Antibes resort in France. What is worth seeing in Antibes? Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary

This famous resort town is part of the Alpes-Maritimes department and is located on Cape Garoupe, possessing an impressive yacht port and a reputation as one of the best resorts in the country, where the richest and famous people peace.

Peculiarities

Antibes is one of the pearls of the French Riviera and has many advantages. Here, ancient houses with narrow streets and modern buildings with numerous villas, shops, restaurants and entertainment centers scattered along the coast gracefully intertwine. In addition to the traditional beach holiday, the resort offers its guests a lot of entertainment, including boat trips on the Mediterranean Sea, countless excursions to the most interesting sights, vibrant nightlife, and ideal conditions for sports. In addition, here you can try delicious dishes in local restaurants, enjoying the views of the surrounding landscapes, and also have a good shopping experience, visiting elite boutiques and luxury shopping centers. Of course, Antibes is not an economy-class resort and wealthy people come here to relax, but among the comfortable hotels, expensive villas and private apartments in the city, you can always find accommodation options at quite affordable prices, especially if you book in advance. The main source of income for the city budget is undoubtedly tourism, although there is also fishing and a well-established perfume production.

General information

The area of ​​the city territory occupies just over 26 square meters. km, and the population is about 75,000 people. Time lags behind Moscow by 1 hour in summer and 2 in winter. Time zone UTC+1 and UTC+2 in the summer. Dialing code(+33) 4. Official website www.antibes-juanlespins.com.

A brief excursion into history

Antibes was founded by Greek sailors in the 6th century BC, and the settlement that then existed on the shores of Cape Garoupe was called Antipolis. In the Roman era, the city was the most important strategic point on the route from Rome to Gaul. In the 2nd century, an episcopal see was established here, and Antipolis changed its name to Antigul, from which Antibes subsequently came. In the Middle Ages it belonged to the Monegasque Grimaldi dynasty and then to Savoy. In the late Middle Ages, the city turned into a military fort, where at the end of the 18th century the young Napoleon Bonaparte was temporarily imprisoned, not yet knowing that he was destined to become the future emperor of France. In the 20th century, Antibes was a haven for many outstanding writers and poets who were born on these picturesque shores your immortal creations. Some resort hotels to this day carefully preserve the memory of how famous creative personalities such as Francis Scott Fitzgerald, Nikas Kazantzakis or Graham Greene lived in their rooms.

Climate

The Antibes coast has a mild Mediterranean climate. The average air temperature in the summer often exceeds +30 degrees, and the water in the sea is suitable for swimming until November. The season begins here in May and ends in October. Even in winter, on days when the air temperature often reaches +15, particularly hotheads do not neglect the opportunity to plunge into the gentle waters of the Mediterranean. True, this does not happen often, since the water is still too cold for this time of year.

How to get there

The nearest international airport to Antibes is in. There are good bus and train connections between the resorts, so travel time does not take more than an hour. It is also easy to reach, located 15 minutes away by car.

Transport

Considering that the city's territory is small, you can easily move around on foot, and if necessary, it is worth using the services water transport(the local port is considered the largest on the Cote d'Azur and even receives massive cruise ships). In addition, scooters and bicycles are common. To travel long distances along the coast or inland, you should rent a car or take a taxi.

Beaches

Together with the coasts of the town of Juan-les-Pins and Cape Antibes adjacent to the resort, the total length coastline has about 25 km. Excellent sand and pebble beaches are excellently equipped and offer a comfortable stay. Among the public beaches, La Gravette, Illete, Salis and Garoupe stand out. There are also private beaches belonging to hotels or individual villas. Vacationers are provided with all kinds of entertainment, including water skiing, diving, windsurfing, sailing, traditional and underwater fishing, water parasailing and much more. It is also possible to rent any type of water transport.

