PROGRAM 2020 2021 #CASA’VENIR English edition ACTING TOGETHER, FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT LES PRéALPES d’azur AN AREA OF HIGH POTENTIAL 24 municipalities, 180 000 inhabitants covering 483 km² A great diversity of territories : the urbanized and seaside coastline ; the middle country and the A journey between mountains and Sea technopole ; the mountainous and unspoilt country An exceptional natural and cultural heritage, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year A territory at the cutting edge of innovation, at the heart of the dynamics of the global economy

« CASA’VENIR l’expo » Learn all about Sustainable Development in a single innovative, fun and sustainable exhibition for everyone ! + more info : casavenir-expo.fr

La Roque-en- Conségudes

Bouyon

Gréolières Bézaudun-les-Alpes

Cipières les préalpes d’azur

Courmes

Caussols

Gourdon Tourrettes-sur- St Paul-de-

Le Bar-sur-Loup La Colle-sur-Loup Châteauneuf Roquefort-les-Pins

Opio Villeneuve-Loubet

Valbonne Biot

Antibes Juan-les-Pins Golfe-Juan

www.petitfute.uk.com SUMMER guided tours OF THE VILLAGES

DISCOVER THE HERITAGE OF THE VILLAGES OF , GOURDON, LE BAR-SUR-LOUP, GRÉOLIÈRES, TOURRETTES-SUR-LOUP AND CÔTE D'AZUR - DURING FREE GUIDED TOURS ALL [email protected] SUMMER ! PUBLISHING Collection Directors and authors: Dominique AUZIAS and Jean-Paul LABOURDETTE WELCOME TO THE Publishing manager: Isabelle DREZEN Authors: Eileen GIACOLETTO, Bernard CROISE, Jean-Paul LABOURDETTE, Dominique AUZIAS and alter PRÉALPES D’AZUR ! Publishing Director: Stéphan SZEREMETA Publishing team (France): Elisabeth COL, Mélanie COTTARD, Audrey VEDOVOTTO and Tony DE SOUSA Did you say “authentic”? It is an adjective that applies entirely Publishing team (World): Caroline MICHELOT, to this hinterland of hills, “baous” and plateaus, which extends Morgane VESLIN, Pierre-Yves SOUCHET, Jimmy POSTOLLEC and Natalia COLLIER from Valbonne to the perched villages of the Préalpes d’Azur. STUDIO wwFirst of all, the hills that border the Côte d’Azur, like a Studio Manager: Sophie LECHERTIER protective amphitheatre, have seen the villages flourish. Valbonne, assisted by Romain AUDREN Chateauneuf, Opio, le Rouret, Roquefort les Pins have developed Layout: Julie BORDES, Sandrine MECKING and Delphine PAGANO there, some of them around the cultivation of aromatic plants Pictures and Mapping management: Anne DIOT for the perfumers of , others around livestock or market assisted by Julien DOUCET gardening. Little by little, and with the development of the Côte WEB d’Azur, these villages have grown to include a population of Web Director: Louis GENEAU DE LAMARLIERE holidaymakers, retirees, and young households seeking a sweeter Web management and Development: life in the south. The post-war period and the development of Nicolas de GUENIN, Adeline CAUX and Kiril PAVELEK Intégrateur Web: Mickael LATTES tourism and the arts on the coast and in the nearby hinterland gave Webdesigner: Caroline LAFFAITEUR a major boost to the development of these villages. The creation Community Traffic Manager: Alice BARBIER, in 1969 of Sophia Antipolis, and the installation of hundreds of Mariana BURLAMAQUI and Vincent PHAM companies, researchers and universities, completed the boost to NATIONAL PUBLICITY the municipalities of this hilly amphitheatre overlooking the sea. Publicity director: Guillaume VORBURGER w assisted by Manon GUERIN w Behind the hills, there are the white cliffs of the “Baous”, Local publicity management: split by the gorges du Loup, and, at their foot, the villages of Michel GRANSEIGNE Le Loup, we speak there of Gourdon, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Le Customer relations management: Vimla MEETOO and Assa TRAORE Bar-sur-Loup, as well as . They are real balconies on the Heads of National Publicity: hills and the sea, which clearly claim their difference. Nestled Caroline AUBRY, François BRIANCON-MARJOLLET, within their ancient walls, they are bastion villages. They too Perrine DE CARNE MARCEIN and Caroline PREAU were able to take advantage of the development of the means INTERNATIONAL PUBLICITY of communication at the end of the 19th century, roads and Heads of Publicity : Jean‑Marc FARAGUET, railways, to transform themselves and attract new inhabitants, Guillaume LABOUREUR, Camille ESMIEU assisted by Claire BEDON as well as tourists on excursions. The settling of artists and the development of the hotel business have completed giving these CIRCULATION AND PROMOTION Sales promotion Director: Bénédicte MOULET villages their reputation as tourist destinations. assisted by Aissatou DIOP and Sidonie COLLET wwHigher up, behind the limestone plateaus that make Sales Manager: Jean-Pierre GHEZ assisted by Nelly BRION the transition to the high country, are the medium mountain Press and sponsor partnership management: Jean-Mary MARCHAL villages, grouped around the Cheiron mountain: Cipières and Gréolières, but also Coursegoules, Bézaudun-les-Alpes, ADMINISTRATION Chairman: Jean-Paul LABOURDETTE and les Ferres, Conségudes and La Roque-en-Provence. Less Administrative and financial Director: easily accessible, further away, they had to reinvent themselves Valérie DECOTTIGNIES to survive. They have taken advantage of the surrounding nature, Human Resources Director: Dina BOURDEAU assisted by Sandra MORAIS and, for some, of the protection of the Préalpes d’Azur Natural and Eva BAELEN Park to develop nature activities, skiing, canyoning, hiking, Collection: Jeannine DEMIRDJIAN, mountain biking, horse riding. Today, they see the old walls of Adrien PRIGENT and Faiza ALILI their bastides reborn, renovated by new passionate inhabitants, Information and Technology Manager : Adam M’RAH Switchboard: Assa TRAORE attracted by a fabulous living environment, and developing new ideas for activities in this beautiful medium mountain region. n PETIT FUTE PRÉALPES D’AZUR n Whether in the southern hills, in the villages of Le Loup, or in Petit Futé was founded by Dominique AUZIAS. those of the hinterland, you will find a varied hotel business, It is published by Les Nouvelles Editions de l’Université 18, rue des Volontaires - 75015 . restaurants that give pride of place to Provençal local products, & 01 53 69 70 00 - Fax 01 42 73 15 24 welcoming villages with their festivals and traditions, varied Internet: www.petitfute.com activities.... Were we talking about authenticity? We invite you SAS au capital de 1 000 000 E - RC PARIS B 309 769 966 Couverture: Tourrettes-sur-Loup © Tourrettes-sur-Loup - to browse through the pages of this guide, to discover a region Gourdon © Gourdon - Gréolières © Gréolières that extends from Valbonne to the perched villages, and which Impression: IMPRIMERIE CHIRAT - 42540 Saint-Just-la-Pendue Dépôt légal: 12/05/2020 precisely cultivates its authenticity. ISBN: 9782305040431

To email us, type the surname (lowercase) followed by @petitfute.com Write to the editor: [email protected]

