Walk in the heart of the old village

Place du Commandant Lamy

From the Lavoir, head for the fountain that has stood at the intersection of Victoire and Commandant Lamy avenues since 1894. On your left, you’ll notice the “Au Rendez-vous de Mougins” restaurant, formerly the Hôtel de France. On the second floor, it houses a vaulted room that served as a courtroom in the 15th century, in accordance with the 1438 Charter stipulating that Mougins residents would be judges in their own commune.
Opposite, the former post office, built over the cistern and outbuildings of an oil mill, adjoins the “Le Bistrot” restaurant.

Place du lieutenant Isnard

Formerly known as “Place des Peyroues”, this was where the stills for distilling “aîgue Ardent” were set up. One of the village’s two fountains and a drinking trough for horses were located here. At no. 26, magnificent paintings dating from 1510 were recently discovered (frescoes depicting the White Penitents). To your right, rue de la glissade. Let yourself be tempted…

Vaste Horizon hotel

It was in this former hotel, one fine morning in 1936, that Picasso set down his suitcases and first fell in love with Mougins. He took Paul Eluard, Jean Cocteau, Man Ray and Rosemonde Gérard with him, and together, against the beauty of the Lérins islands, they created a future filled with new modes of expression. The story goes that one night, when the genius took hold of him, Picasso painted the entire walls of his bedroom. Alas, the artist was unrecognized, and the disgruntled hotel owner forced him to make amends.

Rue du Colonel Roustan

In the Middle Ages, it was the end of the road coming from Grasse and passing by the old fountain. It was named after “Colonel Roustan”, a Mougin hero who lived in the “Santa Lucia” villa. The house was also home to Roland Petit, Zizi Jeanmaire, Yves Saint Laurent and Paul Anka… On the way up, you’ll pass along the remains of the old ramparts and covered walkway, to arrive at Place des Mûriers.

The Sarrazine Gate

The parish church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur

The sacristy dates to the 11th century. The church was enlarged in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the bell tower was raised. The church features gilded cardboard statues of St. Joseph and St. Mary by the 18th-century Ecole de Grasse, and a 15th-century crucifix. The stoup and baptismal font date from the 18th century. The altar stone in the choir was cut in the 11th century. Outside the church, take a few steps back and enter Rue des Lombards.

Rue des Lombards

On your right, you’ll see the entrance and main courtyard of the Maison Abbatiale des Abbés de Lérins. Jacques Brel is said to have stayed at n°71 while taking his pilot’s license. Finally, take rue Honoré Henry back to the starting point.

Place des Patriotes

The Lavoir, built in 1894, was used by tenacious washerwomen until the 1970s. It hosts exhibitions all year round and a Provencal crib in December. Opposite, the Boutique du Maréchal Ferrant and the former municipal abattoirs on the ramparts have been transformed into an art gallery and bar, whose vaulted room is well worth a visit. The square itself was built on the former Sainte-Anne cemetery. The chapel of the same name, which stood opposite the “L’Amandier” restaurant, has unfortunately been destroyed.