Mas des Acacias
Food scene
In the village: high end food – new owners since April 2016 with recent reports on Trip
Advisor seeming good and this was confirmed by a visit in June 2019. Located in the old village school with seating in a pretty courtyard garden in summer. It is closed all day Wednesday and Thursday lunchtime. Do remember to book as it is popular in the evenings and at weekends. “Market” Menu choice of 2 starters, 2 main courses and 2 desserts (€39 or €45 including extra cheese course; also includes ‘amuses bouches’). Lunchtime Menu main course and dessert €26. The menu changes weekly; child friendly (but not cheap €15 children’s menu). As always we would welcome more reports.
Tel: 0493 09 40 20 email: lecoledesfilles@orange.fr web: www.lecoledesfilles.wixite.com
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L'Ecole des Filles
380 Av. Amiral de GrasseIn the village: high end food – new owners since April 2016 with recent reports on Trip
Advisor seeming good and this was confirmed by a visit in June 2019. Located in the old village school with seating in a pretty courtyard garden in summer. It is closed all day Wednesday and Thursday lunchtime. Do remember to book as it is popular in the evenings and at weekends. “Market” Menu choice of 2 starters, 2 main courses and 2 desserts (€39 or €45 including extra cheese course; also includes ‘amuses bouches’). Lunchtime Menu main course and dessert €26. The menu changes weekly; child friendly (but not cheap €15 children’s menu). As always we would welcome more reports.
Tel: 0493 09 40 20 email: lecoledesfilles@orange.fr web: www.lecoledesfilles.wixite.com
In the village: a lovely bistro in the central square near the Chateau and provides local produce and French favourites from a short à la carte menu. Open Wednesday to Sunday for Lunch 12.00 – 14.00 and Dinner 19.00 – 21.30. Closed Monday and Tuesday all day. Regularly changing menu – “locally sourced bistro food, done well”. Menu now only à la Carte: 3 courses €41, 4 courses €49 and 5 courses €58 except at lunchtime when there is a short menu. Owned by a Norwegian couple with good English spoken but the Senior Chef is now Stephane Lucas, well respected and previously at Ecole des Filles. No kids menu listed. Decent wine list. Essential to book. Tel: 0493 77 53 92 or 0787 8254 58
email: info@bistrodonjon.fr web: www.bistrodonjon.fr
Bistro Le Donjon
1 Pl. Francis PauletIn the village: a lovely bistro in the central square near the Chateau and provides local produce and French favourites from a short à la carte menu. Open Wednesday to Sunday for Lunch 12.00 – 14.00 and Dinner 19.00 – 21.30. Closed Monday and Tuesday all day. Regularly changing menu – “locally sourced bistro food, done well”. Menu now only à la Carte: 3 courses €41, 4 courses €49 and 5 courses €58 except at lunchtime when there is a short menu. Owned by a Norwegian couple with good English spoken but the Senior Chef is now Stephane Lucas, well respected and previously at Ecole des Filles. No kids menu listed. Decent wine list. Essential to book. Tel: 0493 77 53 92 or 0787 8254 58
email: info@bistrodonjon.fr web: www.bistrodonjon.fr
15 minutes by car - left hand side of the square (you park behind it); family run by the Ettlingers, this is a long-term favourite but pricey thanks to Michelin star and enduring local popularity. Set menu at both meals, but if there is something you really cannot eat, they will substitute. Imperative to book in advance, esp. for Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch, as they did have a Michelin Star (lost in 2020) and get very full (virtually every evening). It is not cheap (full menu at €75 or €60 with only one starter), but a treat for a special occasion – shorter, cheaper menu at lunchtimes (€42) except Sundays and Public Holidays. No double sitting. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Tel: 0493 77 39 18
email: contact@le-clos-saint-pierre.com web: www.le-clos-saint-pierre.com
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Le Clos St Pierre
