Chapelle du Rosaire
Chapelle du Rosaire
4
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
614 reviews
Excellent
329
Very good
167
Average
62
Poor
21
Terrible
35
Alibooba
Bellaire93 contributions
Jun 2023
Matisse drawings in the chapel look like they were done by 6-year-old with a piece of charcoal on the sidewalk. Extremely simple stained-glass windows look like they belong in a day care center. A practical joke for pretentious art snobs. Highly regret the effort to drive to Vence, find it and look for street parking.
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan H
London, UK33 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
A really moving experience -this is a very small, simple chapel, still run by the Dominican sisters who give short tours, included in the price of 5 euros. It wont take more than 45 mins to see it, but it is well worth a detour
Written 26 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
altadesigns
Akron Ohio48 contributions
Dec 2011 • Solo
We took the bus to Vence from Nice - a bargain at 1 Euro each way. This small chapel is amazing. Matisse designed every detail.
Written 21 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EgyptophileEngland
Burnley, UK228 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
This incredible chapel is simple and beautiful! We caught the 400 bus from the Gare Routiere and used our bus and tram pass (only €14 for 7 days) though the cost is only €1 for the journey. There was no direction sign from the bus station to the chapel but the locals were delightfully obliging and pointed us to the right road. Once we were in the right direction, there WERE signposts and after about ten minutes of a walk, we came upon the chapel. There are steep steps down to the entrance and a fee of €4, As we opened the door to the chapel we saw that there were approximately another 10 or 12 other people sitting in the pews listening to a nun speaking. We quietly took our seats and marvelled at the beauty of the place. We did not have any of the problems which other reviewers found after not checking the opening times, finding it closed due to 'extraordinary circumstances' or disturbance from any large groups. The people there when we were seemed to be as enchanted by their surroundings as we were and everyone gave the chapel the respect it deserved, As some of the people moved on to see the vestments, the num asked where we were from and continuted to explain what she had said in French in English. She said we could ask any questions we wanted and we all did. The chapel was closing at 11.30am and with great gentleness and kindness we were encouraged to start moving through the rest of the exhibition places. To the reviewer who said there was no toilet there is - but you obviously didn't ask where it was. To me, the visit to the Chapelle du Rosaire was one of the highlights not only of our day to St Pauls and Vence but to the whole Cote d'Azur. The sunlight streaming through Matisse's stained glass window is simply beautiful.
Written 18 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bdt61
San Francisco, CA356 contributions
the Chapel itself is a delight, Small and bright, clean lines with beautiful colors. Thoughtful, practical applications. The podium was designed at an angle to view the entire surface, thereby presiding and speaking to one and all in the room.
The visit included a small presentation in English by one of the sisters. We were then, shuttle to the next room to view photographs of its erection with Matisse.
The Minus: The Chapel is set on a panoramic hill over looking Vence in to its short proximity. We were sequestered in the church. Not allowed on the grounds of this remarkable garden surrounding the chapel. The sisters were aloof and barely attentive. The hours are limited . Do check before making the trek to visit.
The visit included a small presentation in English by one of the sisters. We were then, shuttle to the next room to view photographs of its erection with Matisse.
The Minus: The Chapel is set on a panoramic hill over looking Vence in to its short proximity. We were sequestered in the church. Not allowed on the grounds of this remarkable garden surrounding the chapel. The sisters were aloof and barely attentive. The hours are limited . Do check before making the trek to visit.
Written 18 July 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bess941
Orlando, FL68 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
The Matisse Chapel, otherwise known as Chapelle du Rosaire, or Chapel of the Rosary, is a tiny place, but one of the most beautiful and moving artistic creations I've seen. Matisse created it -- the architecture, the artworks, the furnishings, even the priest's vestments -- after befriending a young woman who became a Dominican nun and told him that her order needed a chapel. The chapel itself is one small room, all white, with stained-glass windows in blue, yellow and green on two sides and white ceramic walls, on which the artist drew in black, on the other two sides.
In an adjoining gallery are studies for the work in the chapel, which are fascinating because you see the artist reducing everything he did to utter simplicity, as well as displays of the vestments he designed.
There is lots of symbolism in everything he created here, and we listened to a terrific little explanation in English by a volunteer there. (A nun gave a little talk in French about the time we arrived.) Even though I am not at all religious, I found his work terrifically moving and the place so peaceful.
One word of warning: You will be asked to be quiet and not to take photos, but not everybody heeds the warning, and if you are there with a noisy group your visit may be spoiled. We were lucky to miss two busloads of tourists, who arrived just as we were leaving.
The Chapel sits just outside the center of Vence, a bit away from but within walking distance of the old part of town.
In an adjoining gallery are studies for the work in the chapel, which are fascinating because you see the artist reducing everything he did to utter simplicity, as well as displays of the vestments he designed.
