welcome and meeting, Vence has enjoyed a strong Christian influence. Even if the diocese of Vence was the smallest in the kingdom of France, its cathedral welcomed people from everywhere to participate in its festivals and pilgrimages to its saints. Vence still today has numerous chapels and oratories offering an extraordinary walk around the heritage from the builders of sacred art. This is

shown in the cathedral (a classified historic monument) which contains uncountable further treasures. The Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs proudly shows off its dome of polychrome tiles, the Chapelle Sainte Elisabeth, typical of rural chapels with frescoes, the Chapelle Saint Raphaël perched on its beautiful promontory, the Chapelle Sainte Anne, and the Chapelles du Calvaire, a unique ensemble of halts on the « way of the cros », the Chapelle Sainte Colombe and certainly the Chapelle du Rosaire from only a part of this exceptional heritage.

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Peyra Fountain

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vence · nice airport : 10 miles - cannes : 20 miles - cagnes-sur-mer railway station: 8 miles ......

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