I am going to the French Riviera (staying in Villefranche sur Mer) at the end of September 2025. One day I plan to have lunch at the Colombe d'Or and then walk/bus to the Matisse Chapel. From what I have read, I have to email the restaurant directly and ask for a reservation. Is that correct? I would also appreciate any advice on my plans or any other "must sees" in that area.
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Washington DC
29200 posts
The Fondation Maeght is a good modern- and contemporary-art museum. It's walkable from the main street in St-Paul-de-Vence.
The larger town of Vence (beyond Nice but served by buses) is old, atmospheric but not overrun by tourists, unlike St-Paul-de-Vence. In fact, the Vence may be a bit too quiet if you visit during the afternoon siesta period. Do check bus-route details, because I had quite a bit of a walk as I headed to the medieval center (which was uphill, naturally). That walk may not have been necessary.
I was told by a local that Tourrettes-sur-Loup (beyond Vence but with some bus service) is a very nice and rarely visited hill town. I didn't have time to go there myself.