The Jabotte Journeys #3 : The Old Stones of Antibes Tell Their Stories

Under the sun, memory whispers.

For travellers who love history, light and seaside charm, Antibes is a living museum where every stone has a story to tell.

More than three thousand years ago

the Greeks of Antipolis chose this bay for its calm waters and endless light. Centuries later, Vauban reinforced the ramparts, which today offer one of the most beautiful seaside walks on the French Riviera.

Nearby stands Fort Carré, where a young Bonaparte once dreamed of glory, likely while complaining about the mistral. In 1938, the fort even hosted a World Cup football match. Proof that Antibes has always enjoyed mixing history with everyday life.

Climb the hill to La Garoupe,

where the lighthouse and the Chapel of the Seafarers watch over the sea. Destroyed during the war and rebuilt as a symbol, the lighthouse still casts its gentle light across the Mediterranean. Inside the chapel, ex-votos tell stories of storms, courage and safe returns.

At sunset, the stone steps smell of wax and salt. And every morning, a loyal seagull perches on the ramparts to greet the sunrise, a feathered philosopher who clearly knows the best viewpoints.

Below, Port Vauban blends past and present.

Luxury yachts now gleam where fishermen once mended their nets. Nearby, the cathedral watches patiently, like a grandmother who has seen it all.

Then comes the Safranier district,

a hidden gem of the old town. Narrow streets, pastel shutters and flowers leaning out to watch you pass. A black cat guards the stone steps, and even Tya, La Jabotte’s dog, knows this is his territory.

These stones also hold gentler memories. A grocery shop from the 1920s, a bakery after the war, a child tanning under the Gravette ramparts. In Antibes, centuries and faces blend without ever losing their soul.

Here, old stones do not crumble. 

They bask in the sun. They remember everything and forgive everyone, even travellers following their phone to find the sea.

— Nathalie and Pierre

For those who wish to go a little further, the Antibes Juan les pins tourist office offers guided visits and resources about the town’s heritage and old streets.

About La Jabotte

A small boutique hotel 60 meters from the sea, with a secret garden, rescued animals, a heated pool and a gentle Provencal soul. An intimate escape in Antibes.