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Cagnes-sur-Mer

Cagnes-sur-Mer is found on the French riviera between Nice and Antibes.

Despite the name 'sur-mer' it is the village at the top of the hill that attracts most of the attention here, and is in the location of an earlier village occupied in turn by both the greeks and the Romans.

The old village of Cagnes - called Haut-de-Cagnes - has plenty of old narrow lanes and stairways to explore, lined with medieval and renaissance houses, but it is the castle for which it is best known.

Chateau Grimaldi

Chateau Grimaldi was once the most important centre in the region, when the Grimaldi family were all rich and all powerful, and dates from the 14th-16th centuries. Squat and very strong looking, the chateau contains some very interesting highlights, including a stunning internal courtyard with lovely galleries, a fine staircase, a monumental fireplace and an elaborately painted ceiling - dating from the renovation of the castle in the early 17th century that transformed Chateau Grimaldi from fortress to comfortable living space.

Not surprisingly the views from the castle tower out to sea are very impressive.

The Mediterranean Museum of Modern Art is in the castle, as is the Museum of the Olives!

Le Cros de Cagnes

The other two parts of the village are the 'new town' at the foot of the hill; and the old fishing port (Le Cros de Cagnes). Fishing was the main industry in the village before tourism arrived. The port is now a good place to find a fish restaurant, as well as access to several kilometres of pebble beaches.

Musee Renoir

The Musee Renoir at Cagnes
Les Grandes Baigneuses by Renoir

The other highlight of a visit is to the estate and museum at Collettes - Cagnes-sur-Mer was the last home of impressionist painter Renoir, and his estate can be visited, along with a collection of 11 of his paintings and some other works by well known artists in the Musee Renoir.

Cagnes-sur-Mer: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites

Chateau Grimaldi, Cagnes-sur-Mer region of France
Chateau Grimaldi, above Haut-de-Cagnes

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Map of Cagnes-sur-Mer, France
Places to visit - Cagnes-sur-Mer

Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map at Visit Cagnes-sur-Mer.

Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Cagnes-sur-Mer are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)

 

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