Vence Books Vence Brochures & Fliers
Books About Alpes-Maritimes (coming soon)
Brochures & Fliers About Alpes-Maritimes (coming soon)
In my previous life (before moving to Vence) I collected vinyl albums and CDs. I had a collection of over 4,000 vinyl albums, 12,000 CDs and over 1,000 45rpm vinyl singles. It was not feasible to bring the collection to France so I sold everything. Many people asked me if that was hard, selling a collection that I dearly loved and had spent a lifetime (literally) putting together. Yes and no. In some ways, of course it was hard. I had spent a lot of time and money on that collection. But when it came down to it I was more than willing to let it all go if it meant I could move to France. That’s how much I wanted to move to France. So, bottom line, no, it wasn’t hard because it allowed me to call Vence my home.
I must have a “collector’s” heart and mind though because now I find I’m collecting books (and brochures, fliers, pamphlets, etc.) about Vence, the Alpes-Maritimes and France. There are two excellent used book stores here in Vence and I’ve found some really great old books about the town at each of them. Gallery Librairie de la Basse Fontaine (located in Place Antony Mars) has a huge selection of used books, rare books, posters and more. Chine & Bouquine (located in old town) is a tiny little store with a great selection of used and rare books. There’s also a small English library here in Vence, The Broad-Chavin English Library in old town. Run by volunteers the library is only open a few hours a week. In addition to books you can borrow they also have a selection of books for sale. If you love books and you’re in Vence, be sure to stop by all three of these resources.
There’s also a weekly Wednesday morning antique market in the Grand Jardin where I’ve found some things as well. I’ve been able to find some rare, out of print books at the local library and I’ve checked those out and scanned them so I at least have a digital copy. When I’m out and about in other parts of the country I keep my eye out for anything related to Vence or the Alpes-Maritimes. I’ve managed to start a nice little collection, but as you might imagine there are lots and lots of more books about Vence and the Alpes-Maritimes, both old and new, that I have yet to acquire. As I purchase new books I’ll add them to this section of the website.
Some of the books and brochures I’ve digitized (and in some cases translated) and you can download them from this website. Of course, many of them are still under copyright, so that’s not possible. Click on one of the links at the top of this page to see a listing of books with the cover, some basic information and a short description. I’ve chosen to list them by date.
