The hilltop village of Mougins was once more popular than Cannes and served as a Roman staging post for the Via Aurelia; evidence is recorded in old Roman tombstones displayed in the town’s Musée Municipal. Today, the Roman influence has slipped into the pages of history books but step inside the Porte Sarrazine – the last intact gateway in the medieval village fortifications – and you’ll discover a picturesque village that still retains lots of appeal.
An attractive town that name drops Yves Saint Laurent, Catherine Deneuve and Picasso as past residents, Mougins is pleasantly Provençal with streets that curl around in a spiral layout showcasing cosy art galleries, street sculptures, restored houses carpeted in jasmine and enough renowned restaurants to pack a gastronomic punch for diners that come from near and far.