French Riviera
Nice
+ Nice
The Riviera
+ The Riviera
Sights
* Antibes
* Beaulieu-sur-mer
* Biot
* Bormes-Les-Mimosas
* Cagnes-sur-mer
* Cannes
* Cap Ferrat
* The Corniches
* Fayence
* Fréjus
* Fréjus-Plage
* Grasse
* Grimaud
* Juan-Les-Pins
* Mandelieu-la NapOule
* Massif des Maures
* Menton
Monaco
+ Monaco
St-Tropez
+ St-Tropez
Walk/Drive
Food&Drink
In The Know
Did You Know?
( Highly Recommended )
Antibes was founded in the 5th century BC as a Greek trading post called Antipolis ('the city opposite'), presumably because of its location opposite Nice, or Nikaïa. The two cities later became true opposites, with Antibes as the frontier town of France whilst Nice was controlled by the Dukes of Savoy until the 18th century. Hence Vauban's mighty 17th-century Fort Carré on the eastern edge of the town, where Napoléon was once held prisoner, and the massive ancient ramparts, which today protect the old town of Antibes from flooding.
Tucked just behind the ramparts is Vieux Antibes (Old Antibes), a honey-coloured quarter of winding, cobbled lanes, splashed with flowers and overflowing with shops, restaurants and bars. Be sure to visit the bustling morning market in the cours Masséna, and the craft market which takes place Friday and Sunday afternoons (also Tuesday and Thursday in summer).
Alongside the market stands a 12th- to 16th-century seafront château, the former seat of the Grimaldi family, that today houses one of the world's finest Picasso collections. Beside the castle, the bold red and yellow Èglise de l'Immaculée Conception represents a hotchpotch of periods and styles. Its 11th-century belfry was formerly the town's main watchtower.
On the waterfront, the Port Vauban Yacht Harbour boasts some of the Riviera's most luxurious yachts. Near by, the Cap d'Antibes promontory was the first coastal resort to welcome rich tourists in the mid-19th century. Its beach is still considered by many the best place to enjoy the sun.
Restaurant: Cafés, bars and restaurants (Inexpensive-Expensive)
Other: Biot, Cagnes, Cannes, Juan-les-Pins, Vallauris, Villeneuve-Loubet
Info: 11 place du Général de Gaulle Phone:04 92 90 53 00
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