Picasso and Mougins

Picasso's ceramic plates

The Picasso Museum in Antibes is housed in the Chateau Grimaldi which in 1608 became a stronghold of the Grimaldi family.  In modern times it was the town hall and a museum.  In 1946 Picasso, who lived in Mougins, was invited to work in a studio space at the museum. Many of the pieces that he created here were donated to the museum which became the Picasso Museum.  Jacqueline Picasso donated additional works in 1990, raising the total to 245. The interior is entirely modern while the exterior remains original. We stopped by the busy covered market as we returned to our hotel and then departed.  

Our first stop was the local Villa Thuret Botanical Garden.  In 1857 botanist Gustave Thuret bought 5 acres and started a garden of plants from the various "Mediterranean" climate areas of the world. The estate eventually passed to the state.  We were the only visitors and roamed for an hour, enjoying the shade and well-labeled trees, recognizing many since southern California is one of five such climate areas.

Leda and the Swan:  Lalique and ancient Greece

Having read of the Mougins Museum of Classical Art in our Lonely Planet, we decided to spend the afternoon in that hilltop town 20km north of Cannes.  The museum was founded in 2011 by British businessman and collector Chris Levett, whose collections of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian antiquities are supplemented by more modern works that reflect classical influence. This juxtaposition of ancient and modern encourages the visitor to consider this influence. We walked the charming town which was generally devoid of tourists.  

Next on the long list of today's attractions was the nearby Jardin du MIP which is run by the Grasse Perfume Museum (which we sadly will have to miss on this trip).  The garden grows the various plants used in making perfume.  Extensive signage in English indicated the growing season, parts of the plants used, amounts required, and value.  

One final stop on this busy day was the Cannes waterfront, since we do not plan to stop here tomorrow as we exit the area.  We took a pleasant walk past the yacht harbor, admiring (?) the wealth invested in these huge boats.