The journey from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence is about 20 km, and the easiest way is by car or private chauffeur, straight to the foot of the village. There is no train to Saint-Paul itself: by public transport you take the train or a bus to Cagnes-sur-Mer, then bus 655 up the hill, which the tourist office puts at about 1 hour 10 minutes in total.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of the oldest medieval villages on the French Riviera, famous for its 16th-century ramparts, its art galleries, the Fondation Maeght and the grave of Marc Chagall. This guide compares every way to make the trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence and explains what to see once you are there.
How far is Saint-Paul-de-Vence from Nice?
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is 20 km from Nice and 15 km from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, according to the Saint-Paul-de-Vence tourist office. The village sits about 7 km inland from the Mediterranean, above Cagnes-sur-Mer, between Nice and Antibes.
The distance is short, but the last part of the road climbs into the hills. Traffic around Cagnes and on the coast road makes the biggest difference to journey time, especially in summer and at rush hour.
What is the best way to get from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
The best way from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence is by road, with a car or a private chauffeur, because there is no train station in the village. Public transport works, but it means a train or bus to Cagnes-sur-Mer and then bus 655 up to the village.
Here is how the options from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence compare:
| Option | How it works | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train + bus 655 | TER from Nice-Ville to Cagnes-sur-Mer (about 15 min, €5), then bus 655 to the village | About 1h10 door to door, according to the tourist office | Budget travellers, light luggage |
| Bus + bus 655 | Bus from Nice to Cagnes-sur-Mer, then bus 655 | Similar, depending on traffic | Travellers staying near a bus stop |
| Car | Drive via Cagnes-sur-Mer, park in one of the village car parks | Depends on traffic | Drivers happy to find parking |
| Private chauffeur | Door to door, waits while you visit | Depends on traffic | Couples, families, combined day trips |
Train details come from SNCF and bus details from the tourist office.
Is there a train from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
No, there is no train station in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The nearest station is Cagnes-sur-Mer: SNCF lists about 15 minutes from Nice-Ville, around 65 round trips a day and a standard fare of €5, according to its Nice–Cagnes page.
From Cagnes-sur-Mer station, bus 655 continues to Saint-Paul-de-Vence and on to Vence. This train-and-bus combination is the most reliable public transport route from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
How do I take the bus from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
Take a train or bus to Cagnes-sur-Mer, then bus 655 from the station square (Square du 8 mai) to Saint-Paul-de-Vence. You can also reach Cagnes by bus. The tourist office gives about 1 hour 10 minutes for the whole trip from Nice, according to its access page.
Bus 655 runs between Cagnes-sur-Mer station, La Colle-sur-Loup, Saint-Paul and Vence, with a departure every 30 minutes at weekday peak times, according to the ZOU! timetable published by the tourist office. Check the current timetable before you travel, especially on Sundays and public holidays.
Tips for public transport
Allow plenty of time, especially for the return journey from the village to Nice in the late afternoon. If you plan to visit the Fondation Maeght as well, note that it is a 10 to 12-minute walk from the bus stop, on a steep slope, according to the Fondation.
Can I drive from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
Yes. The drive from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence goes west towards Cagnes-sur-Mer, then up into the hills. The village itself is a place to walk, so you park in one of the car parks around it.
The tourist office lists car parks on Route des Serres (82 spaces), Chemin des Gardettes (28 spaces), Montée des Trious (20 spaces) and Route de Vence (14 spaces), plus an underground Indigo car park at Espace Sainte-Claire. Parking is paid, and the tourist office recommends the EasyPark app.
Is parking in Saint-Paul-de-Vence difficult?
It can be, because the car parks are small compared with the number of visitors. If you drive from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence in high season, arrive early, or avoid the issue altogether with a chauffeur who drops you at the entrance to the village and collects you when you are ready.
What is there to see in Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
The highlights are the 16th-century ramparts, the Rue Grande and its galleries, the Place du Jeu de Boules, Marc Chagall’s grave and, just outside the village, the Fondation Maeght. You can see the village itself in two to three hours, and add the Fondation for a full half-day.
The ramparts
The ramparts were built on the orders of François I in the 1540s, designed by Jean de Saint-Rémy, and form a perimeter of about one kilometre, according to the tourist office. Walking around them gives views over the hills to the sea.
