Saint Vallier-de-Thiey

Towns and Villages - by Provence Beyond

Villages > Saint Vallier-de-Thiey

St Vallier is a very pleasant small town just 12 km from Grasse, and the first stop along the Route Napoléon going into the Beyond of the Riviera. It's set on a high plateau, overlooked by the high hills. St Vallier began as a Roman stronghold, and contains a Romanesque church dating back to the early 12th century.

	on the big map, SW
Alpes-Maritimes (06460) Population: 1,536; Altitude: 724 m

village photo St Vallier is a great picnic stop, especially for families with kids. A very large, open park of green grass has space for a multitude of families to play ball and throw frisbees, and it's surrounded by large horse chestnut trees for picnics in the shade. A playground and tennis courts are located in the far-right corner of the open park.

village photo For travelers, there are plenty of shops here, hotels and several gas stations. One garage handles sports cars, and I've often seen MGs, Morgans and such. They also sell a very nice looking Lotus Super Seven replica. [Now out of business, sadly - 2005]

Ponadieu natural rock bridge

The Ponadieu natural rock bridge (pont naturel) requires a hike out to the west of the village. The "pont" is actually a big tunnel where the Siagne flows through the rock. The river is cool and clean there, and some of the pools are big enough for splashing about in the summer. On the face of the rock "bridge", high above the river, are large, shallow caves. The trail up past the caves has some great views from the top, were we once saw goats "grazing" on the vertical rock cliffs opposite.

A walk out the dirt road to the west, towards the Grotte de Baume Obscure, will take you past hundreds of rock walls out in the woods. Many of the rock walls are in parallel lines, only about four meters apart. Others are in large rectangles, with the walls very thick. They have a feeling of real age about them, fitting with the ancient dolmens and tumuli in the region.

Caves

The Grotte de Baume Obscure, only 3 km from St Vallier, is open to visitors all year, and has a tour that will take you 1200 metres into the earth. The caves are west of St Vallier, out a small dirt road (10 minute drive or 45 minute walk). At a constant 12 degrees C (54 F), it's a refreshing idea for the middle of the summer; woolen ponchos can be rented for about 2 euros. Entrance to the caves is arouond 10 euros adults, half-that for kids (5-12).

History

Name
First record, 1061 Ecclesia Sancti Valerii

Prehistoric: Numerous outstanding prehistoric sites here.
icon dot 12 aligned dolmens (some are now gone) at La Fay; dolmens d'Arboin (destroyed), Détoutaï, La Parra, Pomeiret and Verdolines.
Remains of six prehistoric camps, with the one at Castellaras de la Malle in the form of an elliptic.
Barrow mounds: tomb at Mal-àGrau; "tholes" at la Colle and 5 "tholes" at Ste-Anne; tumulus at Caillassou.
icon dot At the Grotte Lombard: silex blades, pottery and bone awls.

Office de Tourisme

Tel: 0493 42 78 00; Fax: 04 93 42 69 80
Email: tourisme@saintvallierdethiey.com

Fun - Amusement - Kids

Grotte Baume Obscure Souterroscope

Visit the underground caves; 15 minutes from Grasse.

Location: Chemin de Sainte-Anne

Open: Apr-June, Sept: 10h-17h weekdays, 10h-19h weekends. July-Aug: 10h-19h daily; Oct-Mar: 10h-17h weekends.

Tel: 0493 426 163; Fax: 04 93 42 69 19