7/01/2018

Discover Antibes, France on the Côte d’Azur

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All blog posts are based on our personal travels around Europe, penned by J. Christina.

Antibes, France is a Mediterranean resort town located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France. The city is nestled on the coastline of the Côte d’Azur, snuggled between ritzy Cannes and Nice. 

Antibes is often associated with its mega-yacht capital of the world, Port Vauban. This rich and luxurious billionaires’ quay has a long colorful history with the Ligurians, Romans and Crusaders on their way to the Holy Land. Today it’s the largest marina in Europe. The marina is dotted with thousands of moorings that accommodate mega-yachts in excess of 100 meters long. Complete with seductive names like Eclipse, Octopus, and Quantum Blue – all conjuring images of the owners, a roster of “Who’s Who.” 



For art lovers, Antibes is the place to trace the footsteps of Pablo Picasso, and his flamboyant lifestyle along the French Riviera. The Musée Picasso, France’s first museum dedicated to the artist, stands tall inside the 16th-century ramparts of the restored Château Grimaldi. The site once belonged to the powerful Grimaldi family of Monaco. 

Picasso arrived in Antibes in 1946, as a young and inspiring artist for a six-month stay. He lived and worked inside the chateau, creating, painting, and sculpting. It was here he created his notable Joie de Vivre, in 1946. Picasso went on to bequeath all of the art he created to the Château, on the condition that it remain on display to the public. For those who love art, there’s no better place than the French Riviera to trace the footsteps of Picasso, his art, his affairs, and his wide circle of friends.
Follow in the daily French lifestyle, by strolling the cobblestone streets of Old Town Antibes. Head to the Place Nationale Cours Massena, Le Marché Provençal, an authentic and lively early morning market. Here, stalls are laden with fresh fruits and vegetables, sundrenched flowers, and fragrant hand-milled soaps of the Provençal countryside.

Whether you call it the Côte d’Azur or the French Riviera, this region is a prime location for discovering historical art and cultural gems.  The Mediterranean seascape is rich with artistic treasures discreetly tucked away in peaceful gardens or safely secured inside ancient ramparts.  The French Riviera is waiting for you to stroll along its seaside, discover its small villages, and be enchanted with  its treasure-trove of history and beauty.


The Gare d'Antibes is the railway station serving the town, offering connections to Nice, Cannes, Marseille, Paris and several other destinations. The railway station is in the center of town. The nearest airport is Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. 
Buses with numbers 100 and above go further, for example, Monaco (100), Cannes and Antibes (200), Grasse (500), Saint-Paul de Vence and Vence (400), and the mountains.

* a version of this post appeared on Perfectly Provence, February 5, 2019



About J. Christina:
J. Christina is the author and hobbyist photographer behind Scribbles and Smiles, writing a  personal travel blog from the Midwest. Christina (Christie) is married to John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie. Where Mr.. Christie is right on-board with their travel jaunts around the world; sharing in their blogging endeavors. He supports, encourages, handles gadgetry and embraces the role of in-house editor - hence, their bespoke pen name, J. Christina. 












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