Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Satul Artiștilor și Poveștile Sale Secrete

Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Satul Artiștilor și Poveștile Sale Secrete

At first glance, Saint-Paul-de-Vence seems like just a medieval fortress perched on a hill, with strong walls and narrow stone streets. But its true magic lies in the stories it has lived. Here, history has intertwined with art, and the village has transformed into a living masterpiece. Picasso and other revolutionary artists walked these streets and left something of their soul here – and that’s what makes Saint-Paul-de-Vence not just a place, but a story that is still being written. Welcome to Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Hello, friends!
We are Bugibii on vacation. We’re a couple passionate about traveling, about adventures and hidden places that have captured our hearts. On this channel, we want to show you the world through our eyes, to discover together corners of paradise, fascinating cultures, and unforgettable moments. So if you also love to travel, subscribe and let’s live these magical experiences together. Good morning, dear friends! You won’t believe
where we are. We’re in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, on the French Riviera, a village that stole our hearts long ago, and we thought we’d share with you how this magical place looks. Welcome to Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Basically, its strategic position overlooking the hills and the Mediterranean Sea made this village truly an important military stronghold. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] What I haven’t told you about Saint-Paul-de-Vence is that for almost 1000 years, this village was indeed a military power. But in the 20th century, a different kind of conqueror arrived – not with swords, but with brushes. Artists, drawn by the unique light, the peace of the place, and the creative energy
that still floats in the air. So today, we are traveling through two worlds. First, we will discover the medieval fortress, an engineering marvel, and then we immerse ourselves in the artistic revolution
that transformed this place of war into a sanctuary of creation. [Music] [Music] In the 16th century, King François I ordered the strengthening of the fortress, bringing in the best military engineers to build bastions resistant to cannon fire. And thanks to his vision, the village has remained incredibly well preserved to this day, as you can see. The gate we passed through, Porte de Vence, has an imposing tower, and stepping through it
is like going back 500 years in time. The stones we walk on today are the same ones that soldiers, nobles, and later craftsmen walked upon. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] We are now in Place de la Grande Fontaine. This was the place where all ceremonies were held, and all the news was brought to the village. I think this is the most vibrant place in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, not only because of its history, but also thanks to the old walls that today house the Town Hall. Even the main church has parts that date back to the 10th century, and the small chapels seem taken out of an old story. And ironically, in the 20th century the fortifications were almost demolished, but fortunately, they were saved, and today they are historical monuments. But more than that, we can truly enjoy them. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] With the beginning of the 20th century, artists, poets, and writers started to discover Saint-Paul-de-Vence, not for its military history, but for the beauty of its landscapes, the calm of the place, and the magical Provencal light that makes colours sing. You’ve seen it yourselves, the paintings are absolutely stunning.
The epicenter of this artistic revival was a legendary hotel called La Colombe d’Or, which we hope we can show you today. Initially, it was a very, very simple inn with three rooms, opened around 1920 by Paul Roux, a local passionate about art. And can you believe that during World War II, the hotel became a refuge for artists, and often they paid for their stay not with money, but with paintings, because they couldn’t afford otherwise?
Just think, Picasso, Matisse, Leger stayed here. And more than that, they exchanged ideas, they discussed, and they shaped the world. One legend says that Paul Roux’s wife once went to Picasso’s studio and asked him to paint a picture for the innkeeper, who was on his deathbed.
But the one most tied to this place was Marc Chagall. Not only did he visit, but he lived here for almost 20 years, and as a result, his tomb is in this village. I believe it’s not just a place of pilgrimage for art lovers, but also a silent testimony of his deep connection with this corner of the world. Of course, if you are as fascinated by this place as we are, don’t forget to subscribe to our channel because it’s absolutely free, and this way you won’t miss the multitude of journeys we are taking through these incredible places around the world, we hope! A like and a comment help us enormously to continue this type of content. The artistic heritage of the village does not belong only to the past. It beats alive through every corner of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, starting from Rue Grande, the main street. The whole village is a true open-air museum. The most famous galleries in Saint-Paul-de-Vence are the Guy Pieters Gallery and the Catherine Issert Gallery, which truly carry forward this entire artistic dialogue that began centuries ago. And this year, in 2025, the Catherine Issert Gallery
celebrates 50 years, practically half a century of art right in the heart of the village. Even the historic buildings of the village
take part in this artistic conversation, as I like to say, because even the chapel from the 10th century was redecorated by Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon in the 2000s, and it includes all kinds of mosaics and stained glass that bring new life to the sacred space. This is, in essence, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a place where history is not only preserved,
but transformed into living art. And this is also the reason
why we love this village so much. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Right in the heart of the village, among the alleys full of galleries and charming cafés, we find this quiet yet spectacular treasure,
the Collegiate Church from the 10th century. From the outside, I admit it looks quite simple, so discreet that one could almost pass by
without paying attention. But once you step inside, the surprise begins, because it’s a combination of styles. And that’s because the church grew and changed through the centuries. Built originally in the 10th century, it received a true Baroque makeover in the 17th century. So if we lift our eyes, we see the contrast: an impressive vaulted ceiling, chapels full of color and gilded sculptures, paintings that somehow tell stories. The Chapel of Saint Clement is filled with delicate frescoes, almost like painted whispers on the walls, stories hundreds of years old that still convey emotion.
And if we think about it, this place is not just a beautiful building. It is a witness, a witness to all the important moments in the life of the community: baptisms, weddings, celebrations, but also a refuge when times were hard.
And because we are in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, where art is everywhere, even here, between these cold walls, we can somehow feel an artistic vibration.
If you close your eyes for a few seconds, you can imagine medieval knights entering this space. Then, if we jump forward a few centuries, we can picture the bohemian artists of the village stopping for a few moments, seeking inspiration in this chapel. All of them left something in the air of this place,
and I think that’s what makes this church special. It’s not just a monument to visit, it is a space where history and art embrace. We are now leaving Saint-Paul-de-Vence, our favorite village, and we hope we’ve sparked your desire to add it to your travel list if you haven’t been here yet. It’s a place that we live every time we return, but also one we dream of with open eyes.
It is practically a story we step into and take with us each time. Now we are heading to our next destination of the day, and we can’t wait to discover it with you.
And we’re curious: tell us in the comments, which village has stayed closest to your heart
from your travels? We’d love to know if we’ve already visited it, or if we should add it to our own list.
Sending you hugs, dear friends! [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music]

Descoperă Saint-Paul-de-Vence, satul medieval din Coasta de Azur unde arta și misterul se împletesc la fiecare pas! Te invit să explorezi alături de noi galeriile de artă, atelierele ascunse și poveștile secrete care au transformat acest loc într-un adevărat refugiu pentru artiști celebri. Află ce enigme și comori culturale ascunde unul dintre cele mai fascinante sate din Franța!

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