Parks & Nature
Departmental Park of La Valmasque
In a pristine natural setting around the Sophia Antipolis Science Park, the Alpes-Maritimes General Council wished to maintain a wreath of green with the two Departmental Parks of La Valmasque and La Brague.
Comprising three wooded hills alternating with the small valleys of the small streams flowing into the Brague, Valmasque and Bouillide rivers, Parc de la Valmasque is ideal for children and welcomes you with the family to observe Nature and participate in games and sports.
Discover the lotus pond
Fontmerle Pond is an aquatic enclave of great biological wealth and a focus of attraction of amazing beauty. Strolling through the Park takes you through a pine grove dominated by Aleppo pine, a pine and oak grove where Mediterranean oak grow under the cover of pine trees and, finally, an oak grove with holm oak, pubescent oak and cork oak trees.
Fontmerle Pond is surrounded by 12 hectares of meadows, with willow, poplar and bald cypress trees whose flamboyant colours delight visitors in autumn. Part of the pond harbours aquatic plants, such as reeds, rushes, sedges and yellow iris. But, in summer, what is most striking is the show put on by lotus flowers. Introduced in 1970, these aquatic plants bloom in August, covering part of the pond with their splendid pink flowers emerging from large circular leaves with a diameter exceeding 50cm.
As you gaze at the splendour of the plants, your eyes will be attracted by the appearance of birds of various shapes and shimmering colours. Some sixty species, both sedentary and migratory (ducks, moorhens, herons, coots, egrets...), live or stop temporarily on this pond. Its quiet waters are home to carp, tench, eel and amphibians.
In the Park’s woods, wild rabbits, a few foxes and wide boar may go unnoticed.
Getting there:
Just outside the front gate, turn right and follow the path to the main road. Cross the road and turn left where there are steps to join the forest. About, 2 minutes walk.
Facilities
• Toilets and/or watering points: near children’s games and at Fontmerle Pond
• Birdwatching station: an observation platform for flora and fauna near Fontmerle Pond helps recognize species
• Playgrounds: children’s playgrounds are present in the big meadow near Route Départementale 35
• Footpaths: hikers have access to many trails, without vehicles; at Fontmerle, there is a trail accessible for persons with reduced mobility
• Bridle paths: 8km of marked trails near the riding clubs of Mougins
• Fitness trail: 1.4km trail near the stadium around Les Clausonnes hill provides a chance to perform physical exercises with wooden devices
• Discovery trail: a special trail to discover Mediterranean insects
• Ten panels are equipped with texts in Braille for blind or visually impaired persons
• A discovery trail accessible to persons with reduced mobility enables them to discover the meadows and Fontmerle Pond
• Five panels are equipped with texts in Braille for blind or visually impaired persons
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Parc Départemental de la Valmasque
Route de la Valmasque
Departmental Park of La Valmasque
In a pristine natural setting around the Sophia Antipolis Science Park, the Alpes-Maritimes General Council wished to maintain a wreath of green with the two Departmental Parks of La Valmasque and La Brague.
Comprising three wooded hills alternating with the small valleys of the small streams flowing into the Brague, Valmasque and Bouillide rivers, Parc de la Valmasque is ideal for children and welcomes you with the family to observe Nature and participate in games and sports.
Discover the lotus pond
Fontmerle Pond is an aquatic enclave of great biological wealth and a focus of attraction of amazing beauty. Strolling through the Park takes you through a pine grove dominated by Aleppo pine, a pine and oak grove where Mediterranean oak grow under the cover of pine trees and, finally, an oak grove with holm oak, pubescent oak and cork oak trees.
Fontmerle Pond is surrounded by 12 hectares of meadows, with willow, poplar and bald cypress trees whose flamboyant colours delight visitors in autumn. Part of the pond harbours aquatic plants, such as reeds, rushes, sedges and yellow iris. But, in summer, what is most striking is the show put on by lotus flowers. Introduced in 1970, these aquatic plants bloom in August, covering part of the pond with their splendid pink flowers emerging from large circular leaves with a diameter exceeding 50cm.
As you gaze at the splendour of the plants, your eyes will be attracted by the appearance of birds of various shapes and shimmering colours. Some sixty species, both sedentary and migratory (ducks, moorhens, herons, coots, egrets...), live or stop temporarily on this pond. Its quiet waters are home to carp, tench, eel and amphibians.
In the Park’s woods, wild rabbits, a few foxes and wide boar may go unnoticed.
Getting there:
Just outside the front gate, turn right and follow the path to the main road. Cross the road and turn left where there are steps to join the forest. About, 2 minutes walk.
Facilities
• Toilets and/or watering points: near children’s games and at Fontmerle Pond
• Birdwatching station: an observation platform for flora and fauna near Fontmerle Pond helps recognize species
• Playgrounds: children’s playgrounds are present in the big meadow near Route Départementale 35
• Footpaths: hikers have access to many trails, without vehicles; at Fontmerle, there is a trail accessible for persons with reduced mobility
• Bridle paths: 8km of marked trails near the riding clubs of Mougins
• Fitness trail: 1.4km trail near the stadium around Les Clausonnes hill provides a chance to perform physical exercises with wooden devices
• Discovery trail: a special trail to discover Mediterranean insects
• Ten panels are equipped with texts in Braille for blind or visually impaired persons
• A discovery trail accessible to persons with reduced mobility enables them to discover the meadows and Fontmerle Pond
• Five panels are equipped with texts in Braille for blind or visually impaired persons
Arts & Culture
Musée Picasso
place mariejolExcellent permanent collection
Local museum with an excellent permanent collection
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Fernand Leger National Museum
255 Chem. du Val de PômeLocal museum with an excellent permanent collection
Literally the most wonderful collection in an extraordinary setting. Combine it with a delicious lunch at the famous La Colombe D'or.
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Fondation Maeght
623 Chem. des GardettesLiterally the most wonderful collection in an extraordinary setting. Combine it with a delicious lunch at the famous La Colombe D'or.
Food Scene
L'amandier De Mougins
48 Av. Jean-Charles MalletLovely setting in the old village
L'Etang - Bakery
760 Av. du GolfLocal bakery just on the corner
Le Manoir de l'Etang
66 All. du ManoirJust next door when you do not feel like cooking..
Entertainment & Activities
Learn to play tennis with the coach of Serena Williams in Sophia Antipolis
Mouratoglou Tennis Academy
3550 Rte des DolinesLearn to play tennis with the coach of Serena Williams in Sophia Antipolis
Take the navette from Saint-Maxime to Saint Tropez. Every 15 minutes and it takes 15 minutes for around Euro15 for a return ticket. Fun day out.
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Saint-Tropez
Take the navette from Saint-Maxime to Saint Tropez. Every 15 minutes and it takes 15 minutes for around Euro15 for a return ticket. Fun day out.
Shopping
Chanel to Zara..... Sephora to Anglo-Franco Pharmacy....go shopping
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Croisette Beach Cannes
Chanel to Zara..... Sephora to Anglo-Franco Pharmacy....go shopping
Essentials
Grand Frais Mougins
667 Av. Saint-MartinFresh fresh fresh produits
Casino supermarché
1006 Chem. des GourettesGood for fresh fish and everything else