Domaine des Trois Moulins de la Valmasque (également sur commune de Vallauris)

English translation

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History

This complex site contains the ancient remains of the Roman aqueduct of Antibes, known as the Bouillide, which crosses it and spans the stream by a bridge with two arches dating from the 1st century. The water of the Valmasque is diverted in the 18th century, or even from the 17th century, in order to convey it by canal to a body of water serving as a reservoir for a hydraulic mill, a flour mill subsequently transformed into an oil mill in the 19th century. This mill preserves all its constituent elements and remains in working order even if its activity has ceased to this day. The estate became a residence between 1935 and 1970, a period during which the former rural property was developed into an ornamental garden where sculptures, jars and box topiary meet. This garden also reveals distinct ancient and oriental influences. Artists such as Patlagean or Chagall are said to have contributed to the development of this landscaped site. The temple of Mithra, a former folly from the park of Castille in the Gard, constitutes what appears to be the centre of this garden. It closes an axis dedicated to the Persian god and to Ahura Mazda, the ground situated on this axis retaining engraved highly symbolic figures such as scenes of tauroctony or confronted fabulous animals. Other figurations strongly inspired by the ancient orient are implanted on the other bank of the body of water.