Framed by pine, olive and cypress trees, Mougins is a sun-drenched commune in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France. It centres around a hilltop town that was fortified in the Middle Ages, with circular ramparts surrounding its spiral streets. Mougins is renowned for its cultural institutions and lies a stone’s throw from Parc Naturel de la Valmasque.
Things to do in Mougins
Don’t miss the Mougins Museum of Classical Art, which illustrates the influence of ancient works on contemporary artists. Designed across four floors, it boasts a collection of more than 800 works, including paintings by Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse and Auguste Renoir. Occupying a historic presbytery in the heart of the Old Town is the Mougins Photography Centre, which focuses on modern trends.
Nearby is Le Lavoir, an 1894-built washhouse that showcases temporary art exhibitions and a huge nativity scene at Christmas time. After your visit, stroll through the narrow alleyways to Place du Commandant Lamy. This lively square is watched over by the Town Hall, which was built on the remains of a 17th-century chapel. Ancient weaponry and art curiosities are exhibited at the nearby Mougins Museum.
A short drive east of Mougins is Parc Naturel de la Valmasque, a sprawling green space dominated by pine and oak forests. Hiking trails wind through its wildflower-filled meadows while the centrepiece pond ignites with lotuses in the summer months. Both resident and migratory bird species can be spotted within the park, together with foxes and wild rabbits.
Getting around Mougins
Mougins is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Nice and 20 minutes from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular buses connect to Mougins and travel throughout the commune, connecting most of its attractions.