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Why Mougins Should Be on Your French Riviera Itinerary
Mougins, is a medieval hilltop village just a 20 minute drive from Cannes. Personally I thought it was one of the most charming villages on the Côte d’Azur. A stroll down the winding cobbled streets, past the beautiful stone houses with flowers draping down the facade transports you to a different time. Besides the medieval history and beauty, it’s filled with art galleries and exceptional restaurants. Perfect for foodies and those who want an escape from the busy coastline.
While most people still choose to only visit Èze and St. Paul de Vence, Mougins also deserves a spot on your itinerary. It’s small enough to explore in a few hours but offers excellent restaurants and enough to enjoy a leisurely day. The village also has a fascinating artistic history. Pablo Picasso spent the final years of his life in Mougins, and his influence is still visible throughout the town.
What to see and do in Mougins
Enjoy a Long Lunch
Many visitors come to Mougins for one reason: the food. The village has built an international reputation for fine dining, making it the perfect place to enjoy a memorable lunch on a sunny terrace. An accessible and relatively affordable option is Resto Des Arts. I had the most incredible lunch there and I noticed that every year it also received a recommendation from Le Routard (France’s best known travel guide).
Wander the Medieval Streets
The best way to experience Mougins is simply by getting lost. The village is built in a spiral around its hilltop, with narrow lanes leading past boutiques, ivy-covered houses and peaceful squares. Around every corner you’ll find colourful shutters, fountains and picturesque cafés. A few historical highlight:
Porte Sarrazine: A magnificent gate, a relic of Mougins’ medieval past. The gate was built in the Romanesque style with beautiful stonework in the 11th or 12th century to protect the village. The adjacent house successively served as a town hall and a school. The room on the ground floor was even used as a prison!
Birthplace/house of Col. Amédée-Francois Lamy: Colonel Lamy is an important historical figure in France, best known for his role in the French colonization of Africa.
La Fontaine à l’Angelot: The Angel Fountain is a historic fountain-statue located in the center of the main square of the old village of Mougins. It represents a small angel and was given to the town by the artist and collector Joseph Giraud.
La tête de Picasso: The sculpture Picasso’s Head is a posthumous artwork erected in the town in his honor. Picasso spent the final years of his life in Mougins, a picturesque village whose tranquility and beauty inspired him. He lived there from 1961 until his death in 1973 and created many of his later works during that period.
FAMM (Femmes Artistes du Musée de Mougins)
The Female Artists of Mougins Museum is a private art museum. It’s exclusively shows female artists, it showcases a collection of over 100 artworks by approximately 80 artists from across the world.
Browse the Art Galleries
Mougins has long attracted artists, and dozens of galleries line the village streets. Whether you’re interested in contemporary paintings, sculptures or local photography, it’s worth stepping inside a few during your walk.
Centre de la photographie de Mougins
The Mougins Center of Photography is a museum dedicated to still and moving images. It exhibits the many trends in contemporary photography.
Best restaurants in Mougins
Resto des Arts: The best place value for money in Mougins? Maybe! The menu is put together with seasonal ingredients and the service is very welcoming. It feels very accessible, but the food is refined. To make sure you get a spot, make a reservation.
La Place Mougins: This charming restaurant boasts a chic and cozy atmosphere, while in the kitchen, a creative and passionate chef is working his magic; each month, he showcases a seasonal ingredient, highlighting truffles, asparagus, and more. To fully enjoy the experience, ask for a table in the veranda!
CAFE DE LA PLACE MOUGINS: A lively bistro in the heart of the village, perfect for a relaxed lunch featuring seasonal Mediterranean cuisine.
Epicerie Coste: Local delicacy store, but also a great spot for a coffee
Bohème: Unique restaurant with beautiful terrace. Very meat heavy, though they do have a veggie option for the main and side dishes. People especially praise the meat dishes.
How to get to Mougins
By Car
Driving is the easiest way to reach Mougins. The village is approximately:
- 15 minutes from Cannes
- 25 minutes from Antibes
- 35 minutes from Nice
- 30 minutes from Grasse
There is a free parking with 25 spots available here just outside the old village. There is another free parking with around 200 spots here.
By Bus
Regular buses connect Mougins with Cannes, making it possible to visit without a car, although services are less frequent than those along the coast.
Best places to stay in and around Mougin
I usually order things by budget, but please keep in mind that the South of France is generally not a ‘budget’ destination. Pricer are a lot higher than for many other places in the world. In this part of France I would say ≈ €100–220/night is considered budget, Mid-range €220–450/night and luxury above €450. You can find really lovely options within each budget though!
Les Rosées | $$ Les Rosées is an intimate Provençal country house with timeless stone architecture, peaceful gardens. Enjoy a private place where you are welcomed and with only a handful of individually styled rooms.
Chambres d’hôtes Il Monticello | $ This one is not in Mougins, but near Grasse. This spothas a real Cote d’Azur and South France vibe. The property is surrounded by greenery and feels tranquil. If you have ever driven along green fences of coastal villas in Mediterrean and wanted to look inside, book this! It has a beautiful pool, garden and terrace.
Cozy modern T2 – Old Village Mougins | $ A simple, but beautiful apartment in the old town of Mougins.