Attractions and entertainment

The main tourist attraction of the resort is the Old Town. Its central attractions are the magnificent promenade Amiral de Grasse, intended for romantic evening walks, and the ancient Bastion of Saint-André with the unique Museum of History and Archeology. Also notable are the artillery tower of the Batterie du Grillon, which now houses the Museum of the Navy and Napoleon, dedicated to the conquests of the emperor, the Museum of Peine and Humorous Drawings on Place Nationale, and a number of ancient buildings decorating this rare part of Antibes. The most valuable cultural heritage of the city is the castle of the Grimaldi dynasty, in the halls of which outstanding paintings by brilliant masters of the past are exhibited, including the legendary Pablo Picasso. Among many other buildings, special attention should be paid to the fashionable Eden Roc hotel, on Cape Antibes, built in the 19th century and reconstructed by the American millionaire Gordon Bennett. Over the years, its guests included John Kennedy, Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich and other prominent figures and celebrities. During the Cannes Film Festival, today outstanding stars of modern cinema prefer to stay there.

Cape Antibes is generally considered the patrimony of millionaires. On the coast of this cape, among dense greenery, in the shade of numerous evergreen palms and tall trees, the exclusive villas of the richest people on the planet are hidden from prying eyes. In addition, in this part of the resort there are such attractions as the Notre-Dame de Garoupe chapel, with its unique sacred relics, the Garoupe lighthouse, and the fabulous Thuret garden, with its amazing tropical plants and colorful flowers. The wonderful resort town of Juan-les-Pins is also located here, which also has a whole scattering of interesting places and excellent conditions for recreation. Among the modern buildings in Antibes, it is worth noting the delightful Marineland water park with water slides and fascinating performances held on its territory, and the Sophia Antipolis research center, whose structure is very similar to the world-famous Silicon Valley. For entertainment, city guests can take a helicopter ride over the Mediterranean, go deep-sea diving, parachute behind a boat, try their luck at the local casino or have fun in nightclubs.

Kitchen

Of the resort’s numerous culinary establishments, the famous Oscar’s gastronomic restaurant, decorated with medieval surroundings, including furniture and interior decoration, invariably receives special attention among tourists. It is famous for its Italo-Provençal cuisine and the skill of local chefs. The most popular culinary delights of the restaurant are fried shrimp with a spicy sauce called foie gras, as well as tender veal and excellent desserts. Wide selection of fruits and drinks. The cost of dishes is very affordable for owners of any wallet, which is another advantage of this establishment. In addition to Oscar’s, restaurants in Antibes worth visiting include Les Vieux Murs, located in the Old Town, Moulin de Mougins and Le Comptoir de la Tourraque, which also do not have high prices and provide gourmets with always fresh and extremely voluminous dishes.

Shopping

Abundance of shops and shopping centers, allows resort guests to fully satisfy their shopping needs. Among the goods and souvenirs that receive special attention are all kinds of wines, products and jewelry made of precious stones, shoes, clothing, dishes, and various artistic crafts. There is an unusually wide selection in local boutiques and cosmetic stores, so people almost never leave here without shopping.

Antibes fully corresponds to its representative status - a pearl. Excellent climate, developed infrastructure, nice atmosphere and wonderful conditions for a bright and eventful holiday, annually attract millions of tourists from all over the world.

Antibes is located near Nice, it is beautiful ancient city and famous beach resort. Medieval streets, an ancient fortress and the Cote d'Azur - these are the first associations that can characterize this beautiful, colorful town.

Main symbol Antibes - Fort Carre, located in the western part. The fort was built in 1565 and has a shape that is very unusual for medieval buildings - a four-pointed star. In the 18th century, the fortress was further strengthened by order of Louis XIV, who made it the main military base. It was here that Napoleon Bonaparte was imprisoned in 1794; here he had to await the death penalty.

