If you love art, historical monuments, and good food, you'll be delighted by a visit to Mougins. This magnificent perched village It's a timeless citadel, having sheltered some of the greatest artists, including Pablo Picasso. At the same time, the village is also a sanctuary of gastronomy, having given rise to culinary geniuses like Roger Vergé. The town even organizes its own Gastronomy Festival, much to the delight of food lovers. And there are other hidden treasures waiting to be discovered…

The town of Mougins and art: a hub of creativity on the French Riviera

Mougins is a small town on the French Riviera with nearly 20,000 inhabitants, located six kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea and considered a crossroads for the urban areas of Cannes and Grasse with the Sophia Antipolis technology park. Within this hilltop village, art abounds…

Pablo Picasso's Creative Sanctuary

Mougins is world-renowned for its rich artistic heritage. The Provençal village has attracted many artists For over 100 years, to name just a few, Fernand Léger, Paul Eluard, Man Ray, Edith Piath, and even the Rolling Stones. But the one who has left an indelible mark is undoubtedly Pablo Picasso. In 1961, the artist, at the age of 80, decided to settle in the small town with his wife. Jacqueline Roque. The couple fell under the spell of Mas Notre-Dame-de-Vie, located near the Notre-Dame de Vie Chapel. The artistic genius spent his last moments there in 1973. He largely contributed to making Mougins one of the artistic capitals of the French Riviera, which today houses a myriad of galleries, art studios and festivals of all kinds.

Discover the FAMM in the town of Mougins

The Museum of Classical Art is certainly one of the village's most renowned cultural landmarks. Housed in a 400 m² residence, the MACM was founded in 2008 by Christian Levett, who initially presented over 700 works from various periods. However, in 2023, the collector grew tired of antiquities and decided to dedicate the museum entirely to women artists, hence the creation of...Women artists from the Mougins museum (FAMM) in June 2024. The exhibition features the creations of female artists Joan Mitchell, Lee Krasner, Alma Thomas, Elizabeth Colomba, Sarah Lucas, and others. In total, around one hundred works are presented from the Levett collection within the four floors. Among the most striking is the famous corset of Frida Kahlo.

The Mougins Art Centre

Lovers of modern and contemporary art, for their part, will head straight for the Mougins Art Center. Located in the heart of historic village of Mougins, on the Commandant Lamy SquareIt occupies a building with a rich history: the former Town Hall, converted in 1954 into the Saint Bernardin Chapel built in 1618. The carefully renovated building has retained the character of its natural stone facade and original wooden door, while offering two modern exhibition spaces of 71m² and 79m², the upper level revealing a magnificent restored timber frame. The Centre is open 7 days a week, from 7 AM to 13 PM,.

Mougins' heritage: what you absolutely must see

An artistic sanctuary, Mougins is also home to many historical monuments which can be discovered along the water: from the Place du Commandant Lamy to the Place des Patriotes, passing through the various streets: du Badier, des Orfèvres, de la Glissade, etc.

The Church of Saint James the Greater

The Parish Church of Saint James the Greater It sits enthroned in the heart of the Old Village of Mougins and constitutes a major witness to its history, with origins dating back to 11th century, as evidenced by the age of its sacristy and the stone of its high altar. Although its facade is simple, its architecture reveals a mixture of Romanesque foundations and extensions carried out in the 18th and 19th centuries, reflecting the evolution of styles over the centuries. Inside, it houses a rich heritage including a 15th-century polychrome wooden crucifix and 18th-century gilded cardboard statues from the Grasse School, as well as a renowned 1995 German Baroque organ. Furthermore, its bell tower offers an exceptional viewpoint overlooking the village and the region, allowing adventurous visitors to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding hills.

Chapel of Our Lady of Life

Built in the 16th century, the Chapel of Our Lady of Life is registered under the heading of historical monuments since 1927. This Tuscan-like setting, with its tall cypress trees, was once a sanctuary of respite used by families to have stillborn children baptized. Legend has it that during the mass, these children were believed to return from the dead to be baptized. One of its points of interest is the monumental tomb built in his garden for the Guinness family. Many visitors have been fascinated by this place, including Churchill, Chaplin and Cocteau.

