Villa Aramis

Within walking distance to the lovely Côte d'Azur village of Mougins, Villa Aramis enjoys a wonderful location for exploring the very best of nearby Cannes and the French Riviera.

The villa is set within a gated domaine of just three other villas. Wander out of your holiday home and within a couple of minutes you will reach a number of useful amenities including a bank, butchers, pharmacy, a local restaurant as well as a boulangerie with a great selection of bread and croissants to take back for breakfast on your terrace.

Continue up the hill and you can walk up to the historic village of Mougins in around 20 minutes (or it’s a short drive). Stroll around its flower filled winding lanes, gasp at glorious views and discover why the village inspired so many great artists, including Picasso who spent the last years of his life here. The village hosts the International Gastronomy Festival every September and, with a fine reputation for gastronomy, throughout the year food-lovers head to Mougins to dine in its excellent restaurants or attend cookery school. The village is also home to little art galleries, pretty shops and the impressive Museum of Classical Art.

Heading south, Cannes is just 8km by car. Experience the glamour of one of France’s most famous boulevards, La Croisette, relax in a beachside bar overlooking the bay, partake in a great range of watersports or perhaps take a boat excursion out to admire the coastal scenery. Cannes’ old quarter, Le Suquet, is a joy to explore with its charming fishermen cottages and steep lanes whilst the atmospheric market, Marché Forville, is a great place to pick up all sorts of regional delights.

Antibes (16km) is another wonderful town with an enchanting old quarter, super-yacht marina and amazing coastal walks along its peninsular, Cap d'Antibes. Then there’s Juan-les-Pins, known for its brilliant beaches, watersports and vibrant cafes and restaurants.

Whilst Nice (30km) and Monaco (55km) are other fine days out, there is also so much of the Côte d'Azur hinterland to explore. It’s such a superb area for walking, especially in the nearby Valmasque forests and around the tranquil Etang de Fontmerle. There is another popular walking trail between Valbonne and Biot along the Brague river valley.

Don’t miss the Friday morning market in the historic town of Valbonne (8km), followed by lunch in one of the many pleasant terrace cafes. Grasse (14km), the perfume capital of France, is another gorgeous place to visit, as are the idyllic villages of Opio (10km) and Biot (14km).

Further inland, the scenery is even more spectacular as you drive towards Gourdon (20km) and the waterfalls north of Le Bar-sur-Loup. Look out for locals swimming in rock pools and keen hikers taking in the magnificent landscapes of this incredible region. 

Read more about Cannes

Despite being renowned for its annual international film festival in May at the iconic Palais des Festivals, Cannes is not just a glamourous destination for the rich and famous. The attractive Côte d’Azur town is loved all year round for its palm-fringed beaches, upmarket shopping opportunities and wonderful restaurants as well as a certain French Riviera charm.

Stroll along Cannes’ iconic La Croisette boulevard following the footsteps of stars from years gone by as you admire prestigious hotels, luxurious boutiques and private beach clubs. Stop off for a cocktail as the sun sets and admire the twinkling lights across the bay. Even at night, La Croisette remains the vibrant heart of this bustling town.

Shop to your heart’s delight along the streets of the Carré d’Or district – come across hundreds of well-known stores along Rue d’Antibes. At the end of a busy day there’s a vast choice of restaurants to suit every taste and budget from authentic bistros spilling out on to the street to Michelin starred establishments.

Soak up the historic side of Cannes as you explore Le Suquet quarter’s medieval lanes passing little shops, atmospheric restaurants, flower-filled balconies and old fishermen’s houses. Climb to the top of the hill by Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance for stunning views of the harbour, followed by a visit to Château de la Castre and its popular museum. This part of Cannes is also home to the colourful Marché Forville showcasing the very best gourmet delights of Cannes and beyond.  

Escape the crowds as you venture to Croix Des Gardes natural park with forest walking routes, botanical plants and glorious views across to the Lérins Islands. Look out for some fantastic boat trips from Cannes’ marina from whale and dolphin-watching excursions to family adventures on board a chartered yacht, sight-seeing ferries and romantic sun-set cruises.  

Beyond the city centre, visit the ceramic studios and National Picasso Museum in Vallauris, follow Picasso’s footsteps in the enchanting hilltop village of Mougins (loved for its galleries and gastronomy) and appreciate the artistic vibe of Biot with beautiful views of the French Riviera. Chic Juan-les-Pins, so loved by Parisians in the summer, is home to beachside restaurants and more watersports whilst keen walkers will adore the incredible coastal trail around Cap d’Antibes.

In the other direction is the charming seaside village of Théoule-sur-Mer, backed by the dramatic Esterel massif, another paradise for hikers. By staying in one of our collection of handpicked rentals in Cannes you can experience all of this and more during your time on the glistening Côte d’Azur.