Last Updated on twenty fourth February 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Medieval Haut-de-Cagnes is a perched village, which means that it presides over the encompassing countryside, is dwelling to an illustrious fortress turned museum, and presents gorgeous vistas of the encompassing French Riviera panorama. The city is definitely a part of the bigger Cagnes-sur-Mer, a former fishing port turned resort city. Here’s your information to the better of Haut-de-Cagnes, in addition to journey suggestions and what to know earlier than you go.
Introducing Cagnes-sur-Mer
Cagnes-sur-Mer is definitely break up into a number of elements. While the decrease city, which is near the station, is nice sufficient, it’s actually fashionable and so not as fascinating to guests because the higher city because it’s the form of settlement which could be discovered just about anyplace in France.
The higher city is the actual star of the present because it dates again to the Middle Ages and was even when the acclaimed artist Renoir selected to spend the ultimate years of his life.
Other artist who had been charmed by Haut-de-Cagnes embrace Matisse, Modigliani, Soutine, Villeri, and Derain. Indeed, over the a long time the city drew many a star together with Josephine Backer, Suzy Solidor, Georges Simenon, and Brigitte Bardot.
It was so common amongst celebrities that it was generally known as ‘Montmartre de la Côte d’Azur’ (the Montmartre of the French Riviera) Haut-de-Cagnes is a perched village, like these present in Provence, and possibly started life as a Roman oppidum (city), if not a Ligurian one. Its title means “inhabited place on a rounded hill”.
This a part of city is oh-so historic (it’s been classed as a historic website since 1948) and it now solely dwelling to round 650 everlasting residents. There can be a reasonably yacht harbour near the newer a part of city. All in all, this is without doubt one of the finest villages within the French Riviera.
When to go to Cagnes-sur-Mer
The sound of clinking glasses and birds chirping permeates all through Place du Château. It’s an overcast Tuesday morning in late February, and other than just a few locals beginning an early lunch at one of many quintessentially French cafés within the sq., I just about have the place to myself.
I walked up from the prepare station under (a tough slog of round 20 minutes that may simply be prevented should you find the free shuttle from the decrease city) and purchased a scrumptious sandwich in a boulangerie en route which I rapidly snarf up whereas watching these within the cafés scattered across the sq.
The excessive season for Haut-de-Cagnes is in July and August, although my private desire to go to the French Riviera area is in late spring or early autumn, when the climate is okay (and never too scorching) and the crowds are fewer than within the warmest months of the yr.
Things to do in Haut-de-Cagnes
Wander the city
Truth be advised, is that after you’ve made it as much as Haut de Cagnes, probably the most nice issues to do is just to walk across the city and permit your ft to information you thru the little cobbled streets and previous the shuttered home windows.
One of the extra fascinating options of the city that you just’ll quickly discover is that most of the city’s ramparts are nonetheless intact. Indeed, with a purpose to enter the very best elements of the village, you’ll must wander beneath medieval gateways which have names like Porte de Nice and Porte de St Roch. The fundamental entrance to the village throughout medieval instances was Porte de Saint Paul.
Le Pontis Long
While there’s an enthralling nook round virtually each flip, one avenue particularly deserves a particular point out. Le Pontis Long is a lined passage that traverses by way of homes and ends at La Goulette, one of many oldest homes in Haut-de-Cagnes (which dates again to the 14th-century).
Place du Château
As one of many highest factors on the town, this stunning sq. is full of conventional eateries and presents gorgeous views onto the encompassing French Riviera countryside. This can be the place you’ll discover the doorway factors for among the most vital museums on the town.
Contemporary Jewellery Museum
One of the extra fascinating elements of Cagnes-sur-Mer is that, despite its small dimension, there are a variety of museums price testing. One of the extra uncommon ones is the up to date Jewellery Museum.
This museum is free to go to and was established by cabaret singer Suzy Soldior. In 1960, the singer created her cabaret-restaurant and tea room, then an vintage store on this group of homes on the nook of the Place du Château. Today, the group of buildings homes the jewelry museum.
Eglise Saint Pierre et Saint Paul
One of the extra historic buildings in Haut-de-Cagnes is the church of St Pierre and St Paul. Visitors really enter the church through the upstairs gallery (which I’ve by no means seen performed earlier than) however was a ravishing and distinctive perspective from which to benefit from the ecclesiastical constructing.
Château-Musée-Grimaldi
Located on the very prime of Haut-de-Canges, within the highest spot on the town, the previous fortified château has been remodeled right into a museum. The fortification was constructed by a Grimaldi (a part of the Grimaldis of Monaco) within the 14th-century.
A department of the Royals resided within the château from the start of the 1300s and proper up till the French Revolution, after they had been pressured to flee the city. The château grew to become a museum in 1946, which can be when it was classed as a Historic Monument.
Open from Wednesday by way of to Monday, the museum homes a contemporary artwork and ethnography museum inside. Some of the extra fascinating work on show embrace works by Foujita, Jean Cocteau, and Kees van Dongen.
Musée Renoir
Renoir spent the final 12 years of his life in Cagnes-sur-Mer which is called his “Cagnoise” interval. Today, his former Neo-Provençal dwelling (constructed for the household in 1908) has been remodeled right into a museum showcasing over a dozen of the artist’s work, in addition to a few of his private objects.
French Riviera portray indicators
While wandering round Haut-de-Cagnes, you’ll son discover that there are a variety of panels depicting numerous work performed by iconic painters of the outdated village. These panels are displayed from the place the portray is supposed to depict and are an important perception straight again in time.
La Chapelle Notre Dame de la Protection
This chapel lies on the fringes of the outdated city, overlooking the gorgeous surrounding panorama and really dates again to the 14th-century. Originally, it could have consisted of a single nave to accommodate pilgrims. It was then expanded by Jean-Henri de Grimaldi after certainly one of his prayers was answered by the Virgin Mary.
What to know earlier than visiting Cagnes-sur-Mer
Regular trains run from Nice, Menton, Cannes, and so forth all alongside the French Riviera each half an hour or so through the daytime, which means that it couldn’t be simpler to get to Cagnes-sur-Mer. In truth, the time between Cagnes and Nice is barely 25 minutes on the prepare, making it one of many finest day journeys from Nice.
There’s a vacationer workplace round a ten minute stroll from the prepare station (Cagnes-sur-Mer) the place you may get a guided vacationer route for Haut-de-Cagnes. If you don’t need to stroll all the way in which as much as the perched outdated village, then there’s a free electrical bus 24/7.
The No. 44 runs all year long each quarter-hour between 7 AM and 10:30 PM and runs from sq. Bourde (close to the prepare station) to the outdated village. Just you’ll want to put on snug sneakers as the one option to get round Haut-de-Cagnes is on foot because of the slender streets and plenty of steps.
Where to remain in Cagnes-sur-Mer
If you’re trying to get away from the hustle and bustle of busy life, I actually suggest reserving a keep in Cagnes-sur-Mer, and extra particularly, in Haut-de-Cagnes. Here are some ideas for an additional particular keep:
Le Cagnard: This 4-star lodge is positioned only a 2-minute stroll from Chateau Musée Grimaldi and is about towards the backdrop of a medieval constructing. Amenities embrace free Wi-Fi and air-con. Check costs and availability right here.
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Sophie Nadeau loves canines, books, journey, pizza, and historical past. A fan of all issues France associated, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the subsequent sundown shot or consuming one thing candy. She presently splits her time between Paris and London. Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.