PRINTED IN FRANCE TABLE OF CONTENTS

„„ ...... 78 DISCOVER Châteauneuf...... 84 THE PRÉALPES D’AZUR n Cipières...... 90 Courmes...... 96 Must-Sees...... 10 Conségudes...... 100 Nature...... 16 Coursegoules...... 102 Geography...... 16 Gourdon...... 108 Fauna & flora...... 25 Gréolières...... 114 Economy...... 34 La Roque-en-Provence...... 122 Le Bar-sur-Loup...... 128 History...... 35 Le Rouret...... 136 Prehistory...... 35 Les Ferres...... 142 Antiquity...... 36 Opio...... 144 Middle Ages...... 37 Roquefort-les-Pins...... 148 From Renaissance Tourrettes-sur-Loup...... 154 to the Revolution...... 37 Valbonne Sophia Antipolis...... 164 From the Revolution to the 21st Century...... 38 Nowadays...... 38 „„ORGANISING Heritage & traditions...... 39 YOUR STAY n Cultural heritage...... 39 Architectural heritage...... 39 Getting to the Préalpes d’Azur...... 180 Traditions & ways of life...... 46 By plane...... 180 By train...... 180 Local food & gourmet products...... 52 By road...... 181 Local specialities...... 52 Local produce...... 53 Getting around Alcohol & spirits...... 56 in the Préalpes d’Azur...... 182 Sports & leisure...... 57 By car...... 182 By bus...... 184 Outdoor activities...... 57 By bike...... 184 Hunting, fishing & nature...... 58 In the air...... 60 Itineraries...... 185 Winter sports...... 60 Nature and hiking...... 185 Adrenaline sports...... 60 “Le tour du Cheiron” itinerary...185 Festivals & events...... 62 Discover the flavours...... 186 Information on the Préalpes d’Azur...... 188 „„FROM PLACE TO PLACE n Inter communal tourist office – Préalpes d’Azur...... 70 CASA...... 188 Bézaudun-les-Alpes...... 70 Media...... 188 Bouyon...... 74 Index...... 190 3 Gourdon. TABLE OF CONTENTS ©©Bernard CROISE ́ 4

Towards Italie 1km

La Roque-en- Provence D1

Conségudes Les Ferres D1 Bouyon

Préalpes d’Azur Gréolières National Park D2 D8 Coursegoules Bézaudun-les- Alpes D2 Pays d’Azur Cipières

D3 Courmes

D5 D6 Caussols

Tourrettes-sur-Loup Gourdon

D3 D2210 Towards Le Bar-sur-Loup

Rouret D2085 Roquefort-les- Châteauneuf Pins

Grasse Opio

D4

Valbonne - Main road Sophia Antipolis Secondary road Baie des Railway Anges Commune Forest/National park Towards Italie 1km

La Roque-en- Provence D1

Conségudes Les Ferres D1 Bouyon

Préalpes d’Azur Gréolières National Park D2 D8 Coursegoules Bézaudun-les- Alpes D2

Cipières

D3 Courmes

D5 D6 Caussols

Tourrettes-sur-Loup Gourdon

D3 D2210 Towards Nice Le Bar-sur-Loup

Rouret D2085 Roquefort-les- Châteauneuf Pins

Grasse Opio

D4

Valbonne - Main road Sophia Antipolis Secondary road Baie des Railway Anges Commune Forest/National park 5 Bolbo lbo DISCOVER THE Bolbo lbo PRÉALPES D’AZUR

