Vence

Vence
Baous de Saint Jeannet
Vence
Administration
Country France
Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Department Alpes-Maritimes
Arrondissement Grasse
Canton Vence
Intercommunality Nice-Côte d'Azur
Mayor Christian Iacono (PR)
(2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation 40–1,033 m (130–3,389 ft)
(avg. 325 m/1,066 ft)
Land area1 39,230 km2 (15,150 sq mi)
Population2 19,247  (2008)
 - Density 0 /km2 (0 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 06157/ 06140
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Vence is a commune set in the hills of the Alpes Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France between Nice and Antibes.

Contents

Population

Historical population of Vence
Year 1793 1800 1806 1821 1831 1836 1841 1846 1851 1856
Population 2615 2657 3020 3045 3612 3156 3165 3101 2974 2733
Year 1861 1866 1872 1876 1881 1886 1891 1896 1901 1906
Population 2710 2755 2828 2770 2761 2903 3103 3043 3124 3208
Year 1911 1921 1926 1931 1936 1946 1954 1962 1968 1975
Population 3498 3090 4192 4876 5495 5685 6278 7874 9420 11,385
Year 1982 1990 1999 2008
Population 13,119 15,330 16,982 19,247

Sights

Within the historic village, a medieval walled village, there are numerous interesting sights and monuments. The Peyra Gate was remodelled in 1810. The fountain was rebuilt in 1822 replacing an older one dating from 1578. Nearby is an oak, donated by François I and planted in 1538. The castle is today the Fondation Émile Hugues, a modern and contemporary art museum. The cathedral was built in the 4th century on the site of a Roman temple. The stone of the western façade dates from 239. Another, on the right, was engraved in December 220. Other stones in the external walls represent funerary dedications. Also on the western side of the church, the Pierre du Tauroble evokes the cult of Cybele and also the Great mother of the Gods of Mount Ida. A chapel in the cathedral has a mosaic by Marc Chagall, dated 1911. The rue des Portiques is a section of the old Roman road.[1]

The town has a small chapel, up above the Cité Historique Chapelle du Rosaire (1948, completed in 1951), decorated with stained glass and other fittings by Henri Matisse.

Vence is famous for its spring water, which can be collected from numerous fountains in the town.

Twin towns

Vence is twinned with the market town of Stamford, Lincolnshire.

Personalities

Ecclesiastical history

The first known Bishop of Vence is Severus, bishop in 439 and perhaps as early as 419.

Among others are: St. Veranus, son of St. Eucherius, Archbishop of Lyon and a monk of Lérins, bishop before 451 and at least until 465; St. Lambert, first a Benedictine monk (died 1154); Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (1505–11).

Antoine Godeau, Bishop of Grasse, was named Bishop of Vence in 1638; the Holy See wished to unite the two dioceses. Meeting with opposition from the chapter and the clergy of Vence Godeau left Grasse in 1653, to remain Bishop of Vence, which see he held until 1672.

The diocese of Nice now unites the three former Dioceses of Nice, Grasse and Vence.

Education

Nursery schools

Primary schools

Grammar school

High school

See also

References

  1. ^ Itinéraire découverte de la Cité Historique, Office de Tourisme de Vence 2011

External links