Heritage and museums in Cagnes-sur-Mer
Situated between the sea and the mountains, Cagnes-sur-mer has retained all its charm of yesteryear. The medieval village of Haut-de-Cagnes will transport you along its flower-lined lanes, while the old fishing village of Cros-de-Cagnes will seduce you with its marina and its “pointus”: small traditional fishermen’s boats.
Cagnes-sur-mer’s gentle way of life has attracted many celebrities and artists over the years, some of whom have settled here. In 1908, the painter Auguste Renoir was seduced by what was to become “Le Petit Montmartre Azuréen”, and moved to the Domaine des Collettes, which today houses the Renoir Museum, a true testament to the artist’s creative universe.
Renoir Museum
The Musée Renoir offers visitors and enthusiasts the chance to experience the atmosphere in which Renoir lived at the end of his life. In particular, the house-museum presents intimate, emotionally-charged rooms (studio, kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, garden, etc.).
One of Cagnes-sur-mer’s must-sees is the Château-Musée Grimaldi, a jewel of the medieval era, which regularly hosts contemporary art exhibitions and concerts. The art of contemporary jewellery, which has earned the town the “Ville et Métiers d’Art” label, also has its own museum, housed in Suzy Solidor’s former antique shop.
Find below all the cultural attractions to discover in Cagnes-sur-mer: