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Valbonne

Visit Valbonne (Provence, France)

Valbonne is situated a few kilometres inland from Cannes and Antibes, in the Alpes-Maritimes department of south-east Provence. The original historical village (the part that attracts visitors) is now closely linked to the modern development and technology park at Sophia Antipolis.

For reasons that aren't clear to me Valbonne seems to be missing from many tourist guides to the Provence area. I can't imagine why, I thought it was very attractive and well worth exploring!

Explore Valbonne

The old town in Valbonne is based around the 'Place des Arcades' - arcades are the stone sheltered arched areas around the edge of the square that once provided shelter to merchants - which is a pretty square with cafes and a few shops.

It is very unusual among medieval Provencal villages in that it follows a very precise, planned, grid layout with the streets all having the same width and standing at right angles to each other, following the original design established in 1519. This planning has more in common with the bastide towns of south-west France than the perched villages of Provence).

Likewise, the houses in Valbonne almost all follow the same design and originally had stables and livestock on the ground floor, living accommodation on the first floor, and then a hayloft on the top floor.

The streets are nicely maintained and lined with lots of stone and pastel painted houses, with exuberant plants adding a colourful touch. A few of the houses are now shops and boutiques but mostly they are still 'inhabited' houses. Being a grid pattern you are less likely to get lost than in most Provencal villages!

There are numerous small architectural highlights and features - a fountain here, a sundial there, an ancient doorway - to discover in the attractive old town.

The most important buildings to 'break the pattern' in Valbonne are the Chalaisian Abbey Church (just outside the bottom of the old town); an ancient mill (moulin) by the river; and the ancient Church of Valbonne (that predates the official formation of the village).

Outside the upper of the town (towards the extensive parking area) there is also a row of more practical shops such as greengrocers and bakers.

After exploring the pretty streets be sure to allow time for a stop in one of the cafes and restaurants in Valbonne old town centre and absorb the atmosphere.

Sophia Antipolis

While not a tourist destination it is interesting to note that Sophia Antipolis, an important centre in France for bringing together modern industries such as information technology and scientific research, and the closest that France has to it's own 'Silicon Valley', is just outside Valbonne. This region has brought a substantial amount of investment, development and people to the area - including a significant amount of development in the immediate area around Valbonne.

Attractions nearby

There are numerous small Provencal villages and towns worth exploring in the region around Valbonne, and east access to the resorts along along the coast of the riviera to the south. Our personal favourites are the extensive historical centre of Grasse, and the town of Antibes on the coast to the south-east of Valbonne.

Photos of Valbonne

Click any picture to start the gallery

Address: Valbonne, Bar-sur-Loup, Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence, 6560 || GPS: latitude 43.6424, longitude 7.0095

Map of Valbonne & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Biot 7km; Grasse 7km; Pegomas 8km; Gourdon 9km; Tourrettes-sur-Loup 9km; Cannes 10km; Saint-Paul-de-Vence 11km; Juan-les-Pins 11km; Antibes 11km; Cagnes-sur-Mer 11km; Mandelieu-la-Napoule 12km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Valbonne.
See Provence and Alpes-Maritimes (the region and department for Valbonne) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Valbonne, France

• Grasse - secteur sauvegarde (7km)
• Jardin de la Villa Fort de France - remarkable garden (8km)
• Gourdon - most beautiful village (9km)
• Marineland d'Antibes - aquarium (10km)
• Cannes - ville fleurie 4* (10km)
• Abbaye de Lerins (Cannes) - religious monument (10km)
• Jardin botanique de la villa Thuret - remarkable garden (11km)
• Parc du château de la Napoule - remarkable garden (14km)
• Baou de Saint-Jeannet - site of natural beauty (16km)
• Grottes de Saint-Cezaire - site of natural beauty (16km)

Market days in Valbonne: Regular market(s) are held in Valbonne each Tuesday & Thursday & Friday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Valbonne (Francais)