Cagnes Sur Mer
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.
History & Culture in [locality]
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.
Sights & Attractions in [locality]
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.
Sights in Nice
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Parfumerie Galimard, Eze
Free guided tours of a historic perfume factory in the medieval village of Eze.
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Le Palais de la Mediterranee
Opened to unprecedented acclaim in 1929, Le Palais de la Méditerranée instantly became a showcase of luxury and inter-war celebration.
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Abbaye de Lerins Monastery (Lerins Abbey), Ile Saint-Honorat
Located on the island of Saint Honorat, the abbey is still occupied by monks. It's possible to receive a guided tour and re-charge your spiritual batteries.
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Musee de Paleontologie Humaine de Terra Amata
The museum of palaeontology is located on the excavation site of the Terra Amata where there is evidence of human inhabitation going back 400,000 years.
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Parfumerie Molinard, Grasse
Grasse is the world capital of perfumes. At this museum you can discover the ancient tradition of parfumerie and learn how to create your own, unique scent.
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Eco Musee, Breil-sur-Roya
Museum charting the history of transport in the area, with lots of old vehicles to look at. Located in an old rail warehouse in Breil.
Beaches in [locality]
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.
Beaches in Nice
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Plage du Cros de Cagnes Beach, Cagnes sur Mer
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.
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Plage des Bouches du Loup Beach, Villeneuve Loubet
Palm trees, sparkling blue waves and soft white sand make Plage des Bouches du Loup feel like a tropical paradise.
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Plage de la Batterie Beach, Villeneuve Loubet
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.
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Plages des Flots Bleus Beach, Saint Laurent du Var
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.
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Plage de la Pierre au Tambour Beach, Villeneuve Loubet
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.
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Plage du Carras Beach
Plage de Carras is a well-equipped “handiplage”, which has facilities and lifeguards to enable people with disabilities to enter the water safely.
Dining in [locality]
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.
Restaurants in Nice
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La Table de Pierre Restaurant, St Paul de Vence
La Table de Pierre offers refined, garden-led cuisine by Chef Emmanuel Lehrer in a romantic setting with views over the estate.
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Le Chantecler Restaurant
In a Regency-style dining room decorated with magnificent 18th century woodwork, Jean-Denis Rieubland proposes two menus, "Découverte" and "Chantecler".
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Restaurant des Rois, Beaulieu Sur Mer
The jewel in the crown of La Réserve de Beaulieu hotel is this gastronomic restaurant which has one Michelin star.
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Le Saint-Martin Restaurant, Vence
Gourmet restaurant of the Saint-Martin Spa & Chateau hotel to the north of Vence.
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La Colombe d'Or Restaurant, St Paul de Vence
Enjoy refined regional cuisine in an iconic setting featuring original works by Picasso, Matisse, Miró and more.
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Toile Blanche Restaurant, St Paul de Vence
Toile Blanche Le Restaurant offers fresh, seasonal dishes inspired by the Mediterranean, where simplicity meets creative flair.
Events in [locality]
For a taste of something completely different, the Hippodrome hosts regular horse races during summer and winter as well as shows, festivals and markets.
Events in Nice
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Jazz au Château, Cagnes sur Mer
Gather at Place du Château on a Friday evening to enjoy a wonderful evening of live music in an unforgettable venue.
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Villeneuve-Loubet night market
Stalls with souvenirs, handmade objects, beach articles and much more held on the seafront at Villeneuve-Loubet.
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Crossover Festival
A mix of public spaces, moods and musical styles will take over the city of Nice for the Crossover Festival.
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Live music at the Opéra de Nice
The wonderful Opéra de Nice venue, on the Promenade des Anglais in the old town of Nice, hosts some of the best classical music concerts in the French Riviera.
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Beaulieu Classic Festival
The Beaulieu Classic Festival showcases both local and international talent set in the most mythical and enchanting surroundings on the French Riviera.
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European Heritage Days
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.
Things to do in [locality]
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.
Things To Do in Nice
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One Week Yacht Charter Itineraries
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.
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Solar Powered Boat Trip
Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
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Luxury SMILE Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
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Provence self-guided motorbike tour
A trip for intermediate riders, where you can enjoy some of the most scenic roads in Provence.
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Road bike hire
This company is based in Nice and offers a wide range of road bikes.
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Sunset Boat Trip
Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
Where to stay in [locality]
The resort has a number of two and three star hotels offering budget accommodation. Haut Cagnes has a smaller selection.
Hotels in [locality]
Hotels in Nice
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Le Negresco Hotel
Famous hotel and site named after Henri Negresco with an equally famous restaurant Le Chantecler, located on the Promenade des Anglais.
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La Bastide Saint Antoine Hotel, Grasse
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.
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Exedra Hotel, Nice Centre
The 5-star Luxury Boscolo Exedra Nice is located in the centre of Nice, a few minutes from the old town, the boutiques of Place Masséna, the famous Promenade Des Anglais and the Conference Center.
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Saint-Martin Spa & Chateau, Vence
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.
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Windsor Hotel
Charming hotel with a secluded tropical garden set in the heart of Nice within a walking distance to the city's main attractions.
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La Colombe D'Or Hotel, St Paul de Vence
This celebrated Provençal inn combines elegant accommodation with a private collection of modern art by renowned 20th-century artists.
How to get to [locality]
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.
Transfers for Nice
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Private airport transfers
From the airport to the city centre, they handle the rest. The Côte d’Azur's most trusted private transfers.
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Chabe Airport Transfers
Chabe Transfers are a renowned luxury transfer and taxi service operating in the French Riviera.
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Helicopter Transfers and Scenic Flights
With a long history and experience in the VIP transport industry this company is proud of its personal and high-quality services.
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Helicopter Airport Transfers & Scenic Flights
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.
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Private Jet and Helicopter Transfers
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.
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Helicopter Charter Flights
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.
