Cagnes-sur-Mer: The Chill Riviera Town Near Nice Everyone Overlooks

Cagnes-sur-Mer: The Chill Riviera Town Near Nice Everyone Overlooks

[Music] Can your one of those underrated towns on the French Riviera that you probably pass without even realizing it, which to be honest, we’ve mostly done too, but unfairly so. Because this little place actually has so many sides to it and so much charm that it might just surprise you. So come along as we take a proper look at Kenya. From its easygoing seaside promot to the medieval lanes wrapped around the hilltop chateau all the way up to Renoir’s peaceful home and gardens. But where exactly is Canare? Well, it’s pretty much right between Nissan on about 10 km from each city center. So you can even get there easily by bike. Today we’re taking you to the two main areas of Kenya. Kanya, the seaside part, and Kenya, the historic old town. They’re about 2 kilometers apart, and you can walk, drive, grab a ride share, or hop on a bus to get from one to the other. Oh, and before we dive in, if you want to stay in touch or even chat with us directly, why not join our Riviera Go memberships? The entry-level membership, Cafe Creme Crew, for example, let you vote on what we shoot next. All right, let’s go see why Kanya deserves a spot on your Riviera list. It’s just after 10:00 on a sunny November morning and Anna and I thought we’d start by taking you to Kanya to soak up a bit of sun. There’s this tiny little port at the very eastern end of the promad brow. On one side, you’ve got the local sailing school sitting right on the Ply beach that’ll probably remind you of Nice. [Music] And the actual port just next to the sailing school is where the fishermen bring in their daily catch, fix their nets, and fuss over their boats after an early morning out at sea. [Music] And well, if this makes you think fresh fish, you’re absolutely right. Just across from the port at the Alopon, you can buy whatever ended up in the fisherman’s nets that day. Every morning all year round except Mondays. And if you don’t feel like cooking, come by on a weekend or a bank holiday. From 11 to 1:30, you can try their freshly fried fish with homemade panise, a proven style specialty made from chickpea flour. Kind of the local version of British fish and chips. We definitely want to come back and try that. Meanwhile, we’re ready for a quick light breakfast. And literally just a few steps further west along the long stretch of Braumna that’s one of Kanye’s best features, we stumble upon this cute little beach shack called Bur. They’ve got pretty much everything you could want from breakfast to lunch. Every day from 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. except Tuesdays or when the weather’s really bad, as Jean Kristoff, the owner who opened the place with his wife just last year, tells us. For lunch, they serve fresh fish straight from the port, which definitely sounds tempting, but it’s a bit early for us today, so we go for coffee and pastries instead. God, it’s so nice and warm in the sun. We could honestly stay here forever. And it’s so fun just people watching. Some are even swimming. That big building behind them is Marina Biz, by the way. The one you always spot when you’re flying in or out of Nice. Others are out on the water, too, with or without an engine. And it’s absolutely the perfect time of year to just relax on the beach. So, yeah, we would have loved to stay a little longer, but there’s so much more to see. Time to stroll along the promad. [Music] [Applause] [Music] There are 3 and 1/2 kilm of this paved stretch. And if you don’t feel like walking, you can always rent a bike instead and even cycle all the way to Alte or N like we mentioned earlier. Gans is such a great base for bike rides along the coast. What really makes this town stand out compared to some of its neighbors is its local vibe and the much slower pace compared to N or K. And as you’ve probably guessed by now, it has a great seafood scene around Kanya, which used to be a fisherman’s village. And then there’s ice cream, of course. Let’s go and see Patrick. We used to come and get ice cream here when the kids were younger. Patrick makes some of the best ice cream you can find on the good desert. Don’t believe us? Well, go and try it for yourself. Now follow us on a quick little detour to a parallel road just a few steps inland. the Al Vaf Fluri, which literally means alley of flowered villas. As you could probably tell, these cute little houses were built for fishermen back in 1928. One of the residents told us, “It’s really sweet how everyone living here today has added their own personal touch and decorations. [Music] Also, take a bit of time to wander around this neighborhood just behind the yellow chapel you saw earlier. It’s so calm and peaceful with colorful houses and flowers everywhere and locals soaking up the sun. Well, at least in November, it’s mostly the locals. [Music] All right, let’s head over to the very western end of Kenya’s prom, just across from the hippodromeome. This is where there is even more space for all kinds of sports. And if ever you come to the Kortaz