Mougins

Barely eight kilometres from Cannes, yet in a completely different world, lies the enchanting hilltop village of Mougins. Where the coast buzzes with glamour and film stars, Mougins breathes calm, art and good taste. It is a beloved spot for anyone who wants to leave the bustle of the boulevards behind for a moment without having to drive far — ideal for a long, relaxed lunch, an evening of fine dining or a quiet walk among the flowers and the art. From our apartment in old Le Suquet you are there in a flash, and the contrast with the lively heart of Cannes makes such an outing all the more pleasant. Discover more in our surroundings.

A village in a spiral

What is special about Mougins is its shape: the old centre is built in a graceful spiral around the top of the hill. You climb almost effortlessly upward along narrow, flower-draped alleyways, vaulted passages and cosy little squares, until at the top you are rewarded with a sweeping view over the rolling hills of the hinterland. This concentric layout once arose to protect the village, but today it gives it above all a dreamy, labyrinthine charm in which you can happily lose yourself. Everywhere you come across art galleries, studios and sculptures; in Mougins art is not an addition but a natural part of the village itself.

In the footsteps of Picasso

Mougins has a rich artistic tradition. Pablo Picasso spent the last years of his life in the village, in a house near the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Vie, surrounded by the nature and the soft southern light that had already enchanted so many painters before him. Over the years countless artists, writers and photographers stayed here, giving Mougins a lasting creative reputation. Lovers of modern art feel immediately at home: you find the same fascination with light and landscape in the nearby art villages of the hills, which you can explore further in our surroundings.

A village of gourmets

Above all, Mougins is known as a stronghold of gastronomy. For such a small village it counts a remarkably large number of renowned restaurants, from classic French to contemporary and refined. Scattered across the spiral-shaped streets you find intimate dining rooms and terraces with a view, where local produce and the flavours of Provence take centre stage. Every autumn the culinary festival Les Étoiles de Mougins draws top chefs and gourmets from all over the world to the village, with demonstrations, tastings and encounters around French cuisine. It makes Mougins a fixture for anyone who also wants to discover the Riviera with knife and fork.

Scents, art and the hinterland

Mougins lies a stone's throw from the perfume town of Grasse, the world capital of perfume, and from the rolling hills of the Provencal hinterland. The combination of art, gastronomy and nature makes the village a perfect starting point for a day inland, away from the coast. Other gems of the region also lie close by, so you can effortlessly combine a visit to Mougins with more places from our surroundings.

Walking and unwinding

Around Mougins lie quiet green zones and walking paths that invite a refreshing morning stroll. The surroundings of the Notre-Dame-de-Vie chapel, with its old cypresses and sweeping views, give a good impression of the landscape that inspired Picasso and so many others. The village thus lends itself not only to culture and good food, but also to anyone who wants to catch their breath in a serene, Mediterranean setting.

Practical

Thanks to the short distance, Mougins is perfect to combine with a day in Cannes or Grasse. Go there in the evening, for instance, to dine with a view over the hills, or spend a quiet morning among the art and the flowers. The village has limited traffic, so park at the edge and explore the centre on foot. Mougins is worth visiting all year round, though it perhaps has its loveliest atmosphere in the mild spring and autumn.

An outing from Cannes

From our apartment in Le Suquet, Mougins is one of the easiest and most rewarding outings you can make. Take a look at the apartment and the available dates, and discover from Cannes this artistic gem of the hinterland, where good taste resonates in everything.