La Voile De Soleil

Surrounded by olive trees, close to the charming market town of Valbonne, La Voile de Soleil enjoys the best of both worlds being close to idyllic villages and only 14km from glamourous Cannes and the beaches of the French Riviera.

This is a semi-rural setting, backed by a small olive grove, with other villas dotted around the area. Within 1.5km you will reach a handful of restaurants and a supermarket in the local village.

The enchanting market town of Valbonne (3km) is also minutes away with its 16th century cobbled lanes, beautiful houses and a charming central square with picturesque cafes. The Friday morning market is a delight and there’s also an antiques/flea market on the first Sunday of each month. Spend time exploring artisan shops and pretty galleries as you stroll through this beautiful town.

Other idyllic hilltop villages across this region include Opio (4km), Mougins (8km) and Biot (12km), all mesmerising places filled with history and charm – perfect for a morning coffee or a spot of lunch. Grasse (7km) is another splendid town, the perfume capital of France with historic lanes, relaxing fountains and yet more authentic restaurants. A visit to one of the perfume factories is a fascinating trip out or simply be inspired by the wonderful landscapes surrounding Grasse with olive groves, lavender fields and sweet-scented summer flowers.

The sea is never far away with the beaches of the Côte d'Azur within a short drive. Cannes (14km) is a great place for soaking up the glitzy vibe, relaxing on the city beach or just wandering around the impressive marina. Look out for a range of watersports nearby as well as boat trips departing to a variety of places such as Monaco, Saint Tropez and the peaceful Îles de Lérins.

The French Riviera is also home to some brilliant beaches around Juan-les-Pins and Antibes (18km) or head to the dramatic setting of Théoule-sur-Mer (26km).
You are also well positioned for cool hikes through the nearby Valbonne woods with marked walking trails – there is a particularly lovely walk between Valbonne and Biot, following La Brague river. Alternatively, drive further inland towards the rugged mountains around Le Bar-sur-Loup (10km) and Gourdon (14km). Look out for waterfalls and summer swimming in natural rock pools. Horse-riding is another spectacular way to appreciate the stunning scenery of this region.

Golf-lovers note it is just a 5-minute drive to one of the Côte d'Azur's many famous golf courses – this one an 18-hole course with wonderful views. Golf Opio Valbonne, Victoria Golf Club and the famous Royal Mougins Golf Resort are also a short drive away. 

Read more about Grasse

Fall in love with Grasse and its surrounding villages as you experience the Côte d’Azur hinterland staying in one of our handpicked villa rentals in and around Grasse. Pass lavender, jasmine, roses and flower farms as you drive into the hills of the Provence-Alpes-Maritime – no wonder Grasse is known as the ‘perfume capital of France’.

As well as the Museé International de la Parfumerie, visit the perfume houses of Galimard, Molinard and Fragonard for guided tours and even perfume-making workshops. Elsewhere, explore the historic winding lanes and come across artisan shops, café terraces and the impressive Rubens frescoes inside Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy de Grasse. There’s a lovely daily flower market at Place aux Aires whilst Place aux Herbes hosts the larger twice-weekly market on a Wednesday and Saturday morning.

A short drive from Grasse, encounter a wealth of picture-perfect villages and beautiful landscapes for walking, hiking, horse-riding and cycling. The perched village of Cabris is especially bucolic with incredible vistas over the Tanneron forest and Lac de Saint-Cassien. There are more glorious views from the small village of Spéracèdes with its pastel-coloured houses and olive trees.

Discover century-old hiking trails through the Siagne valley as well as pretty villages, ancient bridges and idyllic swimming spots. Visit the illuminated caves of stalagmites and stalactites just outside Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne before pottering around the authentic village admiring its fountains, café terraces and inviting food shops showcasing goats cheese, honey, olive oil and other products of the region.

South of Grasse, drive to the charming hilltop village of Opio, also famed for its olive oil, and don’t miss the Friday morning market in Valbonne, a very charming town dating back to the 16th century, home to a wonderful town square with pavement cafes and restaurants.

Golf lovers have a great choice of courses in the region including Golf du Claux Amic, once a 17th century hunting estate with stunning views and Golf Grande Bastide just south of Opio as well as prestigious courses close to Mougins and Cannes. As well as endless hiking trails across Grasse’s surroundings, other activities include a range of land and water-based activities in and around Lac de Saint-Cassien, only 15km from Grasse, as well as tree-top adventures and zip-lines with French Riviera views at Riviera Nature just north of the town.