Had enough of city life? Let’s take you back in time to an old medieval hill town—Saint Paul de Vence. Located at an hour’s drive from Nice, easily reachable by bus or car, this little gem is a visual delight. Cobble-stoned streets, narrow alleys, stone-clad buildings adorned with faint tree branches, chic cafes and restaurants, dated fountains—all this set-up on a beautiful hill—the charm of Saint Paul is in fact very endearing!

Saint Paul is also teeming with contemporary art galleries and boutiques. Many young and talented artists have on display their exquisite pieces, in very welcoming outlets. It may not be a bad idea to pick up a few pieces, as most of them make international deliveries as well. Fascinating metal sculptures out there in the open—a horse sculpture made of metallic horseshoe, a man resting on a metal-wire hammock and few others—depict in style the essence of this place. You may also visit Fondation Maeght, a museum housing numerous forms of modern art.

Very much like its neighbour Nice, this little town does a stellar job with its dining options. If you are very serious about your food, then this town boasts a Michelin star restaurant named Le Saint-Paul along with many other fine dining options. But, don’t undermine the fun of meandering through the narrow alleys and stumbling upon the most heart-warming delicacies, served by umpteen cafes and restaurants within this walled town. One such Thai restaurant that I stumbled upon was L'O Pure Thai Style—very vibrant, amazing Thai food, and the host more than willing to personalise your dining.

Other interesting things include taking culinary classes for regional cuisine and desserts, and meeting a local sommelier and getting educated on wines, something you can definitely boast when back home! Whether you visit Saint Paul for a day or decide to spend a few quaint nights over here, either way, this place will stay with you for a very very long time!