If you think of Antibes, in the first instance you think of a fashionable seaside resort with luxury villas and a harbor with imposing yachts. But do not be mistaken, Antibes is a beautiful city that has a lot to offer in cultural and culinary terms too! Antibes is the largest city in the Alpes Maritimes department after Nice, followed closely by Cannes. By coincidence, Antibes is geographically located exactly between these two cities.
Antibes invites you to go on a discovery trip. You will see that there are many interesting sights, beautiful museums but also the nicest back streets with small restaurants. Most of these are located in the area behind the covered Provençal market which takes place every morning.
For example, take a seat at the large tables of Chez Lulu, a restaurant table d'hôtes where you can eat as much as you want of the daily meal. With the entrée and dessert you have a choice of options, the main course is what it is. The atmosphere is as if you are visiting friends, different than usual but very nice. Also recommended is the tiny brocante restaurant Le Broc and Bouche where you can see from your table how loving and devoted your meal in the kitchen is prepared. The result may be: a tasteful meal that is also nicely presented.
The old town of Antibes is definitely worth a visit. The best way to discover the center on foot is to experience the special atmosphere while strolling through the narrow streets and over the beautiful squares. In the old center, among other things, you will find the imposing location of the former Antipolis (that's what Antibes used to be called). With its two towers, Fort Carré has been defining the character of Antibes for years.
Because of the protection the fortress offered the city in the past, fortunately there are still many historical treasures to be found in the center of Antibes. Like the Antibes Cathedral for example. This partially Romanesque cathedral is not only worth a visit because of the architectural character of the building, but also because of its centuries-old altar from 1515.
Château Grimaldi is an attraction that should not be missed on your 'to see' list when visiting Antibes. This castle is one of the residences of the famous painter Picasso. It is not surprising that the Picasso museum is now housed in the castle, where you can admire an impressive collection of works by the painter. You will find many of his works he made during his stay in Antibes.
Also located in Antibes is a Napoleon museum, the Musée Peynet and the Musée de la Tour. For the children, a visit to Marineland in combination with the adjacent Aquasplash will be high on the wish list.
Antibes has no less than five marinas, of which Port Vauban is the largest pleasure marina in Europe. With more than 2,000 berths and space for yachts of 100 meters in length, there is always plenty to see here in high season. Also take a look at the so-called Quai des Millionnaires, where the largest private yachts in the world are located. On a beautiful summer day it is wonderful to walk around for a while. The luxury pleasure yachts you see there are breathtaking and you can easily view them from close up.
Where Antibes is popular because of its art and culture, the neighboring Juan-Les-Pins is famous for its wonderful sandy beaches and lively nightlife. You will find numerous trendy bars and a casino. Juan-Les-Pins enjoys international acclaim through the annual Jazz Festival, which attracts many famous musicians to the southern French seaside resort each year. The festival always takes place around the second week of July. If you are in the area of Antibes during the Jazz Festival then it is really worth it to go there one evening.
In short, whether you come for the sandy beaches, the culture, the history, the nice restaurants or the nightlife, during a holiday or visit to Antibes no one has to get bored!
