Cagnes Sur Mer / Cros de Cagnes / Haut de Cagnes Local
Attractions
Don't be fooled Cagnes Sur Mer is not all about the
fantastic beach at Cros de Cagnes -
but there is also a lot
more besides. Cagnes Sur Mer is surrounded by
history dating back from Cagnes Sur Mer's first colonisation
by the Greeks from Marseille who settled in the old village of Haut
de Cagnes, the Italians who occupied the Port at Cros de Cagnes and
established a fishing community hundreds of years ago. Art and culture
feature highly in Cagnes Sur Mer with the area having many unique
events to relay to its visitors. Please read on to find out about
some of the attractions in Cagnes Sur Mer: and visit the
Events Page for details of Events in
Cagnes Sur Mer, Crps de Cagnes and Haut de Cagnes areas:
Art, Culture and History
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Haut de Cagnes.
The medieval village perched on the hilltops with buildings dating
from the 12th Century. Haut de Cagne consists of small, steep, pebble
paved streets teamed with breath taking views over the Riviera. Haut
de Cagne has vaulted passages, flowered stairs, unusual houses and artists
studios. There is a free shuttle bus which runs from the Bus Station
in Cagnes Sur Mer in the Square Bourdet. This runs every day at
approximately 20 minute intervals until about 11pm.
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Grimaldi Castle & Museum (Grimaldi Chateau)
Haut de Cagnes Tel: +33 4 92 02 47 30 (Open in the Winter 10am-12pm
and 2pm - 5pm and in the Summer 10am - 12pm and 2pm-6pm)
The Grimaldi Castle is located at the top of Haut de Cagnes with its fourteenth century
fortress. The Grimaldi Castle houses the Olive Museum and the Solidor Donation (a
collection of paintings of Suzy Solidor by world renowned artists -
Suzy strived to become the most painted lady in the world!).The
Grimaldi Castle was built
on Greek and Roman ruins, it served as the Bishops Castle during the
Middle Ages, then as a fortress and as the residence of the Grimaldi
family - relatives of the current ruling house of Monaco.
Subsequently it was used by other royal governors. After the French
Revolution is was used as a barracks and a hospital The Grimaldi Chateau is
constructed out of local stone designed around a triangular
courtyard.
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The Chapel of Our Lady of Protection (Chapelle Notre Dame de la
Protection)
Haut de Cagnes (Open Saturday & Sunday 2pm - 5pm)
Contains some spectacular frescoes dating from 1530 which
were only discovered in 1936.
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Renoir's Museum (Les Collettes)
Cagnes Tel: +33 4 93 20 03 04 (Open in the Winter 10am-12pm and 2pm
-5pm and in the Summer 10am-12pm and 2pm-6pm)
Renoir's Les Collettes is situated in amongst very old Olive Trees, Renoir lived
at Les Collettes since
1908. The climate in Cagnes suited him along with the light and landscape
which is one of the reasons that the area is so popular with artists
today. Renoir painted here in Cagnes Sur Mer developing the impressionist style until
his death in 1919. He is renowned for his use of vibrant light and
saturated colours. Renoir along with his friend Monet discovered
that the colour of shadows was not brown or black but the reflected
colour of the objects surrounding them. The Renoir Museum captures his
studio at Les Collettes just as he would have used it.
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Port of Cros de Cagnes
The port dates back to the 19th Century when it was
established by Italian Fishermen. Today the port at Cros de
Cagnes is still used by Fishermen and there is an active
Fish Market here which operates most mornings. There is an
original fishing boat which is currently being restored to
its former glory.
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Beach and Leisure
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Beach at Cros de Cagnes
The beach spans over 2 miles (3.5km), like most of
the Riviera the beach is covered in soft pebbles. The water quality is regularly
tested by the local environmental laboratory to ensure its high
quality. During July and August there are two lifeguard posts at the
beach which
are manned from 9am until 7pm every day. Drinking Fountains, Showers
and Toilets are provided along the promenade and beach and there are a plethora of
cafes and restaurants providing refreshments with prices to suit
most pockets.
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Water Ski Club (Cagnes Ski Nautique Club)
Base Nautique, Cros de Cagnes, Tel: +33 6 99 18 20 05 (Open June
- September 8am - 7pm)
A variety of Water Sports are offered supervised by professionals
during the summer months including Water Skiing, Wake Boarding, Jet
Skiing, Paragliding and Water Skiing for the young (3-9 year olds),
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Sailing School (Ecole de Voile Municipale)
Port Abri du Cros, Avenue du Capitaine Val, Tel: +33 4 93 31 45
65 (Open March - December)
Courses in Sailing are offered at all levels for all age
groups down at the port in Cros de Cagnes. During the School Holidays a week of five half day
lesson is offered. There is also the option to combine
Sailing with Tennis.
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Diving (Plongee)
Club Moana, Base Nautique, Cros de Cagnes, Tel: +33 4 93 31 88 19
www.clubmoana.com (Open all
year)
The Mediterranean sea bed is one of the most beautiful
and best preserved in Europe. The French Riviera has
some of the most spectacular underwater sights in the
Mediterranean, with crystal-clear waters that are teeming
with plant and animal life. Please refer to the website above for more details or call the telephone
number provided for details of local dives planned.
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Sea Fishing (Peche en Mer)
Section Peche, 2 Boulevard Merechal Juin, Tel: +33 6 80 22 47
61
Please telephone for more
information on local fishing trips organised.
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Skiing Auron / Isola 2000 http://www.stationsdumercantour.com
Just over an hour
away the Mercantour Resorts of
Auron and Isola 2000 offer fantastic Skiing teamed with the
authenticity of genuine mountain villages like
Isola. The
local regional councils have invested significantly in the
area providing new ski runs, redesigning existing runs and
modernising all the facilities to give you greater pleasure
and comfort at every opportunity.
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