The picturesque outline of the ancient military fortress of Mougins can be seen at an altitude of 245 m between Cannes and Grasse. At the beginning of its history, Mougins was a Ligurian village, then it was conquered by the Normans. There is much debate on the origin of the name of the town. Some historians derive it from «Mons Aighitnae», others from «Mons Geminus». Mougins belonged to the Abbey of Lerens and played an important role in the Middle Ages. From the glorious period of its history, the defensive walls and gates of the 15th century have been preserved.
The main monument of the town is the parish church, the construction of which began in the 11th century. The church bell tower offers a magnificent panorama, stretching from Esterel to the Lerens Islands and the spurs of the Alps. In St. Anne’s Square (St. Anne), a monument is erected in honor of «Commander Lamy,» a glorious son of the city who gave his life on the banks of the Chari in 1900.
The Chapel of Our Lady Giving Life (Notre-Dame-de-Vie) is located in the center of the city. The ancient altar, built in the 12th century, surrounded by cypress trees, served as a place of worship for the monks of Saint-Honor. In the Middle Ages, the altar of Our Lady was one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Provence.
Mougins is a major tourist center, but the city has managed to maintain its original appearance, a quiet rhythm of life, beautiful houses in the style of Provencal architecture and lush parks, terraced down the hillside. Several prestigious gastronomic establishments make the town even more attractive to tourists.