Chemin de Saint-Pons15 minutes by car - left hand side of the square (you park behind it); family run by the Ettlingers, this is a long-term favourite but pricey thanks to Michelin star and enduring local popularity. Set menu at both meals, but if there is something you really cannot eat, they will substitute. Imperative to book in advance, esp. for Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch, as they did have a Michelin Star (lost in 2020) and get very full (virtually every evening). It is not cheap (full menu at €75 or €60 with only one starter), but a treat for a special occasion – shorter, cheaper menu at lunchtimes (€42) except Sundays and Public Holidays. No double sitting. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Tel: 0493 77 39 18
email: contact@le-clos-saint-pierre.com web: www.le-clos-saint-pierre.com
15 minutes by car: Run by the same family as Clos St Pierre. Simple meals, well prepared with a large terrace (fully booked on one visit so do book ahead if you want to eat outside). Closed Sundays and Mondays. Tel: 0497 05 08 34
email: contact@bistro-du-clos.com web: www.bistro-du-clos.com
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Bistro du Clos
9 Rte d'Opio15 minutes by car: Run by the same family as Clos St Pierre. Simple meals, well prepared with a large terrace (fully booked on one visit so do book ahead if you want to eat outside). Closed Sundays and Mondays. Tel: 0497 05 08 34
email: contact@bistro-du-clos.com web: www.bistro-du-clos.com
Le Capriccio – located on the second roundabout in Chateauneuf-Pre-du-Lac on the road towards Opio. This is basically Italian à la Française, but quite good value. Often very busy but our children / grandchildren enjoy it. Sometimes has live music. Tel: 0493 66 25 71 email: restaurant@lecapriccio.fr
web: www.lecapriccio.fr
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Le Capriccio
20 Chem. de l'HubacLe Capriccio – located on the second roundabout in Chateauneuf-Pre-du-Lac on the road towards Opio. This is basically Italian à la Française, but quite good value. Often very busy but our children / grandchildren enjoy it. Sometimes has live music. Tel: 0493 66 25 71 email: restaurant@lecapriccio.fr
web: www.lecapriccio.fr
In Goudon, approx 20 minutes by car - down a side street (rue Basse). This little restaurant offers simple but good food. A new Chef joined in 2018. Meals can take a little while but, then, you are on holiday! Very small, so booking advised. Menus, à la Carte, 3 courses €38, Lunchtime Menu (not Sundays or Jours Fériées), 3 courses €29, 2 courses €24. Open every day for lunch, except Wednesdays and Thursdays, and open Friday and Saturday evenings. They may open extra days in the evenings in Summer. Tel: 0493 09 68 60. There is a great ice cream parlour next door. “Can we go up the mountain for an ice cream” is a regular request.
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Au Vieux Four
1 Rue Emmanuel PhilibertIn Goudon, approx 20 minutes by car - down a side street (rue Basse). This little restaurant offers simple but good food. A new Chef joined in 2018. Meals can take a little while but, then, you are on holiday! Very small, so booking advised. Menus, à la Carte, 3 courses €38, Lunchtime Menu (not Sundays or Jours Fériées), 3 courses €29, 2 courses €24. Open every day for lunch, except Wednesdays and Thursdays, and open Friday and Saturday evenings. They may open extra days in the evenings in Summer. Tel: 0493 09 68 60. There is a great ice cream parlour next door. “Can we go up the mountain for an ice cream” is a regular request.
Masses of places to eat (but NB parking can be difficult on Fridays because of the Market). The best in the Main Square is as you enter from above on the right-always busy at lunchtime and ideal for simple meals. It has a fabulous Friday market with a huge range of produce on offer. The market is very busy in summer and can be a bit tricky that day with multiple small children (esp if very young); otherwise good fun.
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Valbonne
Masses of places to eat (but NB parking can be difficult on Fridays because of the Market). The best in the Main Square is as you enter from above on the right-always busy at lunchtime and ideal for simple meals. It has a fabulous Friday market with a huge range of produce on offer. The market is very busy in summer and can be a bit tricky that day with multiple small children (esp if very young); otherwise good fun.
