Bonjour! Welcome to Mougins, a captivating medieval village perched amongst pines, olives, and cypress trees, on the hills midway between Cannes and Grasse. There you’ll find world-renowned Michelin restaurants, picturesque alleys, numerous art galleries, magnificent views over the surroundings, and even a giant Picasso head! Mougins is a perfect quiet getaway on Cote d’Azur that will seduce you with its charm from the first steps. Sounds interesting? So let us show you things to do in Mougins village in France, a place where Picasso lived and died.
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Mougins, France FAQ
Mougins is located in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region in Southeastern France. It sits on a small hill at an altitude of 260m a.s.l. Mougins is just a short drive from popular places like Cannes, Grasse, Antibes, or Nice.
Sure thing! Mougins is a real delight for gastronomy and art lovers, but also for those who just want to step back in time for a few hours and feel like in medieval times. Overall, there might not be dozens of exciting things to do in the village, but even despite that a visit to Mougins is a must while in the area. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best places to visit on Cote d’Azur.
Mougins village is located only 10km from the nearest beaches in Cannes. It’s about a 15-minute drive by car.
Quite a lot of artists and celebrities decided to live in Mougins, but the most popular name is definitely Pablo Picasso. Others you might know are Edith Piaf, Christian Dior, or Winston Churchill.
According to the Internet, it’s pronounced [muʒɛ̃]. Still don’t know how to read it? Here’s a YouTube video where you can listen to correct pronunciation.
Things to do in Mougins village in France
Mougins old town streets
Mougins is a medieval village built in a circular shape spiraling around the top of a hill and there’s no better way of getting to know it than slowly wandering around its old town (fr. Mougins Vieille Ville). Cobblestone streets, cozy squares, secret passageways, art galleries, workshops, boutique shops, fountains, restaurants, museums, churches… Oh, and of course great views of the surroundings! All of that can be found in Mougins. Best part? No cars are allowed in the old part of the village!
Among Mougins village streets you’ll find points of interest like Porte Sarrazin (ancient entrance to the village), St. Jacques Le Majeur church, Museum of Photography, FAMM: Female Artists of the Mougins Museum (due to open in June 2024), and Picasso’s head sculpture. We’ll take a closer look at some of them in a bit.
Most noteworthy streets and squares include Place du Commandant Lamy, Place du Lieutenant Isnard, Rue des Orfèvres, Rue Maréchal Foch, Place de l’Eglise, Rue de la Glissade, and Place des Patriotes. To be honest, you don’t need a map to explore Mougins. Just let yourself be carried away by the beauty of the winding streets and sooner or later you’ll discover everything.
Mougins Tourist Information is located right next to Place des Patriotes. There, in addition to getting the necessary information about the village, you can borrow petanque balls and play a round or two in Place des Patriotes. Amazing views and Picasso’s watchful eyes are guaranteed!
You can also decide to go on one of the guided tours offered by Mougins Tourist Information or just rent an audio guide. To learn more about tours visit mouginstourisme.com website.
Discover: Accommodation options in Mougins
Mougins restaurants
Mougins is also well-known for being home to many top-notch restaurants, some even were awarded Michelin stars! An interesting fact is that back in 1992 the village had 7 stars in the Michelin Guide and was the most-starred village in France! Amazing, right? So be sure to stay for dinner, as it’s one of the best things to do in Mougins village (and definitely the most delicious!). We’ll list some of the best Mougins restaurants at the end of the post.
Pablo Picasso and Mougins
Mougins has seduced various artists but out of all of them, it’s Pablo Picasso who became the village’s most famous resident. Famous Spanish painter and sculptor spent the last 12 years of his life in Mougins (1961-1973). His home was located just a few steps from Notre-Dame-de-Vie Chapel and his studio was in the center of the village, in a building that now hosts the Tourist Office. Now you understand why Mougins is so focused on art and why there are so many art galleries and workshops around this tiny village.
While on the Place des Patriotes square, right next to Mougins Tourist Information, take a good look at Picasso’s huge head sculpture (“La tête de Picasso” created by Gabriel Sterk in 2008) and try to count all his wrinkles!
Mougins museums
If you like going to museums, Mougins has something for you too. Currently, in January 2024, only the Photography Center is open but in June 2024 FAMM (Female Artists of the Mougins Museum) will join it too.
