La Fete de Mai (Spring Festival)
The start of spring is celebrated every Sunday in May with a grand celebration in the Jardins de Cimiez.
Seaside resort and port with lots of popular attractions, close to Nice Airport.
Haut Cagnes is the perched medieval village that overlooks the resort, and is home to the famous Renoir House and the Grimaldi Castle, two of the area’s most popular attractions.
Cagnes-sur-Mer is the largest suburb of Nice and is 15km west of the city, right on the seafront. The town is split into two districts, Cros de Cagnes and Haut Cagnes.
Cros de Cagnes is where you’ll find the beach-life; 3.5km of pebble shore with calm water, beach-clubs, shops, watersports, restaurants and a traditional fishing port - have a look at our beach section to find out more.
A wide promenade with a cycle lane runs alongside the beach, allowing you walk or ride the length of it and enjoy the many events and festivals that take place there throughout the year. Cros de Cagnes is also the home of the Hippodrome de la Côte d'Azur, a horse racing stadium and events venue, which you can find further along the coastline towards Villeneuve-Loubet.
High above Cros de Cagnes is the medieval village of Haut de Cagnes, an ancient settlement that is still inhabited by about 650 people. The narrow streets are full of artists studios and galleries, over the years many famous artists have lived here such as Modigliani, Yves Klein and, of course, Renoir: Cagnes-Sur-Mer is brimming with artistic heritage.
For a taste of something completely different, the Hippodrome hosts regular horse races during summer and winter as well as shows, festivals and markets.
The start of spring is celebrated every Sunday in May with a grand celebration in the Jardins de Cimiez.
The Long Night of Museums is an annual event where museums across Europe remain open late into the night, and Nice is no exception.
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
Bastille Day is celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily.
Exceptional locations around France, including Nice, will be open to visit on the Journées du Patrimoine - a European wide event inspired by by France’s Journées Portes Ouvertes which started in 1984.
The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.
Occupation of the area took place at Haut de Cagnes, a rounded hill sitting 91m high. The name Cagnes is originally a Ligurian name meaning 'living place on the rounded hill'. It was initially Celt-Ligurian, and then the Gallo-Romans. From the 16th century Cagnes was considered to be the borderland between France and the States of Savoy, and as such was to play a part in many of the major European wars.
In 1620, under the reign of King Louis XIII, Jean-Henri Grimaldi transformed the castle into a glorious domain, a great era for the residents of the area. However, the reigns of Louis XIV and Louis XV were marred by wars and invasions.
In more recent history the area has become known for the artists who visited and stayed there. Early in the 20th century, Renoir settled in Cagnes, from 1903 to 1919. This in turn attracted other artists from the impressionist movement who decided to come and settle in the area of the castle calling it the "Montmartre of the French Riviera".
Among all the famous people settled in the Haut-de-Cagnes, some famous names remain: Pierre Auguste Renoir, Chaim Soutine, Foujita, Yves Klein, Georges Simenon, Suzy Solidor (French actress and singer) and even Brigitte Bardot.
Renoir’s estate is open year-round and as well as housing many of his personal effects, also has 14 of his paintings and a number of sculptures. The house itself is beautiful; a real period mansion surrounded by olive trees with sublime views of the coastline and surrounding area.
The Grimaldi Castle is a 14th century building that towers majestically over the old town of Haut de Cagnes; inside is a museum and a number of art exhibitions. Music concerts are often held in the square outside the castle during the summer.
This modern church dedicated to Joan of Arc was built in the 1920s in an Art Deco style with a large white central dome surrounded by three smaller domes.
Founded as a photographic studio in 1958, and opened as a gallery in 1972, Jean Ferrero exhibited works from the School of Nice and the New Realism genre.
This museum was set up by outstanding chef Auguste Escoffier who worked as head chef at the Savoy in London. He founded this museum which is dedicated to culinary art.
This historic perfume factory is in the heart of the Old Town and is one of the oldest in Grasse, constructed in 1782.
The world-famous painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir lived at La Ferme des Collettes with his family from 1907 until his death in 1919. Renoir moved to Cagnes-Sur-Mer in the hopes that the warm climate would improve his arthritis, which eventually confined him to a wheelchair. The house in which he spent the last 12 years of his life is set in a beautiful estate full of citrus and olive trees, looking out along the coastline all the way to way to the Cap d’Antibes.
Located in the Baumettes neighbourhood, this Fine Arts museum is housed in an impressive 19th-century villa and contains an important collection of paintings and sculptures.
Cagnes-Sur-Mer is fringed all the way along with a safe family-friendly beach that offers everything from plush deckchairs and parasols to every watersport you can imagine, including diving and fishing.
There are plenty of beachfront restaurants and snack bars, or you can pick up some picnic items from the market that takes place every morning near the port. The beach is separated from the main road by a wide promenade that is popular with walkers, cyclists and roller skaters - you can follow the cycle path all the way to the Promenade des Anglais in Nice if you wish.