The most remarkable buildings can be seen in the so-called Old Town, the main decorations of which are the Grimaldi Castle and the Church of Immacule Concepción. These buildings were erected in the 12th and 13th centuries and have been perfectly preserved to this day. In the 16th century, the castle was significantly expanded, and in 1925 it was converted into a museum dedicated to the history of the city. In the old part of Antibes there is an interesting place for those who like to go shopping, because it is here that one of the largest covered markets France. Copyright www.site

Naturally, the main entertainment for tourists remains relaxing on the beautiful beaches, which are well equipped for water sports. There are many restaurants, bars, taverns and discos open in the coastal area; life here does not subside day or night. At the entrance to the city there is a large amusement park, which, in addition to attractions, has a botanical garden, several parks and restaurants. Vacationers with children should visit the Marineland Zoo, where you can watch a dolphin show and meet the inhabitants depths of the sea and have fun at the water park.

The center of many famous attractions is the Cape of Antibes, where the ancient Groupe lighthouse is located, as well as an elegant old chapel. Today it is a kind of museum, which houses very interesting Russian relics brought here during the Crimean War. A sightseeing tour of the cape necessarily includes a walk through the Thuret garden, which is also historical. It was founded in 1857, the founder of the garden is the famous French botanist and explorer Gustav Thuret. The area of ​​this amazing garden is about 5 hectares, and there are more than 3,000 plants on its territory.

For those who like walking around historical places You should definitely check out the Grimaldi Castle, which is invariably associated with the work of Pablo Picasso. This castle was built back in the 12th century, and the very first fortifications on its territory were built back in the era of the Roman Empire. Over the hundreds of years of its existence, the castle was rebuilt several times, and at the beginning of the 20th century it fell into complete disrepair. In 1925 historical building The city authorities bought it and converted it into a museum. In 1946, Pablo Picasso visited Antibes; for a long time he could not find a suitable room for work. Then the city authorities offered him to convert part of the old castle into an art workshop. Today the castle also houses an art museum dedicated to the work of Picasso.

On the coast of Antibes, part of the medieval fortifications has been preserved, including the Saint-André bastion. Today this historical building, which was built back in 1698, has been converted into an archaeological museum. This museum was founded back in 1928 and was originally a small private collection of finds dating back to the Halo-Roman era. The official opening of the museum took place in 1963; today its visitors can admire valuable exhibits that are more than 2.5 thousand years old.

If you try to describe in a few words the atmosphere that reigns in French Antibes, regardless of the time of year or your mood, then the good old phrase “art de vivre” is best suited for this.

Here on the French Riviera, in a town located exactly between Cannes and Nice, you absorb the “art of enjoying life” with every breath.

To catch this feeling, you just need to walk along the embankment, where in the evenings fishermen feed voracious seagulls with fish scraps, or walk to the park, on the paths of which local residents play petanque with genuine passion.

In the photo: playing petanque on the embankment

In the film Midnight in Paris, Owen Wilson's character Gil Pender dreamed of Paris in the 20s of the last century, where he ended up every night, getting into another retro car driving along a quiet street of the French capital.

In Antibes, the feeling that you, like the hero of Woody Allen’s comedy, found yourself in that wonderful era when you could see the Fitzgeralds or Pablo Picasso at the next cafe table, arises from early morning and does not disappear until midnight.

In the city where Picasso created perhaps his most cheerful painting “La Joie de vivre”, and Fitzgerald worked on the tender and sad novel “Tender is the Night”, the past is felt no less clearly than the present, and therefore the mood reigning here is desirable. compare with expensive French wine, the bouquet of which, like floral notes, combines echoes of different eras: from antiquity and the Middle Ages to the Belle Époque and the roaring twenties.

It’s worth coming to Antibes not only for the beaches and the party scene, although both are available here, and the city beaches, unlike other places on the French Riviera, are still free. Antibes is an atmospheric and romantic French place, the same “la vie est belle” as we used to imagine it.

OLD TOWN

Getting to know Antibes inevitably begins with the old town. It was still laid in ancient times, on a stone in the body of an ancient tower in the center of the city you can still find the inscription “Antipolis”, which is what Greek sailors called the settlement in ancient times.

