Why you should head to charming Haut-de-Cagnes on your next trip to the Cote d’Azur

The French Riviera / Cote d’Azur does not need any introduction. Beautiful sandy beaches, glitzy cities and villages, more than 300 days of sunshine a year, excellent food along with a nearly endless list of stunning accommodation – this stretch of coastline in the south of France is undoubtedly one of the most famous, glamorous, and highly popular travel destinations around the world.

The Cote d’Azur is also a region that is easy to travel within, with short distances between the areas’ cities and smaller villages worth to pay a visit to, either with your own car or by public transport. Each of these places have something different to offer, and if you wonder where to base yourself during your visit or where to go on a day trip, there are many places that will offer whatever you are looking for.

Haut-de-Cagnes, perched on top of a small rocky hillside, it is one of the lesser-known, often overlooked smaller villages. But there are many reasons to visit or even make it your base from where to explore the wider area.

This small medieval village dating back to the 14th century is blessed with postcard scenes at every corner. While wandering the tranquil steep narrow lanes lined by medieval stone houses, every now and then catching a glimpse over the blue sea or the verdant rolling hills of the coastal hinterland, it becomes perfectly clear why acclaimed artist Renoir chose to spend the final years of his life at this very place. And he was not alone. Among the celebrities attracted by this beautiful spot were such famous names like Amedeo Modigliani, Brigitte Bardot, Josephine Backer, and Greta Garbo to name just a few.

How to arrive at Haut-de-Cagnes

Located just a few kilometres west of Nice International Airport, Cagnes-sur-Mer is essentially still a suburb of Nice.

Cagnes-sur-Mer is located on the Marseille-Ventimiglia railway line, offering connections to all major cities along the Cote d’Azur including Nice, Antibes, and Cannes with trains running approximately every 30 minutes.

From Cagnes-sur-Mer train station, you can either take a leisurely walk up to the historic Haut-de-Cagnes (in case you come for a day trip), which will take about 15 minutes. If you plan to stay and arrive with baggage, you can take the free shuttle bus (No 44) which runs every 15 to 20 minutes between the central bus station (Square Bourdet) and Chateau Grimaldi.

In case you are planning to arrive by car, you should be aware that driving up Haut-de Cagnes has its challenges. The narrow streets are not for the faint hearted and the village is partly pedestrianized. Therefore, follow the brown signs leading to the Chateau (Haut-de-Cagnes – Bourg Medieval and then Chateau – Eglise) which is also the route on which the free shuttle bus is running. There are few parking areas at Haut-de-Cagnes allowing you to park your car nearby if you plan to stay overnight.

What to do visiting Haut-de-Cagnes on the French Riviera

There is plenty to explore at Haut-de-Cagnes, despite the small size of the village. Make sure to add this dreamy little village to your itinerary at least for a day trip.

Located at the very top of Haut-de-Cagnes, and visible from far away, Chateau Grimaldi is the perfect spot to start exploring the village. Built in the 14th century as a fortified chateau by order of Rainier Grimaldi – namesake and relative of late Prince Rainier of Monaco – the Chateau today is home to various permanent and varying exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions include an olive museum at the ground floor and on the upper floor you will find several portraits of French actress and cabaret singer Suzy Solidor who also lived at Haut-de-Cagnes for 25 years.

Right in front of the Chateau, Place du Chateau the largest square of the village is lined with cafes and restaurants begging you to stop for a coffee, ice cream, or a light lunch.

However, one of the main reasons to linger at Place du Chateau are the stunning views over the surrounding countryside.

There are a couple of other interesting landmarks around Haut-de-Cagnes but given the small size of the village, there is no need to follow a specific route. The village is the perfect place to simply walk around, crisscrossing through all the narrow lanes and take in the views.

As soon as you start wandering around, you will notice that most of the town’s historic ramparts are still intact. Among the various archways and covered passages, Le Pontis Long (the longway) is perhaps the most intriguing among the passages. It’s about 20 metres long, traversing underneath several houses.

At the end (or beginning) of the passage sits one of the oldest houses of Haut-de-Cagnes, La Goulette, which was built during the 14th century.

The Church of St Pierre and St Paul is one of the most historic buildings of Haut-de-Cagnes. Originally built during the 14th century, the small church was enlarged during the 16th and 18th centuries when the local population sored to more than 1,200 people. Inside, there are a few beautiful historic paintings, including one showing the handover of the keys to St. Peter, along with some newer ones.

Particular landmarks apart, the well-preserved medieval village remains a strong attraction for artists, and above all painters to this day.

Scattered throughout the village are many small art galleries and ateliers inviting you to explore the work of local artists.

Maison de Artists right next to Chateau Grimaldi is managed by Peintres de Cagnes, thus local painters from Cagnes. The house is open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday (entrance is free) and there are changing exhibitions of contemporary art from local painters, but sometimes also regional, national, and even international artists are included.

Where to stay at Haut-de-Cagnes

There is not shortage of accommodation around Haut-de-Cagnes. But if you have chosen to stay at this fairytale little hilltop village, the place to stay is historic Chateau Le Cagnard. A truly romantic medieval hideaway, the small hotel is part of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World group. The 4-star property offers individually designed rooms and a very popular fine-dining restaurant.