Things To Do in Valbonne

Parc Départemental de La Valmasque covers 561 hectares (1,386 acres) of parkland stretching from Valbonne to Mougins. You can spot wild boar or foxes as you walk and bike around the oak-pine forests and open prairies and admire the 5-hectare Font Merle lake where you'll find Europe's largest colony of lotus plants, including Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus). There are plenty of bird-watching hiding spots, picnic tables, and children's play areas. This nature reserve is easily accessible with car parks spread along the RD 35 Route de la Valmasque near Sophia Antipolis.

Nearby is the Parc Départemental de la Brague that follows the meandering River Brague between Valbonne and Biot. Listen to the warblers and fieldfares as you discover waterfalls and aromatic Mediterranean plants. Car parks and picnic tables are available along RD (minor roads) 604, 4, and 198. Avoid the lower part of the river near Sophia Antipolis, where detergents have begun polluting the water.

Valbonne is a popular place for locals shopping in the backcountry. The old village is dotted with interior design shops where you'll find everything from Provençal quilts to leather cushions. La Gourmandine, 17 bis rue Emile Pourcel (tel. 04-93-42-19-69), is the place to buy well-priced wine, champagne, and spirits chosen by wine expert and ex-sommelier Thierry. La Malle à Jouets, 17 rue Eugène Giraud (tel. 04-93-12- 25-94), is a kids' toy shop filled to the gills with puzzles and traditional wooden toys. The English Book Center, 12 rue Alexis Julien (tel. 04-93-12-21-42; www.englishbookcentre.com), sells English books, DVDs, and kids' games. Up next to the parking lot (to the west of the village center near the bus station), you'll find everything from a pharmacy and a news agent to a butcher shop, bakery, delicatessen, and greengrocer.

You can stock up on British favorites at Brittain's Home Stores, Forum roundabout, 1913 rte. de Cannes, on the outskirts of Valbonne (tel. 04- 93-42-01-70; www.brittains-stores.com), set up by the eponymous John and Caroline Brittain in 2004. Heinz baked beans, steak-and-onion pasties, peanut butter, curries, and classic ale can all be found here. They've even opened a restaurant nearby where you can enjoy a full English breakfast, cream tea with scones, and fish and chips.