chateau · neo-medieval fortress
Château de La Napoule
About This Venue
A neo-medieval seaside fortress on the bay of Cannes, transformed by American artists Henry and Marie Clews into a cultural sanctuary. Now operated by La Napoule Art Foundation, the château offers indoor and outdoor event spaces with Mediterranean views for weddings of up to 450 guests.
About the History
Over 2,000 years ago (Roman origins); medieval fortress; restored 1918–1938 · Neo-medieval
After its original discovery by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, this site hosted the construction of a fortress by the Villeneuve family during the medieval period. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history, most notably as a glass factory and as a large coastal mansion. Henry and Marie Clews, an eccentric American couple, fell in love with the Château in 1918 and for 20 years invested their shared creativity into fully restoring it. Marie served as architect and landscape designer while Henry worked as sculptor, transforming the fortress ruins into a neo-medieval seaside artistic retreat surrounded by magnificent gardens. The couple organized extravagant parties for European aristocracy and American expats. Following Henry's death in 1937, Marie founded La Napoule Art Foundation in 1951 to honor his memory.
- • cloister with columns adorned with Henry Clews' fantastic animals
- • Tour de la Mancha with inaccessible room at the top
- • stained-glass windows in Gothic Dining Room
- • large ribbed ceilings in Gothic Dining Room
- • walnut doors covered with Henry's fantastical creatures in Salon de Marie
- • God of Humour Mystics bronze sculpture by Henry Clews in courtyard
- • crenellated wall with three arches overlooking gardens
Spaces & Capacity
This venue can accommodate up to 450 guests for a seated dinner.
Grand Walkway
Outdoor- 60 metres long
- Mont San Peyre scenic backdrop
The Gardens
Outdoor- over one hectare
- French-style gardens with clipped hedges and tall cypress trees
The Lovers' Garden
Outdoor- view of the château's towers and battlements
- overlooked by the Tour de la Mancha
Seafront Terraces
Outdoor- overlook the Mediterranean
- spectacular view of the bay of Théoule and the Lérins Islands
Salon de Marie
Indoor- high French windows with direct access to ramparts facing the sea
- walnut doors covered with Henry's fantastical creatures
The Courtyard
Outdoor- cloister with columns adorned with Henry Clews' fantastic animals
- crenellated wall with three arches overlooking gardens
Accommodation
Pricing & Packages
Partial day rental (7PM to 3AM), excluding VAT. Includes access to courtyard, seafront terraces, gardens, three interior lounges (Gothic Dining Room, Salon de Marie, Spencer Gallery), and caterer facilities.
| Season | Months | Price |
|---|---|---|
| partial_day | €11,500 | |
| full_day | €21,000 |
What’s included
- Exclusive use of courtyard, seafront terraces, gardens, and three interior lounges
- Access to caterer facilities and equipment storage
- 2 foundation staff on-site during the event
- Cleaning before and after the event
Not included
- Catering
- Lighting
- Sound
- Marquees
- Furniture
- VAT (20%)
Features & Amenities
Venue Features
Amenities & Activities
Gardens designed by Marie Clews spanning over one hectare, with French-style gardens featuring clipped hedges, tall cypress trees, and a large rectangular pond on one side, and English-style gardens with century-old trees on the other.
Getting There
By Air
- Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport 30 minutes on the highway
By Train
- La Napoule TER stop directly facing the château
- Cannes Train Station 7 kilometres
By Road
A8, exit 40 'Mandelieu Centre'
Key Distances
- Cannes 7 kilometres
- Nice 30 minutes by car
Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Seafront location on the bay of Cannes with views of the Mediterranean, the bay of Théoule, and the Lérins Islands, with Mont San Peyre as a scenic backdrop
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