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Antibes Attractions

The town of Antibes - to which the resorts of Cap d'Antibes and Juan-les-Pins belong - lies to the east of Cannes at the western end of the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels), which reaches as far as Nice. Cap d'Antibes, which extends south into the Mediterranean, closes off the huge sweep of the bay. The actual area of the town occupies the Peninsula of Garoupe.

Flower-growing is of great importance to the economy; roses, carnations etc. are grown under about 3sq.km/1.2sq.mi of glass.

8km/5mi inland along the D35/103 the Sophia Antipolis Industrial and Technological Park has been developing since 1972. At the end of 1990 it covered an area of 580ha/1,450acres, on which 834 firms with 14,000 employess had become established. Of those some 60 were foreign firms, and 700 companies and organizations were working in advanced fields of technology such as electronics and telecommunications, energy and environmental research, chemistry and biotechnology. More than a half of the work force are "white collar workers", and of them 40% are foreigners from 50 different countries. A further 32,00ha/8,000acres are expected to be developed by the year 2000. There should be advantages in the proximity of the Sophia Antipolis University, which is expected to take 25,000 students.

Antibes was founded in the fifth century B.C. by Greeks from Phocaea and named "Antipolis", meaning the town lying opposite the settlement of Nikaia Polis (Nice). The settlement became a Roman municipium, later a bastion against the barbarians. From the 14th century onwards it was a frontier town between Savoy and France. In 1481 the town together with the whole of Provence fell to the French throne. Later the old fortifications were remodelled by Vauban and Fort Carré, of which only a few remains still exist, was built. The castle in the Old Town was for many years the seat of a bishop and a holiday residence of the Grimaldi family.

Today Antibes, Cap d'Antibes and Juan-les-Pins form a three-part community.

Antibe has a fine situation on the northeast side of the cape between the little bays of Anse St-Roche in the north and Anse de la Salis in the south.

Above Anse St-Roche rises the picturesque 16th century Fort Carré, a relic of the town defenses. Nearby is a sports and youth center.

South of the old fort lies the harbor (Port Vauban) which was laid out by Vauban himself.
Read More Château Grimaldi Musée Picasso
Château Grimaldi Musée Picasso dates to the 16th C and contains the Musée Picasso.
Read More Musée Fernand Léger
(Biot)
The Musée Fernand Léger was begun by this artist's wife and includes works from throughout his life.
Antibes Festivals
Annual festivals in Antibes include a Veteran Car Rally in May, a Flower Festival in June, a Golden Rose Song Festival in July and concerts in château in August.
Cathedral (Church of the Immaculate Conception)
South of the harbor of Antibes - with a good general view from the Avenue de Verdun on its south side - on the coastal road (Avenue Amiral-de-Grasse) stands the Church of the Immaculate Conception which in the Middle Ages was an episcopal church. The nave dates from the 17th century, so that there is not much to see of the former 12th century Romanesque building. The church houses a notable altar-painting from 1515 by Louis Bréa, "The Madonna with Rosary", as well as a figure of Christ dating from 1447.
Château de la Garoupe
This Italianate chateau is a recent construction of 1905 by Lady Aberconway of Wales. The garden has recently been redesigned by her grandson into an extensive geometric pattern of lavender, rosemary and sontolina.
Address
Mr and Mrs Anthony Norman
F-06160 Cap d'Antibes
France
Tips
By appointment only.
Fort Carré
Fort Carré, originally built in 1585, was to protect the town and defend the frontier of the Var at a time. The fort rises 26 feet above sea level. Fort Carre was a stronghold until 1895 and declared a historic monument in 1913.
Address
Fort Carré
Avenue du 11-novembre
F-06600 Antibes
France
Hours
June 1 to September 30
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosed10:1510:1510:1510:1510:1510:15
Close 17:3017:3017:3017:3017:3017:30
October 1 to May 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosed10:1510:1510:1510:1510:1510:15
Close 16:0016:0016:0016:0016:0016:00
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Jazz à Juan
The well-known "Jazz à Juan" jazz festival is held in Antibes every July.
Address
Festival International de Jazz à Juan
11 place Jean-Pierre
F-06600 Antibes
France
Museum of History and Archeology
In Antibes, the coastal promenade runs south to the Bastion St André, which is a relic of the Vauban fortifications. Here is situated the Musée d'Histoire et d'Archaeologie. Among its exhibits are some portraying the history of the old Greek town, especially sub-marine archeological finds.
Address
Museum of History and Archeology
Bastion Saint-André
F-06600 Antibes
France
Hours
June 1 to September 30
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosed10:0010:0010:0010:0010:0010:00
Close 18:0018:0018:0022:0018:0018:00
October 1 to May 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosed10:0010:0010:0010:0010:0010:00
Close 12:0012:0012:0012:0012:0012:00
Open 14:0014:0014:0014:0014:0014:00
Close 18:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:00
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
1945 Victory Day (May 8)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Bastille Day - France (July 14)
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1)
Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day (November 11)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Pentecost Monday (Whit Monday) - Christian (May 28)
Ascension Thursday - Christian (May 17)
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Musée Peynet et du Dessin Humoristique
This gallery specializes in humoristic art including whimsical sculptures, drawings and comics. It opened in 1995 with the support of Raymond Peynet.
Address
Antibes - Musée Peynet et du Dessin Humoristique
Place National
F-06600 Antibes
France
Hours
June 1 to September 30
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosed10:0010:0010:0010:0010:0010:00
Close 18:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:00
October 1 to May 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosed10:0010:0010:0010:0010:0010:00
Close 12:0012:0012:0012:0012:0012:00
Open 14:0014:0014:0014:0014:0014:00
Close 18:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:00
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
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