Mougins

On an extraordinary hilltop site, clothed in flowers and bushes, the old village with its narrow lanes and restored houses is contained within the line of the earlier ramparts; the 12th Century gateway is known as the "Saracen" Gate. There is a festive atmosphere in the place de la Mairie where the solitary old elm and fountain are surrounded by bustle and restuarants. The town hall used to be a chapel for the White Penitents.

From the village there is a wide view of the Grasse countryside to the sea. The terrace of the church clocher (bell tower) gives a superb panorama over the surrounding countryside and coast.

As early as 1935 Pablo Picasso discovered Mougins in the company of Dora Marr and the photographer Man Ray. Picasso settled in Mougin in 1961 with his wife Jacqueline, and remained until his death in 1973. They lived in the Notre-Dame-de-Vie district in the mas called "L'Antre du Minotaure" (The Minotaur's Lair), which became a centre for creative arts.

Mougins is a well regarded residential region of Cannes, lying just 5kms. inland. It is famous for its restaurants and international golf courses. Mougin is well positioned for excursions to Nice and Monaco, with Italy only 40 minutes away via the autoroute.