Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a medieval village perched two hundred metres above the plain, behind the ramparts drawn by the engineers of François I. Its cobbled alleys are closed to motorcars, its fifty art galleries make it the densest of contemporary villages, and its cemetery shelters Chagall's grave.

In the last century, Picasso, Léger, Soutine, Matisse, Modigliani all stayed here. The legend has it that at La Colombe d'Or — the mythical inn at the village's entrance — they sometimes settled their bills in paintings rather than in francs. The canvases offered still cover the walls of the dining room today, which is in fact one of the most beautiful private collections of the twentieth century.

The Fondation Maeght, designed by Josep Lluís Sert and nestled among the pines just outside the village, completes the artistic ecosystem. Maison Vehira conveys its guests to Saint-Paul-de-Vence for luncheons, gallery visits, appointments with antique dealers, and the Foundation's openings.

Vehira serves here mostly during the day. Saint-Paul is the preferred luncheon destination for guests of the coastal palaces — Carlton in Cannes, Negresco in Nice, Hôtel de Paris in Monaco — who come up to La Colombe d'Or or Le Saint-Paul for a meal that lasts two or three hours.

The village being entirely pedestrian, its chauffeurs drop the guest at the entrance — either in front of La Colombe d'Or, or at the north gate of the village — and take the motorcar to the parking dedicated to services, below. They pick the guest up at the agreed hour, or upon call.

For guests with a residence in Saint-Paul, or staying a week or more in one of the enclosed villas of the surrounding hills, the Maison also serves on daily by-the-hour basis. The motorcars are then parked as close as possible to the residence, awaiting instruction.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence holds few addresses, but each is singular. La Colombe d'Or, at the village's entrance, is the most discreetly legendary inn of the Riviera. Le Saint-Paul, a palace concealed behind the ramparts, and the Mas de Pierre, in the lower fields, complete the hospitality offering of high order.

Maison Vehira serves these three addresses upon call from their respective concierges. It also conveys its guests to the Fondation Maeght — including for private visits outside opening hours, by prior arrangement — and to the village's private galleries, where certain meetings take place behind closed doors.