There is lots of symbolism in everything he created here, and we listened to a terrific little explanation in English by a volunteer there. (A nun gave a little talk in French about the time we arrived.) Even though I am not at all religious, I found his work terrifically moving and the place so peaceful.
One word of warning: You will be asked to be quiet and not to take photos, but not everybody heeds the warning, and if you are there with a noisy group your visit may be spoiled. We were lucky to miss two busloads of tourists, who arrived just as we were leaving.
The Chapel sits just outside the center of Vence, a bit away from but within walking distance of the old part of town.
Written 28 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anca G
Bucharest, Romania30 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
Oh my, where do I begin? Firstly, the chapel is very out of the way, it is quite a long away from where the bus leaves you in Vence and there is nothing to see on the way to it. The old town/village is in a different part of Vence. So if you are on a tight schedule, you should consider the delay.
Secondly, the chapel is very, very small. Sure, the name suggests this, as it is not a church, but still, for the EUR 6 entry fee you'd expect at least something to feast your eyes on but there hardly is such a thing. There is a reason why they have a strict policy against taking any photos inside the chapel and I bet my hat that reason is so that potential visitors don't get to see how disappointing it is.
When we came in, there was a woman speaking to the visitors, which we assumed was some sort of guide employed by the establishment to keep you there for a few minutes so that you don't feel like you've totally wasted your money. However, she was in the middle of her presentation (in typical French-accent English) when we arrived and she carried on as others entered the chapel. So, depending on your luck, you could enjoy 10 minutes or 5 seconds of the presentation, because no-one told you when it had started or how much longer it would last. You just came in and saw a woman talking. Or not, as the case may be.
The chapel is extremely small and consisting of white walls and empty space in a proportion of 90%. The other 10% is as follows: a couple of very thin glass insertions in 3 block colours, a white door, a portion of white tiles containing black drawings in what appears to be black marker by Matisse, one table with white table cloth and a few other "religious" objects on it. You cannot go near the table. "Everything" was personally designed by Matisse. I say that between quotation marks because it is so very little. A handful of items which takes about three minutes to see, ponder about and leave.
Once the woman finishes her speech, you are led in the typical herd-like fashion to the "gallery", which features a few priest clothes designed by Matisse (they are in colours such as pink), a few sketches and pictures and, of course, to the gift shop. The backyard seems very beautiful but entrance there is denied.
I am sure the chapel is of interest to hardcore art fans and historians. Nonetheless, to the average art enthusiast with only a moderate appreciation of Matisse, it is only a waste of time and money.
Secondly, the chapel is very, very small. Sure, the name suggests this, as it is not a church, but still, for the EUR 6 entry fee you'd expect at least something to feast your eyes on but there hardly is such a thing. There is a reason why they have a strict policy against taking any photos inside the chapel and I bet my hat that reason is so that potential visitors don't get to see how disappointing it is.
When we came in, there was a woman speaking to the visitors, which we assumed was some sort of guide employed by the establishment to keep you there for a few minutes so that you don't feel like you've totally wasted your money. However, she was in the middle of her presentation (in typical French-accent English) when we arrived and she carried on as others entered the chapel. So, depending on your luck, you could enjoy 10 minutes or 5 seconds of the presentation, because no-one told you when it had started or how much longer it would last. You just came in and saw a woman talking. Or not, as the case may be.
The chapel is extremely small and consisting of white walls and empty space in a proportion of 90%. The other 10% is as follows: a couple of very thin glass insertions in 3 block colours, a white door, a portion of white tiles containing black drawings in what appears to be black marker by Matisse, one table with white table cloth and a few other "religious" objects on it. You cannot go near the table. "Everything" was personally designed by Matisse. I say that between quotation marks because it is so very little. A handful of items which takes about three minutes to see, ponder about and leave.
Once the woman finishes her speech, you are led in the typical herd-like fashion to the "gallery", which features a few priest clothes designed by Matisse (they are in colours such as pink), a few sketches and pictures and, of course, to the gift shop. The backyard seems very beautiful but entrance there is denied.
I am sure the chapel is of interest to hardcore art fans and historians. Nonetheless, to the average art enthusiast with only a moderate appreciation of Matisse, it is only a waste of time and money.
Written 20 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nola-In-France
Vence, France4 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
The Chapel Matisse is such a special place. It's simplicity and beauty are breathtaking. If you are a fan of Matisse's work, and perhaps even if you don't know his work, it should be seen. The Dominican nuns lives next door to the chapel, and it is they who take care of it every day. Matisse loved Vence. It was a haven for him during WWII, and toward the end of his life, Vence was the last place where he was inspired to continue creating his masterpieces. In the 70s I lived in the area (Tourrettes-sur-Loup) for 8 years, so I have visited this jewel of a little chapel many, many times over the years. There's a Matisse Museum in Nice which is also stunning and worth seeing.