Gourdon and the coast seen from château de Caussols. ©©Bernard CROISÉ

Légende © COPYRIGHT Bolbo lbo DISCOVERBolbo lboTHE Bolbo lbo PRÉALPESBolbo D’AZUR lbo IDENTITY CARD 8 This guide covers 18 towns or villages in the Sophia Antipolis Roquefort-les-Pins, as well as Parc de la and Parc Urban Community, stretching from the hinterland of de la Valmasque, partially located in the commune of to the villages on the Estéron River. Valbonne Sophia-Antipolis. wwThe most important municipality is Valbonne- wwEurope’s leading technology park: Sophia Sophia Antipolis with 13,190 inhabitants. The Antipolis. least important is La-Roque-en-Provence, with wwA river classified as an “exceptional river”: the 68 inhabitants. Esteron, which is one of the top three wild rivers in the wwThe total area of the territory is 391 km2. Alps, with the Soca (Slovenia) and Tagliamento () wwThe lowest point in the territory, 20 metres above wwA remarkable coastal river, the Loup: 48 km long sea level, is Roquefort les Pins. The highest point, from its source at 1,217 m to its mouth. Its gorges are one 1,778 meters, is at Gréolières. (Cheiron Summit). of the main tourist attractions of the region. wwThe areas of these 18 municipalities range from wwAn unusual place, Caussols: its karst plateau offers a 7.1 km2 (Le Rouret) to 52.67 km2 (Gréolières). preserved nature with a specific flora and fauna. wwThere are 5 main tourist sites: Valbonne-Village, wwA massif: the Cheiron (1,778 m) around which 8 of Gourdon, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Gorges du Loup, the communes in this guide are grouped. Gréolières. wwThe lowest town hall is Roquefort les Pins (200 m). wwA regional natural park: the Préalpes d’Azur wwThe highest town hall is Caussols (1,130 m). regional natural park, which includes 47 municipali- wwTwo Natura 2000 sites: Les Préalpes de Grasse ties, 11 of which are within the territory of the Sophia (communes of Bar-sur-Loup, Caussols, Cipières, Courmes, Antipolis Agglomeration Community, and are therefore Coursegoules, Gourdon, Gréolières, la Roque en Provence, included in this guide. Tourrettes sur Loup) and Rivière et les Gorges du Loup wwFour departmental natural parks: Parc de (communes of Bar-sur-Loup, Cipières, Courmes, Gourdon, l’Estéron in La Roque-en-Provence, Parc du Sinodon in Gréolières, Roque-sur-Loup). ́ CROISE Bernard

© ©

Place des Arcades, Valbonne. 9 ́ LIBRE DE DRIOT DE LIBRE © © BERNARD CROISE BERNARD © ©

Crystallized violets. Chateau-Mairie de Tourrettes-sur-Loup. ́ BERNARD CROISE BERNARD © ©

Coursegoules. ́ BERNARD CROISE BERNARD © ©

Gourdon village. MUST-SEES

From the hills of Valbonne to the villages of the high century, on the plans of a Roman city: in a checkered, country, through the communes of Le Loup, the region is rectangular shape, the streets surrounding a central rich in cultural, architectural and natural discoveries. Here square. On each side of the rectangle, a door was open, are some sites that you shouldn’t miss. allowing access to the city. Of the four gates that opened on each side of the city, only those from the north, south and west remain. You enter the old village through these Châteauneuf village gates, walking through the busy pedestrian streets, which Seeing the medieval village of Châteauneuf from the plain intersect perpendicularly. Here no stairs or steep alleys, is a guaranteed must with an irrepressible desire to visit everything is flat or slightly sloping, and easy to access. it. It is a village that clings to the sides of a hill planted The village, very inhabited, is constantly animated. Pretty with century-old olive trees, wrapped around a natural shops invite you to push their doors, restaurants have hillside. The houses are squeezed together around the their charming terraces right on the street. The houses church, in a harmony of shapes and colours, giving the have beautiful facades with ochre plasters, on which whole a true Provençal character. The city has made its pastel-coloured shutters add a touch of Provençal colour. reputation around the cultivation of perfume flowers, The streets are flowered with succulent plants, bouquets vines and olive trees, as well as market gardening. While of lavender, virgin vines or bougainvilleas. remaining faithful to the agricultural and horticul- ww tural tradition, the municipality has also diversified its To discover: the Valbonne goat farm, the Peyrebelle economic activities both in the field of crafts (ceramics, olive grove, hikes along the Brague. pottery, sculptures) and commercial. It is a real pleasure „„BUREAU D’INFORMATION TOURISTIQUE to stroll through the flowered alleys, discovering the DE VALBONNE SOPHIA-ANTIPOLIS facades, stairs, vaulted passages, and to admire here 1, place de l’ Hôtel de Ville a nicely restored house, there a garden planted with a VALBONNE magnolia or a palm tree. & 04 93 12 34 50 wwTo discover: the fountain-washhouse on the town [email protected] hall square, the church of Saint Martin (10th century) Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm which houses an 18th century altarpiece, the panorama to 5.30pm; Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm. From 15 June of the Côte d’Azur from the Old Town Hall square, the to 15 September, also open on Saturday afternoons from orientation table. 1.30 pm to 5 pm. Located on the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, in the village of Valbonne, you will find here complete information about Valbonne village the city and its heritage as well as the local transport In contrast to other older villages, grouped around their network and the many festivals and events organized castle at the top of a hill, Valbonne was built in the 16th by the Commune. CROISÉ Bernard © ©

