Summary
The next town around the bay from Cannes is this enticing seaside haven situated beneath the San Peyre, an extinct volcano.
The coastline is rocky in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, at the juncture where the Massif d’Esterel, an unusual mountain range of red rock, descends towards the Mediterranean.
For an extraordinary drive, traverse the Corniche d’Or, which winds along the rugged coastline south of the town, in a rare wild area of the Côte d’Azur, completely free of resorts.
During late winter, the mountainsides of Mandelieu-la-Napoule radiate with the mimosa flower, cherished by the town and celebrated during a ten-day festival in February.
Let us explore the most remarkable activities in Mandelieu-la-Napoule:
1. Château de la Napoule
In 1918, the American artist and heir Henry Clews Jr. acquired what was then a dilapidated castle perched on a terrace by the sea.
The Château de la Napoule possesses a captivating history, involving corsairs and several Kings of France but had remained in ruin since the Revolution.
Clews undertook extensive restoration of the building and surrounding grounds, infusing much of his character into the renovations.
Quirky pieces of his sculptures are found at almost every turn, and the interior features galleries of his paintings.
The garden, characterized by its avenues, topiaries, cypress trees, and haunting remnants of the old château, is recognised as a French “jardin remarquable.”
2. San Peyre
A volcanic cone of red porphyry that rises sharply next to the town, San Peyre stands 131 meters tall and was formed by an eruption 250 million years ago.
The Phoenicians and Ancient Ligures utilized the summit as an observation point, later followed by the Romans who constructed a temple to Mercury at this location.
Today, as it has for thousands of years, San Peyre offers a sensational view of the Riviera upon scaling its worn stone path.
Oscar Wilde and Guy de Maupassant both sang its praises, and there is a lookout with a panel that identifies the vistas and plants you can observe from this vantage point.
3. Corniche d’Or
The coastal route from Mandelieu-la-Napoule to the town of Fréjus has a strong claim to being the most beautiful in the South of France.
Here, the Esterel Mountains meet the Mediterranean in a striking manner, and at sunset, the red volcanic stone appears to radiate light.
The terrain is so formidable and rocky that it was impossible to travel directly between Fréjus and Cannes by road until this route was constructed in 1904. As you meander alongside the coastline and under breathtaking cliffs, numerous spots allow for parking and reflection.
At the Calanque Saint-Barthélémy, you can follow a stairway down to a hidden beach.
4. Massif de l’Esterel
If you are an avid walker, observing the unique red rocks of the Esterel Massif from a distance may not suffice.
Fortunately, two long-distance hiking trails traverse the range: The GR49 and the GR51. While the landscapes are undeniably rugged and challenging, the climbs are manageable, and the highest peak in the range, Mont Vinaigre, stands just shy of 620 meters.
Interspersed among the exposed red porphyry are olive groves and forests featuring stone pines, cork oaks, and eucalyptus trees, imported from Australia and now thriving in the wild.
5. Mimosa Festival
Every February, the slopes of the Massif du Tanneron adjacent to the town are adorned with the vibrant yellow blossoms of the mimosa.
This plant, introduced from Australia in the 19th century, has led Mandelieu-la-Napoule to possess the largest mimosa forest in Europe.
The flower’s significance in local culture warranted the establishment of a festival in 1931.
The celebration lasts for ten days, with parades featuring floats decorated or constructed entirely from mimosa blossoms and accompanied by marching bands on the weekends.
A “Mimosa Queen” is appointed on the festival’s opening night to inaugurate the festivities.
6. Route du Mimosa
Mandelieu-la-Napoule represents just one destination on a 130-kilometer itinerary extending from Bormes-les-Mimosas to the perfume capital of Grasse.
This route is best experienced between January and March when the mimosa is in bloom, allowing visitors to explore seven additional towns and villages for delightful floral excursions.
Tanneron is the closest village on the route to Mandelieu-la-Napoule, comprising 22 charming mountain hamlets.
The mimosa flourishes naturally on these sunny slopes and is harvested every February for the perfume industry, which leads us to our next location.
7. Local Beaches
Mandelieu-la-Napoule features nine public beaches, each offering a quaint and inviting atmosphere.
The beaches to the south, such as Rague and Raguette, are located at the base of a rocky spur and can be accessed via a winding path through the rocks.
The largest of all is Plage de Robinson, situated at the mouth of the Siagne River.
This beach, an arc of golden sand framed by breakwaters, protects against offshore currents.
