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Art and Culture... Mandelieu-La Napoule, looking back on "La Belle Epoque" |
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La Napoule castle
The story of La Napoule CastleThe story of La Napoule Castle, in the tiny seaside village that is part of Mandelieu-La Napoule, might be entitled: "10th-century Saracen tower meets eccentric American millionaire!" Sculptor and philanthropist Henry Clews and his architect wife Marie rebuilt the ruined castle in the 1920s as a Gothic/Romanesque folly, furnished it with medieval and Renaissance furniture, filled it with Henry's mischievous carvings and aptly inscribed "Once Upon a Time..." over the front door. In the rooms where the couple lived - and dressed up - as medieval seigniors, grotesque gargoyles pop out from pillars, peep from niches or decorate doors. Marie designed the gardens as tranquil green rooms with striking views of the Esterel mountains and the sea. The couple's tombs, in a tower basement, were left slightly open so that their souls could escape and Henry could "return at eventide as a sprite and dance upon the windowsill". If Henry dedicated himself to the architecture of the “chateau” and to his artistic works which can be discovered in the museum of the castle, his wife was the architect of gardens. She was so talented that still today, they make the admiration of the visitors and they moreover received the distinction of " remarkable gardens ". Jardins remarquables This national label is attributed for a duration of five years on proposition of the regional committees under the direction of the “Regional Direction of Cultural Affairs”.
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Castle, gardens and collections to visit all year round :
Opened every day from 10 am to 6 pm Guided visits at 11.30 am , 2.30,
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The Château, a venue for international cultural exchanges, also host concerts, performances, lectures, art exhibitions... The castle is today owned by La Napoule Art Foundation and according to Marie Clews' wish, the Foundation offers visitors contemporary art exhibitions and major cultural events and shows such as the festival « Les Nuits du Château » which presents music, theatre and dance and whose success is getting bigger from year to year. It offers advantages on all kinds of numerous leisures as nautical activities, walks and hikes, children activities, touristic fly over, evening activities. |
Learn FrenchThe INSTITUT GRAND BLEU offers the unique experience of learning French in one of the most beautiful parts of the Riviera. The Institute has a fine team of highly trained and competent teachers who will make learning French a pleasure, in a relaxed atmosphere. Website: www.grand-bleu.net |
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