Visit Antibes by walk: the must-sees of the old town

Visiting Antibes by walk is always a good idea. On sunny days, stroll through the shady alleys of the old town to discover the Provencal charm of this seaside resort bordered by ramparts. Do you like history, art, food or shopping? Leave the tuk tuk at the hotel for an urban walk through the heart of a city whose ideal location is a real eye-catcher …

Visit Antibes by walk: from the ramparts to Port Vauban

From the hotel, it will only take a few minutes, along the beaches, to reach the ramparts so characteristic of the city of Antibes. From there, whether you are here for a cultural stay, a business trip or a family vacation, you can visit Antibes by walk, discovering the historic gems of the city as well as the many artists who have left their signature there.

Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the ramparts offer a spectacular view of the Cap d’Antibes, but also of the entire coastline, and depending on the season, the snow-capped mountains which seem to Hug the jagged silhouette of Antibes. Surrounding the old town, the ramparts extend beyond the Porte Marine and watch over Port Vauban and the Quai des Milliardaires.

On their side, the old Antibes is hidden behind the facades, and is full of charming details, historical monuments, museums and paved crossings, dotted with shops, artisans and gourmet addresses.

The essentials of old Antibes, for a walking tour

• The free commune of Safranier

A city within a city. In a nutshell, this is the free commune of Safranier, created in the sixties by people from Antibes in love with this so typical district whose desire was to perpetuate traditions and create links with the locals.

Today, this almost hidden haven of peace, located between rue de la Tourraque and rue du Haut Castelet, is an obligatory passage for a walk. Do not miss a stop at Place du Safranier for lunch on the terrace, in the only restaurant on the square.

• The Picasso museum

On the place Marejol, like a lookout on the Mediterranean Sea, the Picasso museum, merging with the ramparts of old Antibes, houses in its heart, works from Pablo Picasso, during his visit in 1946. Paintings, drawings and ceramics, are presented in this very first museum dedicated to the artist.

• The Peynet museum

Another remarkable museum in Antibes is the Peynet museum, which will appeal to young and old alike. Raymond Peynet, this cartoonist, famous in particular for his couple of lovers created in 1942, settled in Antibes in the 70s. Drawings, dolls, posters or even lithographs by the artist are to be discovered in this temple in homage in Peynet, on the national square.Le marché Provençal

• the Provençal market

True belly of the city, the Provençal market, bursting with colors and scents, breathes Provence into its cafes and gourmet addresses that embrace it. In addition to the flavors of the land that we already devour with the eyes and the nose, under the Hall of Cours Massena, we get to know the artisan producers but also with the artists who exhibit their works.

• The Saint Bernard Chapel

Built on Roman foundations in 1581, the Saint Bernardin chapel is located in rue Rostan. Listed as a historical monument, its starry sky, baroque decorations and trompe l’oeil paintings are true masterpieces.

• The nomad of the Saint – Jaume bastion

This monumental sculpture installed on the bastion of Saint-Jaume seems to look after the arrival of boats. The work of Catalan artist Jaume Plensa, this immaculate nomad, jagged with letters that seem to evaporate, was first exhibited in 2007 and is now part of the permanent collection of the Picasso Museum in Antibes.

• The billionaires’ wharf

To end this visit of Antibes on foot, we end in apotheosis with the walk approaching Quai Camille Rayon, also called the Quai des Billionaires. Since the end of the 1980s, this wharf has accommodated the largest pleasure craft. If it were possible to approach them as close as possible to dream, today we cherish the idea of ​​going on board but impossible to walk along the quay for a few years.

But with this walk full of discoveries, it might be too much and time to come back to the hotel, right?

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