with your dog over there is a beach for dogs, one of the very few ones that are around here. [Music] And if you’d rather take things slow, we’ve got just the thing for you. We grabbed the rick shaw from Rosalas right on the promat and went for a fun little ride. I like it. [Music] They’ve got quite a big fleet of these cute vehicles and they’re super easy to paddle along the seafront. Definitely something we can recommend. And if you’re into this kind of ride, just saying over in San Ramo across the border, you can go for kilometers and kilome on one of these. Anna and I actually did that last year. But for now, it’s time for our next stop. We’re heading up to the old town hidden just behind those trees. And isn’t it just stunning with the ancient chat dating back to the 1300s overlooking it all. So let’s go explore. Be prepared to climb a little though. There’s no driving once you’ve passed through the gate in the old city wall. We entered through the port which is at the back of the old town coming up from the sea. From here you get these magnificent views of the hinterland. the prealb gently rising until they become the real elves not far from here. Once you’re inside the maze of steep, winding medieval streets, just go with the flow. Take your time, look out for the little details, and enjoy the unexpected views that suddenly open up around the corners. It’s just so so pretty up here. [Music] Now we’re reaching the highest part of the old town, the square right next to the chateau called Surprise Plastic Chateau. It’s mostly in the shade now, and it’s not even 3:30 in the afternoon. But hey, it’s November. still warm enough to sit outside, play around a bit and take in those views one more time. This square is perfect for breakfast or dinner in summer and for lunch or a quick coffee in the cooler months. And if you feel like stepping inside the chateau, go for it. It now belongs to the town and houses an olive museum, portraits of French singer Suzie Solidor, and these beautifully painted Barack ceilings. We keep wandering a bit further and finally end up at that picture perfect spot you’ve probably seen on postcards and everywhere else. That’s it for the old town. And before we take you to our final stop, here’s a quick insider tip. If you’re in the mood for some shopping, the two best malls on the Kotazour are right here. One in Canor and the other one in the neighboring town of San Lauron. Now, let’s meet Renoir, or rather explore the beautiful estate where he spent the last 12 years of his life. He settled here at Leolet in 1907 in a charming house he had built for his family. Since 1960, it’s been open to the public as a museum. Pierro Gustra Noir, of course, was one of the most famous impressionist painters of all time. Born in 1841 in central France, he became known for his vibrant use of color and his love for capturing everyday life and joyful moments, often painting people, landscapes, and gardens just like this one. And wow, Runa’s garden is stunning. Rows and rows of ancient olive trees, few tall cypresses, and little daisies everywhere. Anna and I couldn’t get enough of the views. Looking west, you catch glimpses of the old town. And to the south, the deep blue sea stretches all the way to the horizon. Absolutely breathtaking. [Music] Then there’s his workshop, an exact replica rebuilt a few years ago. Stepping inside, you can almost picture Renoir at work, fresh in hand, capturing light and color, just as you did over a century ago. There’s also a small interactive exhibition inside, which makes it even more fun to explore. And the main house, yeah, we’ll have to come back for that one. They were closing just as we wanted to enter. From what we’ve heard, it’s full of personal touches and makes you feel like you’re stepping right into Gunar’s life with his furniture, painting tools, and of course, several original works by the master himself. By the way, every Sunday at 2 p.m. there’s a guided tour in English, and the museum is open every day except Tuesday. And that’s a wrap for our day in Canor. If you enjoyed this video, give it a like and subscribe for more Corture adventures. We’ve got lots more coming. And if you’d like to keep exploring with us, just click on one of the videos on your screen. See you there.

Discover Cagnes-sur-Mer — one of the Côte d’Azur’s most authentic yet underrated seaside towns! From the pebble beaches of Cros-de-Cagnes to the hilltop charm of Haut-de-Cagnes and Renoir’s stunning estate, this French Riviera gem has it all.

In this video, we’re taking you through the town’s three faces: the laid-back seaside, the medieval old town, and the peaceful Renoir Museum surrounded by olive trees. You’ll see where to walk, what to visit, and why Cagnes deserves a spot on your Riviera itinerary.

If you love exploring hidden gems on the French Riviera, hit subscribe — we post new videos (almost) every week!

⏱️⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️⏱️
00:00 Intro
01:20 Cros-de-Cagnes – Seaside Start
07:29 Haut-de-Cagnes – Up the Hill
09:43 Renoir Museum – The Painter’s World

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