The medieval village at the top of the château hill is the historic part of the town of Cagnes-sur-Mer.
Smart access: use the free shuttle bus (no. 44) departing from the bus station every 15 minutes, 7 days a week.
650 inhabitants have chosen to live in this area, which was classified as a "historic site" in 1948, and which has managed to preserve the serenity of village life, away from the hectic pace of the Côte d'Azur.
The patina of the centuries, the stonework steeped in history, the shady, narrow, flower-filled streets, the unusual views over the Mediterranean and the Mercantour, all combine to attract visitors in search of authenticity.
A unique site on the Côte d'Azur
Haut-de-Cagnes has managed to retain all the mystery of the strongholds of Provence, while at the same time opening up to visitors.
A maze of steep, cobbled streets, vaulted passageways, flower-filled staircases, eye-catching houses, unusual viewpoints and artists' studios, Haut-de-Cagnes reveals itself at every turn...
Renoir, Soutine, Modigliani, Ziem and Klein all fell in love with the area... and now it's your turn!
Guided tours :
* Every 1st Sunday of the month during the "Haut de Cagnes Art en fête" event at 11am.
*By prior arrangement on the following days: Fridays 3 and 17 May, 14 and 21 June, Thursdays 19 and 26 September, 10 and 17 October.
Reservations required on: reservations.musees@cagnes.fr , for cancellations please send an e-mail at least 48 hours in advance to the same address, giving your name and telephone number.
(Price: €3 - Meeting point at the foot of the Château-Musée Grimaldi).
-The Château Musée Grimaldi: The jewel of the medieval village
Built around 1300 by Rainier Grimaldi, Lord of Cagnes, this fortified castle withstood sieges and assaults before being transformed around 1620 by Baron Jean-Henri Grimaldi into a stately home combining the charm and wealth of a palace.
Acquired by the town in 1937, it became a municipal museum in 1946 and was classified as a Historic Monument in 1948. Today, it is a marvellous showcase housing the Musée de l'Olivier, the Solidor Donation and exceptional Baroque painted ceilings.
The Château-Musée Grimaldi also hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, as well as numerous concerts.
Guided tours:
*June to September: Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m.
*October to May: Wednesdays and Sundays at 11 a.m.
Meet at the entrance to the Château-Musée Grimaldi.
Price of the guided tour: €3 (+ €4 for admission to the museum).
- The House of Artists
La Maison des Artistes is a municipal building that has been on loan since 1954 to the "Peintres de Cagnes" association, who have completely renovated it in exchange for the right to exhibit their work there.
Collective exhibitions of contemporary art are held in this house, by artists from Cagnes, as well as regional, national and foreign artists.
The autumn and spring exhibitions are reserved for local artists.
The trompe l'oeil that decorates the building's façade was created in 1999 by a school in Nice, and has recently been renovated.
Place du Château
Open: Wednesday to Sunday (free admission).
-Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul church
The church, which had become too small to hold all its worshippers, was restored and enlarged in the 16th and 18th centuries.
Work completed in 1762 doubled the proportions, with a taller nave visible on the right-hand side, and a main entrance portal was also added. It can be seen from the church square behind the building. At the time, the parish of Cagnes had a population of 1,200.
In the church, you can admire a number of 18th-century religious paintings, including the canvas that adorns the high altar and depicts the handing over of the keys to St Peter.
The Stations of the Cross, painted by Charles Barkev for the 2000 Jubilee, are unique in that they depict Cagnois from Haut-de-Cagnes who agreed to pose to illustrate the Passion of Christ.
Open: daily from 10am to 5pm and 6pm in summer (free admission).
We also visit the church of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul as part of our "medieval village" guided tours.
-The Chapel of Notre Dame de la Protection
In the 14th century, a small oratory was built on this site outside the town walls, on the route d'Italie. The building consisted of two parts: an apse and an open nave, intended as a temporary refuge for pilgrims.
The original apse still survives and was frescoed by Andrea de Cella around 1530.
It wasn't until 1936 that parish priest Malplat discovered the 16th-century frescoes, which had been hidden under a layer of plaster.
Following this discovery, the chapel was listed as a Historic Monument on 4 April 1939.
Be sure to visit the interior to discover these naïve and colourful frescoes illustrating the life of the Virgin and the childhood of Jesus.
Location: Haut-de-Cagnes, at the junction of montée du château and rue Hippolyte Guis.
-The Côte d'Azur of the Painters
Following in the footsteps of the great masters, this itinerary takes in Haut-de-Cagnes (12 lecterns) and Domaine Renoir (2 lecterns), inviting you to discover our sublime landscapes.