Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Domaine des Trois Moulins de la Valmasque, located in the municipalities of Vallauris and Valbonne in the Alpes-Maritimes, is a historic site with multiple influences. It houses the remains of a first-century Roman aqueduct, known as the Bouillide or Clausonnes, which crossed the stream by a two-arched bridge. This ancient monument was part of the hydraulic network of Antipolis (Antibes), testifying to Roman engineering in the region.

Between the 17th and 18th centuries, the water of Valmasque was diverted to supply a hydraulic mill, originally dedicated to flour, and then transformed into an oil mill in the 19th century. This mill, still in working condition despite its shutdown, retains all its original mechanisms, illustrating the evolution of local craft activities.

In the 20th century, between 1935 and 1970, the estate was acquired by biologist Roger Abry and his wife Kitty Holbrook, who transformed it into a residence and a leisure garden. Inspired by ancient and oriental references, the garden includes sculptures, tops, and a temple in Mithra, an ancient factory of Castilla Park in the Gard. This symbolic axis, dedicated to the Persian god Mithra and Ahura Mazda, is decorated with engravings depicting scenes of tauroctonia and fabulous animals.

Artists such as Patlagean or Chagall would have contributed to the development of the site, adding an artistic and cultural dimension to the domain. The garden, structured around a piece of water, combines natural elements (wet meadow, cypress) and human creations (fontaines, jars, canine burials), reflecting the eclectic tastes of its owners.

The estate, including aqueduct, mill, garden and its factories, has been listed as historic monuments since 22 February 2010. This protection covers the whole site, from buildings to natural spaces, technical equipment and decorative elements, thus preserving an industrial, antique and landscape heritage.

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