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Join Nelcy Mercier at the Centre d’art de Mougins for an intimate, one-hour exploration of Château de La Napoule — Marie Clews' bold restoration and the art foundation she founded in 1951. Tickets are limited; book online to secure your seat and enjoy the post-talk reception.
Join Nelcy Mercier at the Centre d’art de Mougins for an intimate, one-hour exploration of Château de La Napoule — Marie Clews' bold restoration and the art foundation she founded in 1951. Tickets are limited; book online to secure your seat and enjoy the post-talk reception.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by FAMM · Mougins, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
On the Riviera's quieter side, Mougins hosts an evening that peels back the layers of a very particular coastal landmark — Château de La Napoule, the stone fortress turned artists' refuge overlooking the Mediterranean. This talk, hosted at the Centre d’art de Mougins — Salle des mariages (rez-de-chaussée) on Wednesday 24 June 2026 at 18h30, brings Nelcy Mercier, directrice de la Fondation Château de La Napoule, to tell the story of Marie Clews and the restoration that shaped the castle’s modern life.
The Château de La Napoule sits on rocky headlands facing the sea; its crenellated walls, formal gardens, and Henry Clews’ sculptures register as a collision of Anglo-American imagination and Provençal coast. Visitors encounter sculpted stone figures, terraced plantings and panoramic views of the Méditerranée. Marie Clews’ decision to found La Napoule Art Foundation in 1951 converted a private restoration into an international artist residency; the site continues to host creators and exhibitions, anchoring the local cultural circuit.
The conference format is straightforward: a one-hour talk in French, followed by "un verre de l’amitié" — a chance to meet the speaker and other attendees. Tickets are priced at 10 € (8 € for Amis du musée). Seating is limited (group size 40) and booking online is required; cancellations are accepted up to 48 hours prior. The meeting point listed is Place du commandant Lamy. The program is family-friendly (minimum age 7) and accessible to anyone curious about conservation, sculpture and the social life of a restored castle.
Why this evening matters: Château de La Napoule is more than a picture on a postcard. Its stonework and gardens are physical records of two lives — Henry Clews, the American sculptor, and Marie Clews, who preserved and amplified that artistic vision. Hearing the director of the foundation in Mougins situates that story within the contemporary art world, revealing how a coastal ruin became an international laboratory for artists.
Practical notes: arrive early for parking and café options in central Mougins; bring cash or card for admission; basic French will enhance the experience, though the talk’s themes are visual and immediate. Whether you’re an art pilgrim, history enthusiast, or traveler mapping the Cannes-Mougins cultural circuit, this one-hour conversation is a compact, richly local way to connect with the castle and its living legacy.
From Cannes or Nice it’s an easy 20–30 minute drive; public buses connect Mougins to the coast but check schedules for evening services. The event’s French-language focus makes it ideal for francophones and for visitors who enjoy translation-free cultural deep dives; non-French speakers report learning from the visual material and the post-talk mingling. Photography is welcome at the Château outside the museum hours, but interior access follows foundation guidelines.
easy.
1 hour.
Minimal; able to stand or sit through a one-hour indoor lecture and socialize afterward
The conference is in French (conférence en français) with a visual focus; some non-French speakers still follow the presentation and the post-talk reception for questions.
Reservation is obligatoire en ligne via the provided referral link; pay the admission fee at booking.
Tarif général: 10€; Amis du musée: 8€.
The minimum age is 7; the content and venue are family-friendly.
The meeting point listed is Place du commandant Lamy; the event itself takes place at Centre d’art de Mougins – Salle des mariages (rez-de-chaussée).
Annulation possible jusqu’à 48h avant l’événement; check your booking confirmation for details.
Marie Clews and Henry Clews restored the ruined Château de La Napoule; Marie founded La Napoule Art Foundation in 1951 to open the site to artists worldwide.
Supporting the foundation helps maintain conservation and artist residency programs; visitors should follow site rules, stay on paths, and respect sculptures and plantings.
FAMM is a museum in Mougins, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, presenting four floors of art from Impressionism to the present. The museum highlights the perspectives and talents of female artists through thematic and chronological displays that support focused learning and discovery. Visitors can book individual visits to explore the collection independently; note that no bags are allowed for security. Group options include guided tours offered in multiple languages with a maximum of 15 participants, and autonomous visits with a personal guide limited to 10 participants—reservations are required online in advance. These small-group formats create intimate viewing conditions suited to schools, community groups, and visitors seeking close engagement with the works. Educational programs include Atelier Jeune Public: Action ! Expression !, a sensory mini tour paired with a free-form workshop and group sharing that introduces abstract expressionism through play and color. Special events such as the Journées Européennes du (P)Matrimoine 2025 feature guided tours focused on women architects and the museum's architectural context, often paired with a creative workshop. FAMM’s combination of chronological collections, themed exhibitions, multilingual guided experiences, and hands-on workshops provides a clear, credible offering for learners and art lovers. Reservations, language options, and explicit group size limits help set visitor expectations. The museum’s location in Mougins places it within the cultural region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, making it accessible to regional visitors and tourists. Details on schedules, language availability and workshop content are provided when making advance online reservations to ensure a tailored visit for schools and private groups as needed.
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