Land of artists and cradle of contemporary art, the village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence cultivates a charming image with an international reputation relayed by the great names of painting, literature and the seventh art. From Paul Signac to Jean-Michel Folon, everyone has found here a land of creation and inspiration. In connection with the 50th anniversary of the Maeght Foundation and the exhibition "Saint-Paul de Vence, a paradise for artists", the Tourist Office is taking advantage of the Heritage Days - Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September 2014 - to celebrate 100 years of artistic creation in Saint-Paul de Vence by offering four themes for guided tours.
An itinerary entitled "Saint-Paul de Vence, land of creation" will lead visitors on the tracks of these artists who have forged a strong bond with the village. If painters such as Félix Vallotton were the precursors at the dawn of the 20th century, the commune also welcomed writers such as James Baldwin or Jacques Prévert. From the 1940s onwards, many personalities from the world of cinema were attracted to the Nice region by the presence of important film studios. Henri-Georges Clouzot, André Cayatte and Lino Ventura thus made Saint-Paul de Vence a place of refuge far from the hustle and bustle of the film sets and the bustle of the coast
Another theme will allow you to discover two jewels of Saint Paul's heritage: the Folon and Saint-Charles-Saint-Claude chapels, buildings that have been part of the local landscape since the end of the 17th century. The Folon chapel was the seat of the brotherhood of the White Penitents until the beginning of the last century, while the second is one of those old rural chapels that recall the village and religious life of yesteryear. Both have recently written a new page in their history through their restoration and the creation of a new decor in each of them: the former chapel of the Pénitents Blancs has been entirely decorated by the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon, while the painter Paul Conte from Nice has created a cycle of murals in the Saint-Charles-Saint-Claude chapel. Paul Conte will be present to talk about the work he completed last summer
A third guided tour will be devoted to the link that Jacques Prévert maintained with Saint-Paul de Vence for some fifteen years. At the same time poet, songwriter and screenwriter for the cinema, the latter wrote his most beautiful pages in the village. From squares to alleyways, this visit will take visitors to places reminiscent of the poet
Throughout the weekend, visitors will also have free access to the exhibition "Saint-Paul de Vence, a paradise for artists" which is divided into two routes: one in the streets of the village, the other in the Museum of Saint-Paul. A guided tour punctuated by panels illustrated with numerous photographs will allow visitors to better understand why and how this artistic tradition, now a hundred years old, was born in Saint-Paul de Vence
Information
- free guided tours
- free access to the Folon Chapel, the Museum of Local History and the Saint-Paul Museum
- heritage Days on Saturday SATURDAY 20 and Sunday 21 September 2014
- information at 04 93 32 86 95 and www.saint-pauldevence.com or [email protected]