General view of Châteauneuf-Grasse. 11

A street in Châteauneuf. ©©Bernard CROISÉ 12

Stroll through the streets of Valbonne. ©©Bernard CROISÉ The Gorges du Loup - Must-Sees 13

castle framed by round towers, stone facades and tiled Tourrettes-sur-Loup roofs, the bell tower of the church that protrudes... The City of Arts, medieval city, city of Violets, secret village, whole is harmonious and has inspired many an artist. so many qualifiers for such a small village? But yes, The Côte d’Azur, which sparkles in the distance in its blue Tourrettes-sur-Loup deserves them all. One enters intra- setting, completes the picture. We are seized. A walk mural through the old medieval gates, much as one through the village’s alleys leads us to discover some would enter a church. We wouldn’t want to disturb too craftsmen’s shops: art glassmaker, perfumer or potter. much, but at the same time we want to discover the city, The view of the from place Victoria is to explore corners and nooks and crannies, alleys, alleys breathtaking. and secret stairs, to see who is hiding there. Craftsmen, no ww doubt, judging by the shops. Ceramists, potters, weavers, To discover: the fountain, the église St-Vincent, the jewellers, perfumers met in Tourrettes-sur-Loup for our magnificent view from Place Victoria. greatest pleasure, looking at their looms, workbenches or „„BUREAU D’INFORMATION TOURISTIQUE DISCOVER THE PRÉALPES D’AZUR potter’s wheels. This magical village has always attracted DE GOURDON artists: Prévert, Sinatra, Cocteau had their habits there. It 1, place Victoria is necessary to come in March, for the day of the “Autour GOURDON de la Violette” festival, a celebration of spring in the & 04 93 09 68 25 colours of this delicate flower. www.gourdon06.fr wwTo discover: the church of Saint-Grégoire on the [email protected] square, the castle, the medieval city, the craftsmen. But Open from November to March from 10am to 1pm and also: the Bastide aux Violettes, the Chapelle St-Jean, the from 1.45pm to 5pm. Open from April to June, September Courmettes farm. and October from 10am to 1pm and from 1.45pm to „„ 6pm. Open in July and August from 10am to 1pm and BUREAU D’INFORMATION TOURISTIQUE from 1.45pm to 7pm. DE TOURRETTES-SUR-LOUP You will find here lots of information and a wide range 2, place de la Libération of self-service documentation. The Bureau d’Information TOURRETTES-SUR-LOUP Touristique also has a post office open during the week so & 04 93 24 18 93 that you can send a postcard of your holidays. www.tourrettessurloup.com [email protected] Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 1pm and 2pm The Gorges du Loup to 5pm. Closed on Sundays and holidays, except in July and August. Closed at 5pm from November to March, at Born at an altitude of 1,200 m in the Audibergue massif, 6pm from April to July, at 6.30pm in July and August, at the Loup has dug its way through the limestone of the 5.30pm in September and October. Pre-Alps, carving its way between the plateaus of Calern, The team offers all year long upon appointment free Cavillore and Caussols in the west, and the Saint-Barnabé guided tours of the medieval city and the historical plateau in the east to form these magnificent gorges. heritage. The Gorges du Loup represent the tumultuous section of the river: waterfalls, rapids and siphons are a delight for water hikers. The gorges extend for about 5 km from Gourdon the Pont du Loup to the crossroads of Bramafan. During It was a fortified place, an eagle’s nest, an impregnable the Belle Epoque, they were already a tourist attraction. tower. It was reached by a vertiginous mule track: On Sundays in summer, the Provence railways would 537m of altitude difference! In other words, we only dump tourists and locals who would go up the river came to Gourdon if we had to. Curiously, it was flowers in search of freshness, a picnic basket in hand, at the rather than war that made the village’s fortune. By Pont-du-Loup station. To visit them, you must take the scenic road D6 which follows the gorges on the left extending into the valley in the 19th century, as far nd as the hamlet of Pont-du-Loup, the municipality was bank of the Loup. Before the2 tunnel you can see the able to develop at this more favourable altitude the spectacular Courmes waterfall, but it is difficult to stop cultivation of perfumed plants, orange trees and olive there because there is no parking space. Further on, trees. The 1950s and the development of tourism on the the waterfalls of Le Saut du Loup offer parking spaces. Côte d’Azur did the rest. Today, Gourdon is one of the A viewpoint has been set up to get closer to the Loup most beautiful villages in France. Whether you arrive and see the falls... from Le Bar-sur-Loup, the vallée du Loup or Caussols, wwTo discover: the Pont du Loup site with the remains the view of the village is breathtaking. We must stop of the railway viaduct destroyed in 1944, the Courmes the car quickly and immortalize this beauty. Gourdon waterfall, the Saut du Loup site, the banks of the appears to us on its rocky spur, with its massive Provencal Haut-Loup between Gréolières and Cipières.

