Valbonne offers nine hiking trails where visitors can discover the wildlife and plant life of southern France.
Those wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Valbonne can find information about the destination here.
Culture and Townscape
The historic village of Valbonne was built beside the Chalaisian abbey founded in 1199; it was established in 1519 on the initiative of Augustin de Grimaldi, Bishop of Grasse and commendatory abbot of Lérins.
The streets of Valbonne follow a grid plan and lead to the Place des Arcades, which is listed as a Historic Monument.
Markets and Traditions
The Provençal market in the village of Valbonne takes place every Friday morning at the Place des Arcades and in the village streets. It offers fruit, vegetables, and Provençal and French regional products.
The Friday farmers’ and direct-sales market in Valbonne offers local and seasonal products as well as organic products.
The antiques and flea market in Valbonne Village takes place all day on the first Sunday of every month and features around 40 professional exhibitors.
The winemaking tradition continues through the vineyards managed by the town. The Saint Blaise festival, held on the last weekend of January, includes a farmers’ market, a competition for regional products, and cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs from the Côte d’Azur during its festival weekend.
Nature
The Maison Nature Environnement is located in the restored former Moulin de la Calanque on the banks of the Brague, near the village of Valbonne. It runs a year-round Nature Club as well as family activities focused on biodiversity, water, and the protection of natural habitats. Its grounds include a herb and vegetable garden as well as a pond, enhancing the educational value of the site.
The Biot–Valbonne route along the Brague passes through a wild and protected riparian forest with alders, hazels, and ash trees, as well as remarkable calcareous tufa cascades.
Other places: La Tour, Le Cros-D'utelle, Puget-Théniers, Gilette, Villefranche-Sur-Mer, Peymeinade, La Bollène-Vésubie, Lantosque.