During the Roman Empire, the city grew and became stronger; in the Middle Ages, Antibes was owned by the House of Savoy, and in 1481 the city became part of France. Even today old town Antibes does not give the impression of an open-air museum frozen in time.

The massive fortress wall that used to surround the city was partially dismantled, now in its place is an embankment, opposite Fort Carré, where Napoleon was once imprisoned, a yacht mooring has been established, Grimaldi Castle, which during its history even managed to be the residence of a bishop, has been modernized to the Picasso Museum, and next to the museum building there are sculptures by Miró.
When you walk around the old city, you can’t help but want to hum Cole Porter’s song “Let’s do it, let’s fall in love” under your breath.

In the photo: yacht anchorage and Fort Carré, Antibes

The mood of romantic retro is especially vivid in the narrow streets, where the walls of houses are covered with vines, and every window is decorated with red geranium flowers.

In the photo: a street in the old town, Antibes

By the way, it’s surprising but true that local residents even manage to produce wine from the grapes that ripen on the streets of the old city. According to ancient tradition, this wine becomes the property of the Antibes community; it is usually drunk at city events.

In the photo: wine is even produced from grapes that ripen on the streets

ANTIBES AND ARTISTS

The best place to watch sunsets is the embankment near the Picasso Museum. However, I would like to speak about Antibes sunsets in poetry, because the transparent, changeable colors of the sky and sea Cote d'Azur- the same landmark of the city as Fort Carré, made in the shape of a quadrangular star.

In the photo: a reproduction of a painting by Henri Cross on the Antibes embankment as part of the Riviera Artists project.

It is not for nothing that the best artists of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries came to Antibes for these sunsets and sunrises, and Clone Monet even stayed in the city for several months longer than planned. The French painter was so impressed by the local sunsets and sunrises that he painted three landscapes in Antibes.

In the photo: we are looking at a reproduction of Claude Monet’s painting “Antibes effet d’après-Midi” on the Antibes embankment.

However, Claude Monet was unoriginal; at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries, every self-respecting painter considered it his duty to come to Antibes. Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonnier, Henri Cross, Eugene Boudin and Henri Joseph Arpigny worked here, but Pablo Picasso stayed in the city the longest.

In the photo: a reproduction of a painting by Eugene Boudin in Antibes as part of the Riviera Artists project.

Picasso first arrived in Antibes in July 1939, but settled here for a long time in 1946, after the curator of the local Museum of History and Archeology Romuald Dor de la Souchère arranged a personal studio for the artist in the Grimaldi Castle. .

Picasso bequeathed all the works painted in Antibes, as well as the figurines and ceramics created here, as a gift to the city. The city authorities did not refuse and opened the artist’s museum in the city, where visitors can see not only the famous painting “La Joie de vivre”, but also sketches of Picasso’s works, as well as the studio in which the founder of Cubism worked. Although Picasso is considered the main artist who worked in Antibes, other artists are also not forgotten here, for example, the Riviera of Artists is organized in the city.

In the photo: installations at the Picasso Museum

The essence of the project is as follows: the city administration installed reproductions of artists’ works in front of the places depicted in the paintings. The Lovers of Raymond Peine, hugging against the backdrop of the old city, look especially touching; this reproduction can be seen on the city embankment.

In the photo: reproduction of the painting “Lovers” by Raymond Peine on the city embankment.

If literature is closer to you than painting, then for the sake of curiosity it’s worth taking a look at the famous Hôtel Belles Rives, where Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald lived.

The hotel still has a Jazz Age feel and regularly hosts Great Gatsby themed parties.

PROVENCEAL MARKET

Reproductions of paintings by artists can be found not only on the embankment. For example, a reproduction of “Le marche du Cours Massena a Antibes” by Emile Charles Dameron is installed near the Provençal market, which, as in the nineteenth century, opens every morning in Antibes.

In the photo: reproduction of the painting “Le marche du Cours Massena a Antibes” near the city market

It is worth going to the market not only for the atmosphere, but also for gastronomic discoveries, for example, in order to find out how the famous multi-colored olives from Nice differ from the olives of Provence, taste confiture made from lavender flowers or try soft goat cheeses - another specialty of the region.

