The French Provincial Town of Valbonne: A Magical Experience
By now, you may know quite a bit about what makes the French Riviera so magical. Aside from our favorite cheeses, wintertime wonder, beautiful weather and hiking year-round, and adventures across the countryside like no other (Plus, the magnetic history of our property itself, of course), there is the incredible village we overlook, the community we are a part of. Valbonne is an adorable French village right out of a storybook. We are thrilled to call it our home.
So, what makes Valbonne such a special destination? A medieval village set in a valley overgrown with Mediterranean vegetation, it is just inland from Cannes and one of the prettiest in the area. Because Princess Margaret had a holiday home in the area and spent quite a bit of time in Valbonne in the early 60s, many Brits became fascinated by it decades ago and flocked to the area.
Simply stepping foot into Valbonne, you can see the early influence around you. Roman tiles and a variety of ancient artifacts actually place people in this area of France quite a long time ago. In fact, according to the city’s official website, its agricultural history alone dates back to some of the first centuries AD. Valbonne - “Vallis Bona” or “The Good Valley - owes much of its existence to the monks that helped to populate the area in the 13th century. In the 1500s, the structure of the town as we know it was conceptualized, with a street grid influenced by the Romans. With the gorgeous terra cotta roofs, endless greenery and vines along exteriors, and breathtaking architecture, it can be difficult to believe that Valbonne has remained much the same since then.
Just stepping foot into Valbonne breathes new life into you with enchanting vendors and residents. The town has a green grocer, two bodegas - one dedicated to the organic experience - a butcher, a poissonnerie - or fishmonger -, and two boulangeries. One of the boulangers literally carries fresh bread out of the basement oven in his basket, which all seems very Beauty & The Beast. If you want to feel even more as though you are a Disney princess meandering the streets of a “little town… quiet village” then you’ll be pleased to know that in Valbonne, there are two quaint bookstores (and a library). One is a French bookstore, and another caters to the English language, as the town is pretty heavily populated by the Brits.
Unlike many of its French Riviera neighbors, Valbonne plays host to year-round residents. This makes it “un village vivant” or a “living village,” a term that has never been more deserved. Because of this, there is the benefit of a green grocer, many restaurants, an antique market on the first Sunday of every month, and a year-round fresh market on Fridays. Ada Loumani - an extraordinary glass artist with a gallery in the town - calls Valbonne home, as do olive tree carver Jean-Pierre Boselli, porcelain artist Denis Chaufaille, and some incredible stained glass artists. Street festivals pop up now and again, reminding you of the artistic beauty that can be found in this region. The streets come alive regularly, and a sense of camaraderie absolutely permeates the space.
If you seek a quieter experience - or perhaps one with a little more physical exercise - then you’ll be absolutely delighted year-round with the endless amount of hiking trails available in the immediate area. Test your stamina with popular trails Parc de la Valmasque, Cascade de Bruget et Piste des Moulins, Circuit du Bruguet, and Boucle les Clausonnes.
Whether enjoying a good book poolside, walking the cobblestone streets, or picking fresh flowers from a nearby meadow, you will find yourself spellbound by this space. It truly is a breath of fresh air, and we can’t wait to see you!
