Antibes tourist information
Antibes, known as Antibol during the Middle Ages, is one of the most beautiful towns of the French Riviera. It has a typical Mediterranean atmosphere with its old town filled with pretty shops and restaurants, integrated into its yellow and ochre coloured buildings on which vines grow, and its balconies are covered with flowers. The morning market, that takes place everyday, except for Mondays, should not be missed. At the foot of Antibes, its deep blue ocean highlights it panoramic view that stretches up to the snow covered Alps and the Italian border.
The town was founded in the 9th century B.C by the Greeks under the name Antipolis meaning "the other side", which refers to Corsica that is situated just opposite from it. It is thus an important post for maritime trade. After the Romans, it was the priest who ruled the town as the bishopric was installed here. Unfortunately the towns prosperity started to decline with its many repeated attacks and the plague. The archbishop went to Grasse to find refuge.
It is only at the end of the 14th century that Antibes came out of its "quarantine". Situated at the frontier of the franco-savoyarde border, its ramparts were an ideal guarding post. The kings of France added fortifications to the city up unto 1707. The famous Fort Vauban overlooks the port.
In 1894, a large part of the towns ramparts were destroyed to make way for economic and demographic expansion. Only the walls facing the port were spared. It is also at this time that Antibes started to attract many tourists. Today, it is the second largest town of the Alps-Maritime region with 80 000 inhabitants.
A visit of Antibes is a true enchantment. Start with a walk on the beach front, from the Fort Vauban, which is not open to the public, to the Salis Beach. Halfway, you will penetrate the old town by the Marine gateway. On the ramparts, the Grimaldi castle that houses the Picasso Museum can be seen. Its Roman tower dates back to the 12th century. The rest of the castle dates back to the 16th century. The museum also contains the works of some brilliant contemporary artist such as Nicolas de Staël, Miro, Calder, Fernand Léger and Max Ernst.
Four other museums are also worth a visit: the Peynet Museum, with its famous painting "The lovers"; the Museum of History and Archaeology situated at the Bastion Saint André; the Musée de la Tour, which deals with the history of Antibes and the Naval Museum situated at the Cape of Antibes.
Finally, a visit to the cathedral of Immaculate Conception must not be missed. The Romans used the cathedral. The temple was dedicated to Diane, the goddess of hunting. This Roman building was renovated during the 18th century to give it a magnificent neo-classic facade and a luxurious baroque interior. After this, make a turn at the Marineland Amusement Park, not too far from the RN 7. Many scenes from Luc Bessons "The big blue" was filmed here. Shows with seals, sharks and dolphins can be seen here all year round.
Antibes aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Antibes aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Antibes.
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