This Cannes shore trip visits two of the most beautiful hilltop villages on the French Riviera: Eze and Saint Paul de Vence. Your driver-guide takes you to Eze, known for its stunning views and quaint charm, and to Saint Paul de Vence, known for its art galleries and medieval walls, with time to explore each village and enjoy free time for lunch.
After meeting your driver-guide in Cannes, you enjoy a scenic drive along the Riviera until you reach Eze, a pedestrian only medieval village built from tiny stone lanes and buildings on a rocky peak above the sea. The village is crowned by the ruins of a 12th century fortified castle, demolished in 1706, whose grounds now hold the Jardin Exotique succulent garden. There is time to walk to the top of the village for sweeping views over the sea far below, browse the boutiques, or enjoy an ice cream with a million dollar view. Please note that you must leave the vehicle at the base of the village and walk up a steep hill into town, which is not recommended for anyone with limited mobility. If you are not up to the walk, you can instead enjoy the scents of Provence at the nearby Fragonard perfume factory.
Later in the morning you drive to Saint Paul de Vence. The vehicle parks outside the medieval walls near several cafes, where you can enjoy a relaxing lunch while watching locals play the Provencal games of boules or petanque. Afterward you can stroll the cobblestone streets of this hilltop Provencal town to browse its art galleries and boutiques. Saint Paul de Vence has long been a magnet for artists, and its cemetery holds the grave of painter Marc Chagall, who lived in the village and died in 1985. For guests interested in modern art, the Maeght Foundation sits on a hillside just outside the village walls. Founded in 1964 by gallerists Marguerite and Aime Maeght, the foundation holds works by Chagall, Miro, Giacometti, Braque, Calder and Leger, several of whom helped design the building itself. The Matisse designed Chapel of the Rosary sits a short drive away in the neighboring town of Vence, worth asking your driver-guide about if you have interest.
At the end of this leisurely Cannes shore excursion, your driver-guide brings you back to the pier.