Written 9 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GYWX
Wexford, Ireland763 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
We arrived at 2pm in time for it to open, and after a 5 euro entry fee a Dominican Sister described the windows and painted tiles to us. Photographs are not allowed, so all we have is a memory of the low early January sun bathing the wall of St. Dominic in stained glass light, making it look itself like a window. There is also a set of preparatory drawings, priests' vestments, and two models showing the evolution of Matisse's thought. It is a good example of how stripping away details leads to a purer expression.
Tip: Check the opening times carefully before going there. Starting from the bus stop, take the gently sloping main road out to the chapel, a 10 minutes walk. Don't take the Google Maps apparently direct route from the old town to the chapel, unless you are fit and want an interesting descent into the valley of the Lubaine and back up the other side.
Vence is only a 1 euro, 1 hour, bus trip from Nice, I don't know how long the French will be able to afford to subsidise public travel like that.
Tip: Check the opening times carefully before going there. Starting from the bus stop, take the gently sloping main road out to the chapel, a 10 minutes walk. Don't take the Google Maps apparently direct route from the old town to the chapel, unless you are fit and want an interesting descent into the valley of the Lubaine and back up the other side.
Vence is only a 1 euro, 1 hour, bus trip from Nice, I don't know how long the French will be able to afford to subsidise public travel like that.
Written 12 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oystein s
Vence, France74 contributions
Jul 2011 • Family
This is a chapel and it is beautiful in all its simplicity. You would like to sit down for some contemplation. But you will be disturbed by the entrance fee and also guided tourist groups. A pity that it just can be a chapel. Well, beautiful anyway.
Written 15 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where did you buy tickets for the Rosary Chapelle? On-line?
Written 9 June 2022
bonjour
pouvez vous me donner la duree approximative de la visite de la chapelle ?
merci
Written 16 October 2019
Madame, la visite à la chapelle est courte, à peu près 15 min. Mais pour la visite à l'ensamble du bâtiment sufrir 1h. En suite, vous pourrez vous reposer à la terrasse, offrant une vue magnifique sur le petit jardin e la mer.
Written 24 November 2019
Is the Chapelle du Rosaire open mid- November ?
Written 10 August 2017
When I visited in Oct 2017, the opening timings were listed as below-
1st Mar- 31st Oct
Tue, Thursday, Fri- 10-12, 2-6pm
Wed & Say- 2-6pm
1st Nov- 28th Feb
Similar, but closing at 5pm, instead of 6pm.
Written 10 December 2017
Can anyone attend Sunday mass? What time should one get there?
Written 20 July 2016
Dear Carrie,
I have only paid a visit to the Rosaire Chapel, but researching about your question on the website for the city of Vence (sorry, I intended to send you the link, but it seems it's not possible on this space), I found out the following information: Mass on Sunday at 10am.
As you know, the gorgeous Matisse-decorated Chapel is very small and I suppose many people think of attending mass in it. So, I believe it'd be interesting to inquire directly to know about the necessity of a previous booking.
The phone number indicated on the above mentioned website, for the Rosaire Chapel, is: 04 93 58 03 26.
Good luck!!!
Written 21 July 2016
I would like to purchase two tickets for this chapel but cannot find order /booking/payment form. Can you advise
Written 6 April 2016
We bought tickets on the day as there is no way to get tickets beforehand. When we went the numbers weren't huge - about 30 people. Remember it is run by the nuns and is not a big commercial operation. The bus from Nice takes you to the centre of Vence but the signing from the bus stop isn't great. The town seems to play down the whole thing and the nuns certainly don't publicise it. It is also known as the chapelle du rosaire. Btw if you have time have a look at the chapelle in the centre of St Paul de vence.
Written 6 April 2016
Neverendingjourney3
Espoo, Finland
Are there private excursions by minivan etc. from Nice centre to Chapelle du Rosaire? Is it possible to book such tours from Tourist Office of Nice?
Written 30 June 2015
We will be visiting the chapel in September. What is the best time of day to appreciate the light coming through the stained glass windows, etc. ?
Written 25 June 2015
Afraid I can't give you any advice about this . I was there at about 2 pm but have no idea when would be best . Try the website : best advice would be from the people on the spot !
Written 26 June 2015
If you are travelling from Nice, you should catch 400 bus to Vence (it takes around 1 hour to get there) and then you need to walk for about 15 minutes.
Written 9 April 2015
Do we need to get tickets in advance? We will be traveling in May, 2015.
Written 1 April 2015
As others have said you just need to pay at the door.
if you are also going to St Paul de Vence I would suggest visiting the Chapelle des Penitents Blancs which was decorated Folon and is really beautiful.
Written 2 April 2015
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