The Rue Grande and the galleries
The Rue Grande runs through the heart of the village and is lined with galleries showing works by artists such as Chagall, César, Koons and Niki de Saint-Phalle. The tourist office describes it as “an open-air art gallery”. For art lovers, the galleries alone justify the trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Place du Jeu de Boules and La Colombe d’Or
The Place du Jeu de Boules, shaded by century-old plane trees, is where Yves Montand and Lino Ventura played pétanque. Across the square, La Colombe d’Or counted Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, Braque, Léger and Folon among its regulars, according to the tourist office’s village walk.
Marc Chagall’s grave
Marc Chagall is buried in the village cemetery; he lived in Saint-Paul-de-Vence from 1966 to 1985, according to the tourist office. The cemetery is on the Plateau du Puy, the old heart of the village.
Is the Fondation Maeght worth visiting?
Yes, if you enjoy modern and contemporary art, which is what Saint-Paul-de-Vence is best known for. The Fondation Maeght opened on 28 July 1964, in a building designed by the Spanish architect Josep Lluís Sert, on a hill overlooking the village, according to Wikipedia.
The Fondation opens every day from 10 am to 6 pm, and until 7 pm in July and August. Full-price tickets cost €18 and reduced tickets €14, entry is free for under-16s, and parking on site is free. For many visitors, it is the main reason for the trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
How long do you need in Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
Two to three hours is enough to walk the ramparts, the Rue Grande and the galleries, and to visit Chagall’s grave. Add one to two hours if you want to visit the Fondation Maeght, and more if you plan a long lunch.
For many visitors, a trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence fills a morning or an afternoon comfortably. With a car, it also combines well with Vence, Tourrettes-sur-Loup or Grasse in a single day.
Can I combine Saint-Paul-de-Vence with Vence or Grasse?
Yes. Vence is the next town up the road, and bus 655 continues there. In Vence, the Chapelle du Rosaire was designed by Henri Matisse; the City of Vence lists tickets at €7, and opening days change through the year, so check before you go.
For walkers, a marked path from Saint-Paul-de-Vence to Tourrettes-sur-Loup covers 9.6 km in about 3 hours 30, according to the tourist office. By car, a trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence also combines naturally with the perfume town of Grasse; see our guide to getting from Nice to Grasse.
A sample day with a chauffeur
- Morning: Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, arriving before the crowds to walk the ramparts and the Rue Grande.
- Late morning: the Fondation Maeght, a short drive from the village.
- Lunch: in the village or in Vence.
- Afternoon: the Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence or the perfume factories in Grasse, then back to Nice.
Is a private chauffeur worth it from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
Yes, for most visitors. With no train to the village, limited parking and a steep walk to the Fondation Maeght, a private chauffeur turns the trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence into a simple door-to-door journey, and makes it easy to add Vence or Grasse.
With Luxotica, the price is fixed and agreed in advance, and your chauffeur waits while you visit. We drive the Mercedes S-Class for up to 3 passengers and 3 bags, and the Mercedes V-Class for up to 7 passengers and 7 bags.
Compared with a taxi or an Uber, you know the cost before you set off, you do not need to find a car for the way back, and you keep the same driver all day. See our private car tour of Nice and our private chauffeur service in Cannes.
Can I go from Nice Airport straight to Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
Yes. Saint-Paul-de-Vence is only 15 km from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, according to the tourist office, so it is easy to reach directly after landing, or on the way to a hotel in the hills.
By public transport you would need to reach Cagnes-sur-Mer first, then take bus 655, which is tiring with luggage. A pre-booked transfer from the airport is the simplest option. Our Nice Airport guide explains every way to leave the airport.
When is the best time to visit Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
Early morning and late afternoon tend to be the calmest times in the village, and spring and autumn are usually more comfortable than midsummer. In July and August, the Fondation Maeght stays open until 7 pm, which makes a late-afternoon visit easier.
A market is held on Wednesday and Friday mornings on the Place du Jeu de Boules, according to the Côte d’Azur tourist board. If you like markets, plan your trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence on one of those days.
Is Saint-Paul-de-Vence good for families?
Yes, with a little planning. The village is small and best explored on foot, which makes it pleasant to wander with children, but the lanes are steep, stepped and cobbled.