Find the index at the end of this guide book 14 Must-Sees - The Estéron River

the views over the valley and the Cheiron, the grain mill, The Estéron River the plateau of Saint Barnabé, the chapelle Saint Michel. No catchments or discharges, no dams, an open river, crystal clear water, preserved landscapes, the Estéron is indeed an exceptional river. From the slopes of Mont Gréolières Teillon, where it rises at an altitude of 1,160 m, the Estéron Gréolières flourishes on the southern slope of Cheiron quietly runs its course to flow into the Var, after 67 km of Mountain, at an altitude of 836 m. The village, among travel. The river benefits from a gentle slope for most of its the highest in the region, overlooks the vallée du Loup. length, which contributes to making its banks a privileged The Cheiron mass dominates the village, imposing and place for fishing or swimming. In areas where the slope protective, with its marked hiking routes. Below are the is steeper, the river has dug gorges, a real paradise for Gorges du Loup, siphons and waterfalls, natural baths and canyoning enthusiasts! The Estéron Departmental Natural fly fishing. Gréolières les Neiges is located on the northern Park, which covers 20 hectares in the municipalities of slope of the Cheiron massif, 18 km from the village of La Roque-en-Provence and Roquesteron, was created to Gréolières. We ski here 21 km as the crow flies from the allow as many people as possible to access the river in a Mediterranean! The slopes are laid out on the slopes of controlled area. In summer, the developed beaches and the Cheiron on nearly 1,000 hectares. The exposure to the natural basins allow summer visitors to cool off in the north of the Cheiron limits snowmelt. The resort is also waters of the Estéron. A fishing course allows enthusiasts equipped with an automatic snowmaking installation to fish for trout or bleak fish. on 4 km of slopes. From the top of the Cheiron, one can wwTo discover: The Estéron Departmental Natural contemplate a circular panorama, which includes both Park, the municipality of La Roque-en-Provence, the the coast and the Mediterranean to the south, as well neighbouring villages of Conségudes and Les Ferres. as the Alps to the north! wwTo see: the ruins of the castles of the Basses and Hautes Gréolières, Saint-Pierre church, the ruins of Coursegoules the Notre-Dame de Verdelaye chapel, the milestone... From the road to Vence, Coursegoules appears as a ww harmonious village, surrounded by its old ramparts, fully Things to do: In winter, downhill skiing, cross-country representative of the high country. The tourists are not skiing, snowshoeing. In summer, hiking in the Cheiron mistaken, everyone stops to take a picture of the village! massif, canyoning, fishing and swimming in the Loup. It is true that nestled on its promontory, with the austere „„BUREAU D’INFORMATION TOURISTIQUE bar of the Cheiron massif in the background and the DE GRÉOLIÈRES light of the end of the day on its facades, Coursegoules Route de Font-Rougières, GRÉOLIÈRES looks great. It is a village for lovers of old stones, a & 04 93 24 10 79 village of character. Walking through its steep alleys [email protected] is a journey back in time. Fountains, old washhouses, From January 1st to March 24th and from July 1st to August covered passages, “pountis”, houses with stone facades, 18th: open every day except Monday and Thursday, from Coursegoules is a condensed version of the high country. 9am to 1pm. From March 25th to June 30th and from Its location in the heart of a natural area covering the August 19th to December 31st: open Wednesday, Saturday Saint-Barnabé plateau and the Cheiron massif is a and Sunday from 9am to 1pm. godsend for hikers, many of whom frequent the village. You will find all the information you need to visit wwTo discover: the ramparts, the chapelle des Pénitents Gréolières, ski or snowshoe in winter, hike, paraglide Blancs, the église Sainte Marie Madeleine, the facade or mountain bike in summer. A wealth of information to of the Freinet school, the residence of Diane de Poitiers, fully enjoy the 5,267 hectares of the commune. CROISÉ Bernard © ©