For those seeking comfort while relaxing by the sea, three private beaches in Mandelieu-la-Napoule offer rental of sun-loungers and parasols, each accompanied by a restaurant.
8. Pointe de l’Aiguille
At the headland just beyond neighbouring Théoule-sur-Mer, the unmistakable red Esterel slopes plunge into the sea.
This incredible coastline is preserved as a seven-hectare park, and with no marine traffic, the coves present excellent snorkelling opportunities.
You can swim to designated areas and spend a leisurely hour or two discovering the treasures of the seafloor.
For swimming, there is a traditional bay, complemented by a series of three coves around the headland, each bordered by towering red rock formations.
On the west side, the rock has been naturally sculpted into an arch.
9. Sea Excursions
From April to September, cruise companies in La Napoule Port offer a variety of excursions to entice visitors.
You can enjoy a full day at sea, observing dolphins and pausing for a leisurely lunch onboard.
The views of the Corniche d’Or, the coves, and the mountains are equally memorable from the sea. Additionally, excursions to popular tourist sites further afield are available, including a sail across the Golfe de Napoule to the Île Sainte-Marguerite, located off the coast of Cannes.
This island is historically known as the location where the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned in the 17th century.
10. Golf
Mandelieu-la-Napoule is home to the first golf course established on the Côte d’Azur.
The Old Course, which opened in 1891, is conveniently located a few steps from the sea behind Plage de Robinson and was designed by Harry Colt, renowned for creating over 300 courses across six continents during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the British tradition, it features long, straight fairways lined with thickets of stone pines.
Another century passed before the next club was inaugurated, with the Barbossi Riviera now offering two 18-hole courses and a nine-hole pitch & putt.
11. Grasse
The final stop along the Route du Mimosa is an enchanting olfactory paradise at any time of year.
Grasse is the primary destination for most of the mimosa grown industrially, destined for distillation into fragrances.
Exploring Grasse’s winding alleys and charming squares is delightful, accompanied by floral plantations for the perfume industry that you can tour on the outskirts of the city.
Moreover, a plethora of perfumeries, including renowned brands like Fragonard, Molinard, and Galimard, beckons visitors to learn about the art of perfumery and even create their own bespoke fragrance.
12. La Croisette
Even when the notable figures are absent, Cannes retains a certain mystique that everyone should experience at least once.
La Croisette encapsulates the essence of the city beautifully.
Along the shore, private beaches bustle with activity in summer, and the promenade is lined with every luxury brand imaginable.
Continuing along the promenade will eventually lead you to the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the venue for the Cannes Film Festival since 1982, where countless movie stars have been photographed on the iconic red staircase, and you can be too.
13. Le Suquet
Winding away from the marina is Rue Saint-Antoine, a tourist-friendly avenue lined with restaurants vying for your patronage.
However, if you take a staircase to the left and continue uphill, you will enter Cannes’ tranquil old quarter, once the residence of the city’s fishing community.
Your destination is the Place de la Castre, where a medieval castle, now a museum, and the 16th-century Church of Notre-Dame de l’Espérance await.
The square boasts a terrace where you can relax and reflect upon the views of the marina, the Palais des Festivals, and the Croisette.
14. Mougins
Ten minutes on the A8 will bring you to a charming perched village located just north of Cannes.
The journey is worthwhile, as you can leisurely explore the ancient streets that curve around the hilltop, flanked by houses adorned with bougainvillea.
Additionally, the Mougins Museum of Classical Art, opened in 2011, showcases a remarkable collection of antiquities and artworks previously stored away, curated by a British businessman.
The museum features Greek and Roman bronze and marble sculptures, as well as sarcophagi and funerary masks from Ancient Egypt.
Moreover, Levett’s art collection is extraordinary, featuring pieces by renowned artists such as Rodin, Rubens, Picasso, Cocteau, and Chagall.
15. Food and Drink
If you are in the mood for authentic Provençal cuisine, several specialities will likely feature prominently on menus at most local restaurants.
For starters, there is tapenade, a delightful spread made from black olives crushed with anchovies and capers, typically served with bread or vegetable sticks.
Bouillabaisse, a traditional seafood stew, incorporates fish like sea robin, monkfish, and red gurnard, which may seem unappealing when caught but possess dense, flavorful flesh, ideal for this dish.
The broth is infused with Provençal herbs and enjoyed alongside slices of crusty bread spread with aioli.
Other local delicacies worth trying include escargots or mussels prepared in a Provençal sauce, ratatouille, or simply grilled sardines.