Mougins Photography Center (fr. Centre de la Photographie de Mougins) is a small museum located right next to St. Jacques Le Majeur church and Porte Sarrazin. There are no permanent exhibitions but 3 different ones every year. Entrance to Mougins Photography Center costs €6 for a normal ticket and €3 for reduced (January 2024). For current prices, opening hours, and exhibitions info visit the centrephotographiemougins.com website.
FAMM: Female Artists of the Mougins Museum (fr. Femmes Artistes du Musée de Mougins) will open in June 2024 and will be the first major museum entirely dedicated to women artists in the whole of Europe! It will replace the Mougins Museum of Classic Art which was closed in August 2023. For current information please visit mouginsmusee.com website.
Walks in Mougins
Are you up for a longer walk? Great! In Mougins and its surroundings, you can find a wide choice of walks suited to your needs and the time you have. For example, you can choose one from the old village to the Val de Mougins which takes only about 15 minutes one way. Or one called “Step by step” which will take you from an old village to the Mougins-le-Haut area and will pass places like the Siagne Canal, Notre-Dame-De-Vie chapel, or Valmasque forest. If you wish to learn more about walks around Mougins visit mouginstourisme.com website.
Church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur
In the middle of the Mougins village, you’ll find the Church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur (fr. Église St. Jacques Le Majeur). It was built in the 11th century and then enlarged two times, in the 18th and 19th centuries. The church interior is very simple and its most characteristic part is the organs which are unusually located on the ground. There you’ll also find statues of Saint Joseph and Saint Mary and a 15th-century crucifix in gilded wood and polychrome.
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How to get to Mougins, France?
Mougins is located about 10km from Cannes or Grasse, 20km from Antibes, 40km from Nice, and 50km from Monaco. The most convenient way to get to the village is by car or taxi.
Where to park in Mougins?
There is only one parking lot in Mougins. It’s located right next to the entrance to the village and it’s free.
Airports near Mougins
The closest airport to Mougins is located in Nice, about 25min from the village. Unfortunately, there is no direct bus connection to the village so your best option is to take a taxi or first get to Cannes via train/bus and then take a bus/taxi to Mougins. To learn more about connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
For great car rental deals visit Rentalcars website.
To Mougins by bus
Looks like there aren’t many direct buses to Mougins from nearby coastal cities like Nice or Antibes and your best option is to first arrive in Cannes and from there take a bus to Mougins. Although, you can easily arrive by bus to Mougins from nearby inland places like Grasse, Valbonne, or Vallauris. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Mougins by taxi
The most expensive option, but also the fastest one if you care about time. Also, available from almost every place you might be on Cote d’Azur. For example, a trip from Antibes will take only about 15min (€30-40) and 30min from Nice (€75-95). To learn more about taxi connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Camping Mougins
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping Yelloh Village Saint Louis or Camping Parc Des Monges might interest you. They are located near Mougins.
Things to do in Mougins village in France – Summing up
Now you know what Mougins and its surroundings are all about. It’s a really beautiful medieval village where you’ll feel like you stepped back in time. Winding streets, art, history, food, and views all blend perfectly and make Mougins an ideal place to slow down for a bit and enjoy the charm of the South of France. No matter if you’ll stay only for a few hours or if you’re planning on staying a bit longer – we’re sure that Mougins will win your heart. Enjoy your time!
Our video from Mougins
Our opinion about Mougins
For us, a visit to Mougins was a day trip from nearby Cannes where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it in early November and during that time we were two of just a handful of other people out there. We really liked the village and the time we spent strolling among its charming streets was a pure pleasure. The fact that there are no cars in the village was another plus for us – it definitely adds to the charm of Mougins.
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Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Mougins?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Mougins:
Where to sleep in Mougins?
Le Club Mougins
Le Club Mougins, nestled in the charming town of Mougins, offers a serene retreat. This well-appointed accommodation boasts comfortable apartments with modern amenities, including a fully equipped kitchen and private terrace. Guests can unwind by the outdoor pool, enjoy a game of tennis, and explore the picturesque surroundings, making it an ideal choice for a relaxing stay in the French Riviera.
Mougins Luxury Retreats
Mougins Luxury Retreats provides an exquisite stay in the heart of Mougins. The elegant retreat offers luxurious apartments with stylish decor, fully equipped kitchens, and private terraces overlooking the scenic landscapes. With its proximity to Cannes and upscale amenities, Mougins Luxury Retreats is an ideal choice for travelers seeking a sophisticated and relaxing escape on the French Riviera.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
