The city of Mandelieu had several names. The Romans called it «Mantolvocus», «Mandolocas» or «Mandullocus». But it was not until the Middle Ages that the city acquired its present name. At that time, the town was owned by the lord of Esche, an educated and unselfish man. In 400, he gave free rein to his serfs and divided between them a large part of his land. In the 18th century, the Saracens completely destroyed the city. Only a few residents managed to escape, who returned to their homes in 1706 and rebuilt the village (at the site of today’s Kapitu district). In 1782, a bridge across the Xian was built. By the end of the 19th century, a cork factory opened in Terme, doubling the population.
The growth of the town’s prosperity was aided by the mimosa, imported from Australia and acclimatized by the famous Gulf-Juan horticulturist Gilbert Nabonard.
Mandelieu faces the sea via Napoule, located 7 km from Cannes. The castle of Napoule was built in 1390 by the Seigneur de Villeneuve. The castle rose on a rock and was destroyed by Raymond de Touraine’s army. All that remains of the castle are three massive square towers and parapets leading up to them. In 1919, the castle was reconstructed by American sculptor Henry Clews. Nowadays, the works of this sculptor are exhibited here. Napul has become a major tourist destination because of its white sand beaches and the possibility of winter bathing.