located just above the market square this little restaurant is popular. Open Monday to Saturday for Lunch (12.00 – 14.30) and Wednesday to Saturday for Dinner (19.00 – 22.30), prices uncertain but 2 visits so far have impressed. Quite small, run by a husband and wife team and popular with locals. Tel: 0984 58 27
Le Petit Cabanon
17 Chem. du Cabanonlocated just above the market square this little restaurant is popular. Open Monday to Saturday for Lunch (12.00 – 14.30) and Wednesday to Saturday for Dinner (19.00 – 22.30), prices uncertain but 2 visits so far have impressed. Quite small, run by a husband and wife team and popular with locals. Tel: 0984 58 27
Water Sports and Activities
Canyoning – for the uninitiated, this is a combination of swimming, abseiling and jumping off rocks into rock pools. Recommended by our children and older grandchildren, their friends and guests. There are plenty of providers, although the nearest is Contact Fun Trip whose small shop is in Pont du Loup. (Age 8+ for a half day trip; must be strong swimmers) Tel: 0619 66 03 65. Please do NOT attempt canyoning without a guide.
Fun Trip
11 - 13 Rte de GrasseCanyoning – for the uninitiated, this is a combination of swimming, abseiling and jumping off rocks into rock pools. Recommended by our children and older grandchildren, their friends and guests. There are plenty of providers, although the nearest is Contact Fun Trip whose small shop is in Pont du Loup. (Age 8+ for a half day trip; must be strong swimmers) Tel: 0619 66 03 65. Please do NOT attempt canyoning without a guide.
Wild river swimming – the river in the valley has quite a few swimming spots, mainly up the gorge from Pont-du-Loup towards Bramafan and Gourdon (either walk up from Pont-du-loup, or down one of the tracks by the road up the gorge, and between Cipieres and Greolieres. NB not really suitable for non-swimmers or those under 5/6 unless you find a quiet spot for paddling. The water is cold and there are some faster flowing bits.
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Pont du Loup
Wild river swimming – the river in the valley has quite a few swimming spots, mainly up the gorge from Pont-du-Loup towards Bramafan and Gourdon (either walk up from Pont-du-loup, or down one of the tracks by the road up the gorge, and between Cipieres and Greolieres. NB not really suitable for non-swimmers or those under 5/6 unless you find a quiet spot for paddling. The water is cold and there are some faster flowing bits.
About 30-40 minutes drive. Le Plage d'Americain is a great place for families. The water is warm, you can hire pedalo's and paddle boards and there is a cafe serving salads, fast food and ice cream - or bring a picnic.
There is an inflatable assault course located about 5km drive away from Plage d'Americain. By the highway : exit N° 39, follow Lake of St Cassien for 7km. At the end of the second bridge, the beach and its car park are on your right.
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Lac De Saint Cassien
About 30-40 minutes drive. Le Plage d'Americain is a great place for families. The water is warm, you can hire pedalo's and paddle boards and there is a cafe serving salads, fast food and ice cream - or bring a picnic.
There is an inflatable assault course located about 5km drive away from Plage d'Americain. By the highway : exit N° 39, follow Lake of St Cassien for 7km. At the end of the second bridge, the beach and its car park are on your right.
Sightseeing
Perfume – Grasse is the capital of French perfume and a number of houses offer visits. One is Fragonard (www.fragonard.com) and there is also Musée de la Parfumerie which is listed on www.museesdegrasse.ocm. Perhaps not one for younger children and remember that Grasse is difficult for parking and getting around. It is built on a hill.
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Fragonard
11 Rue du Dr Pierre GazagnairePerfume – Grasse is the capital of French perfume and a number of houses offer visits. One is Fragonard (www.fragonard.com) and there is also Musée de la Parfumerie which is listed on www.museesdegrasse.ocm. Perhaps not one for younger children and remember that Grasse is difficult for parking and getting around. It is built on a hill.
If you like sleepy, traditional unspoilt villages, visit Courmes: a tiny village perched on the edge of the mountains. Lovely, little restaurant – Auberge de Courmes serves a delicious lunch – book ahead Tel: 0493 77 64 70). there are great hikes from this village and local honey is available to buy.
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Courmes
If you like sleepy, traditional unspoilt villages, visit Courmes: a tiny village perched on the edge of the mountains. Lovely, little restaurant – Auberge de Courmes serves a delicious lunch – book ahead Tel: 0493 77 64 70). there are great hikes from this village and local honey is available to buy.
World famous St Paul de Vence is 20-30 mins away with
plenty of boutiques, art shops and stunning architecture; get there early in high summer to avoid the hordes.
