Long ago an aspiring artist, Paul Roux, was the innkeeper of a quaint inn and restaurant called La Colombe d’Or (the golden dove), in the South of France. An aspiring artist himself, he found it hard to turn away starving artists that could not afford a meal or a nights stay…so he would have his guests trade art for food. The starving artists eventually blossomed into well known figures like…Picasso, Chagall, Miró, and Calder to name a few. Word got out about his generosity and his collection of art grew…as the collection grew, the notoriety grew…eventually making the restaurant a popular enclave for the who’s who in art. 

Set in the picturesque medieval town of Saint Paul de Vence, a short drive from the Côte d’Azur…this Inn spews romance and as does the town. Perched on a hill and filled with storybook cobblestone passageways, it is easy to see how this town inspired some of the worlds most famous artists.

The Inn itself was once a 16th century house. The accommodations are rustic, not grandiose…but the art collection is what gives this place the luxury touch.  Where else can you lounge by a pool with a Calder mobile flying above your head?

As for the restaurant, rumor has it that the menu has never changed.  The focus is traditional Provencal food, so those looking for gourmet-experimentalism should look elsewhere…but something has to be said for sitting at Renoir’s favorite table and eating Picasso’s favorite dish!

The average room price is around $350 per night, and dinner starts at $50 per person.  For more info visit www.la-colombe-dor.com