Vence

I loved Vence. Went there the day after I visited St. Paul. Don't get me wrong; St. Paul is perfect--perfectly gorgeous and perfectly preserved. But it's not real. There is evidence that people must actually live there, but it doesn't seem like it. And it is THE MOST visited village in France.

alley

another alley

gate

old cathedral

lamp in main square

building in main square

amuse bouche lunch

first course, carrots

moules frites

pastries

rue du marche

Street food--fried wonton skins,
stuffed with Swiss Chard and
cheese, and fried stuffed zucchini blossoms

Zucchini blossoms in market

yet another alley

fountain just inside gate

Vence seemed, on the other hand, real. There are actual houses and businesses outside the old city, cars, parking, people, e.g., life. There is also "life" inside the old town. It's "real", doesn't seem like a museum the way St. Paul does. It's not hard to believe that people actually live there. 

The alleys and small squares all around the old town seemed to be "alive", with shops and businesses and houses that actually had people living in them. Also, the town has expanded outside the wall and down the hill. The first time I went, it was by myself, and I had lunch and explored the medieval rue du marche (Market Street). Lunch was a salad, carrots and salad greens, followed by moules frites (steamed mussels and French fries. It was good. 

Sorry about the formatting. 

Cheers, Lillie