What to see in the Côte d'Azur and Provence, Mougins and Vence two very beautiful places that are a few kilometers away from each other and just waiting to be discovered.
During a long spring weekend I took the opportunity to visit the Côte d'Azur and Provence, of which I fell a little in love. In this case I want to talk to you in particular about two small and beautiful villages that are immersed in this pleasant territory: Mougins e Vence.
This is a tour that you can do in a couple of days, or even in one day if you want. A trip out of town that you absolutely must do if you are on the French Riviera. These are two locations that are approx 30km from each other, then about 45 minutes by car, a pleasant journey through the roads immersed in the woods of Provence and in the hinterland of the French Riviera.
Vence is a small French commune located in the Region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. It has fewer than 20.000 inhabitants and is located just north of, perhaps more famous, Saint-Paul de Vence. It is a small and charming village which for me represents Provence in its most original and less touristy essence. The town has a small historic center that can be toured at most in a couple of hours. The squares have beautiful views, the typically Provencal shops and shops are always open and the market in Place du Grand Jardin it smells of flowers and fruit.
But there is no lack of art in Vence, in fact it is there Chapelle du Rosaire, designed and decorated by Henri Matisse between 1949 and 1951, when he lived and stayed in these places. Matisse painted the chapel in ceramic and stained glass to thank the Dominican nuns who welcomed him in those years.
Also in 1979 Marc Chagall I make the mosaic of Moses which is located in the Romanesque cathedral in Place Clémenceau.
If you want to taste something simple but unique, go to Breton Creperie. It is a small and very friendly place, with a few blue tables outside, perfect for spring days. Obviously, here you will find crepes in all their salty and sweet variations. I recommend you try the spearhead of the menu, a giant buckwheat crepes with fabulous scallops on top. Try it.
A large thirteenth-century wall door will allow you to enter and exit the village, surrounded by the walls and a watchtower. Once inside the walls you will immediately breathe that romantically Provençal area that these places can create.
Mougins it is less than an hour away and is a truly incredible place, a blend of Provençal spirit and a love for contemporary art.
You will never stop wandering around this small village so beautiful are its winding alleys and so many surprises they hide.
From the top of its position the city of Mougins dominates the surrounding area up to Bay of Cannes.
The center of this town is waiting to be discovered, including gourmet restaurants, delicious vintage shops and many interesting contemporary art galleries. The works of art are everywhere, around every corner and in every square, it is easy to imagine how Mougins was and still is a favorite destination for many artists who come here to seek their inspiration.
It should be remembered that Pablo Picasso died right here, for a heart attack in 1973 and spent the last 15 years of his life here.
Piccasso, during his first visit to Mougins, stayed at theVaste Horizon hotel and the story goes that it was here that one night, an unknown painter at the time, during an attack of creativity, the artist painted all the walls of the room, making the owner resent, who forced him to repaint everything white.
In Mougins you will breathe everywhere the art that pervades it and the history of art that has passed through here.
