In the early 16th century, Augustin Grimaldi, Lord of Monaco and Bishop of Grasse, united the people living in the surrounding hamlets to build a single fortified village based on the traditional Roman grid pattern, with a central street and square and houses built into the ramparts. That grid layout remains more or less the same today! Up to the mid-20th century, life in the village of Valbonne revolved around growing olive trees and vines, as well as roses and jasmine for the perfume makers of Grasse. But the growth of tourism along the French Riviera from the 1950s onwards gradually led to the emergence of new activities in the village, such as craft businesses and excellent hotels and restaurants. It received its biggest boost in 1969, however, with the creation of the Sophia Antipolis science and technology hub, inspired by the American technology park concept offering outstanding working conditions and quality of life, which would attract scientists and engineers from across the world. Its visual hallmark is an architectural style that makes extensive use of glass, reflecting the surrounding vegetation! 
Key dates of Sofia Antipolis: 
    •    1969: decision to create a science, technology and knowledge centre in the municipality of Valbonne Sophia Antipolis.
    •    1972: Creation of a joint association to manage developments and the installation of facilities at Valbonne Sophia Antipolis, now called SYMISA.
    •    1974: Arrival of the first company at the site.
    •    1988: operational management of the Park is outsourced to a semi-public limited company, better able to keep pace with its growth.
    •    2019: Sophia Antipolis marks its 50th anniversary, and the village of Valbonne celebrates its 500th anniversary.
(Source: https://www.ville-valbonne.fr/)
Today, more than half of the technology park lies within the territory of Valbonne (renamed Valbonne Sophia Antipolis), as a result of which the town’s permanent population has rocketed from 3,000 in 1980 to nearly 13,000 in 2024! Engineers, researchers and technicians from firms such as Air France, France Télécom (later renamed Orange), Thalès and IBM restored or built from scratch hundreds of modern, spacious, bright and fully equipped villas for themselves and their families. With swimming pools, of course. In doing so, they shaped a real-estate landscape with two facets:
- first, the old village centre, beautifully preserved with its ochre stone façades and pastel-coloured shutters, bougainvillea, and numerous small restaurants with tables lining the narrow streets leading to Place des Arcades, a listed historic monument since 1992. Its townhouses and, especially, its private mansions – some of which date back to the 17th century – are the ultimate rare finds;
- and second, villas with at least five bedrooms, grounds and swimming pool – if possible fully renovated and ideally located on a private estate.
Properties sell for between €1 million and €3 million, depending on their amenities, which offer a guarantee of excellent medium- and long-term – and even very long-term – prospects. 
 

Located between the Mediterranean and the Provençal hills, Valbonne and its surroundings are a premier destination for high-end real estate on the Côte d’Azur. This area offers a serene lifestyle, charming architecture, and easy access to the tech hub of Sophia Antipolis. Whether you're looking for a Provençal bastide or a modern villa with pool and garden, our exclusive selection includes properties in Valbonne, the historic perfume capital of Grasse, and picturesque villages such as Châteauneuf-de-Grasse. An ideal setting for a second home or a permanent luxury residence.