In the photo: olives at the Provençal market, Antibes

Around 10 o’clock in the morning at the market there is nowhere for an apple to fall, there is a crowd of people near each counter, as in the old days, by the way, many stalls have been assigned to the families of farmers for more than one generation, this is evidenced by photographs of the grandparents of the current sellers, flaunting on the shelves next to vegetables or between bottles of olive oil.

In the photo: olive oil, confiture and honey at a Provençal market

If you find yourself at the market, be sure to buy home some Provençal herbs and spices, then upon arrival you can delight your guests with home-cooked ratatouille or other dishes of Provençal cuisine. .

In the photo: spices at the Provençal market, Antibes

By the way, literally across the street from the Provençal market there is a very interesting Absinthe bar. The peculiarity of the place is that here guests are offered to taste real 76-degree absinthe. Bar Absinthe(address: 25, Cours Massena 06600 Antibes, tel: 0493349300) looks like materialized scenery from the movie “Total Eclipse”: small round tables on which stand decanters of ice water, with their help the insidious tincture, the excessive use of which can lead you to conversations with the green fairy, is diluted with water.

If you have never encountered absinthe before, here you will be taught how to drink your favorite drink correctly creative intelligentsia the beginning of the twentieth century, so as to get pleasure from the process and avoid bad consequences.

However, the main advantage of this place is not that they serve absinthe, but again in the atmosphere of the establishment.

When you find yourself at a table in Absinthe, the feeling that the past is no less alive here than the present is so strong that you involuntarily begin to imagine that the heavy door of the bar will now open and Pablo Picasso in the company of Francoise Gilot or the couple will appear on the threshold of the establishment Fitzgerald.

In the photo: sculpture Lovers by Raymond Peine

And it doesn’t matter that this is nothing more than an illusion, because, as Scott Fitzgerald wrote in The Great Gatsby: “No tangible, real charm can compare with what a person is able to accumulate in the depths of his fantasy.”

ROMANCE OF ANTIBES IN PHOTOS

In the photo: grapevine on the street of the old town

Yulia Malkova is the founder of the website project. In the past, he was the editor-in-chief of the elle.ru Internet project and the editor-in-chief of the cosmo.ru website. I talk about travel for my own pleasure and the pleasure of my readers. If you are a representative of hotels or a tourism office, but we do not know each other, you can contact me by email: [email protected]

In the pearl necklace of the Côte d'Azur resorts, Antibes is a rather large pearl. The austere profile of the medieval walls and towers of Antibes against the blue sky is one of my favorite landscapes.

This ancient city, founded before our era, attracts with its sandy beaches, well-preserved old center and beautiful cape Cap d'Antibes. You can also remember the jazz festival in Juan-les-Pins, which merged with Antibes. And of course, literary associations... I love Fitzgerald’s work, and the action of his novel “Tender is the Night” takes place here. Besides Fitzgerald, inspiration in Antibes Other writers were also looking for: Jules Verne, Graham Greene, Stefan Zweig, Ernest Hemingway... It is worth mentioning the long series of artists who praised the local landscapes, beautiful in any weather. Picasso painted his famous painting “La joie de vivre” (The Joy of Life) here.

For lovers of Russian history, there is also something to keep you busy. For example, look for the villa where the Romanov Grand Dukes who immigrated from Russia lived. It is easier, however, to find Abramovich’s luxurious villa, but this, of course, is not so interesting.

Antibes is not just a resort, it is not one of those places that come to life only during the season. Tourism is not the only source that feeds the city. It has a large research center called Sophia Antipolis, which is called the French Silicon Valley, which provides a constant influx of young and fresh minds.

I visited Antibes in late autumn and winter, when the flow of tourists had practically dried up, and one could see real city life: unhurried and charming in its own way. This city is beautiful regardless of the season and weather and holds many interesting surprises.

