This is one of the most popular type of postcards, not just for Vence, but for any town or city. There are a lot here which feature general views of town from all different directions and angles. Vence sits on a small plateau about 325 meters (1,066 feet) above sea level. The four baous (Baou des Blancs, Baou des Noir, Baou de Saint-Jeannet and Baou de la Gaude) shelter the plateau to the north. In the south of France a “baou” is a hill, cliff or escarpment that often has a flat top and extends outward from a hill or mountain. It’s a term that you will only hear in this part of the country. The spelling is Provençal and while there may certainly be similar geographic features in other parts of the country, they likely won’t be referred to as “baous.”
Because of these baous it’s quite easy to obtain nice views and photographs of Vence from a distance. The postcards in this section feature views of the town taken from many different locations. The main road from Vence to the northwest (and the next village of Saint-Jeannet) winds along a low portion of the Baou des Blancs. Taking this road just a few short kilometers will give you some beautiful views of Vence from above. If you go even higher, to the summit of the Baou des Blancs or the Baou des Noirs, you’ll get even more fantastic views.
This is a group of photographs where you can definitely see how Vence has changed over the years. It’s fascinating to see how the modern town has grown up around the old town over the years. Some of these old photographs are just amazing, Vence looks a tiny little village compared to what it is today.
If you have any questions about any of the cards featured here, if you see any errors or if you would like more information, drop me an email at steve@steveandcaroleinvence.com.
Click on any image to view a larger version.
1279 – Vue générale (Anciens Etab.)
1279 – Back (Anciens Etab.)
1314 – Vue générale (Anciens Etab.)
1314 – Back (Anciens Etab.)
1318 – Vue générale (Anciens Etab.)
1318 – Back (Anciens Etab.)
1324 – Vue générale (Anciens Etab.)
1324 – Back (Anciens Etab)
304 – Vue générale (Braun & Cie.)
304 – Back (Braun & Cie.)
300bis – Vieille Ville et ses Remparts (Braun & Cie.)
300bis – Back (Braun & Cie.)
1 – Vue générale prise de la Route de Coursegoule (Cagnoli, Papeterie)
1 – Back (Cagnoli, Papeterie)
19 – Vue générale (Cie des Arts Photomécaniques)
19 – Back (Cie des Arts Photomécaniques)
E 06.157.38.1.0101 – Vue générale (Combier Imprimeur Mâcon)
E 06.157.38.1.0101 – Back (Combier Imprimeur Mâcon)
Vence (Ed. A. Rion)
Back (Ed. A. Rion)
3. Vue générale – Baous des Blancs et Baou des Noirs (Edit. d’Art Munier)
Back (Edit. d’Art Munier)
Vue générale – Ligne du Sud de la France (Edit. Raynard)
Back (Edit. Raynard)
Vue générale – Ligne du Sud de la France (Edit. Raynard) (variation – heavy textured paper, slight difference in printing on front)
Back (Edit. Raynard) (variation – heavy textured paper)