Nelcy Mercier on Château de La Napoule: Love, Art, and Restoration

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.