The Village

Valbonne village...

At any season of the year, the visitor to Valbonne can enjoy this beautiful place and stroll around the streets and surroundings of the village. The old village has retained much of its 16th-century character, though mixed with an active town atmosphere. In contrast to the twisty little streets in many other medieval villages of the region, Valbonne village is laid out in neat, symmetrical rectangles planned by the Abbot of Lerins, following the layout of Roman cities. The village is bounded by "rampart houses", and has an entrance gate on each of its four sides.

In the centre of the village is the very lovely, 16th-century Place des Arcades. This central square is surrounded on all four sides by picturesque arcades, café terraces and little shops. The arcade at the "Hotel Les Armoiries" is engraved with a stone as "1628".

At the bottom of the village, across the street below the rectangle of the centre, is the 12th-century Eglise Saint Blaise and the recently restored Chalaisien Abbey.

Dispersed through the little streets are more shops, art galleries and many restaurants, at least a dozen within two minutes’ walk from the house.