French Riviera by Emilie
Mougins: birds at Fontmerle, then the lanes of the old village
A pond fringed with cypress trees, birds to watch, then lunch in the old village: here is a morning in Mougins to share with visiting friends or family. I suggest starting at Fontmerle, wearing comfortable shoes and bringing binoculars if you have them. Leave the village for afterwards, with time to walk in and stop wherever something catches your eye.
At Fontmerle, look for birds among the lotus plants
The broad lotus leaves give the pond a rather unexpected appearance for the countryside behind Cannes. Look at the seed heads, shaped like small watering-can roses, then at the bald cypresses along the banks. These conifers shed their leaves: return in another season and you will find the same pond with a different outline.
With children, try spotting a coot or a moorhen. Binoculars make the search more fun and let you keep your distance. Little grebes are also among the birds found at Fontmerle. Keep your eyes open, without turning the walk into a list of species to tick off.
Come for the pond as it is in the season of your visit. The lotuses are not always in flower, and the cypresses, reeds and birds make the stop worthwhile in their own right. If the flowers are your main reason for coming, ask the tourist office how the bloom is progressing before choosing a day.
The washhouse, a first stop in old Mougins
Plan the journey between Fontmerle and the village: these are two separate stops, not a single walking loop. In old Mougins, begin at the washhouse on Avenue Jean-Charles Mallet. Built in 1894, it remained in use until 1970. It now hosts temporary exhibitions with free admission.
I recommend keeping this introduction to the village even on a short visit. Then continue to Place du Commandant Lamy and its fountain. Rue du Badier leads to the covered passage of the former Saint-Jacques hospital; Place du Lieutenant Isnard is another stop to find among the lanes.
You can then settle down for lunch. If several of you are coming and you have a particular restaurant in mind, book before you set out. You will know when to leave the pond and can enjoy the village without searching for a table big enough for everyone.
An exhibition, if you would like to stay longer
The photography centre can take the outing in another direction. Check the current exhibition first: the centre is not necessarily open between exhibitions. In October 2026, Bertien van Manen is on show until the 4th; “Icônes : images fantasmées” opens on the 31st.
Would you rather visit a museum than the pond? Start in the village and keep Fontmerle for another time. With visiting friends, it is better to leave room for conversation in front of the works and over lunch than to hurry through both places.
For a longer walk, choose the Valmasque
If you feel like a longer walk, choose a trail in the Valmasque park. Its pines, oaks and valleys make for a different outing from the edges of Fontmerle. Check the trail map and access conditions before leaving.
The “Pas à Pas” route, linking the old village with Mougins-le-Haut, is another option: the tourist office gives 6.2 kilometres and around 1 hour 45 minutes one way. Arrange your return before starting. I would save it for a walking day, beginning in the village, rather than add it after the pond and lunch.