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Saint Paul de Vence
World famous St Paul de Vence is 20-30 mins away with
plenty of boutiques, art shops and stunning architecture; get there early in high summer to avoid the hordes.
A fantastic collection of 20th Century art in a purpose built space. There is a cafe for refreshments and an excellent gift shop selling original prints.
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Fondation Maeght
623 Chem. des GardettesA fantastic collection of 20th Century art in a purpose built space. There is a cafe for refreshments and an excellent gift shop selling original prints.
Sweets and Chocolate – the local confiserie factory in Pont du Loup (down the hill), Florian (www.confiserieflorian.com), does free guided visits to the factory but, beware, inevitably they end up in the shop.
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Confiseries Florian
Sweets and Chocolate – the local confiserie factory in Pont du Loup (down the hill), Florian (www.confiserieflorian.com), does free guided visits to the factory but, beware, inevitably they end up in the shop.
15-20 minutes by car - pretty village with masses of places to eat and shop (but parking can be difficult on Fridays because of the Market). The best in the Main Square is as you enter from above on the right-always busy at lunchtime and ideal for simple meals. It has a fabulous Friday market with a huge range of produce on offer. This is very busy in summer and can be a bit tricky that day with multiple small children (esp if very young); otherwise good fun.
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Valbonne
15-20 minutes by car - pretty village with masses of places to eat and shop (but parking can be difficult on Fridays because of the Market). The best in the Main Square is as you enter from above on the right-always busy at lunchtime and ideal for simple meals. It has a fabulous Friday market with a huge range of produce on offer. This is very busy in summer and can be a bit tricky that day with multiple small children (esp if very young); otherwise good fun.
High mountain village with great views and a scenic drive back home if you take the route down to Pont-sur-Loup. Touristy but there are fantastic views down to the coast and a popular ice cream parlour. The Aux Vieux Four restaurant is recommended.
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Gourdon
High mountain village with great views and a scenic drive back home if you take the route down to Pont-sur-Loup. Touristy but there are fantastic views down to the coast and a popular ice cream parlour. The Aux Vieux Four restaurant is recommended.
Family Fun
A 25-30 minute drive to near Villeneuve-Loubet. This park is filled with climbing nets to tree houses, slides, bouncy castles, rubber ring luge runs, and a range of other activities, the children all had a ball - aged 3-7 – the optimum age is probably 4/5 to 11. Picnic sites, wooded areas so plenty of shade. Busy so probably best to arrive early – opens 10am. Two other parks on the same site – Laby Folie (lots of water-based fun for summer; opens mid-April); and Pitchoun Forest (not toddlers). All online.
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Le Bois des Lutins
2559 Rte de GrasseA 25-30 minute drive to near Villeneuve-Loubet. This park is filled with climbing nets to tree houses, slides, bouncy castles, rubber ring luge runs, and a range of other activities, the children all had a ball - aged 3-7 – the optimum age is probably 4/5 to 11. Picnic sites, wooded areas so plenty of shade. Busy so probably best to arrive early – opens 10am. Two other parks on the same site – Laby Folie (lots of water-based fun for summer; opens mid-April); and Pitchoun Forest (not toddlers). All online.
‘Fun Kart’ is on the road from Chateauneuf de Grasse to Gourdon – near the quarry. Open every day, this is a regular trip for our children and friends. (Children’s track from 130cms) Tel: 0493 42 48 08.
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Fun Kart
Route de Gourdon‘Fun Kart’ is on the road from Chateauneuf de Grasse to Gourdon – near the quarry. Open every day, this is a regular trip for our children and friends. (Children’s track from 130cms) Tel: 0493 42 48 08.
10 minutes drive away in Opio - well worth the short drive if you have energetic children. There's space to ride bikes, picnic space and playground to suit children up to 12 years.
Playground
14 Rte de Cannes10 minutes drive away in Opio - well worth the short drive if you have energetic children. There's space to ride bikes, picnic space and playground to suit children up to 12 years.
Playgrounds and football pitch – for younger children there is a playground in the village itself (below the newsagent, across road and down path). Next to the playground is a village football pitch which is great for impromptu games with friends or with the locals.
