Opio is a very small village a few kilometres north-west of Valbonne and to the east of Grasse (perfume capital of France) in the Alpes-Maritimes department of Provence.
Explore Opio
Little more than a church and a sprinkling of houses around a hilltop, Opio is a perched village with far-reaching views and while a visit will only take half an hour it is recommended that you stop by if you are passing.
In a very picturesque spot surrounded by hills covered with olive and pine trees, from the belvedere next to Opio church you can also look down on the golf course in the valley below, which is popular with visitors, and miles of unspoiled countryside.
The Church of Saint Trophisme with its tall square clocktower dates originally from the 12th century, although it was substantially modified in later centuries.
There is also a traditional olive mill nearby that has been active since the 15th century (although the mill is now driven by electricity rather than water). At the Moulin d'Opio (on the Route de Chateauneuf) you can taste and buy their home pressed olive oils.
Opio and Coluche
The village is well known by the French because the the well known French actor Coluche was killed here in a road accident in 1986.
His name continues to be well known in France because shortly before he died Coluche started a charity called Les Restos du Coeur which is still a leading charity with fund-raising events organised every year and supported by the best known French actors, comedians and musicians.
There is a commemorative plaque in Opio to mark the spot where Coluche was killed.
Attractions nearby
There are numerous pretty towns and villages close to Opio. The two that we will mention here are the town of Grasse, a large and very interesting town, and the tiny village of Gourdon, a beautiful village high on a clifftop.
You can find more travel ideas in the Alpes-Maritimes guide and the Provence guide.
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Map of Opio and places nearby
Visit near Opio with France This Way reviews
Valbonne
Very quiet when we visited, we found Valbonne to be an almost undiscovered small jewel of a town
Valbonne guide
Le Bar-sur-Loup
An attractive village with ruins of a castle and fortified walls, and surrounded by attractive scenery
Le Bar-sur-Loup guide
Grasse
Grasse, the perfume capital of France, also has a very extensive old town with tall pastel-painted houses to enjoy
Grasse guide
Gourdon
Gourdon is practically the archetypal Provencal village, unmissable by you and by the many thousands of other visitors to the region!
Gourdon guide
Mougins
You will want to pause several times to admire the views across Cannes Bay as you explore the cobbled streets in the centre of Mougins
Mougins guide
... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Alpes-Maritimes
Address: Opio, Bar-sur-Loup, Grasse, Provence, 6650, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.6667, longitude 6.9833
Plan your visit to Opio, Alpes-Maritimes
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Grasse: secteur sauvegarde (5 km)
- Jardin de la Villa Fort de France: remarkable garden (5 km)
- Gourdon: most beautiful village (6 km)
- Marineland d'Antibes: aquarium (13 km)
- Cannes: ville fleurie 4* (13 km)
- Abbaye de Lerins (Cannes): religious monument (13 km)
- Grottes de Saint-Cezaire: site of natural beauty (14 km)
- Jardin botanique de la villa Thuret: remarkable garden (15 km)
- Le Vallon du Brec: remarkable garden (15 km)
- Baou de Saint-Jeannet: site of natural beauty (16 km)
- Parc du château de la Napoule: remarkable garden (16 km)
- Parc Phœnix: zoo or wildlife park (19 km)
The French version of this page is at Opio (Francais)