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AntibesIncredible value Nice apartments 20km West of Nice, Antibes (from the Greek "Antipolis", meaning city opposite) was set up as a trading centre by the Greeks in the 5th century BC. Since those early days, Antibes has been a target for many sea-faring attackers: the Visigoths, the Vandals and the Barbarians among them. In 1608, France purchased Antibes from the Grimaldi's of Monaco. Antibes can just about claim to be a year round destination (nearby Juan les Pins is certainly only really a summer resort). It was Coco Chanel, F. Scott (and Zelda) Fitzgerald and Frank Jay Gould who helped popularise Antibes into the town it is today: trendy, cosmopolitan and home to many millionaires. The new parts of Antibes are best avoided - being charmless. Whereas old Antibes is really worth a visit. The Fort Carré is the massive 16th century defensive fort, below which is Europe's largest yacht marina. Somewhat obscured below the old quay walls is Plage de la Gravette a free sandy beach right in the town centre. Further inland - and effectively Grecian Antibe's old centre is Cours Masséna which hosts a fantastic morning fruit and vegetable market. Rue Sade off the cours leads to Place Nationale where you will find plenty of cafés and people watching opportunities. South out of Antibes and you enter the area of the cap which is home to Antibes' wealthiest residents. There are long stretches of sandy public beach here too. West of Antibes is Juan les Pins - a modern resort and a party hotspot with good value nightclubs - less genteel than other small cote d'azur towns, Juan les Pins nevertheless hosts a wonderful jazz festival in the summer. Only 4km East of Antibes is Marineland, South of France's most visited paid for tourist attraction. Marineland is a huge wildlife park and is a must for any child (or big child) visitor to the Riviera. The Walk-through tunnel in the shark tank and the dolphin and killer whale exhibits are wonderful. Return to home page from the Antibes guide
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