We’ve just published a brand-new book which you can purchase from our online store. An Insider’s Guide To Vence: How To Make The Most Of Your Visit is just the first of many books we have planned about Vence.
This book is available in paperback or as a digital download (PDF & EPUB). In addition to the standard paperback, a small number of copies have been personally signed and numbered by the author. These signed and numbered copies are limited to 50 in total and are available while supplies last.
Unfortunately, we are unable to ship paperback books to the U.S. at the present time due to the tariff situation. But the paperback version is also available from Amazon for our friends outside of Europe (or if you prefer to buy there).
Perched between the French Riviera and the foothills of the Alps, Vence is one of the Côte d’Azur’s most rewarding hill towns. Set on a small plateau beneath the rocky Baou des Blancs, it combines the beauty of Provence with a storied history that reaches back thousands of years. Yet Vence is not a museum village or a place kept alive only for visitors. It is a living town, rooted in centuries of heritage and tradition, where busy cafés, markets, festivals, shops, families, and artists continue to shape everyday life.
Whether you are visiting for a day, a weekend, or an extended stay, this book will help you make the most of your time in Vence. Inside, you’ll find over 200 pages of practical advice, local tips, walking tours, and carefully organized recommendations on where to stay, where to eat, where to shop, what to do in and around town, and much more. You’ll discover the old town, the cathedral, the Matisse Chapel, fountains, chapels, museums, markets, festivals, walks, bike rides, and nearby excursions. Over 100 gorgeous full-color photos are featured throughout the book.
More than a simple list of sights, this book is a friendly companion for travelers who enjoy context, detail, and the small discoveries that make a visit memorable. From major landmarks to things you might otherwise miss, it offers the kind of insight and local perspective that turns a pleasant stay into a richer, more personal experience.
Just a short drive from Nice, Antibes, or Cannes, Vence brings together its rich past and deep roots with a lively, flourishing cultural scene, making it an ideal location for anyone looking to experience more than just the famous glitz and glamour of the Riviera’s coastal cities and beaches.
I fell in love with Vence many years ago and made it my full-time home in 2019. Since then, I’ve become deeply absorbed in the history, heritage, and everyday life of my new hometown, spending much of my time walking its streets, exploring its hidden corners, and researching, reading, and writing about its past. These pages grow out of that firsthand experience and personal appreciation. I hope that they will help you see Vence not just as a beautiful destination, but as a living town with stories, traditions, and treasures worth discovering beyond its most familiar sights.
This is not meant to be a “best of” list. Everyone will have their own personal favorites, and not every hotel, restaurant, or monument in town is included. Think of it instead as a friendly starting point, something to help you feel at home in Vence from the moment you arrive. There’s plenty more to discover with a little time and curiosity. If this guide helps you glimpse even a fraction of what so many of us love about Vence, then my time will have been well spent.
