Grimaldi-Castle Museum, Medieval fortress museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France
The Grimaldi-Castle Museum sits within a medieval fortress perched on a hilltop with views of the Mediterranean Sea visible from the observation tower. Inside, the museum contains various exhibition spaces featuring art collections and displays related to regional history and traditions.
The fortress was built around 1300 by Rainier Grimaldi as a defensive structure to protect the coastal region. In the 17th century, Baron Jean-Henri Grimaldi transformed the building into a residential palace, fundamentally changing its purpose.
The collection displays 40 portraits of French singer Suzy Solidor created by renowned 20th-century artists including Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso. These works offer visitors today insight into how different artists responded to this performer through their own creative vision.
The museum is best reached by the free shuttle bus running regularly from downtown, making access straightforward for visitors. Comfortable shoes are recommended since the climb to the hilltop location is fairly steep.
The museum houses an ethnographic exhibition about olive trees and oil production that reflects agricultural traditions central to southern coastal life. This collection documents an economic activity that has shaped the region for centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