Plage du Cros de Cagnes is the main stretch of beach in Cagnes-Sur-Mer, running the length of the lively row of restaurants and bars that line the seafront.
Palm trees, sparkling blue waves and soft white sand make Plage des Bouches du Loup feel like a tropical paradise.
Right beside the marina, Plage de la Batterie (also known as Plage Villeneuve-Loubet) is a pleasant pebble beach with plenty of activities on offer.
Saint-Laurent-du-Var has one of the best-equipped waterfronts in terms of barely having to leave the beach all day - everything is right here.
Plage de la Pierre au Tambour runs from the port all the way to Antibes and has a busy road and train line running behind it, neither of which you can hear much. If you stand facing the sea and look to your right you can see Antibes and its 16th century fort sticking out from the mainland.
Plage de Carras is a well-equipped “handiplage”, which has facilities and lifeguards to enable people with disabilities to enter the water safely.
Cagnes-Sur-Mer, like so many of the local towns, is full of restaurants and cafés serving fresh local produce. Seafood is obviously on all the menus down by the port, most of them having a daily special based on the catch of the day.
The town centre has more generic pizza and pasta options, whereas the typical Provençal dishes of ratatouille and socca can be found just about everywhere.
The square at Chateau Grimaldi has a number of good restaurants and is popular for admiring the view and watching the world go by, but there are plenty more smaller restaurants tucked amongst the alleyways of Haut de Cagnes if you want somewhere a little less obvious.
Toile Blanche Le Restaurant offers fresh, seasonal dishes inspired by the Mediterranean, where simplicity meets creative flair.
Château Eza offers a Michelin recommended restaurant serving à la carte French and Mediterranean cuisine against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera.
In a Regency-style dining room decorated with magnificent 18th century woodwork, Jean-Denis Rieubland proposes two menus, "Découverte" and "Chantecler".
The jewel in the crown of La Réserve de Beaulieu hotel is this gastronomic restaurant which has one Michelin star.
Gourmet restaurant of the Saint-Martin Spa & Chateau hotel to the north of Vence.
Laurent Paccini is the chef at this Relais & Châteaux hotel and brings the food of different cultures to his excellent Mediterranean restaurant in Saint-Paul de Vence.
It is this eclectic and cosmopolitan atmosphere which makes it a place very "French Riviera".
Located behind the Acropolis, the AMF centre is one of the largest bowling alleys in France.
Reopened in December 2014 and restored to its original elegance with a touch of modern glamour this is 'must see' building as well as fantastic entertainment venue.
With a Gothic interior mixed with wall frescoes and a friendly atmosphere, this is one of Nice's nicest drinking spots.
In a simple and relaxed atmosphere, La Cave Nature is a place of tasting organic wines and specialities of the house such as sandwiches, Mediterranean products freshly prepared, and tastings of cheeses and Italian delicatessen.
Located in Vieux Nice, this bar serves breakfast, lunch, tapas and drinks. A great place to soak up the sun while enjoying a meal.
There are plenty of fun things to try down at the waterfront; you can have a sailing lesson, go windsurfing, ride a jet ski, take a boat tour to a nearby island. For a more laid-back option you can pick up a mask and snorkel from one of the beachfront shops and go fish-spotting in the warm clear waters.
There is also a daily market. Up in the old town of Haut-de-Cagnes you can explore the narrow laneways around the castle and relax in a pavement café, watching groups of old men play boules under the trees.
Cagnes-sur-Mer was once referred to as 'Montmatre of the South' for its appeal to famous artists such as Renoir, and as a result there are many artists' studios and galleries with frequent exhibitions.
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
Take a trip on board this luxury yacht along the Riviera, to any destination of your choosing.
Based in Nice, motorbike and scooter rental so you can explore the South of France.
Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
This company is based in Nice and offers a wide range of road bikes.
Experience the French Riviera your way with 212 yachts, using one of their sample itineraries or with a specialised itinerary created just for you, based on what you like and don't like, as well as their own expertise.
Based on the French Riviera, Enzo is a striking Mangusta 92 Open that perfectly combines sleek Italian styling, exhilarating performance and refined onboard comfort. With her timeless design, luxurious interior and impressive cruising speed, Enzo is an exceptional choice for exploring the Mediterranean in style.
Imperial Princess Beatrice is a striking 40-metre Princess motor yacht, built in 2012 by the renowned UK shipyard Princess and benefitting from a stylish refit in 2018. With her elegant profile, flowing lines and distinctive two-tone white and grey exterior, she combines timeless sophistication with a bold modern presence on the water.
La Bellini is a striking Sunseeker Predator 64 that perfectly combines exhilarating performance with the sleek styling for which the British shipyard is renowned. At 20.44 metres in length, this elegant motor yacht is ideal for stylish Mediterranean escapes, whether for week-long cruising adventures or entertaining during the Riviera’s prestigious summer events.
