Valbonne, Cote d'Azur / French Riviera
A few kilometers from Cannes and Antibes, this pretty medieval town has a rich historical and cultural heritage. Thanks to its shops, cafes and restaurants, you can spend pleasant holidays there while enjoying nature and the Côte d'Azur.
What makes this village special?
Valbonne stands out from the surrounding villages with its checkerboard plan, inspired by ancient Roman town planning. A walk in the center, sheltered by the houses-ramparts, allows you to admire the ocher stone facades and their pastel shutters before reaching the Place des Arcades, lined with restaurants whose reputation is second to none and cafés with welcoming terraces.
A Provençal market takes place on Friday morning. The town's specialty is wine made from Servan grapes, a must-try! Bargain hunters will appreciate the antiques and flea market on the first Sunday of each month. Shopping lovers will have plenty to enjoy in the many shops.
As for history buffs, their steps will lead them to the 13th century abbey, which offers free early music concerts in July, the old town hall with its 19th century belfry, its fountain and its basin , the Romanesque church, two chapels and the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions.
Other activities await the most athletic: a swimming pool, two golf courses, horse riding, climbing, tree climbing or paragliding. Two natural parks are worth the detour for visitors who want to recharge their batteries in the heart of nature. The Brague departmental park, which covers 480 hectares. While walking there, one finds there historical vestiges and many indices of the Roman presence. And Valmasque, a 428-hectare forest park, ideal for the youngest since it offers many activities including a fitness trail, playgrounds, walking circuits and mountain bike trail networks, and, above all, the Fontmerle pond, where you can admire an astonishingly rich fauna and flora!
Valbonne therefore succeeds in the feat of offering leisure activities for all tastes and all profiles!
