South of France - Antibes a French Riviera Gem
Historic Old Town a Perfect Base for Exploring the Côte d'Azur.
Dec 22, 2008
Antibes goes back about 3,000 years to the days when Ligurian tribes from what is now known as Italy used the area as a natural port. Later came the Greeks who named it Antipolis. Then, in 43 BC the Romans took over and today Antibes is full of Roman artifacts from the ancient town and relics rescued from the sea bottom.
Antibes - Ruled by the Romans
The Romans ruled for around five hundred years or so and, as was their way, they created an attractive, civilised town. However, when their huge empire began to fall apart barbarian tribes appeared on the scene and destroyed all before them. A long period of instability began and it was not until the 15th century, under the protection of France, that some kind of relative stability began.
Antibes remained an obscure small port until the middle of the19th century when people began to take advantage of its wonderful climate and beautiful scenery/ They began to build villas and what we might now call holiday homes. Ideally located between Nice and Cannes. Antibes is an ideal place from which explore the rest of the Côte d'Azur.
What to do in Antibes
Explore the Old Town, with its original ancient walls it is a great place to meander. Its narrow cobblestoned streets are crammed with small shops and restaurants. Don't miss the colourful Provencal Market in the centre of Town
Visit the 17th century Château Grimaldi, home of the Picasso Museum which, in 1946, also was Picasso’s home for six months. When he finally left he gave all the works he had created here to the Château.
Antibes also hosts one of the largest antique shows in Europe each spring. From then on until late September the roads and streets buzz with people from all over the world.
Trips out of Antibes
There are many beautiful places easily reached by car from Antibes. Among them are famous resorts like Cannes and Nice, but there are many less trodden places along the coast that are well worth seeking out.
- Cap Ferret
One of the loveliest places on the Mediterranean coast. It can be explored by walking the coastal path which is signposted for 14 km and divided into 3 parts. At the tip of Cap Ferrat, is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, the "Grand Hôtel du Cap", set in a stunning garden.
- Juan Les Pins - Ile St.Marguerite
The Royal Fort dates back to the 1600's and there’s a museum plus the cell where the Man in the Iron Mask is said to have languished. There are lovely walks along eucalyptus and pine tree-lined paths, To walk around the whole island takes about two hours. There are three restaurants but much pleasanter to buy a couple of well filled baguettes in Juan Les Pins and have a picnic on the island.
- Biot is a small town near Antibes, between Nice and Cannes, a little way inland. The village is best known for its glass-blowing - and there are many shops and workshops where you can watch the glassblowers at work and buy samples. There is a museum dedicated to the well known modern artist Fernand Leger on the edge of the town, with an interesting collection that shows the life and career of the painter as it developed over the earlier decades of the 20th century.
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