To roam is to live… So, in the spirit of leading a more vivid life BOTEH asks seasoned traveller and co-founder of Bless Inc, Lucy Brownless, to share her travel guide to Saint Paul de Vence in France and how she makes every moment of annual leave mean something.
HOW WOULD YOUR LOVED ONES DESCRIBE YOU?
Free spirited, a gypsy, passionate, caring, and (almost) up for anything.
DO YOU PREFER TO TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS? LOVERS? FAMILY?
I always love traveling with my family. We go away most years and we have the most special time together. My grandma usually travels with us too. We visit her family in the South of France, this year it was super special as my cousin has had two little babies since covid so it was nice getting to meet them for the first time. I also love getting to spend quality time with my two brothers, my sister and my mum as we don’t get this very often as we are very rarely altogether at home. We sit around the table at night and play cards, drink mint tea and eat our favorite french dessert and these are the small moments i’ll always remember.
We have been traveling to Saint Paul de Vence for almost 12 years now. My grandma's brother used to own an art gallery in the village and he and his family still live around the area. It is so breathtakingly beautiful and holds such a special place in our hearts.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT?
Every year Saint Paul de Vence gets more and more special for us, and the minute we leave we look forward to the next time we are back. It is like a little home away from home. Nothing changes there which we love. Most of the waiters are the same from the very first time we visited, and every year a lot of the same hotel guests return for their summer vacation so we have created this special bond with a few of them and keep in touch during the year. It kind of feels like an extension of our family here.
WHERE TO STAY?
La Colombe Dor, Saint Paul de Vence
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WHERE TO SWIM?
The pool at La Colombe Dor or Paloma Beach
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A good love story to immerse myself in - I am currently currently reading ‘The Summer Place’
WHERE TO EAT?
La Colombe Dor (restaurant is a must and the menu hasn't changed in 50 years) - our favourite meal on the menu is the chicken fricassee but it is honestly all delicious you can’t go wrong, there are also some super cute restaurants up in the village to check out. Sol Cafe is great too and they have live music every friday night in the summer. Le Polongoir in Nice is really beautiful as it's right on the water and great for sunset drinks. Hotel Du-Cap-Eden-Roc if you want to treat yourself.
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WHAT TO DO?
Visit the art galleries - Foundation Marguerite et Aime Maeght is wonderful as is Foundation Cap. A day trip to Monaco, or Saint Tropez is always so nice too. Shopping in Cannes is fun and very tempting and just driving around the coastline of Cote d’azur is so lovely.
DO YOU PRIORITISE RELAXATION OR NEW EXPERIENCES WHEN ON HOLIDAY?
Relaxation - always!! I love a holiday where I can completely switch off, log off instagram, soak up the sunshine, sleep in and enjoy the special, little moments.
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Copenhagen next week for a few days for work and also to explore. I have heard so many amazing things, and I think it will be super pretty in the fall. I have never been and I always find it so exciting visiting a new city for the first time. My recommendations list is already full!!