Eglise Saint-Pierre in Gréolières. 15

Walk in the streets of Coursegoules. ©©Bernard CROISÉ NATURE

From the shores of the Mediterranean to the great plateaus and the snow-covered mountains of the Mercantour range of the hinterland, the territory that extends from Valbonne in the back. This sometimes confusing climate makes all to the perched villages of the Préalpes d’Azur passes the salt in the region. Where else but here can we find so through a magnificent gradient. It makes the big gap much difference in climate in an hour’s drive? between the Mediterranean and mountain levels. It is not Small coastal rivers have made their way through this uncommon in winter to see the snow-covered plateaus of geographical amphitheatre, sometimes in a masterly way, Saint-Barnabé or Calern while tourists have lunch on the such as the Loup, which has carved spectacular gorges. This terrace in Valbonne. This geographical location gives rise area is mainly occupied by wooded areas with urbanized to magnificent photos, the sunny hills in the foreground, areas to the south and karst landscapes to the north. Geography

Climate The compass rose The Mediterranean plays a soothing role in local weather. The region’s mild climate is proverbial Apart from a few rare winter storms, winds in the region are rather moderate, with the mountains of the high It attracts thousands of tourists and residents every country and the Esterel massif playing a protective winter. The average temperature is 10°C in winter, but role. The prevailing winds are from the east or west, on sunny days, you can see a few brave swimmers do and sometimes from the south. lengths in a Mediterranean at 15°C. The rains recharge the groundwater and fill the water reservoirs that are wwThe easterly wind: coming from the Gulf of Genoa, the karst massifs. It is the body of water stored in these it is generally an indicator of bad weather. mountains that supplies the fountains of villages, rivers wwMistral: it is synonymous with good weather. It blows and coastal streams. strongly in the Rhône corridor but its effects are largely mitigated in the extreme south-east, protected by the A remarkable amount of sunshine Alps and Esterel mountains which divert it towards the The region is said to have around 300 days of sunshine open sea and Corsica. Its violence is feared in the south. per year. It is therefore rare that the sun does not shine! In periods of drought, the Mistral fans the slightest Indeed the sun is present in all seasons making winters forest fire, which then becomes uncontrollable in steep pleasant. Summers, on the other hand, the heat becomes mountain ranges. intense on the coast. In this season it is pleasant to seek wwSirocco: This is the south wind. It blows from Africa freshness in altitude. Gourdon, Caussols, Gréolières, are bringing mild air and sometimes sand from the Sahara here to refresh you! which covers the snow-covered peaks in winter... CROISÉ Bernard © ©

