The picturesque village of Mougins is located in the district of Grasse in the Alpes-Maritimes department of south east France. Situated just 15 minutes from Cannes, it has become one of the most sought-after locations on the Cote d’Azur, attracting many celebrities, artists and investors to the area.
A combination of ancient structures and 19th century houses, Mougins is described as a ‘living village’ as most of the buildings – medieval and modern – are still inhabited today.
Much of the centre of the old village dates back to the 11th century, from a time when Mougins was gifted to a group of Monks from Saint Honorat (an island just off the coast of Cannes) by the Count of Antibes. It remained a fortified village until the French Revolution in the 18th century, when many of the original ramparts were destroyed and replaced by narrow streets of houses.
During the 19th and 20th centuries the area became known as a centre for floral production, supplying the perfumeries of nearby Grasse with lavender, roses and jasmine.
And in modern times it has been the artists, actors and celebrities who have frequented the village that have really put the area on the map. The magnificent surrounding countryside and stunning colours of the Mediterranean have attracted luminaries including Winston Churchill, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Elizabeth Taylor.
Spanish artist Pablo Picasso lived in Mougins for the last 12 years of his life. Cited as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Picasso worked and resided in a small converted farmhouse at Notre-Dame-de-Vie, a small hilltop next to a chapel of the same name.
Mougins also has strong ties to gastronomy, with renowned chefs Roger Vergé and Alain Ducasse both having managed restaurants in the village. Denis Fetisson, former winner of the Jacquart Trophy for the Rising Star in Gastronomy, manages two eateries in Mougins, and the village is home to the International Gastronomy Festival of Mougins, which takes place every September.
With so much to offer, it comes as little surprise that properties in the village are in high demand. This stone house, situated in a gated domain, offers panoramic views of both the surrounding countryside and the sea. The €2.45million villa features a large reception room, six bedrooms, a heated swimming pool and a pool house.
A luxurious family property situated among beautiful landscaped gardens can be purchased for just under €10 million. This spacious house boasts a heated double swimming pool, a summer kitchen with a shaded terrace, a sauna and a full size tennis court. It also offers seven bedrooms and a guest apartment.
Found in the heart of the village, this exceptional property is made entirely of stone. Recently renovated by a famous architect, the estate features a seven-bedroomed master house, a friend’s house and an independent guest apartment. A fully landscaped garden with olive trees and Mediterranean plants, spectacular views of the sea, a heated pool and a wine cellar are just some of the advantages of investing in this €19.5 million house.
