If you are a fan of sea or if you prefer nature, Mandelieu-La-Napoule is the place for all kinds of leisure activities, water sports, and excursions through the green hinterland. Situated on the Côte d’Azur, between Cannes and Saint Raphael, it nestles between the Massif de l’Esterel and the wooded slopes of Le Tanneron. Overlooking the sea, it’s opening on the gulf of La Napoule and faces the Islands of Lerins. The sea coast consists of accessible all the year beaches of sand and of creeks with red rocks shaped by the first slopes of l’Esterel along the famous Corniche d’Or.
Mandelieu-La-Napoule won the “nautical resort” label in 1987, because of the wide variety of water sports and leisure activities, and of the quality of its service-supplies. Yachting, water skiing, skin diving can be easily practiced. You can also go fishing, have a trip at sea and visit the islands of Lerins from the port without forgetting, of course, to enjoy the pleasures of the beach.
Fan of the nature, excursions on foot, horseback or mountain bike will take you along a lot of paths at the very heart of a natural and protected site, and especially the Massif du Tanneron, really spectacular in January and February with its forests of mimosa in full flower.
Mandelieu-La-Napoule is also the first golf resort in France, with two splendid golf courses, the plenty of mildness and charm Gold Old Course (a centenary club, opened in 1891), and the more technical Riviera Golf Club.
Finally, culture and gastronomy are naturally catered for at this historic city. The Chateau de La Napoule, old fortress, built in 1387 by the counts of Villeneuve, was bought back by the American artist and sculptor Henri Clewes, who rebuilt it and embellished it with magnificent gardens, you must absolutely see it as well as the art studio, home to the entire collection of works produced by Henri Clewes. The castle receives in July and August the “Nuits du Château”, a festival of drama, music and Ballets, that is, with the Mimosa Festival at the beginning of the year, the leading point of a full of festivities year.