Valmasque Parc (full name is Parc Naturel Departmental de la Valmasque) is situated between Mougins and Vallauris in the south of the Alpes-Maritimes department.
With 560 hectares of woodland, lakes and forest walks, the Departmental Valmasque Parc was established at the same time as the 'technology town' of Sophia Antipolis, to ensure the area did not become completely built-up.
Discovering Valmasque Parc
The parc is essentially divided into several sections spread over forested hills: Clausonnes to the north, Fugueiret in the south, and Carton and Fontmerle to the west.
The walks through the park are numerous and very relaxing, leading you through the woodlands, perhaps to the picturesque Fontmerle Lake (where birdwatching is a popular activity).
Valmasque Parc also has picnic areas and children's play areas, and is a great place for a picnic and a stroll while you regain your strength for the afternoon's activities...and the children burn off excess energy in safety.
Whether you need a breather from the traffic and the bustling crowds on the Cote d'Azur or are exhausted from climbing the steep streets of the perched villages in the region it is a great pleasure to find an area of peace and tranquility - the Valmasque Parc could be just what you need!
A nice day out?
Other local options - towns, villages and coastline - are numerous. On a recent visit we spent the morning looking around Valbonne, then had a picnic and a run around in Valmasque Parc before going into the pretty village of Mougins for a drink, then returning to the beach mid-afternoon. Lovely day out!
You can find more travel ideas in the Alpes-Maritimes guide and the Provence guide.
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Hotels in Valmasque Parc
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Map of Valmasque Parc and places nearby
Visit near Valmasque Parc with France This Way reviews
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
Valbonne
Very quiet when we visited, we found Valbonne to be an almost undiscovered small jewel of a town
Valbonne guide
Cannes
Cannes has a charming town and harbour area, and is one of the most visited resorts on the Riviera
Cannes guide
Biot
The arcacded houses around Place des Arcades are the start of your visit to Biot, a picturesque 'perched village' in Provence
Biot guide
Juan-les-Pins
A short distance west of Antibes, Juan-les-Pins is one of the liveliest resorts in the riviera
Juan-les-Pins guide
Pegomas
The traditional Provencal town of Pegomas is ideally visited in early spring as part of the Route des Mimosas
Pegomas guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Alpes-Maritimes
The French version of this page is at Valmasque Parc (Francais)