Travel to a Classic Destination
The Cote d’Azur along the French Mediterranean coast continues to be one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations, and if you feel confident to let your basic French knowledge lose onto the locals there is absolutely no reason why you should be restricted to the classic tourist traps, though even without any language skills you can travel around quite easily, particularly if you have a hired car.
Cagnes-sur-Mer is one of the smaller towns with a population of less than 45,000. Yet it is far from boring, the town has a rich history and plenty of tourist infrastructure to entertain visitors.
Town History and Culture
The town history is best illustrated in the medieval Haute-de-Cagnes district, situated on a hill and thereby somewhat distinct from the rest of Cagnes-sur-Mer. A 14th century castle dominates the area, once built to secure the Grimaldi family’s grip on power, later used to accommodate them during hot summer days. These days the castle houses an excellent museum telling the region’s history.
Another noteworthy museum is dedicated to Pierre-Auguste Renoir, the famous painter who spent the last part of his life in Cagnes-sur-Mer. The museum is located in the artist’s workshop and features a great number of his original sketches and paintings.
Shop Till You Drop!
After a lesson in town history and culture you might want to indulge in some lighter entertainment. This is very possible in the modern central district where high street labels as well as regional designers sell fashion for any budget and taste, and a market allows you to absorb some of the traditional flair and sample a few local delicacies. Book a rental car to easily transfer all your designer labels back to the hotel.
Tourist Attractions
Leaving the more genuine town districts in your rented car, you can enter the world of mass tourism in Cros-de-Cagnes, a suburban district along the water. From the classic beach resort to the picturesque little fishing harbour you can find all the traditional elements of French tourist infrastructure. This brings great advantages, as entertainment is provided all day long and facilities are kept in excellent condition, but it also means that beaches can get a bit crowded, especially during high season.
Hit the Road
To get away from herds of fellow Brits book a cheap hire car and hit the road. Obvious day trip destinations include the glamorous cities along the coast such as Cannes, Monte Carlo, and Nice. Following the road less travelled go cross country to Antibes. The best road to follow is via Saint-Paul-de-Vence, continuing to Vence, Tourettes-sur-Loup, Gourdon, and Grasse. The latter is the famous perfume town. Through olive and lemon groves this road leads from one charming village to the next, taking you further into the southern French mountains. Far away from swimming pools and karaoke shows you can enjoy some authentic country life, hiking across beautiful landscapes and eating with the locals who are genuinely lovely and welcome visitors warmly.