The 28.14m motor yacht Winning Streak is a sleek Sunseeker build that delivers a perfect blend of comfort, style and performance. Designed for both entertaining and relaxing, she is an excellent choice for spending quality time with family and friends or hosting guests at sea.
Step aboard Addiction, a striking 54-metre superyacht built by Amels, and experience refined luxury at sea. Delivered in 2010, she showcases the timeless exterior styling of Tim Heywood, paired with elegant interiors by Laura Sessa. With a dedicated crew of thirteen, every moment on board is designed to be effortless and memorable.
The 34m motor yacht Sea Shell is a standout Fittipaldi build, offering a refined and luxurious charter experience across the Mediterranean. Based in Cannes, she is perfectly positioned to explore sought-after destinations including the French Riviera, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and the Balearic Islands.
Paddleboarding along the coast is a fun for the whole family!
Fly at 50 metres above the sea by yourself or with friends security attached, enjoy a spectacular view of the gorgeous Baie des Anges, mountains and surroundings.
This company are based in Breil sur Roya and offer a huge range of outdoor sports and activities for groups and individuals.
Located in the harbour of Nice this diving school enables beginners, intermediates and confirmed divers to explore 25 diving sites.
The resort has a number of two and three star hotels offering budget accommodation. Haut Cagnes has a smaller selection.
In the heart of the French Riviera, 10 km from the beach and 13 km from the airport, this villa is set in lush greenery and nature.
The villa in La Roquette-sur-Var has 4 bedrooms and has capacity for 8 people.
In Nice, in the residential area of Saint Pancrace, beautiful villa situated on a plot of 1Ha in edge of forest of which 2000m ² done up.
In Vence, 5 km from Saint-Paul,, in a residential area, beautiful contemporary villa located on a plot of 1000m2.
In the commune of Colomars, 10 km from the sea, in a residential area, beautiful villa on a plot of 1500m².
Just outside historic Vence and a short distance from magnificent Saint Paul de Vence, this beautiful and contemporary house on a generous private plot is very quietly located for exploring all the delights of this beautiful corner of the French Riviera. The villa is located in a beautiful natural setting with views of the mountains.
Tucked inside the medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence, Hotel Le Saint Paul offers timeless charm, artistic flair, and refined hospitality in a Relais & Châteaux setting.
Situated on its own two-hectare peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean Sea, the hotel has wonderful panoramic views. With only 28 rooms spread over four separate locations, it is a very private and luxurious place to stay.
This celebrated Provençal inn combines elegant accommodation with a private collection of modern art by renowned 20th-century artists.
Exquisite and intimate, the rooms and suites of Château Eze cling to the side of the ancient rock walls of Eze, a thousand-year-old Medieval village more than 400 metres above the Mediterranean Sea.
Château Saint-Martin & Spa is a former 12th century Knights Templar Commandery with superb views over the sweep of the Côte d’Azur. A place of consummate natural beauty set in a 32 acre park, a high point on the French Riviera where sea and the mountains unite.
La Bastide Saint-Antoine in Grasse sits within five hectares of lush Mediterranean gardens and olive groves. It overlooks the surrounding plains and the Bay of Cannes, offering stunning views and a feast for the senses.
Getting to Cros de Cagnes is easy-peasy, either hop on the no.200 bus that runs between Nice and Cannes or take the train. You can even cycle there from Nice along the cycle path that runs all the way from the Promenade des Anglais.
From the airport to the city centre, they handle the rest. The Côte d’Azur's most trusted private transfers.
With a long history and experience in the VIP transport industry this company is proud of its personal and high-quality services.
Chabe Transfers are a renowned luxury transfer and taxi service operating in the French Riviera.
With an International fleet of jets and helicopters based across Europe it is quick and easy to get a private charter flight for business, pleasure or an airport transfer.
Heli Securite offer transfers on a helicopter from the airport to your yacht or various destinations in and around the Cannes area, St Tropez and Monaco. In addition to this they also service all of the main French ski resorts from their base in Courchevel.
Created in 1976 this company has grown and has now transported well over 100,000 passengers. They have a fleet of 12 craft to meet client demands.
Nestled on the verdant heights of Vence, this elegant Provençal villa captivates with its timeless architecture and generous proportions. It offers 288 sq m under Carrez law and 362 sq m of living space, enhanced by an exceptional panoramic view stretching across the Mediterranean to Cap d’Antibes. Set at the heart of a vast landscaped plot of 6,194 sq m, the property is a true haven of serenity, where the authentic charm of Provence blends harmoniously with modern comfort.
A beautiful apartment with a panoramic sea view close to Monaco.
Find out all about what is happening in Nice and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, fabulous beaches, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in this cosmopolitan city.
See allLatest News & ReviewsYou will not be short of entertainment in this beautiful French Riviera town throughout the year. The most popular public events take place along the Promenade des Anglais, including the Carnival in February, the Bastille celebrations in July and the Nice marathon in November. There are also plenty of live music and cultural festivals.
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