How to get there

The most convenient way to fly to Nice airport is Airport Nice Cote d'Azur, which is 17 km from Antibes, and then take a bus or train.

By plane

A direct flight from Moscow and St. Petersburg will take approximately 4 hours. Regular flights are operated by Aeroflot and Rossiya airlines. Ticket price in high season is about 300 EUR. Tickets with transfers are usually cheaper. You can view the price option.

How to get there from the airport:


Depending on the location of your hotel, you can arrive at one of two train stations: Antibes itself ( Gare d'Antibes) and Juan-les-Pins train station ( Gare de Juan-les-Pins), a town administratively part of Antibes. Both stations are within walking distance from the center.

By bus

The above bus number 200 connects Antibes with Cannes and Nice. Ticket price – 1.5 EUR. On average, you can get to Nice in 60–80 minutes, and to Cannes in 20–30 minutes. It is convenient to look at the schedule and routes of other buses here.

By car

If you decide to travel to Antibes by car from Russia, you will have to travel a long but picturesque route.


By ferry

Port Vauban regularly accepts small aircraft of various types cruise companies. The port is located near the old town, so tourists can easily reach the main attractions on foot.


The Juan-les-Pins marina is connected by ferry routes to Cannes (19 EUR return), (55 EUR return) and (55 EUR return). However, due to the high cost and duration of such a trip, the ferry is more of an entertainment than a mode of transport. Ferries also regularly leave from Juan-les-Pins to the island of Sainte-Marguerite. See prices and schedule.

Clue:

Antibes - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Antibes can be visited at any time of the year. Like the rest of the country, it boasts a mild Mediterranean climate. Swimming season lasts from June to early October. Summer is, without a doubt, a great time for a beach holiday. But it's also peak season, with crowds and high prices. My favorite time to visit is early September, when the tourist flow and prices start to wane and the weather is still great.

Antibes in summer

It's the height of the season and that says it all. Excellent sunny weather (on average +26–28 C), warm sea, the most people and the highest prices.


There is also a famous jazz festival in the summer, which can be an additional reason to visit the city.

Antibes in autumn

You can usually swim comfortably until the beginning of October. I was in Antibes in November, and on sunny days it was nice to sit on the beach, but swimming at this time is a privilege for the brave.

Antibes in winter

Plus winter holiday in Antibes there are a small number of tourists. You can calmly walk around the old city without bumping into people or ducking to avoid being caught by hundreds of cameras. The weather is usually moderately warm (+10–16 °C).


Antibes weather by month

Clue:

Antibes weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Antibes is a large city by the standards of the Cote d'Azur, it consists of many districts. If you come on vacation, you will be interested in the following places of residence, which I have marked on the map.



  • The old town of Antibes is very beautiful area. Nearby there is a huge Provençal market, shops, cafes, and a marina. There are places to go and have fun. The other side of the coin is the possible noise from the walking public, bars and cafes, which are open until late at night in the summer season.
  • Antibes city center – for me this location is ideal as it gives easy access to sandy beaches and the old town. At the same time, it is not so noisy here, although less beautiful.
  • Cap d'Antibes - mostly expensive villas are located here. There are few hotels available to the mere mortal. I would recommend this place to those who are looking for privacy and have vehicle. The beaches of the cape are small and mostly rocky.
  • Juan-les-Pins. American bohemia introduced fashion to this town. Its advantages are good sandy beaches, a promenade with restaurants where you can dine a few meters from the surf, lush Mediterranean pine trees, thanks to which Juan-les-Pins got its name. In the center of the town there is a casino, many clubs, bars, and restaurants, so fans nightlife there is somewhere to roam. At the same time, with the exception of the aforementioned noisy center, it is quite quiet and peaceful here, making Juan-les-Pins good for families with children. The downside is that the old town of Antibes is a bit far away (you have to take a bus or walk about 2 km), and there aren’t too many attractions in Juan-les-Pins itself.

