Top Eight Reasons to Visit Valbonne

The Valbonne Provençal market is held every Friday morning and is one of the best on the Côte d’Azur.  But please make sure you get there early as crowds come in droves, especially in the summer months. Luckily there is a large free parking area just at the entrance to the village.
The market stalls offer an eclectic mix of fresh produce, ready-cooked food, cheese, French linens, hand-made bags, jewelry and clothing. If you see people queuing at the rotisserie stand, simply join the queue. Their freshly cooked free-range chickens are succulent but personally I have a soft spot for their delicious turkey roast. Finally, a word of advice, stroll around the entire market before buying anything as you will often find the same item at a cheaper price.

Valbonne Abbey was founded at the end of the 12th century by monks of the Order of Chalais. The abbey complex consists of the Church of Saint Blaise, the Chapel of the Penitents, the remaining convent buildings, and the cloister area. The most spectacular room in this monastic complex is the former monks’ refectory, covered by a superb Romanesque vault. If you happen to be visiting around Christmas time, there is a stunning display of the Nativity which you will find close to the altar.

Who doesn’t like a bit of people watching whilst in the South of France? The Café des Arcades on the main village square is the perfect spot to see and be seen. It is open every day from 7am to midnight so you could go for breakfast, lunch or a late dinner. It serves traditional French brasserie-style cuisine, anything from escargots (snails) to magret de canard (duck breast) including a daily special and homemade desserts. But of course you will also find salads, steaks and pizzas on their large menu.
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Tucked away in a little cobblestoned street, the Little Green Café is a cozy place where you can order something very special, a latte with non-dairy milk. As it is still difficult to find one in most cafés in the South of France. Alongside specialty coffees and a good selection of teas, it offers organic, vegan and gluten free dishes and cakes. It is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch from 9am to 6pm, closed on Sunday and Monday.
Where: 14 rue du Rocher, Valbonne.

If, like me, you are a fan of Pilates, you’re in luck as Valbonne has two well-established studios. Having taken classes at both locations, I can highly recommend them. They cater to both tourists and locals as they offer occasional or regular classes.

• Melanie Morcom runs Studio Mel in a side street leading off the village square. A fully qualified Pilates teacher, she teaches mat and apparatus, in small groups or as private lessons. She is equally at ease in French and English, and offers classes in both languages. An energetic and empathetic health professional, Mel will also travel to your home to teach Pilates if you live no more than 15km away.
  For more information, please visit: https://livebreathepilates.fr/
• A qualified Dance teacher since 1996, Lydie Nury became a Pilates instructor in 2009. Two years later she opened Valbonne Pilates and now offers group and private classes. The studio is well equipped with all the apparatus necessary to experience the full Pilates practice. You will find reformer beds, wonder chairs, magic circles, springboards and the newest addition, the Cadillac. Teaching is in French and English.
  For more information, please visit: https://valbonne-pilates.com/

• Memoire de Famille
  Founded 18 years ago in Valbonne, in the heart of the historic city, Mémoire de Famille has established itself as a key player in interior design. Its shabby chic and contemporary concept invites you to find decorative items to personalise your home. If you are on the lookout for that special item that will bring originality to your home and a sense of well-being, they will be more than happy to guide you.
  Where: 18 rue Alexis Julien, Valbonne.
• Atelier Blanc

  The story of Blanc d’Ivoire began in 1994, driven by the passion of Monic Fischer. A woman with a love of travel, beautiful materials and subtle colours. Driven by the desire to reinvent the French art of living, she imagined a brand where elegance and authenticity combine with softness and refinement. With other shops in Paris and Saint-Tropez, the Valbonne showroom showcases her decorative style, equally at home in Provençal bastides or more modern houses.
  Where: 12 rue de la Mairie, Valbonne.

Jean Luc Pelé, an artisan pastry chef and chocolatier, comes from the great French tradition of pastry making. After earning his stripes in a renowned Parisian establishment alongside Gaston Lenôtre, he opened his first two shops in Paris in 1988. In 2007, he decided to move to the Côte d’Azur to develop a brand and visual identity which makes him unique.
A former high-level athlete, Jean Luc Pelé places particular importance on the nutritional balance of his creations, using natural or organic products whenever possible. And also on reducing fat and sugar, thereby reinventing traditional recipes to make our sweet indulgence (almost) guilt-free.
INSIDER TIP:  Head to Plascassier, a short 10 minute drive from Valbonne to visit one of his flagship bakeries. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Where: 3 route de Mouans Sartoux. Open from 6am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 6.30am to 1.30pm on Sundays.

At the entrance to the village of Valbonne, you will find two restaurants well worth a visit. The first one, Trattoria Quattro, is a well established Italian restaurant. The second, Brasserie Fiston, is a newcomer and only opened in 2024.

• Trattoria Quattro is the story of 4 siblings, Gianni, Paolo, Fiona and Flavio. They wanted to share their love of Italy and Italian food and took the gamble of opening a family restaurant.  They serve traditional dishes and tasty pizzas, with the majority of the produce coming directly from Italy. It is a very popular spot, with a large outdoor terrace, so it’s best to book and arrive early to secure a parking space. The restaurant is open 7 days a week from 12pm-2pm and 7-9.30pm.
  For more information, please visit: https://www.trattoriaquattro.com/
• Brasserie Fiston is situated just a stone’s throw from Trattoria Quattro and is run by the son (fils or fiston in French) of one of the Italian restaurants’ founders. Its menu presents many traditional French dishes but with a modern twist. The indoor room’s décor is inviting, with a casual elegance and soft lighting. The outdoor tables are equally enticing, as they overlook the green lawn. The restaurant is open from 12-2pm and 7-9.30pm five days a week (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
  For more information,  please visit: https://www.fistonbrasserie.com/