VILLAGE LIFE

Number 5

Saint-Paul de Vence - France

A restored 16th-century townhouse inside Saint-Paul-de-Vence, with three design-led suites, shared living spaces and village life right outside the door.

Village Life

Waterfront

Shared Kitchen

Honesty Bar

Massage

Promenade

THE SETTING

Number 5 is a restored 16th-century townhouse in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of the most beautiful medieval villages on the French Riviera. It sits inside the old village walls, with galleries, restaurants, cafés and stone lanes immediately around you.

The house is arranged over five floors and has been completely reworked by British interior designer Katie Lyons. It keeps the feeling of an old Provençal village house, but the interiors are much more considered than you might expect from a simple rental. Limewashed walls, vintage furniture, warm earthy tones, tiled floors, open shelving, old fireplaces and sculptural bathrooms give the place its identity.

This is not a hotel in the classic sense. There is no reception, no daily breakfast service, no lobby and no formal schedule. The appeal is different: you get the freedom of a private house in the heart of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, with enough comfort and design to make the stay feel special.

THE ROOMS

Number 5 has three suites, each set on a different floor of the house. The bedrooms are generous and calm, with large beds, soft linen, vintage pieces and a colour palette shaped by Provence: olive greens, terracotta, cream, stone and warm neutrals. Katie’s design approach is clear, but not overdone.

The bathrooms are a real part of the experience. Depending on the suite, you may find zellige tiles, natural stone sinks, a copper or cast-iron bathtub, or a large walk-in shower. One suite opens onto a small private landscaped terrace overlooking the ramparts. Others look out towards the village, the hills or the surrounding landscape.

THE FOOD

There is no breakfast service at Number 5. This is a self-catering stay, with a fully equipped open-plan kitchen, coffee facilities and everything needed for simple meals at home. Saint-Paul-de-Vence is small enough that you can step outside for coffee, pastries, or a bakery run without much planning.

The kitchen is one of the nicest shared spaces in the house. It has a warm Provençal feel, with wood, tiles, open shelves and a dining area made for long breakfasts, market lunches or evening drinks before going out. It also gives the house flexibility: you can cook properly, prepare something light, or simply use it as a base between meals in the village.

For dinners, the location makes things easy. You are close to restaurants, terraces and wine bars, including some of Saint-Paul-de-Vence’s best-known addresses.

THE STAY

The stay at Number 5 is about living inside the village. You wake up already within the walls of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, before most day visitors arrive, and return in the evening when the lanes become quieter again.

The house has several shared spaces, including a lounge, dining area, kitchen and terrace. You can read, cook, open a bottle of wine, work for an hour, or sit outside without needing to leave the house for every small moment. There is also a bar-style area and a library feel in parts of the living space, which adds to the atmosphere. It is a house made for people who like interiors, old buildings and the small pleasures of staying somewhere with character.

Because of the vertical layout, stairs are part of the experience. That gives the house its charm, but it is worth knowing before booking. It is better suited to guests who are comfortable moving between floors and who appreciate the quirks of an old village townhouse.

AROUND NUMBER 5

Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of the classic hilltop villages of the Côte d’Azur. The village is small (about 3,200 inhabitants), but rich in atmosphere. You can walk the ramparts, visit galleries, stop at the Chapelle Folon, browse small shops, or book a meal at one of the historic local restaurants. La Colombe d’Or, long associated with artists and collectors, is close by and remains one of the village’s most iconic addresses.

Beyond Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the French Riviera opens quickly. Nice, Antibes, Vence, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Grasse and the coast are all realistic day trips. You can mix village life with beaches, museums, markets, perfume houses, countryside drives and long lunches in the arrière-pays.

THE OWNERS

Number 5 is the project of Katie and Oli, a British couple with a strong connection to Saint-Paul-de-Vence and the Côte d’Azur. Their approach is personal and design-led, but not precious. Katie’s work as an interior designer is central to the house.

The house had been largely untouched for decades, which gave them the chance to reconfigure it properly. Local craftsmen were involved in the renovation, and many details were chosen with care: lime finishes, vintage finds, warm colours, ironwork, tiles and pieces collected from markets.

GOOD TO KNOW

Number 5 is best for three couples, a small group of friends or a family. There is no reception and no breakfast service. A parking space may be available on request. Because the townhouse is arranged over several floors, it is not ideal for guests with limited mobility.

Rates start at around €180 for a double and €3,500 per week (full rental), depending on the season and booking conditions.

THE ADDRESS

Number 5

5 Rue de l’Allée
06570 Saint-Paul de Vence
France

VILLAGE LIFE

Number 5

Village Life

Waterfront

Shared Kitchen

Honesty Bar

Massage

Promenade

THE SETTING

THE ROOMS

THE FOOD

THE STAY

AROUND NUMBER 5

THE OWNERS

GOOD TO KNOW

THE ADDRESS

Number 5

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