The Château
The Château de La Napoule is the must-see sight in the town, sitting proud and impressive on the waterfront. After years of neglect, the abandoned château was bought by an American couple, Henry and Marie Clews, in the 1920s. They took on the task not only of restoring it but truly making it their own, by adding towers and other features, and populating it with Henry’s sculptures and embellishments. Marie oversaw the renovations and also designed and developed the gardens with careful planting, landscaping and water features.
The best views
An extinct volcano called San Peyre looms up next to the town; scale its summit and you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the Riviera. Breathtaking views also abound as you drive along the ‘Corniche d’Or’, the coastal road heading west from Mandelieu to Saint-Raphaël, snaking dramatically along the base of the red Estérel cliffs. The Estérel hills are great for walking and mountain biking too.
Get active
Plenty of sporting activities can be enjoyed in this area. Water sports are on offer both at La Napoule and just along the coast at Théoule sur Mer, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, sailing and scuba diving. Also boat hire and sea fishing trips. On dry land, the town boasts two 18-hole golf courses.
Lérins Islands
This group of four islands, two inhabited and two uninhabited, lie off the coast of nearby Cannes and make for a fun day trip. Gorgeous beaches and fabulous views are the order of the day at both. The largest island, Sainte-Marguerite, boasts over 150 hectares of forest with 22km of waymarked paths to roam. There are points of interest to stop off at too, including a bird sanctuary, the Maritime Museum, and the Royal Fort, formerly the state prison, famous for being home to the ‘Man in the Iron Mask’. Saint-Honorat is the smaller inhabited island, just 1500 metres long and 400 metres wide. Here you can visit the Abbaye de Lérins, founded in the 5th century by the Cistercian monk Honorat, and buy their wine, honey or olive oil. But perhaps the main point of coming here is to not do much; drink in the views, relax on a pine-backed unspoilt beach, enjoy a leisurely lunch at the restaurant or take a picnic.
Exploring nearby
Heading back from the coast, there are many picturesque hilltop villages to discover, such as Auribeau-sur-Siagne. A tour of these villages via twisty winding roads make for a lovely day out, perhaps stopping off at galleries or vineyards en route and stopping for a bite to eat on a restaurant terrace whilst drinking in the panoramic views! For a more active day out, there are hiking trails to follow, rock climbing, and natural pools to splash in along the Siagne river gorges.
