 EXPLORING THE ENVIRONS
Well within an hour's drive of The Gatehouse are many of the most picturesque parts of Provence and some of the most fascinating centres in all of France, including Grasse, Cannes, Antibes, Juan Les Pins, Nice and Monaco. But, even closer still lie untold treasures, awaiting your discovery.
ST PAUL DE VENCE: Mediaeval walled village 4 km south of Vence. Ramparts dating back 16th Century.
The Colombe d'Or, opposite the main portal of the village, has one of the finest personal art collections in France, with works by Bonnard, Picasso, Matisse and Dufy, that owner Paul Roux amassed as payment of artists' hotel and restaurant bills. You can see it for the price of a meal. Foundation Maeght was built in 1960 to house the collection of Aime and Marguerite Maeght, modem art dealers. Sculptures by Calder, Arp and Miro adorn the lawns leading to the entrance. Inside the pavilion are paintings by Bonnard, Matisse, Chagall, Braque, Leger, Kandinsky and De Stael. The museum is open daily but closed at lunchtime off-season.
CAGNES-SUR-MER: 10 km south of Vence.
The Musee Renoir, on Route des Collettes east of Haut-de-Cagnes, is the house Pierre-Auguste Renoir moved to in 1908 at the of 67, in the hope that the Mediterranean climate would enable him to keep painting. Despite his crippling arthritis, Renoir's final twelve years here turned out to be among his most productive. The Musee Renoir stands amidst a garden of flowers (Irises in particular), lemon, orange and olive trees. The museum is closed Tuesdays and from October 15 to November 15. The old town of Haut-de-Cagnes is also well worth visiting, particularly the Grimaldi Chateau and Museum.
Go to Exploring the Environs page 2: Tourrettes-Sur-Loup and Gourdon »»
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