A park between nature and culture
Close to the tourist beaches of Villeneuve-Loubet, the departmental Parc du Vaugrenier invites you to a getaway in a preserved natural environment.
The Romans, seduced by the privileged location of this land, founded a village here. The Via Aurelia (or Aurelian Way), which facilitated trade between Rome, Gaul and the Iberian provinces, is located nearby. The remains of a temple dedicated to the divinity Mercury, visible in the park, remind walkers of the rich ancient past of Vaugrenier and the French Riviera.
The particular geological nature of the soil in this area has favoured the creation of natural wetlands. The Vaugrenier park is home to the last natural freshwater pond on the coast of the Alpes-Maritimes. Walkers can also enjoy the meadows, criss-crossed by small streams, and the paths that lead through the heart of Mediterranean forests, where cork oaks, holm oaks, white oaks and pines dominate.
Many plant and animal species have found refuge in the park. Small mammals are numerous: foxes, wild rabbits, squirrels, hedgehogs and bats are at home here. You can also see harmless snakes sunning themselves, or frogs with their characteristic songs. The pond attracts many species of sedentary and migratory birds: ducks, herons, egrets find both shelter and food here.
