If you are visiting us in Antibes and have a car, a day out in St Tropez is always something worth contemplating. The history of the city is ancient. From a small harbour circa 599 BC, it became a larger fortified city in the 15th Century under the rule of Count René I. However, the city only started to become fashionable towards the end of the 19th Century when Guy de Maupassant and Paul Signac decided to moor in the harbour on board of their yacht. St Tropez acquired inter

(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) Lavender is often associated with the Provence region. Indeed, the plant was utilised here as early as the Middle Ages for the making of perfumes and medicines. However, it was first named 'Lavendula' by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. In the next century, the cultivation of lavender started to expand and since then, the plant has been largely used to make essential oil. Many perfumeries are located in the area of Grasse, 20 km from

(Version française en bas de page) In the heart of Antibes, adjoining the vibrant rue de la République, is a large square with a marble column in its centre. There are some inscriptions on the monument and one reads: “The column was erected on the 31st of May 1818”. Another one begins with: “ In August and Septembre 1815…” and it tells us about a glorious episode of Antibes’ history. Indeed, the residents of Antibes refused to surrender to Napoleon who was coming back from

(Version française en bas de page) Melons, oranges, lemons, limes, apples, pineapples… the variety and quality of fruit that can be found at “Marché Provençal” is astounding. But did you know that some cultivars originate from Antibes? The Honeydew melon was first grown in South East France in the 15th century and was called “White Antibes”. In the 1910s, it was introduced in the USA and it is now cultivated and sold all over the world. Although not as famous as the Honeydew

(Version française en bas de page) Antibes has always had magnetism- attracting visitors from all over the world throughout the course of history. Originally a Greek colony known as Antipolis in the 5th century BC, Antibes later became a part of the Roman Empire in 43 BC, remaining an important Gallic trading point for five centuries. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Antibes continued to receive attention from the likes of Louis XI who took the city under his wing; the

(Version française en bas de page) This may be one of the best strolls to do from the Old Town. At Bastion St André, start walking along the seashore until you reach the Salis beach. There, you will find signs showing the direction to « La Garoupe ». This is an easy and quaint path (10 to 15 mn walk), which heads to the top, at an altitude of 103m. The lighthouse is one of the most powerful of the Mediterranean sea. Don’t miss out on a visit to the chapel, whose colorful wall

(Version française en bas de page) As in many other regions of France, in Provence you will encounter delicious wines to pair with your meals or to enjoy as an“apéritif” before your lunch or dinner! Wine has been produced in this area for at least 2,600 years, ever since the ancient Greeks founded the city of Marseilles in 600 BC. The “rosé” wines are prevalent and you can find some of the best French ones in Provence. But if you are a red or white wine lover, no need to worr

(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) The neighbour of “Ile Sainte Marguerite” is called “Ile Saint Honorat”. Here too, you can walk through the woods and enjoy fantastic views of the Mediterranean. But you must also discover the rich monastic history of this island, which dates back to the 5th century. The construction of the fortified monastery was carried out between the 11th and the 15th century and today the buildings are open to visitors. Wine and spirits are produced by t

(Version française en bas de page) Just a few minutes by boat from Juan-les-Pins, the eucalyptus and umbrella pine forest of Sainte Marguerite Island awaits you. Many paths go through this beautiful island which is the largest of the “Iles de Lerins”. Sainte Marguerite has twenty houses, many of which are occupied by fishermen. But what makes this place so special is the “Fort Royal”, a fortress prison where the Man with the Iron Mask was jailed in the 17th century. The myste

(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

Antibes is well known for its ramparts, old streets and “Château Grimaldi”, dating back from the 13th to the 18th century. However, the rich history of the city is much more ancient. Many vases, ceramics, marbles and mural paintings were found in Antipolis and are shown in the Archaelogy museum, inside the Saint-André bastion in the ramparts. The artefacts are Greek, Etruscan or Roman and date back to the 7th century BC until the 5th century AD. You can even see two Antipolis

(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