Over 50 years ago, one of the first pop and rock festivals in France - the "Riviera Festival" took place in Valbonne. Like Glastonbury (which also first took place in 1970), the festival was inspired by the success of Woodstock in New York state a year earlier. The headliners were Zappa and Ponty. A moment engraved on limited edition vinyl.
Revived over 40 years later, this small hippie festival includes a bohemian market in the pedestrian streets, parades, an exhibition of vintage vehicles and psychedelic concerts. There is also a food-truck, DJ evening and many surprises including free yoga classes. There is a large parking lot and all the concerts and shows are free. Flower Power & Peace and Love!
The most recent edition of the Valbonne Hippie Festival
The Association of Merchants and Artisans of the Village held the latest iteration on Saturday June 17 (from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and Sunday June 18 (from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) As usual, there was lots to see and do; bringing back the golden age of the 70s for a festive weekend in Valbonne.
The programme included:
Hippie market in the Village: ready-to-wear, jewelry, crafts, art...
Wellness area
Food truck and a catering area
DJs and concerts from 5 p.m.
Admission was free, with the public welcome within the limits of the venue's capacity.
How to Get there
By car: Valbonne lies halfway between Antibes and Grasse. The best way to get there is to drive. From Nice, follow the A8 to motorway exits at either Antibes or Cannes, then take signs to Sophia Antipolis and then to village of Valbonne.
By train: A train from Nice to Antibes is 4€. From Antibes, a bus service connects you to Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis bus station for just 1€. For more information on trains, call tel. 36-35, or visit the TER website.
By bus: The local bus network is run by Envibus who provides services in Antibes as well as the surrounding communes, including Juan-les-Pins, Biot, Châteauneuf, Gourdon, Vallauris Golfe-Juan and Villeneuve-Loubet. The Bus 10 route goes from Antibes to Valbonne, via Marineland and Biot village. Contact Envibus (tel. 04-89-87-72-00) or visit their website. Many prefer to just take a taxi from Antibes station (which should cost approx. 30€).
Resources
Accommodation
With a private infinity pool, super-fast Broadband / WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a Holiday Home with panoramic view in Montauroux; perfectly positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is a great central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.
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