Antibes tourism: historic seaside resort | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism (2024)

Antibes tourism: historic seaside resort | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism (1)
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Antibes is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department which brilliantly combines the past and the present. During a stroll in the old Antibes, you can admire the facades, the doors, but also the emblematic monuments of Antibes such as the cathedral or the Château Grimaldi. On the way back to Port Vauban, you can discover the lace sculpture of letters «Nomade» imagined by Jaume Plensa and go to Fort Carré.

During this holiday in the sun, you will have the opportunity to discover the many craft stores located in the streets of the center of Antibes Juan les Pins. Have a break by sitting on the terrace of a restaurant to taste the specialties of the region. The Provencal market is an integral part of the town’s traditions. Discover the colorful and scented stalls of local producers.

Throughout the year, the town comes alive and organizes various events to honor local art and customs. The Jazz à Juan festival is one of the best known.

Nature lovers will be able to take the hiking trails that wind their way to Cap d’Antibes. The Sentier de Tire-poil runs along the sea and allows you to discover the local fauna and flora. For a moment of relaxation, you can also enjoy the beach. There are many sandy and shingle beaches in Antibes Juan les Pins. They border the coast and offer a heavenly setting for sunbathing or for having fun. The most athletic can enjoy water sports such as diving or wakeboarding.

Musée Picasso

The Musée Picasso is housed in the former Château Grimaldi. The latter was both the residence of the bishops in the Middle Ages, but also the home of the Monegascan family and then the residence of the King’s governor before being a barracks. Today, the building has given way to the paintings donated to the city by the painter Pablo Picasso. Nicolas de Staël also stayed at the Château Grimaldi. You can discover the works donated by his widow to the museum. Over time and through donations, the collections have been enriched with pieces by many artists.

Fort Carré d’Antibes

Fort Carré d’Antibes is located on the Saint-Roch peninsula at 26 meters above sea level. The construction of the Fort was initiated by the King of France Henri II to serve as a sentinel and defense post, but also as a prison. It is composed of four bastions named Antibes, Nice, France and Corsica opposite the directions to which they point. Listed as a historical monument, Fort Carré is open to the public and allows you to discover its architecture and its preserved environment. The place offers a breathtaking view of the old town and the sea.

Saint-Bernardin Chapel

The Saint-Bernardin chapel, in the heart of the old town of Antibes, was built in the 16th century. Listed as a historical monument, it has been renovated to highlight the neo-gothic style of the period, both inside and outside. The interior decoration of the building is a feast for the eyes. Admire the statues of Saint Roch, Saint Sebastian and Saint Bernardin de Sienne, the starry blue ceiling, the16th-century frescoes, twisted columns in gilded wood, etc. The town of Antibes won the “LesRubans du Patrimoine» French Building FederationPrize for the restoration of this chapel.

Villa Eilenroc

The Villa Eilenroc, located at the end of Cap d’Antibes, was the residence of a wealthy Dutchman named Hugh-Hope Loudon and then that of a wealthy American businessman. The Beaumont couple had the house decorated with 18th-century furniture and paintings and organized prestigious receptions. The owner left the villa to the town of Antibes on condition that a Beaumont Foundation was created to exploit this heritage, use the property for exhibitions, receptions and the reception of famed guests. The couple also wanted the gardens to be open to the public. All these conditions are now respected.

Hartung-Bergman Foundation

The Hartung-Bergman foundation is the former residence and studio of the artists Hans Hartung and Anna-Eva Bergman, figures of 20th century modern art. Today, the villa houses works and archives: paintings, works on paper, prints, photographs, press articles, notes, etc. The foundation and its buildings extend over nearly 2,600 m² in a park of hundred-year-old olive trees. Throughout the year, the Hartung-Bergman foundation awards mobility grants to finance the trip and stay of young researchers, art historians, but also human and social science researchers.

