Cagnes-sur-Mer

This seaside resort in Alpes-Maritimes is lapped by the azure waters of a beautiful bay and lined with over 2 miles of pretty pebble beaches. The town is also surrounded by hills, which make wonderful vantage points for enjoying panoramic views of the town and region.

The history of Cagnes-sur-Mer is inextricably linked to Château Grimaldi, which, perched at an altitude of 295 feet, dominates the upper part of town: Haut de Cagnes. The château was built in the Middle Ages on the orders of Rainier Grimaldi (Rainier I of Monaco), subsequently transformed in the 17th century, before being abandoned at the time of the French Revolution. Today, it is a beautifully restored building that you can visit and admire. Next, head down to Cros-de-Cagnes, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2013. The area originally became populated due to the plentiful fish in its waters, which attracted fishermen from Menton. Soon, they were joined by locals from Cagnes, who abandoned their farmland to work on the water. Fishing enabled the small village to prosper and today you can see about a hundred ‘pointus’ (local fishing boats) at work.

Cagnes offers excellent opportunities for walkers, but they are not the only ones to have fallen for the charms of its landscapes. Nicknamed the ‘Montmartre of the Côte d’Azur’, it has inspired a great many artists. In 1908, the painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir bought a property in the Les Collettes district. The estate has now been converted into a museum where you can visit the artist’s studio and see some of his work. Art lovers should also be sure not to miss the collection at the Château Grimaldi Museum.

As well as all this, Cagnes-sur-Mer has a casino, a fish market and one of the largest racecourses in France: the Hippodrome de la Côte d’Azur. Top that off with a variety of water-based activities and you have a very appetising recipe for a holiday!

A holiday in Cagnes-sur-Mer will astound you with its wide range of possibilities.