A baby carrier is easier than a pushchair. On a family trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, children usually enjoy the ramparts and watching pétanque on the Place du Jeu de Boules, and the Fondation Maeght is free for under-16s.
Is Saint-Paul-de-Vence worth visiting from Nice?
Yes. The trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of the classic half-days on the Riviera: a walled medieval village, galleries on every street, the grave of Marc Chagall and the Fondation Maeght, a major modern art foundation, all within a small area.
It is also a change of scene from the coast. In under an hour by road you swap the sea front for hills, olive trees and stone lanes, and the views from the ramparts reach down to the Mediterranean. If you enjoy art, history or simply beautiful villages, it is well worth the short journey.
How much does a trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence cost?
By public transport, the train from Nice to Cagnes-sur-Mer costs €5 one way at the standard fare, according to SNCF, plus a ZOU! bus ticket for line 655. By car, add fuel and paid parking in the village.
Once there, walking the village, the ramparts and the galleries is free. The Fondation Maeght costs €18 at full price. With a private chauffeur, the trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence has a fixed price agreed in advance, which covers the driving and the waiting time, however long you stay.
Can I go to Saint-Paul-de-Vence for dinner?
Yes. Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a popular evening outing from Nice, and the village is very atmospheric after the day visitors have left. La Colombe d’Or, whose regulars included Matisse, Picasso and Chagall, is the village’s best-known address.
The main challenge is the way back. Bus and train connections thin out in the evening, so check the last departures, or book a chauffeur for the return from Saint-Paul-de-Vence to Nice so you can enjoy dinner without watching the clock.
Should I stay in Nice or Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
Stay in Nice if you want the widest choice of hotels, the airport close by and easy access to the coast by train. Stay in or near Saint-Paul-de-Vence if you prefer a quiet base in the hills and plan to explore by car.
Many visitors choose Nice and make the trip from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence for a day or an evening. Others stay in the hills and come down to the coast; either way, the two are close enough to enjoy both.
What should I bring to Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
Wear comfortable shoes with good grip: the lanes are cobbled, steep in places and slippery after rain. Bring water and sun protection in summer, and a light layer in the evening, as the hills can be cooler than the coast.
If you plan to buy art or ceramics, ask the gallery about shipping. With a chauffeur, you can leave shopping and bags safely in the car while you continue your visit.
Is Saint-Paul-de-Vence accessible for visitors with limited mobility?
Partly. The lanes inside the ramparts are steep, stepped and cobbled, so the upper parts of the village can be hard going with limited mobility. If you have concerns, ask the tourist office about the easiest routes before you go.
If walking is difficult, a car that drops you right at the entrance makes the biggest difference, because the car parks can be a walk away. The Fondation Maeght has free parking on site, so a driver can take you straight to its door as well. When you book, tell us about any mobility needs and we will plan the stops and timings around them.
What else is near Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
Besides Vence and Tourrettes-sur-Loup, the village of La Colle-sur-Loup sits just below Saint-Paul on the road to Cagnes-sur-Mer, and bus 655 stops there on its way up. Cagnes-sur-Mer itself has a seafront and a station on the coastal railway.
With a car, you can link Saint-Paul-de-Vence with Antibes on the coast, or with Grasse and its perfume factories inland, in a single day.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Saint-Paul-de-Vence from Nice?
About 20 km from Nice and 15 km from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, according to the Saint-Paul-de-Vence tourist office.
Is there a train from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
No. Take the train to Cagnes-sur-Mer (about 15 minutes, €5), then bus 655 up to the village.
How long does the bus take from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
The tourist office gives about 1 hour 10 minutes in total from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, via Cagnes-sur-Mer and bus 655.
Where do you park in Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
In the car parks around the village, such as Route des Serres or the Indigo car park at Espace Sainte-Claire. Parking is paid.
How much does the Fondation Maeght cost?
€18 at full price and €14 reduced, free for under-16s. It opens daily from 10 am to 6 pm, until 7 pm in July and August.
Where is Marc Chagall buried?
In the cemetery of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, where he lived from 1966 to 1985.
How do I book a private driver from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
Send us your pickup point, the date, the number of passengers and any stops you want to add, such as the Fondation Maeght, Vence or Grasse, and we will reply with a fixed price. We cover half-day and full-day trips from Nice, Cannes and the airport.
Written by The Luxotica Team, licensed VTC chauffeurs based in Nice.