Château Grimaldi

Cagnes sur Mer is on the waterfront, a port town struggling to resemble the other coastal centers. Haut de Cagnes, however, is an old section located on the hill, with an abundance of charm and character. Follow narrow, steep, cobbled streets to the heart of the old village. Opt for the underground parking just on the approach to the village crest—you might find space on the street, but it takes a brave soul to negotiate a spot, and unless you find a generous section, the streets are so narrow, it’s never certain that there is enough room left for passing vehicles.

The most visited site in Haut de Cagnes, the Château Grimaldi was originally built as a fortress in 1309, commissioned by Raynier Grimaldi, Lord of Monaco and Admiral of France. A citadel was built a year later and then, in the 17th century, Henri Grimaldi had the citadel refurbished into very spacious accommodations. His descendent, Gaspard Grimaldi, was forced to abandon the castle at the time of the French Revolution. During the reign of the Grimaldis, the residents within the walls of this medieval enclave prospered by cultivating wheat, wine, and olives. Mules were used to haul the bounty of produce from the neighboring hillsides and a wealth of seafood from the coast.