Fontmerle Pond

Located on the edge of the Valmasque departmental park in Mougins, the Fontmerle Pond, is a remarkable natural site of 5 hectares, famous for being home to the Europe's largest lotus colony. These sublime Nelumbo nucifera (often mistaken for water lilies), pale pink in color, were planted in the 1960s by the former owner, Mr. Gridaine, and today offer a magical spectacle when they bloom, from July to mid-September. The pond is also a haven for biodiversity, hosting more than 70 species of birds (including the Kingfisher with a special eyelid for diving) and various other species. It is interesting to note that this pond, which is of artificial origin and shallow, almost disappeared in the 1990s, overgrown by reeds (reeds), but rehabilitation work has restored almost half of its surface area.

Mougins and gastronomy: where to eat well in the village?

Did you know? Since 1992, Mougins has been the only city in the country to hold the title " City and Craft "Around gastronomy. Between her and cooking, it's a love story that goes back a long way..."

A love affair with good food

In 1950, a cook and fisherman named Célestin Véran Realizing the scale of tourism in the village, he decided to create a rather unique offering: transforming his boat into a sea taxi to attract wealthy English tourists. The gamble paid off, as customers flocked to enjoy his bouillabaisse and experience the village's laid-back lifestyle. Meanwhile, the Michelin-starred chef... Roger verge will also propel Mougins to the upper echelons of gastronomy with its restaurant the Mougins Mill which earned two Michelin stars in 1972 and 1974. In 1977, this pioneer of the " cuisine of the sun "launches his other restaurant the almond tree is also starred. Over the years, Mougins even became the most starred village in France, boasting 7 stars in the Michelin guide in 1992.

The International Gastronomy Festival

Le Mougins International Gastronomy Festival (FIG), also known as "The Stars of Mougins", is a major culinary event that takes place every two years (alternating with the exhibition Mougins Monumental) in the enchanting setting of Old Village. Launched in 2006 as a tribute to the famous chef Roger verge, which has helped to make Mougins a world capital of gastronomy, this festival brings together for several days Michelin-starred chefs and international renown around a specific theme. The event offers the public a rich and varied program: cooking demonstrations on open stages, cooking lessons interactive, chef competition, tastings of local produce and workshops for children. It literally transforms the village streets into an open-air gourmet market.

The best places to eat and drink in Mougins

Mougins is home to several gastronomic gems that should not be missed during your visit to the village:

• The Royal Garden: The ideal place to enjoy inventive and refined cuisine while taking in an exceptional view.

424 Allée du Roi, 06250 Mougins, France

• The Amandier of Mougins : this address is the place to be for lovers of gourmet cuisine.

48 Av. Jean-Charles Mallet, 06250 Mougins

• Mougins Square: Recommended by the Michelin Guide, this restaurant prepares finely executed French and European dishes.

41 Place du Commandant Lamy, 06250 Mougins, France

• Bohemian : the best address in Mougins to enjoy modern cuisine.

47 Av. du Moulin de la Croix, 06250 Mougins, France

How to get to Mougins? Practical information, access and transport

Mougins is ideally located near Cannes and the airport. Nicewhich makes it relatively easy to access by various means of transport.

By plane

The nearest airport is Airport Nice French Riviera (NCE), located approximately 30 km away. From there, you can choose to:

• Public transport: Take the bus from Line 81 (ZOU network!) to Cannes, then make a connection to Mougins (see below).
• The road : Rent a car (approximately a 25-30 minute drive via the A8 motorway) or take a taxi

By train

The nearest TGV station is that of Cannes From Cannes SNCF train station, you must then take local transport to reach Mougins:

• By bus: The lines of the ZOU! network (like the Line 660) or the Palm Bus lines will take you from Cannes train station to the "Val de Mougins" stop, from where you can take the Line 26 or 28 to get on up to the "Mougins Village" stop.

By bus

Several bus lines serve Mougins and connect to the neighbouring towns of Cannes and Grasse:

• From Cannes: Use the Line 660 (ZOU!) Network or the Line B (Palm Express).
• Within the municipality: The lines 26 et 28 The Palm Bus network is essential to connect the different districts of Mougins, including the highest point of the Old Village.

The comfort solution: Eden Cab limousine service

For a stress-free trip, the service of limousine service Eden Cab is the most comfortable and direct solution, especially if you are arriving at the airport of Nice or if you are staying in Cannes.

Eden Cab assures you:

• A direct route: Avoid bus transfers and waiting time. Your driver will take you directly to your destination, whether it's the Old Village or your hotel in Mougins.
• Comfort and elegance: Enjoy a pleasant trip in a high-end vehicle to start or end your stay on the French Riviera.
• Personalized service : Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport or train station, will take care of your luggage and drive you wherever you wish.

Make your arrival in Mougins easier. Book your trip Eden Cab and ensure a smooth and luxurious transition to the Old Village!