THE CHÂNAPOULE TEA
An unmissable heritage site on the French Riviera.
It is the emblem of Mandelieu. Nestled against the hill of Mont San Peyre and with its feet in the water, it is the heart of the La Napoule district; unmissable for its remarkable garden and this building in the colours of the Estérel.
Discovered by the Romans, it was during the medieval period that the Villeneuve family erected a fortress on the site, which was destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history. It wasn't until 1918 that an American couple of artists and patrons – the Clews – acquired the ruins of the fortress and decided to rebuild it.
A little bit of history… “Once upon a time”… There was a love story between the Clews and the ruins of a castle, the Château de La Napoule. After the Great War, seeking a haven of peace, Henry and Marie Clews decided to settle on the French Riviera and fell under the spell of La Napoule. They embarked on the reconstruction of the castle, with porphyry columns and capitals sculpted with fantastical figures, straight from the imagination of its restorer, Henry Clews, an American painter and sculptor. Each visit is thus an adventure through time, art, and mystery.
The Château, today… The Château de La Napoule houses and preserves the cultural and historical legacy of Henry and Marie Clews. At the same time, the La Napoule Art Foundation, owner of the château, hosts international artists. Each year, around sixty established and emerging artists from around the world are selected to participate in the Château de La Napoule's artist residencies.
The Henry Clews Museum , meanwhile, is a showcase of the secret world of Henry and Marie Clews. Henry Clews's mystical and strange sculptures blend wonderfully with the building and gardens, adding their touch of the bizarre to the place.
Timetable and prices : 04.93.49.95.05 / message@chateau-lanapoule.com
LE AGECROFT CASTLE
Secret address: Primarily reserved for the Works Council, however it is possible to have lunch or a drink at the restaurant located in the castle while enjoying a view overlooking the sea!
A bit of history… In 1918, Agecroft Castle was built by an English aristocrat, Harry Leland de Langley, using red porphyry from the Estérel region, on land overlooking the sea. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the castle was sold to the Nord-Pas-de-Calais coal mining company, which renovated it into a holiday center for its coal miners. This shared history with the miners forever links Mandelieu to the Hauts-de-France region, and it is often referred to as the Miners' Castle. Today, it still welcomes holidaymakers referred by various company works councils. Now a listed building, it is surrounded by a 14-hectare estate and boasts breathtaking views of the Mediterranean on all sides.
