Saint-Paul de Vence is a small village up from the French Riviera in southeastern France. Don’t confuse this village with the larger town of Vence. This village is famous for one of its hotels named La Colombe d’Or. Nearby is a modern art museum/foundation called the Fondation Maeght. This foundation holds a vast collection of modern art, although Picasso is not represented in the permanent collection.
–Picasso at the Colombe d’Or
Picasso is connected to the Colombe d’Or. The proprietor when the restaurant/inn first opened was named Paul, and he and his wife ran the open-air restaurant and then started renting rooms. The place is famous because the walls are filled with famous artists works, many of which were given to Paul for food and lodging. The hotel/restaurant opened in 1920 and by the 1940s it was a hangout for many of the artists of the day that had moved to the area.
CNN has a nice article entitled “Picasso’s favorite watering hole …” and slide show about La Colombe d’Or in Saint-Paul de Vence and can be accessed HERE.
Also, Messy Nessy Chic, a blog/website about France, has some of the same and then even more pictures. You can get access to this article HERE.
Lastly, the website for La Colombe d’Or is locate HERE. Enjoy learning about this historic French landmark.
–Picasso’s contribution to the Colombe d’Or
My knowledge of art could be written on the back of a postage stamp; but I love the look of this place…
What? I am glad you like it. The south of France is very magical, in my opinion.
Yesterday afternoon I caught an episode of Globe Trekker on PBS, and they were in Provence! It was a focus on art, with Arles and Juan-les-Pins, and….Saint-Paul de Vence! Would love to make a trip there some time.
Nice!! I will have to look up that episode. I only went to Provence and the Riviera once, and I definitely want to go back. I was not very art smart at the time, and know much more now. I still knew who the big players were, but not any backstories! Go, Martha!
Hi Denise – I’m not that familiar with southern France – something I need to amend when I get back. So this was really interesting and good to know Picasso did donate a work to the ‘watering hole’ … and thanks for the other links – cheers Hilary
Picasso could be generous when he wanted, Hilary. Just not generous enough to leave a will for his heirs!