St Paul de Vence

I am in love with little European medieval villages.  The thickly walled cities with tiny cobbled streets.   I love everything they represent.  Community, protection, family, friends--I feel all these things as I walk through them.  I feel the history, the stories, the people.  I don't believe that I would have wanted to live during that period of time, however, as a history lover, it's fascinating for me to walk amongst the small timbered buildings peering into the leaded glass windows and wondering what life must have been like.

The very first village I visited was in Italy.  We could see it off in the distance perched high on a hill.  From the highway it didn't seem far, so we decided to take a detour and check it out.  I am so glad we did.  We found that most of these villages are pedestrian only.  We parked our car and began to meander through the shops and cafes.  It was the most beautiful place I'd ever been, and right then and there, my love for these walled cities began to grow.

We made Nice our home base and found there was a village about 20 miles from us up in the foothills.  We got our car from the parking garage and away we went.  St Paul de Vence.  Beautiful.  I fell immediately in love.  I could hardly wait for the car to stop before I was out and taking pictures.  The streets were about 2 people wide--cobbled with a star pattern, and winding up and up and up.  Little shops and restaurants everywhere.  In the past few decades, it has turned into an artist colony.  Olive oil, linens, paintings, everything you can imagine, but of the highest quality.

We walked for quite some time before finding a cafe for lunch and then began walking again--up and up to the top of this medieval village to where the church stood.  The views were spectacular.  Our cameras never stopped clicking.  What a day to remember.  It was one of the most wonderful intact cities that I have visited.  I'll share some of my photos here--and then you'll see for yourself.

I could see it from far off and it looked awesome!  I couldn't wait to arrive.  It was beautiful.

St Paul de Vence

Cannons for protection, every home needs one!

Look closely--the cobblestones are patterned --flowers!

Little shops and cafes tucked into tiny homes.

Very thick doors and windows.

We had lunch up there under those umbrellas.

OK, yes,  I bought lots of stuff in here.

So many little shops!  I was in heaven. 

Beautiful displays.

I am already planning our next adventure, and yes, it will include a medieval village or two.  I just love them.   I might even come back here one day!