Mougins Village
“Eat your art out” best sums up this marvellous village which is both a gastronomic and art lovers’ delight. Whether you visit during the day or evening the shops, artists’ studios and galleries are open. Do explore this snail shaped village which dates back to Roman times and where Picasso spent the last years of his life, 1961-73. The village today has 30 art galleries and workshops
Mougins is the nearest "Perched village" to Cannes
By day it can be reached from Cannes on the 600 or 30 bus to the town and then walk (quite a hike) or grab a bus up to the old village. If you have a car it is a romantic place for dinner and there is lots of parking available. Or take a taxi
Diary Date: Mougins Museum (MACM) opens its Cocteau exhibition on 11 September and it runs until 24 January 2021. It is presented in conjunction with the Jean Cocteau museum in Menton.
Museums in Mougins
An absolute gem of a museum called the Musee d'Art Classique (MACM), 32 rue Commandeur can be found in the old village. It has a fabulous array of 600 artefacts from the Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Persian classical periods. It also ingeniously mixes 100 items of relevant contemporary art - from Picasso, Cocteau, Man Ray, Chagal etc - among these ancient art pieces. So cleverly is it done that often one has to think twice about what one is looking at. Housed in an old village house - a maximum of 40 people will be admitted at any one time - the four floors can be reached by stairs or a four-walled glass lift. Take the lift to the basement and be ready to be stunned at the view as the doors open! The museum has modern touch screen information panels.
MACM houses a private collection whose English owner wanted the public to enjoy it as well. French, English, German and Italian tours are available. Open 10am to 8pm (7pm in winter) and until 10pm on Thursdays in summer. Entry 12€ pp (7€ over 60's)
www.mouginsmusee.com
The village also has a museum of photography, the 8th art, with a collection of pictures from top photographers. And its famous wash house hosts many art exhibitions.
Mougins is much more than just the village: it boasts two golf courses, woodland areas for walks and picnics and more than 40 restaurants, many at the foot of the old village on the way to Valbonne.
MACM houses a private collection whose English owner wanted the public to enjoy it as well. French, English, German and Italian tours are available. Open 10am to 8pm (7pm in winter) and until 10pm on Thursdays in summer. Entry 12€ pp (7€ over 60's)
www.mouginsmusee.com
The village also has a museum of photography, the 8th art, with a collection of pictures from top photographers. And its famous wash house hosts many art exhibitions.
Mougins is much more than just the village: it boasts two golf courses, woodland areas for walks and picnics and more than 40 restaurants, many at the foot of the old village on the way to Valbonne.
Restaurants in Mougins Village L'Amandier
In the old village there are restaurants to suit all pockets. Recommended are Resto des Arts, a firm favourite with the locals. L’Amandier, has gorgeous terraces and great views towards Grasse (see website). L'Amandier is housed in the former court house of the monks of St Honorat and which later became an almond mill. La Place de Mougins was previously called Le Feu Follet, it was a firm favourite with Picasso. Reservations 04 93 90 15 78 La Gaudinade has a vegetarian set menu and lovers of sweetbreads will be delighted to know it is always on the menu. Tel: 04 92 98 07 83 |
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Notre Dame de Vie
Every Sunday mass is celebrated at 10am at this ancient church - 12th century.
Picasso lived nearby and Winston Churchill painted the chapel. Photos of Picasso are to be found in the adjacent hermitage. 1 Rue Eglise, Mougins - it is on a hill about 1km from the perched village. Museum open Monday to Saturday 10am-12pm, 2pm-6pm A successful music festival is held here in summer - mainly classical with some jazz. |