Page 238 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France
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236 BACK ROADS FRANCE
WHERE TO STAY
4 Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte
SAINTPAULDEVENCE
d’Azur; 06570
Hostellerie Les Remparts moderate Picture-perfect on a hilltop and ringed
The hotel is located in the heart of
pedestrianized Saint-Paul-de-Vence by ramparts, Saint-Paul-de-Vence has
and has pretty Provençal rooms. long been a magnet for both artists
72 rue Grande, 06570; 04 93 24 10 47; and visitors to the French Riviera. Marc
www.hostellerielesremparts.com Chagall is buried in the pretty ceme-
tery. Just west of town, Fondation
ANTIBES
Maeght (open daily) was set up by art
Le Bastide de la Brague moderate
Situated only a 10-minute drive from dealers Marguerite and Aimé Maeght
Antibes port, this family-run bed-and- in 1964. Its permanent collection
breakfast has double rooms and a (partially in storage during annual
friendly atmosphere. Enjoy an excellent summer exhibitions) includes works
dinner eaten with your hosts.
55 avenue No 6, Antibes, 06600; 04 93 65 by Pierre Bonnard, Alberto Giacometti
73 78 and a garden labyrinth by Joan Miró.
ª From the car park take the D7, then 6 Antibes
CANNES
the D336 to Cagnes-sur-Mer. Turn right Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte
Hotel 3.14 expensive onto the D136 which merges with the d’Azur; 06600
Each of this hotel’s five floors has a D6007, passing behind Marina Baie des These days Antibes’ Port Vauban may
different continent as its theme. Guests
can lounge at the ultra-cool 3.14 beach Anges, an iconic apartment complex. boast a strip of moorings known as
club, or beside the rooftop pool. Turn right onto the D4 and park at one Billionaire’s Quay, but the fishing
5 rue François Einesy, 06400; 04 92 99 of Biot’s signposted car parks. village’s first superstar resident was
72 00; www.3-14hotel.com Impressionist artist Claude Monet in
5 Biot 1888. Nearly 60 years later, in 1946,
Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte Pablo Picasso set up studio in the
d’Azur; 06410 nearby Château Grimaldi. Now the
Sleepy, even during summer’s peak, Musée Picasso (open Tue–Sun), it is
medieval Biot is renowned for its home to a collection of the artist’s
“bubble” glass. To see glassblowers paint ings, drawings and ceramics.
in action, pick up a Chemin des ª Follow signs for the Antibes railway
Verriers leaflet and map of the town’s station, then follow the signs to Cannes
workshops from the tourist office. on the D6107. At Golfe-Juan, turn right
Just south of town is the Musée for Route de Vallauris (on the D135),
Fernand Léger (open Wed–Mon). The which leads to Vallauris’ town centre.
bright white space makes a striking
contrast with Léger’s colour ful 7 Vallauris
paintings, while the garden café is Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte
an idyllic lunch spot. d’Azur; 06220
Above Sun-dappled corner in Biot’s Old Town ª Take the D4 back to the D6098. Vallauris is famous for artisan pottery.
Below Saint-Paul-de-Vence perched Head south to Antibes, keeping left to Its ceramic industry was revitalized
on a hilltop reach the port’s many car parks. in the early 1950s, primarily due to
Picasso’s passion. Galerie Madoura
(open Mon–Fri), where Picasso created
the bulk of his ceramics, has pieces for
sale, as well as photographs of Picasso
and Chagall working side by side. On
Place Paul Isnard stands Picasso’s
bronze L’Homme au Mouton, depict-
ing a shepherd carrying a sheep. On
the adjoining Place de la Libération
is the Château-Musée de Vallauris,
home to the Musée National Picasso
La Guerre et La Paix (open Wed–Mon).
Picasso’s last major politi cal artwork,
the 1952 La Guerre et La Paix (War and
Peace), is installed in the château’s
12th-century Romanesque chapel.
ª Retrace the D135 to Golfe-Juan,
and head west on the D6007 to