Prices in these areas do not vary very much (Juan-les-Pins is slightly cheaper), and rather depend on the standard of housing and distance to the beach. It is better to book in advance, several months before the start of the season.

What are the prices for holidays?

Housing

Prices for double rooms in the cheapest hotels in the summer season start from 60-70 EUR. Hostels are a bit tight here, there are few of them, and the price is not at all budget: 30-40 EUR per person. In addition to the room fee, the tourist is charged a tourist tax for each day of stay (with the exception of children under 18 years of age, people with a seasonal work contract, people renting housing costing less than 300 EUR per month). The tax is calculated depending on the hotel category:

  • 4 EUR for the “palace” category,
  • 3 EUR for a 5* hotel,
  • 2.25 EUR for a 4* hotel,
  • 1.50 EUR for 3* hotel,
  • 0.90 EUR for 2* hotel,
  • 0.75 EUR for 1* hotel, accommodation without official star rating, Bed & Breakfast,
  • 0.55 EUR for 4* and 3* camping,
  • 0.20 EUR for 2* and 1* camping, as well as an overnight stay on a yacht in the port.

I most often book hotels on. Hotel prices can also be compared. If I travel with my family, it is cheaper and more convenient to rent an apartment. This can be done, for example, on .

Nutrition

As in other places on the Cote d'Azur, lunch in Antibes will cost 10-15 EUR per person, dinner for two from 60 EUR. Self-catering, if you have a kitchen, will allow you to save a lot. Fortunately, there is no shortage of supermarkets in the city. Of course, it is very pleasant to buy food at the famous Provencal market. But prices here are often higher than in supermarkets.

Attractions and entertainment

If you want to visit several museums in Antibes, it is worth considering purchasing a combination ticket "Le Pass Musees d'Antibes Juan-Les-Pins" for 10 EUR, valid for 7 days.

Another option is to purchase more expensive passes that cover most of the Riviera's attractions. The price, validity period of passes and a list of included places can be seen by following the links I provided.

Sea. Private beaches will cost you from 15 to 35 EUR per person per day. True, I have never used them, since the city has plenty of beautiful free beaches.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub

Main attractions. What to see

Antibes – seaside resort, but it has more to offer than just beaches. The history of this place goes back more than 2500 years, so you can keep yourself busy in any season and in any weather.

Top 5

Beaches. Which ones are better

I'll start with the beaches near the old town of Antibes.



Beaches of Cap d'Antibes.


There are many picturesque small coves on the cape, so it’s a good idea to take a walk along the coastal path and choose a place to your liking. Be careful, some of these bays are very rocky and can be dangerous if the sea is rough. There are also organized beaches on the cape:


Juan-les-Pins is a great place for a beach holiday. It was here, according to local guides, that water skiing was invented. There are a lot of private beach clubs in Juan-les-Pins, but in my article I will try to describe free places.



Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

There are several temples in Antibes that I think should not be missed:


Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

Most of the city's museums are open all year round, with the exception of holidays: January 1, May 1, November 1, December 25. I will describe the most interesting places:


Parks

Tourist streets

What to see in 1 day

  • 10.00. We arrived at Antibes Gare d'Antibes train station. Let's go by Avenue Robert Soleau to the city center. Along the way we will meet a tourist office, where you can get maps and get any information you need.
  • 10.20. A short walk will take us to the square with fountains Place General de Gaulle. From here we turn left and move into the very thick of the old city along the street Rue de la Republique, not forgetting to look into the elegant alleys. Before reaching the square Place Nationale, we turn to see the beautiful interior of the chapel Saint Bernard.
  • 11.00. We return to Rue de la Republique, pass the square with an ancient column and along the street Rue Georges Clemenceau we go out to the square Course Massena, where the market and the town hall of Antibes are located. I think you will definitely want to check out the local delicacies. It’s worth taking a walk around the square itself to see the colorful medieval buildings.