Practical information

  • Tourist Office of Antibes: https://www.antibesjuanlespins.com/
  • Road service: A8 Highway (from Aix-en-Provence or the Italian border)
  • Air access: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (30 minutes)
  • Railroad access: train station
  • Also discover :Antibes markets

NEARBYTOWNS:

  • Cagnes-sur-Mer

  • Menton

  • Cannes

  • Mougins

  • Grasse

  • Nice

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Antibes tourism: historic seaside resort | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism (2024)

FAQs

Is Antibes worth visiting? ›

Antibes is a must for anyone visiting the region. In fact, you can't miss the town: its lighthouse dominates the bay, its fortress and fortifications can't go unnoticed.

Is Cannes or Antibes better? ›

Short answer. The two cities are very close, yet very different. Cannes is ideal for those looking for glamour, sandy beaches and a smaller town. Antibes has two faces that will delight visitors: the old town with its ramparts and the sea and mountain views, complemented by its seaside resort of Juan-les-Pins.

Is Antibes a walkable city? ›

About Hiking & Walking in Antibes

The coastal routes are all very accessible and mostly very easy, more like strolls than hikes, but still worth doing for the unbeatable views of the coastline and access to fabulous beaches along the way.

Is Nice or Antibes better? ›

Obviously, you'll find less tourists in Antibes than in Nice. Although very popular, Antibes holds well-kept secrets from locals, such as its many sandy beaches. This attribute has the effect of attracting people to its beaches, but never as much as you can find in Nice.

Do people speak English in Antibes? ›

French is the national language in Antibes, but its allure as a top tourist spot means English is widely spoken, too.

How many days do you need in Antibes? ›

Three days is the minimum time we recommend to fully enjoy our city and take the time to truly everything it has to offer.

What is special about Antibes? ›

Famous for its charming old town, medieval fortress (Le Fort Carré) and 16th century ramparts, Antibes is much more quaint and down to earth than its glitzy counterparts.

Is Antibes France expensive? ›

Cap d'Antibes is one of the most prestigious and expensive places in all of France.

Do you need a car in Antibes? ›

Antibes is surrounded by coastal towns, such as Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez, which are easily accessible by car. Consequently, having a car allows you to explore these destinations at your own leisure, without the need to navigate through multiple bus or train transfers.

How do you get around in Antibes? ›

Walking is the best way to get around Antibes' narrow, cobblestone streets, many of which are pedestrian-only. Envibus, the local bus system with 27 urban routes, is an easy and inexpensive way to get around.

Is Antibes wealthy? ›

Cap d'Antibes is still a favourite address among the wealthy of the world,” observes Daniel Levant of the Michaël Zingraf Real Estate Group. 90 % of buyers are, in fact, foreigners, mostly from Eastern or Northern Europe.

Is Antibes safe at night? ›

Safety at night:Safe

Antibes is generally quite safe at night, especially in the main areas frequented by tourists. Crime rates are relatively low, but like everywhere, it's always wise to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Avoid less crowded and less illuminated areas at late hours.

What is better, Antibes or Eze? ›

Eze is an iconic"perched village" with wonderful views over the the Med. It is also very "sanitized" for the tourists. You could say it comes out of a Disney fantasy. Antibes is a real, lived in city.

Where not to stay in Nice France? ›

The less desirable areas include: L'Ariane, Les Moulins, Nice Nord, and La Triaite. The better area of town are Caucade, Pessicart Hill, and Cimiez. If you're looking for a lively place after 10:00 p.m., go to the Vieux Nice. The cobbled streets are filled with boutiques, museums, and sidewalk cafes.

Is Antibes, France expensive? ›

Cap d'Antibes is one of the most prestigious and expensive places in all of France.

Can you walk around Antibes? ›

The best walks and hikes around Antibes. Hiking around Antibes is one of the best ways to experience more of the landscape, although finding the right route is not always easy. To help, here are the top hikes and walks around Antibes — so you can just get out and go.

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