All about Cagnes-sur-Mer

Cagnes-sur-Mer – 3 Cities in One

Cagnes-sur-Mer consists of three districts each with their own qualities. Two of the districts are located on the northern side of the coastal highway and one lies south of the highway.

Here you can experience everything from the medieval Grimaldi castle to painter Renoir’s house, the Polygone shopping center and the 3.5-kilometer-long beach along the Mediterranean.

Haut-de-Cagnes is the medieval town on top of the hill on the northern side of the highway. Cagnes-Ville is the commercial quarter, which lies just south of Haut-de-Cagnes and still on the northern side of the highway. Cros-de-Cagnes, on the other hand, lies right down by the water and is characterized by life around the 3.5-kilometer-long beach with many cafés and restaurants.

(See the photo gallery at the end of the article.)

Haut-de-Cagnes

Haut-de-Cagnes is the old medieval town, where first Celts and later both Greeks and Romans settled several thousand years ago.

The town winds up the hill with narrow streets and small alleys, and at the top lies the famous Grimaldi castle from 1309. First built as a fortress and prison, and later in 1620 converted into a beautiful residential palace, as you see it today. Read more about Chateau Grimaldi under “Experiences in Cagnes-sur Mer” at the bottom of the page.

You get a really nice experience by visiting the square in front of the Grimaldi castle, Place du Château. Here is a very impressive view over the entire Cagnes valley to the north and the 4 Baou mountains. Sit down at one of the square’s cafés and enjoy the atmosphere and watch the town’s citizens use the local pétanque court. Also read the article about pétanque game rules and history.

Cagnes-Ville

Here you find the town’s actual center with lots of housing, shops, the covered market hall as well as the town hall, Hôtel de Ville.

Cagnes-Ville also offers a casino as well as one of the Riviera’s finest outdoor shopping centers – Shopping Promenade with 3,000 parking spaces and open on Sundays.

Cros-de-Cagnes

There is a very special atmosphere around Cros-de-Cagnes and along the 3.5-kilometer-long pebble beach and promenade. The area is filled with cozy cafés and restaurants and the sea view is omnipresent and captivating.