Antibes, located on the Mediterranean coast, is 23 km southwest of Nice and around 10 km east of Cannes. In terms of population, it is the third-largest commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department.
The town lies to the north of Cap d'Antibes, with its seafront facing the Baie des Anges and Nice clearly visible to the east. The eastern side of the Cap offers sandy beaches, known as Garoupe. Closer to the town center are La Salle, Le Ponteil and finally the Gravette beach at the foot of the ramparts. Beyond Fort Carré, the fort's pebble beach extends as far as Villeneuve-Loubet. To the west of this promontory lies the seaside resort of Juan-les-Pins, administratively part of Antibes, with south-facing sandy beaches and views of the Lérin islands. This coastal district extends west to the beaches and port of Golfe Juan.
Founded in the 4th century BC by the Phocaean Greeks, the small port of Antibes was under constant threat from local Ligurian tribes. The port was famous for its defensive walls. It later became a free Roman city, fortified with a fortress and arsenal. Antibes was later destroyed, unable to withstand the onslaught of the barbarians.
From the 14th century onwards, French lords began to recognize Antibes' strategic importance, being the border between France and Savoy. Fort Carré was one of the first fortifications built on the orders of King Henry II of France during the Renaissance. In 1794, Bonaparte, then commander of the coast guard, settled with his family in Antibes. Robespierre was held at Fort Carré for some time after his arrest. In 1800, General Championnet, a true hero of the revolution, died in Antibes. Antibes is also the birthplace of Marshal Ray (1775 - 1860), who distinguished himself in Napoleon's campaigns.
Perched on a hill overlooking the sea, Château Grimaldi was designed as a Romanesque fortress. It was rebuilt in the 15th century, but retained its square Romanesque tower. Today, the château houses the Musée Picasso, with its priceless collection of paintings, drawings, prints, lithographs and ceramics by famous artists. The museum also displays archaeological artefacts. The terrace overlooking the sea is adorned with 4 statues by Germaine Richier. With its Romanesque apse and transept, the 17th-century cathedral is famous for its 1515 altarpiece by Louis Blair.
The Musée Archéologique is located in the Fort Saint-André of Fort Vauban. The museum houses a collection of ancient fragments and pottery that bear witness to Antibes' long history. The Naval and Napoleonic Museum is located at the tip of Cap d'Antibes, in the shadow of the Tour du Graillon, an old battery that Napoleon himself restored as a defense post in 1794.
Today, the port of Antibes is one of Europe's largest marinas. Facing the ramparts of Vieil-Antibes and extending all the way to Fort Carré, the Port Vauban is home to the world's largest yachts, some over 100 meters long.