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Le Bar-sur-Loup
Playgrounds and football pitch – for younger children there is a playground in the village itself (below the newsagent, across road and down path). Next to the playground is a village football pitch which is great for impromptu games with friends or with the locals.
Supermarkets and Markets
Please support our local shops where you can. There is a newsagent next to Paneca-sanu Corsu, the bakery (see below). Open every day except Sundays 07.00 – 12.30 (except Saturdays 08.00) it now also carries a range of groceries. Some English newspapers but increasingly less so. There is another “epicierie” which opens at 08.00 in the centre of the village. This looks tiny but is tardis-like and has a surprisingly good range of products. Not for big shops, but useful for day to day supplies. There are two bakeries. Paneca- sanu Corsu, next to the police station (good bread and quiches for lunch; open every day 06.00 – 13.00 and 16.00 – 19.30 except Sunday 06.00 – 13.00). Also provides ice creams and cold drinks, coffee, which is useful as it’s near the village playground. Another bakery shop is higher up towards the Square (open every morning 06.30 – 13.00 except Saturday and Sunday 06.30 – 12.30). There is a Pharmacy down towards the bottom of the town opposite the Police Station. There is also (sometimes) a vegetable and fruit stall in the village near the Square on Saturday mornings. A Pizza and Snacks van normally comes to the village every Sunday parking near the Square.
10 minutes drive - well stocked supermarket with fresh fish and meat counters. Plenty of parking and also open on Sundays.
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Casino supermarché
1006 Chem. des Gourettes10 minutes drive - well stocked supermarket with fresh fish and meat counters. Plenty of parking and also open on Sundays.
10 minute drive - useful supermarket and here there are lots of other shops close by, including a butcher, a prepared food shop, a chemist and a good but expensive organic greengrocer as well as another good baker/patisserie.
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Market Opio
Rond Point de la Font-Neuve10 minute drive - useful supermarket and here there are lots of other shops close by, including a butcher, a prepared food shop, a chemist and a good but expensive organic greengrocer as well as another good baker/patisserie.
20 minute drive - big French hypermarket. Great for stocking up. Large Decathlon next door.
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E.Leclerc Grasse
59 Chem. de l'Orme20 minute drive - big French hypermarket. Great for stocking up. Large Decathlon next door.
10 miutes drive - there is a market in the village of Chateauneuf-Pre du Lac (in what’s normally the car park as you come into the village near the turn off to Grasse and Gourdon) on Monday mornings, with local vegetables, fresh pasta from Italy, rotisserie chicken. Pre-du-Lac also has a greengrocer, an amazing (high end) cheese shop, an ice cream stall and a decent bakery and café with seating outside in the square.
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Châteauneuf
10 miutes drive - there is a market in the village of Chateauneuf-Pre du Lac (in what’s normally the car park as you come into the village near the turn off to Grasse and Gourdon) on Monday mornings, with local vegetables, fresh pasta from Italy, rotisserie chicken. Pre-du-Lac also has a greengrocer, an amazing (high end) cheese shop, an ice cream stall and a decent bakery and café with seating outside in the square.
Sports Shop
20 minutes drive - all your sporting purchases catered for, including a bike repair centre.
Decathlon Grasse
34 Chem. de la Madeleine20 minutes drive - all your sporting purchases catered for, including a bike repair centre.
Beaches
Most beaches in the South of France are extremely busy. Parking can be difficult. Visitors often pay extra to rent sun loungers at a beach club and enjoy lunching, swimming and sunbathing for the whole day.
Sandy beaches. Head early to avoid parking problems in summer - or late to enjoy the nightlife. Lots of restaurants and shops plus plenty of bars and clubs.
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Juan-les-Pins
Sandy beaches. Head early to avoid parking problems in summer - or late to enjoy the nightlife. Lots of restaurants and shops plus plenty of bars and clubs.
Private beach - Côte d'Azur style! A private beach, restaurant lunch on the sand and great people watching await. Phone to book well in advance your sun loungers and table in advance. Valet parking available.
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PLAGE KELLER / RESTAURANT LE CESAR
1035 Chem. de la GaroupePrivate beach - Côte d'Azur style! A private beach, restaurant lunch on the sand and great people watching await. Phone to book well in advance your sun loungers and table in advance. Valet parking available.