Valbonne has the most fantastic Provencal market which takes place on a Friday morning and is a focal point for the villages and its inhabitants. Then on the first Sunday of each month there is an antiques market which is well worth a visit.
The Friday market takes place right through this picturesque village. 12th centuryun spoiltfacades are the feature of this bustling lively village. There is a large parking area to the west of the village with a short walk across a new square, which also has some parking but it is often difficult to find a place. Even before you get to the end of the new square (going past the best fruit and vegetable shop I have ever seen, but they know how to charge!), the stalls begin before you go down the stairspast Cafe Latin, and before reaching the old village proper.
Once across the road into the ancient centre, you will find stalls littering the main drag andmanyof the tiny cobbledsidestreets which crisscross this old village. The main drag opens up into the central square, which is surrounded by half a dozenrestaurantsand cafe’s which are busy at all times of the year but especially the Friday market days.
One can find a wide range ofjewellery, much local produce with many seasonal items, ranging in fruit and vegetable terms from peaches, figs, grapes, walnuts, carrots, fennel, pate, bread, mirabelle plums, strawberries raspberries and mushrooms of many types depending on the season I have even seen truffles for sale in season.
Muchlocal produce is available, one often finds a wine producer and a purveyor of cheeses alongside ceramics and localglasswareand some other locally crafted items.The normal market offerings of clothing, footwear and sunglasses areinevitablywell covered, but there is also a knife maker, lines andtableclothsfor sale plus handcarved wooden items.
The village is a perfect way to set up your day. Awanderaround the market can take over an hour to doproperly, and then, with a thirst on board you can get acoffee, or something stronger such as apastisor a glass of rose and sit and watch the market life go on whilst you people watch or read a paper. There are severalnews agentsin the village, all stocking a good range ofEnglish speakingnewspapers.
Lunch is of course eminently possible, indeed some would say necessary. A visitor to this region willalmostinevitably be aware of the Provencal, indeed French reverence for lunch. PeterMaile,authorof “A Year In Provence” when asked to describe Provence on one word said “lunch”
On the first Sunday ofeachmonth, averydifferentmarkettakes place, the Antiques market. It ids a colourful affair withhundredsof stands, with an incredible array of items offered for sale, ranging from coins and oldjewelry through ceramics,glassware,furniture, in fact very little of interestanantique houndwill not be found here. This market, unlike the Friday weekly markets,continuesthroughout the day and isslightlyless frenetic than its weekly counterpart.
There is a hotel in the centre of the village which is quite quirky but can be very noisy in the evenings, especially in the summer so many people opt to stay in a private villa. These can be rented very easily and Valbonne is a brilliant springboard to visit other villages in the area or take a trip down to the beaches of Cannes or in winter to drive up the mountain for a days skiing.
Easily reached from Junction 42 or 44 of the A8 motorway and 20 minutes drive to Nice airport, this is a wonderful base to enjoy a visit to the area.