(Version française en bas de page) “Fort Carré” means squared fort. Indeed, in the 16thcentury, four arrow-shaped bastions were added to the preexisting tower and chapel. One century later, Vauban, who built the fortifications around the city, modified the fort and improved its strength. In 1794 during the French Revolution, Napoleon was imprisoned there for ten days. Finally, during the 19thcentury, “Fort Carré” was widely used as a sentry and defense post against the County

(Version française en bas de page) Everyone knows about his eponymous street which links Place Charles de Gaulle to the train station, but who is Robert Soleau? He was elected the mayor of Antibes in 1884 and remained in office for 17 years. However, the reason why this man born in northern France came to Antibes is unknown. We don’t even know of a house he lived in, he seems to only have stayed in a hotel in rue Thuret. Nevertheless, Soleau made two crucial decisions for the

(Version française en bas de page) Here is the picturesque Old Town with its 18th century houses and the “new” town with its wide avenues and elegant buildings. In between, the “Marenda-Lacan” district will emerge by 2020. Over two hectares, it will include high-standard housing as well as shops, restaurants, a cinema and a car park. The architecture will be modernistic while taking into consideration the identity of Antibes. Last but not least, the new area will only use 100

(Version française en bas de page) I saw this stately home by chance when coming back from Cap d’Antibes. As it drew my attention, I took a picture and then did some research. The house first belonged to Adolphe d’Ennery, a French playwright who bought the plot in 1865 and had the house designed by architect Auguste Abeille. From 1874, author Jules Verne spent a few winters in the house where he worked with D’Ennery on the stage adaptation on his works, notably 'Around the Wo

(Version française en bas de page) Towards the end of the 19th century, most of Antibes’ ramparts were knocked down. A new era of expansion and construction was beginning. “Place Charles de Gaulle” is certainly the most striking example of the new architecture which developed in the city. Flanked by the majestic “Grand Hôtel” (now mainly occupied by the department store Monoprix) and with a bandstand in its middle (now gone), it was a very fashionable place during the “Belle

(Version française en bas de page) As Easter is coming, it’s a good opportunity to keep in mind Antibes’ Christian heritage. The first Roman Catholic cathedral of the town was probably built before the 10th century. It has been transformed many times until now. Today, the church boasts a baroque-style façade and a splendid portal carved by Joseph Dolle. Inside, there is a remarkable altarpiece painted in the 16th century by a local artist, Louis Bréa. The centre panel shows