Just 18km from Cannes and a short drive to the beaches of the French Riviera, Villa Portrait is set in a quiet residential area between the market town of Valbonne and the picturesque hilltop village of Biot.
Historic Valbonne (5km) is such a pleasant place to stroll around with its narrow lanes, ancient doorways, pretty squares and terrace cafes. The vibrant market on a Friday morning is one of the best in the area and a great place to pick up all sorts of wonderful local produce.
Also close by is the Valmasque Parc with forest walks, picnic and play areas as well as the tranquil Etang de Fontmerle at the southern end, especially popular with bird-watchers. There is a peaceful 10km-long hike between Valbonne and Biot, following La Brague river, and many other marked trails across the wooded hills.
The hilltop village of Biot, also just 5km away, is well-known for its glass making and ceramics as well as its gorgeous setting. After exploring its cobbled lanes and perhaps visiting the Fernand Léger museum, stop off for a bite to eat in the historic centre in a shady square or flower-filled archway.
The sparkling shores of the Côte d'Azur are also so near with the beaches north of Antibes around 10km away. The seaside resort of Juan-Les-Pins (13km) is home to relaxed beaches and watersports whilst Cap d’Antibes offers exceptional coastal walks and idyllic beaches such as Plage de la Garoupe, once frequented by Picasso and Hemingway, with its high-end beach restaurants.
The impressive city of Cannes (18km) is also a must-see with its famous boulevard, La Croisette, glitzy bars and boutiques as well as atmospheric markets, sandy beaches and boat trips, including ferries out to the beautiful Lérins Islands.
Art-lovers should look out for Picasso museums in charming Antibes and Vallauris as well as some magnificent galleries in Nice. The gastronomic village of Mougins (12km), once Picasso’s home, is also highly regarded for its art whilst the Fondation Maeght in St-Paul-de-Vence (20km) is well-known in the region.
If you prefer golf then there are a number of prestigious courses close by including Royal Mougins Golf Resort (15km) and Cannes Mougins Golf Country Club (12km) with others even closer.
The Region
Despite being renowned for its annual international film festival in May at the iconic Palais des Festivals, Cannes is not just a glamourous destination for the rich and famous. The attractive Côte d’Azur town is loved all year round for its palm-fringed beaches, upmarket shopping opportunities and wonderful restaurants as well as a certain French Riviera charm.
Stroll along Cannes’ iconic La Croisette boulevard following the footsteps of stars from years gone by as you admire prestigious hotels, luxurious boutiques and private beach clubs. Stop off for a cocktail as the sun sets and admire the twinkling lights across the bay. Even at night, La Croisette remains the vibrant heart of this bustling town.
Shop to your heart’s delight along the streets of the Carré d’Or district – come across hundreds of well-known stores along Rue d’Antibes. At the end of a busy day there’s a vast choice of restaurants to suit every taste and budget from authentic bistros spilling out on to the street to Michelin starred establishments.
Soak up the historic side of Cannes as you explore Le Suquet quarter’s medieval lanes passing little shops, atmospheric restaurants, flower-filled balconies and old fishermen’s houses. Climb to the top of the hill by Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance for stunning views of the harbour, followed by a visit to Château de la Castre and its popular museum. This part of Cannes is also home to the colourful Marché Forville showcasing the very best gourmet delights of Cannes and beyond.
Escape the crowds as you venture to Croix Des Gardes natural park with forest walking routes, botanical plants and glorious views across to the Lérins Islands. Look out for some fantastic boat trips from Cannes’ marina from whale and dolphin-watching excursions to family adventures on board a chartered yacht, sight-seeing ferries and romantic sun-set cruises.
Beyond the city centre, visit the ceramic studios and National Picasso Museum in Vallauris, follow Picasso’s footsteps in the enchanting hilltop village of Mougins (loved for its galleries and gastronomy) and appreciate the artistic vibe of Biot with beautiful views of the French Riviera. Chic Juan-les-Pins, so loved by Parisians in the summer, is home to beachside restaurants and more watersports whilst keen walkers will adore the incredible coastal trail around Cap d’Antibes.
In the other direction is the charming seaside village of Théoule-sur-Mer, backed by the dramatic Esterel massif, another paradise for hikers. By staying in one of our collection of handpicked rentals in Cannes you can experience all of this and more during your time on the glistening Côte d’Azur.
