Château de la Napoule, Mandelieu-la-Napoule, France

The Château de la Napoule was constructed in the 14th century by the Countess of Villeneuve. Over the centuries it was rebuilt several times. In the 19th century it was turned into a glass factory. In 1918, it was purchased by Americans, Henry Clews Jr. and Marie Clews (1880-1959), who restored and moved into the castle. They added additional sections in their own personal style, with sculptures by Henry Clews Jr. The castle is owned by the La Napoule Art Foundation, which was founded in 1951 by Marie Clews, and serves as a cultural centre.

After Henry's death and during the Second World War, the castle was captured by German soldiers. Marie Clews served the soldiers by acting as the maid of the castle's staff so she could stay close to her home and the memory of her husband.

When the Clews acquired the castle, the park had cedar and eucalyptus trees, and had been abandoned for years. Marie Clews began the restoration of the gardens. The park of the castle today has elements of a garden à la française and of an English landscape garden, with a grand alley, basins, perspectives, and views of the sea. In addition, there are three smaller gardens in the Italian style: the Garden de la Mancha next to the Tower of La Mancha, under which the mausoleum of the Clews family is located; the terraces which overlook the Bay of Cannes, which are planted with cypress trees, hedges and rosemary; and the secret garden, in a corner of the walls with windows looking at the sea, with a Venetian well in the centre.

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User Reviews

Matteo Manzoni (11 months ago)
Beautiful place near Nice. We visit it during the Carnival and it was amazing. You could make a visit inside the castle. The price is quite honest. There is also a parking nearby.

Tracie Bratcher (2 years ago)
It was so beautiful just wish we made it before it closed but had great photos ? from the out side. We got in traffic

Richard Betten (2 years ago)
Nice authentic chateau, with a wonderful history of an American couple that purchased the chateau and restored it to it's former glory. Tickets for the garden alone are 4 euro's, combined with a guided tour in French it is 7 Euro's.

Christian Arvid (2 years ago)
It was closed when we arrived, but we walked all around the castle, it was very beautiful. Would have liked to see the view from the inside.

Sarah Greenwood (2 years ago)
4 euros for the garden. Pretty gardens. Nice and peaceful to walk round. Lots of information about the history

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