Mougins is an enchanting Provençal hilltop village with an exceptional artistic heritage. Tourists delight in exploring Mougins' charming streets, little boutiques, galleries, and artists' ateliers. Picasso lived in Mougins from 1961 to 1973 and left a lasting mark on the village.
The artist was drawn to the town's beauty, especially the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Vie, a humble Provençal-style church approached by a cypress tree-lined path reminiscent of landscapes in Tuscany. The chapel was originally built in the 12th century and then rebuilt in the 17th century. In 1961, Picasso purchased the chapel and converted it into his art studio.
Another noteworthy religious building, the Chapelle Saint Barthélémy is a unique octagonal structure with a rare semicircular apse. The village's parish church, the Eglise Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur (dating to the 11th century) is found near a pleasant courtyard with a calming fountain.
For such a tiny village, Mougins has a surprising number of gourmet restaurants. The local Mediterranean cuisine is based on olive oil, vegetables, and aromatic herbs such as rosemary, thyme, fennel, and tarragon.
The village has several renowned culinary establishments: La Place de Mougins restaurant with a seasonal menu based on fresh ingredients, Le Moulin de Mougins that has an outdoor patio dining area, the refined and contemporary Paloma Restaurant, and the Michelin-starred Restaurant Le Candille, which offers classic French cuisine in its sumptuous dining room or on a terrace overlooking the Provençal countryside
