SAINT PAUL DE VENCE

Date: Thursday, October 1
Departure Time: 12:30 pm 
Church Time: 10:00 am
Will request sack lunches be prepared by the hotel
Bus Ride Time: Approximately 1h30 each way
Return Time: Depart 5:45 pm, returning to the site around 7:15pm
Exertion Level: Moderate - should be able to walk up fairly steep cobblestoned streets to enter the village, since tour buses are required to park in a lot at the bottom of the hill. Must be able to comfortably walk 1 mile minimum at a relaxed to moderate pace.

Cost per person:   42€
Infants two and under are free if they do not take up a seat on the bus.

Perched on a hilltop overlooking the French Riviera, Saint Paul de Vence is one of the most iconic and picturesque medieval villages in the region. Surrounded by well-preserved ramparts, the village is known for its stone streets, historic buildings, and breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside and coastline.
Visitors can stroll along narrow cobbled lanes lined with art galleries, small boutiques, and charming cafés, reflecting the village’s long-standing connection with artists and writers.  Its winding streets reveal elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and statues tucked into nooks in the walls. You can find a variety of Provencal fabrics on sale, as well as local gourmet delicacies such as olive oil, wine, and fruit liqueurs. The custom jewelry on sale at many of the shops is quite affordable and unique. Even the ground offers an attractive sight, as you’ll discover cobblestone pathways laid in the shapes of flowers.  
The fortified village itself is an interesting destination, with its medieval fortress walls surrounding the city. The entrance was erected in the 1400s and features a cannon muzzle, which was a trophy from the 1544 Battle of Cerisoles in Italy. In Saint Paul de Vence, you can see the snow-covered Alps to one side, and the glistening Mediterranean Sea to the other. 
The following website will give you a nice idea of the different sights to be seen in St. Paul de Vence: http://www.saint-pauldevence.com/en
An English-speaking tour guide will accompany us on the tour bus to and from St. Paul de Vence as well as in the village for those who are interested in a guided tour, providing us with information about our visit and commentary on points of interest along the way.