The Caussols plateau with the Calern plateau observatory. 17

Le Loup. ©©BERNARD CROISE ́ Agriculture at CASA A proactive agricultural policy

A 3-pronged agricultural strategy since 2012

La Roque-en-Provence Conségudes Les Ferres

Bouyon

Gréolières Bézaudun-les-Alpes Coursegoules

Cipières

Courmes

Caussols

Gourdon A territory rich in contrasts Tourrettes-sur-Loup St Paul-de-Vence

Le Bar-sur-Loup Le Rouret La Colle-sur-Loup 24 municipalities from the sea to the mountains Châteauneuf Roquefort-les-Pins Opio Villeneuve-Loubet

A high country characterized by livestock farms shaping Valbonne Sophia Antipolis Biot the large spaces of remarkable biodiversity Antibes Juan-les-Pins Vallauris A middle country with a diversified agriculture Golfe-Juan A coastline that brings together the territory’s horticultural and market gardening farms Development of a dynamic agricultural land policy

A few figures  Increase of agricultural areas in PLU’s 307 farmers in 2018, i.e. 16,3% of farmers in the Alpes-Maritimes  Financial support to municipalities for the acquisition of agricultural land department  Mobilisation of new land through the reclamation of agricultural wasteland 36% of horticulturists with traditional crops (roses, carnations, gladioli)

14% of meat and cheese farmers (ewes, goats) Support for local farms 12% of horse and donkey breeders  Supporting municipalities for the acquisition of agricultural land 8% other farmers (fish, bees, poultry, pigs)  Study of an agricultural business incubator and test areas for the installation of new farmers 16% of market gardeners offering quality local products  Support for short circuit projects  Support for research and innovation projects in the region 8% other growers (perfume and aromatic plants, citrus fruits, vines, red fruits, violets...)

4% olive growers with the Protected Designation of Origin chain Promotion of an sustainable and quality agriculture « Olive de Nice »  Support for pastoral activities managing outstanding natural areas  Revaluation of the agricultural heritage through the organization of dry-stone and Terroirs of future and innovation olive-tree maintenance projects  Raising the awareness of schoolchildren and the general public to local Companies and training centers invested in agricultural research agricultural issues through the implementation of educational projects and development (INRA, Lycée horticole et agricole d’Antibes - and participation in communal agricultural fairs Vert d’Azur) GO OUT &DISCOVER festivals | concerts | exhibitions conferences | trade fairs | theaters

Available in all tourist offices, town halls and CASA information points or can be downloaded at casa-infos.fr. PROGRAM #CASA’VENIR ACTING TOGETHER, FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2020 - 2021 AN AREA OF HIGH POTENTIAL 24 municipalities, 180 000 inhabitants covering 483 km² A great diversity of territories : the urbanized and seaside coastline ; the middle country and the technopole ; the mountainous and unspoilt country An exceptional natural and cultural heritage, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year A territory at the cutting edge of innovation, at the heart of the dynamics of the global economy

« CASA’VENIR l’expo » Learn all about Sustainable Development in a single innovative, fun and sustainable exhibition for everyone ! + more info : casavenir-expo.fr

La Roque-en- Provence Conségudes Les Ferres

Bouyon

Gréolières Bézaudun-les-Alpes Coursegoules

Cipières les préalpes d’azur

Courmes

Caussols

Gourdon Tourrettes-sur-Loup St Paul-de-Vence

Le Bar-sur-Loup Le Rouret La Colle-sur-Loup Châteauneuf Roquefort-les-Pins

Opio Villeneuve-Loubet Prix France

Valbonne € Sophia Antipolis Biot 6.95

Antibes Juan-les-Pins Vallauris Golfe-Juan