Château-Musée Grimaldi
14th-century fortified castle in Haut-de-Cagnes, now a municipal museum housing the Musée de l'Olivier, the Donation Solidor and Baroque painted ceilings.
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About the museum
The castle was built around 1300 by Rainier Grimaldi, lord of Cagnes and Admiral of France, as a watchtower and defensive stronghold. For two centuries it endured sieges and assaults.
Around 1620, Baron Jean-Henri Grimaldi converted it into a stately residence combining the comfort and splendor of a palace. From this period date the monumental double-flight staircase, the marble doorway topped by a balcony of honor and the large windows that replaced the arrow slits.
The town of Cagnes-sur-Mer acquired the castle in 1937. It became a municipal museum in 1946 and was listed as a historic monument in 1948. Today it houses the Musée de l'Olivier, devoted to this Mediterranean emblem and its traditions; the Donation Solidor, which brings together some forty portraits of cabaret singer Suzy Solidor painted by leading artists; and Baroque painted ceilings. The castle also hosts contemporary art exhibitions and concerts.
Highlights
- Musée de l'Olivier, ethnographic collection on the Mediterranean olive tree
- Donation Solidor: some forty portraits of Suzy Solidor by Foujita, Kisling, Laurencin, Lempicka, Picabia and Van Dongen
- Baroque painted ceilings
- Monumental double-flight staircase and 17th-century marble doorway
- Medieval village of Haut-de-Cagnes
Permanent exhibitions
- Musée de l'Olivier – Ethnographic collection devoted to the olive tree, a Mediterranean emblem, and its traditions.
- Donation Solidor – Some forty portraits of cabaret singer Suzy Solidor, painted by artists such as Foujita, Kisling, Laurencin, Lempicka, Picabia and Van Dongen.
- Founded
- 1946
- Operated by
- Ville de Cagnes-sur-Mer
- Visitors per year
- approx. 39,909
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 25 · Free admission for visitors under 26. |
| Combined ticket Château-Musée Grimaldi and Musée Renoir (same day) | €8 |
| Guided tour (in addition to museum admission) | €3Surcharge of €3 for the tour; museum admission costs an additional €4. |
| Children's workshop for families (per child) | €5By reservation. |
Free admission: Free for residents of Cagnes-sur-Mer and, according to the tourist office, on the first Sunday of the month.
Visitors under 26 and residents of Cagnes-sur-Mer: free. Payment by cash (euros), bank card or bank cheque payable in France. Accepted passes: Pass Côte d'Azur France, French Riviera Pass and Pass Culture.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 25 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Art discovery activities for children and their families, linked to the history of the castle, the Musée de l'Olivier and the temporary exhibitions. For ages 0 to 10, the activity takes place with at least one parent (1 hour 30 minutes). During school holidays (zone B), a workshop takes place on Mondays from 14:30 to 16:00 for ages 5 to 10. Reservation required: ateliers.musees@cagnes.fr, 04 89 22 40 77. School visits by reservation.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Gare routière du centre-ville (départ de la navette n°44)
Free shuttle no. 44 from the town-center bus station, every 15 minutes, 7 days a week, from 07:00 to 00:30.
By car
Free parking
Limited free parking on site; free car parks nearby.
Via the A8 motorway, exits 47/48 Cagnes-sur-Mer, then towards the town center. The museum is located in Haut-de-Cagnes, place du Château.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours of the castle: October to May on Wednesdays and Sundays at 11:00; June to September on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00. Meeting point at the castle entrance. Guided tours of the medieval village of Haut-de-Cagnes take place on certain days, sometimes by reservation at reservations.musees@cagnes.fr (minimum 2 people). |