  • If your appetite works up, you can continue your walk after lunch at one of the many restaurants.
  • 13.00. Down the street Rue Aubernon we will go towards the port, leave the old city through the gate in the powerful fortress wall, and walk along the embankment Quai Henri Rambaud and here in front of us "Billionaire's Quay" with its magnificent yachts.

  • I also highly recommend climbing the Saint-Jaume bastion to enjoy the views of the sea and the city.
  • On the clock 14.00 and we return back to the old city, but now we walk along narrow streets Place du Revely, Rue du Saint-Esprit to the main cathedral of Antibes Cathedrale Notre Dame de l'Immaculee Conception.

  • After admiring its impressive façade and perhaps taking a look inside, we go to the Grimaldi Castle, Picasso Museum. If you are a fan of the artist's work, welcome.
  • Otherwise in 14.30 we go out to Amiral de Grasse promenade and we follow towards the beaches, constantly looking back to take more and more new pictures of the city from an unusually photogenic angle.
  • A leisurely walk along the sea leads to the beach Plage du Ponteil. This is a great place to spend a couple of hours sunbathing, swimming and simply enjoying the surrounding beauty.

  • 17.00. After relaxing on the beach, we move towards Cap d'Antibes. There are several possibilities: if you are not tired, then climb observation deck near the church Eglise Notre Dame de la Garoupe you can walk. If your feet are aching or your shoes are not conducive to hiking, it makes sense to take a taxi.
  • After a wonderful panorama of the coast opens before you, I recommend going down to Juan-les-Pins and end the evening with dinner at a coastal restaurant.

What to see in the area

Nearby Islands

Not far from Antibes, in the Bay of Cannes there are picturesque Lerins Islands (Iles de Lerins).


Read more about the islands.

  • You can get to the island of Sainte-Marguerite by ferry from the port of Juan-les-Pins. Ferry departure point: Boulevard Charles Guillaumont, Ponton Courbet. See prices and schedule.
  • If you want to go to Saint-Honorat, you will have to go to the neighboring city of Cannes. Ferries depart there from the Old Port. By the way, tickets from Cannes to Sainte-Marguerite are a little cheaper. The schedule and prices can also be viewed on this website. Tickets for Saint Honorat are sold at the port of Cannes.

When you arrive in new city, you always want to try something special. In Antibes, the restaurant was such a find for me La Taille de Guepe, which specializes in floral dishes. The salads here are made from whole flowers, and the main courses are generously decorated with them. It is very beautiful and quite edible. Some flowers have a very piquant taste. An excellent option for a romantic dinner.


Well, for dessert I leave room for ice cream lovers - Gelateria Del Porto(4 Rue Aubernon, 06600 Antibes).

Budget

  • Charlie's, 4 Rue Championnet, Antibes
  • Pizza Fifi, 112 Boulevard President Wilson, Juan-les-Pins
  • Pizza and Co, 1 Rue des Casemates, Antibes
  • Falafel, 1 Rue Aubernon, Antibes
  • Genco, 20 Boulevard Gustave Chancel, Antibes

Mid-level

  • La Trattoria, 21 Avenue Pasteur, Antibes
  • Cafe Milano, 2 Rue de la Tourraque, Antibes
  • Restaurant Le J, 17 Avenue Dr Dauthéville, Juan-les-Pins
  • Le Phenicia, 1 Avenue Barquier, 06600 Antibes
  • La Taverne du Safranier, 1 Place du Safranier, Antibes

Dear

  • Restaurant de Bacon (1 Michelin star), 664 Boulevard de Bacon, Antibes
  • Le Figuier de Saint Esprit, (1 Michelin star), 14, rue Saint-Esprit, 14 Rue du Saint-Esprit, Antibes
  • La Passagere (1 Michelin star), 33 Boulévard Edouard Baudoin, Juan-les-Pins
  • Les Pecheurs (1 Michelin star), 10 Boulevard Marechal Juin, Juan-les-Pins
  • Le Vauban, 7 Rue Thuret, Antibes
  • Michelangelo, 2 Rue des Cordiers, Antibes