If you’re planning a trip to the French Riviera, you can’t miss visiting the charming town of Mougins, France!
When you think of the south of France, beautiful beaches, turquoise water and chic beach clubs probably come to mind first. But did you know the area is also home to enchanting hilltop villages? And Mougin’s old village is one of the most beautiful of them all.
I was lucky enough to spend several years growing up in Mougins and the area still holds a special place in my heart.
Here’s my guide to visiting Mougins, France!
About Mougins
Mougins is a medieval town built in a circle spiraling around the top of a hillside with sweeping views of the surrounding area. So, aside from its beauty and charm, what is Mougins known for?
Historically, the old village has been a hub for artists. Most notably, Pablo Picasso lived here for the last 12 years of his life until his death in 1973.
Cesare Baldaccini, Jean Cocteau, Yves Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior and many other artists are known to have visited and drawn inspiration from Mougins. Today, there are many art galleries around the town, as well as museums.
Mougins also has become a culinary center. In the 1970s, several notable chefs in town were awarded Michelin stars. And, in 1992, Mougins became the most starred village in France — with 7 Michelin stars!
Today, the town is still home to incredibly talented chefs and phenomenal gastronomy… so you won’t want to miss a meal while you’re here!
How to Get to Mougins
The easiest way to get to Mougins is by car. From Cannes, the drive to the old village takes just 15 minutes and there is a parking lot at the entrance to the village. There are no cars permitted in the old village section so you’ll be on foot from here!
The Best Time to Visit
Like the rest of the Cote d’Azur, Mougins has mostly beautiful weather year-round. May through October has gorgeous, sunny days with July and August being the hottest months. The summer is definitely the most popular time to visit the French Riviera so the town may be busier during these months!
How Much Time to Spend in Mougins
Many people visit on a day trip as the village is small and easy to explore in a few hours. That being said, Mougins is a wonderful place to slow down and enjoy the beauty and charm of the south of France. It would be just as easy to spend a week relaxing here!
Things to do in Mougins
Looking for the best things to do in Mougins? This small yet captivating village is full of restaurants and art galleries, and its cobblestone streets will have you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time.
Gelato at Le Glacier de l’Amandier
Arriving at the Old Village, this cute ice cream shop sits near the entrance. With a selection of incredible flavors and absolutely delicious ice cream, this is a great (and delicious!) first stop in town.
Explore the Old Village
One of the best things to do in Mougins is walk around the Old Village. The cobblestone streets wind through little alleyways dotted with art galleries and shops. So, spend the afternoon taking in the architecture and admiring the art.
Sunset Drinks at La Reserve
The best place to enjoy the views is at La Reserve! This luxury boutique hotel and lounge bar offers panoramic views with delicious cocktails. You won’t want to miss catching a sunset here!
Dinner at La Place de Mougins
With all of the spectacular restaurants in town, definitely make sure to stay for dinner. And with so many remarkable restaurants options, you really can’t go wrong eating pretty much anywhere.
One of my favorite restaurants is La Place de Mougins. Situated in the heart of town, this adorable restaurant serves such incredible food — it was one of our favorite meals in France!
We went with the tasting menu and it did not disappoint. With seasonal ingredients and creative dishes with a fun presentation, we were blown away with every course. And we even got to meet the chef who was very friendly!
Where to Stay
If you plan to visit longer than just a day trip (lucky you!), here are some of the best hotels in Mougins.
Mougins Luxury Retreats: Located in the Old Village, this cute boutique hotel is beautifully designed. Plus, it has a lovely pool area with some of the best views in town.
Les Rosées: This charming bed and breakfast will have you feeling like you’re staying in a French chateau instead of a hotel.
Le Mas de Mougins: Another delightful bed and breakfast hideaway! This little hotel exudes rustic beauty and has a lovely pool as well as a homemade breakfast spread every morning.
What is the climate in December? We are meeting our daighter in Madrid over the holidays and was looking at this area prior to meeting up with her.
In December, the average high is 55° and the average low is 38° so you’ll definitely need to pack some sweaters and a jacket for the evenings. While it’s not beach weather, I’d still visit the charming town of Mougins in the winter 🙂
Hi! I’m considering staying in Mougins for 2 nights in May, either Saturday-Monday or Monday-Wednesday — are there any days where most businesses/restaurants are closed? Or would either option work? (and thank you so much for this article – it’s so helpful!)
I’m so glad you found it helpful… Mougins is so charming, you’ll love it! As for which days to visit — the weekend will be busier for sure, and the town and restaurants will be bustling, especially as you get into late May / summer season. Monday – Wednesday will be quieter but you’ll still find restaurants and shops open. There isn’t one day where everything is closed, however, many restaurants close for 1-2 days a week so I would just check the hours of the restaurants you wish to visit… For example, La Place de Mougins is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but Da Laura is open every night!
Hope that helps! Enjoy your trip 🙂
would you stay in Mougins over Valbone, haute cagnes mer? there are some many pros and cons for each town. How do you choose???? I have spent weeks looking at reviews and can’t figure out where to call home base for 5 nights. Please help!
I agree with you that it is a tough decision… because there are just so many gorgeous places to explore in the Cote d’Azur! Will you have a car or will you use public transportation? What else is on your itinerary?
I’m obsessed with both Mougins and Valbonne, they are such charming towns. That being said, they are small so you won’t need more than a day to explore either… but you could of course base yourself in one and go on day trips from there!
Some things to consider: Mougins is about 10 minutes closer to coastal towns like Cannes and Antibes than Valbonne is. However, Valbonne has slightly more dining options than the old town of Mougins — if you plan to return to your “home base” town for dinner each evening.
Vence / St Paul de Vence is another great option if you wanted a charming inland village closer to Nice. I also recommend Antibes, Juans les Pins, Villefrance-sur-Mer and Menton as bases if you wanted to be coastal and close to the train line. Just note that Menton is on the other side of Monaco so it’s a bit farther out!
Hope that helps. Enjoy your visit to the French Riviera! It’s my favorite place 🙂
We are looking at visiting in May 2024. Le Club Mougins is part of our plans, is this worth our time? Also, if we stood for the week would we be able to visit other locations easily for day trips? Thanks
Hi Tom — I haven’t stayed at Le Club Mougins personally but I hear it is a nice and affordable option with apartment style lodging (great if you want to do some at home cooking!). I believe it’s also walkable into town but note that it will be an uphill walk on the way there.
Will you have a car? Mougins is just 10 minutes to Valbonne, 10-15 minutes to Cannes, 20 minutes to Antibes, and 15 minutes to Grasse by car. Mougins is not the most well-connected by public transportation (compared to Nice, Cannes, etc) but there are some buses and the nearest train station is Mouans-Sartoux. Uber is also available in the area.
Hope that helps! 🙂
What about Le Club Mougins
As far as a place to stay for a week.
I’ve heard their apartments are nice and affordable, also walkable into the old town! 👍🏻