The village of Mougins is a must-see around Cannes: the charm of narrow streets and stone houses, views over the Provencal countryside, great restaurants and an amazing museum of classical art… it has a lot to offer!
Here are our practical tips for planning your visit to the village and the best things to do.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is Mougins worth a visit?
Yes, a visit to the village of Mougis is well worthwhile.
Firstly, the beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area from the edge of the village offer an impressive glimpse of the Provencal countryside and Mediterranean coast. We loved discovering the peaks between two houses.
Next, the village’s charming alleyways, arranged in a circle around the church, invite you to lose yourself in the medieval atmosphere.
Last but not least, the Musée d’Art Classique de Mougins, home to an exceptional collection of antique and contemporary works, is a cultural gem sure to please art and history lovers.
It’s one of our favorite villages on the Côte d’Azur.
Best things to do in Mougins
Views from the village
From the village of Mougins, you can enjoy beautiful views over the Provencal countryside, with the Alps in the background. At certain times of the year, you can even admire the snow-capped peaks.
Alleys with plants and stone houses
The village of Mougins is very well maintained.
It’s fun to wander through the narrow streets, which create a circular labyrinth.
Locals add plants to enhance the stone houses.
The Sarrazine Gate
Don’t miss the magnificent gateway, a vestige of Mougins’ medieval past. It is in the Romanesque style, with beautiful stonework. Its construction is estimated to have taken place in the 11th or 12th century to protect the village.
The wash house
Sculptures and art gallery
As you can see from our photos, the village has many sculptures. It’s a place that inspires many artists, and you’ll find numerous galleries and art studios.
The church and its organ
In the heart of the village, the church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur is rather austere in its Romanesque style.
It was built in the 11th century and enlarged in the 18th.
We recommend entering the church to admire its organ, inspired by 17th-century North German organs.
Mougins Museum of Classical Art
One of the village’s must-sees is the MACM. We recommend a visit. It’s small with narrow aisles, but we liked the contrast of antique and recent pieces dealing with similar subjects.
See the official website
Mougins photography center
The village of Mougins also has a photography center where you can see temporary exhibitions.
The local history museum
And if you’re curious about the village’s history, there’s a tiny museum that traces village life through the different periods of its history.
Mougins village: access
Where is Mougins?
- North of Cannes
- Cannes to Mougins: 20 min drive
- Antibes to Mougins: 25 min
- Nice to Mougins: 35 min
- You’ll find Mougins on this map of the most beautiful villages on the Côte d’Azur:
Access by car
Access to the Mougins village parking lots is easy by car. The expressways arrive nearby. There are a few narrower streets around Mougins, but no major difficulties.
Parking in Mougins
There are several parking lots below the village (such as the Sainte-Anne parking lot). They’re pretty big, but the village is popular, and in the middle of the day it can be hard to find a place.
These parking lots are currently free of charge.
Public transport access
The village is accessible by bus from downtown Cannes.
Visiting difficulties
The parking lots are below the village. So you have to climb some slopes and stairs to reach the center.
Once in the center, it’s very easy to explore, with cobbled streets but in a modern way that’s unlikely to twist your ankles.
Practical tips for visiting Mougins
Schedules and prices
Access to Mougins village is possible at any time of day, free of charge.
How long
Allow 1 hour to walk around the narrow streets, and up to 3 hours if you want to explore everything and visit the main museums and/or art galleries.
The Mougins Museum of Classical Art takes at least an hour.
Direction of visit
There’s really no particular direction to follow. You can wander around as you please.
Please note that the various museums are not always open.
Restaurants
The village of Mougins is famous for its gastronomy.
There are several very good restaurants.
We had the opportunity to lunch at L’Amandier, where we enjoyed dishes full of flavor and creativity.
Hotels
We have no hotel to recommend in the historic center of Mougins village.
However, Cannes is less than 20 minutes away by car.
Read all our hotel recommendations in this article (coming soon).
WHERE TO STAY IN Cannes
Option 1: Downtown
Enjoy the charm of the old town and all its restaurants.
We recommend..:
- Five Seas Hotel – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel BW Le Mondial – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: on the Croisette
Along the seafront promenade and beaches.
We recommend..:
- Hotel Le Carlton – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Martinez – prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: The Suquet and surrounding area
On the heights of the old town, with lots of charm.
- Hotel le Suquet – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Canopy by Hilton – see prices, pictures and availability
