Antibes is a holiday town in southeastern France, on the Mediterranean Sea on the Côte d'Azur, located between Cannes and Nice. There is much beauty to be seen in the old town of Antibes with its fortifications along the coast, tiny lanes lined with lovely shops selling all sorts of curios, sidewalk cafes and restaurants. Antibes owes its modern-day popularity to its wonderful climate and scenery, which attracts thousands of tourists each year. The town has retained much of its ancient charm, which makes it one of the more special towns along the famous French Riviera. Today Antibes is affectionately called Antibes-Juan-les-Pins. The Juan-les-Pins part is the area that many tourists flock to as this is where the beaches and the nightlife can be found.
History
Antibes has a long and interesting history which stretches back thousands of years. Due to its naturally protected port, the town has long been used as an important trading centre. Many different groups of people ruled over Antibes, until France finally took control.
As the Greek Empire fell into decline, the Romans stepped in to take control of the Mediterranean region. By the 2nd century BC, Rome had developed the southern region of France into one of its provinces and began incorporating the small towns into its empire.
In 43 BC, Antibes was officially annexed by Rome and remained so for the next 500 years. The Romans turned Antipolis into the biggest town in the region and a main entry point into Gaul. Roman artefacts such as aqueducts, fortified walls and amphora can still be seen today.
When the Roman Empire fell apart in 476, various barbarian tribes took their turn at Antibes. The main result was destruction and a long period of instability. In the 10th century, Antibes found a protector in Seigneur Rodoart, who built extensive fortified walls around the town and a castle in which to live. For the next 200 years, the town experienced a period of renewal.
Antibes’ prosperity was short-lived, as the whole region fell into disarray for several centuries. The inhabitants of Antibes stayed behind their strong city walls as a succession of wars and epidemics ravaged the countryside. By the end of the 15th century, the entire region had fallen under the protection and control of Louis XI, the king of France. Things returned to a state of relative stability, but the small port of Antibes fell into obscurity.
The area around Antibes finally emerged from its long slumber around the middle of the 19th century, as wealthy people from around Europe discovered the beauty of the place and built luxurious homes here. In 1880, the neighbouring town of Juan les Pins was restored by the Duke of Albany, son of Queen Victoria, and brought into fashion as a destination for the wealthy and elite.
Antibes Today
There are 48 beaches along the 25km of coastline that surround Antibes and Juan les Pins. Each one has its own unique character and atmosphere. There are small family beaches where children can play, sporting beaches with all the popular water activities on offer and long beaches with fine golden sand, which are perfect for sunbathing.
The Archaeology Museum sits atop the Promenade Amiral de Grasse in the old Bastion St Andre, a 17th century fortress. The museum’s collection focuses on the classical history of Antibes. Many artefacts, sculptures and amphorae found in local digs and shipwrecks from the harbour are displayed here. The views of the sea and mountains from the promenade are also spectacular
The Naval Museum of Napoleon is housed in a 17th century stone fort and tower, this museum presents an interesting collection of Napoleonic memorabilia, paintings and naval models. Several wall paintings show historic moments in Napoleon’s reign and there are also pieces of his clothing such as one of the hats he once wore. The view from the tower alone is worth the admission price
The Exflora Park is a five hectare garden open to the public. Next to the large olive grove, there are different styles of meditteranean gardens, from ancient Rome to the exuberant Riviera of the 19th century. The main terrace is at the entrance to the park in the style of the Italian renaissance and from where visitors can view the entire garden. Fountains and ponds stretch along the terrace, making a waterway 500 m long. Antibes is renowned for rose production, and recognising this, rose bushes line the path leading to the sea. The luxuriance of the exotic garden and palm grove is reminiscent of the belle époque, when English gardeners succeeded in planting flowers that bloom in winter, the season when the aristocracy visited the Cote d'Azur. A liitle further on is the theatre de verdure, inspired by Italian gardens, and a panoramic viewpoint with a glorious view of the sea and the Iles des Lerins.
Garoupe Lighthouse, the old lighthouse of Antibes provides one of the best views in the region from its lofty hilltop. To get here, you must walk about one kilometre up the Chemin de Calvaire from the Plage de la Salis. It makes for a nice half-day stroll.
There are many yachting harbours for keen sailors.Port Vauban is the largest yachting harbour in Europe, with more than 2,000 moorings and can accommodate craft of more than 50 metres.This old port was the heart of the ancient Greek city of Antipolis and has a long and colourful history.
Port Galice has 542 moorings
Port de la Salis has 233 moorings
Port du Crouton has 390 moorings
For detailed reports on marinas in Provence-Alpes-Cote-D'Azur see here
Port de l'Olivette is Situated in the sheltered cove of the same name, this is a harbour for sailors and their wooden fishing boats who enjoy the old marine, Provencal traditions.
The cuisine along the coast tends to follow standard French fare, with local specialties focusing on the amazingly fresh seafood and produce from nearby Provence. In general, the restaurants in Antibes stick to traditional dishes; however, there are a few inventive places that have interesting fusion cuisine. Though there’s no particular dish which this town is famous for, you can bet that any seafood dish you order will be fresh and well prepared. Niçoise salad and simple fish soup are two popular dishes you will find almost everywhere.
Somehow the small port town of Antibes has managed to maintain its historic character and local personality while accommodating hoards of tourists in search of fun after the sun goes down. Antibes is a bit quieter than Juan les Pins, but it still has a decent number of pubs, piano bars and even a couple of nightclubs. Piano bars seem to be the most popular type of hangout, followed by the Colonial Pub, a favorite of British expats and tourists alike. Situated in the heart of Antibes, a few steps away from Port Vauban, lies "La Gaffe". A British Restaurant & Pub that young people and tourists seem very fond of. If you really want to party in Antibes, head to Casino La Siesta, where you can dance, eat, drink and gamble in the casino.
Juan les Pins is the hub of nightlife in the Antibes area. The most fashionable nightclubs are here and open late to cater to the partying crowd. A few piano bars and British pubs offer something milder for those looking for a quieter night out. The gaming tables and slot machines at L’Eden Casino will keep gamblers busy for hours on end, and during the summer months, there are a number of special outdoor events with music concerts and fireworks.
Antibes and Juan les Pins host a number of interesting festivals, mainly during the summer months. There’s not much in the way of traditional cultural festivals in Antibes; most of the festivals focus on music and contemporary activities.
Voiles d’Antibes is one of the world’s biggest gatherings of beautiful old teak and brass sailing vessels. They converge on the port for one of the most regal regattas in the Mediterranean (June).
The Festival of Saint Peter is the annual celebration of this patron saint of fishermen. A colourful procession through the town is followed by all the local fishermen adorning their boats and floating along the coast (June).
There are several ways to get from the airport at Nice to Antibes. Trains depart from the Gare St Augustin, which is just 500 metres from Terminal 1, and travel directly to Antibes every 30 minutes. Buses go directly from Terminal 1 to Nice’s central bus station every 12 minutes. From here, you can catch a bus to Antibes.
Weather for the Yacht Charter Area of Antibes
Antibes enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate, which means long warm summers, plenty of sunshine and relatively mild winters. The French Riviera remains one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, so summers here are guaranteed to be overcrowded and expensive.
