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Antibes - Juan les Pins
[Presentation]
[History]
[Surrounding area] [Visit]
[Virtual Tour]
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Presentation |
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Antibes, the Riviera's second largest town, spreads outwards from its original
town fortified with ramparts. |
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At the foot of Cap d'Antibes, one of the most
prestigious capes on the Côte d'Azur, and the Fort Carré (square fortress),
the port of Antibes shelters the most luxurious yachts and pleasure boats one
could possibly find.
The old town, gently lulled between sky and sea, is a labyrinth of narrow
allies and pleasant streets in the warm honey-colored stone used to build
most of its historic monuments. Further west, Antibes stretches out towards
Cap d'Antibes with its beaches of pale beige sand interspersed by rocky
outcrops. You can drive along the road that takes you nearly all around
Cap d'Antibes as far as Juan-les-Pins.
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Known as the coolest bathing resort on the Côte d'Azur, Juan-les-Pins is famous
for its connections with the world of jazz (several streets and squares have
been named after famous jazz musicians) and its lively nightlife. The town
is prolonged by the Pinède (pine-grove), long sandy beaches and the Promenade
du Soleil, almost as popular as the Croisette. Every year, many de-luxe hotels
and residences near the Palais des Congrès play host to congresses and
international events.
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History |
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Founded by the Greeks under the name of Antipolis, Antibes went on to enjoy
rapid development and prosperity under Roman rule. Getting well into its stride, the town continued to develop without any hitches throughout the
Middle Ages, with on-going consolidation of its fortifications, then with
Vauban's construction of the Fort Carré.
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Even though Nice and Cannes benefitted from faster development, Antibes was
still a flourishing and prosperous town as witnessed by the splendid houses
and villas built from the early 19th century onwards on Cap d'Antibes.
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early 20th century confirmed the central position of Antibes, and once again
the English were the first to stay here on holiday. The Roaring 'Twenties
brought its carefree life-style, with festivities and music in the Pinède at
Juan-les-Pins and many visitors from all over the world, especially America:
Scott Fitzgerald, Douglas Fairbanks, Rudolf Valentino.
The 'fifties and 'sixties confirmed the popularity of Juan-les-Pins, where
the Americans added the jazzy rhythms of their jam-sessions to the development
of a bathing center, soon to become the smartest resort on the Riviera.
It was in 1960 that the Juan-les-Pins Jazz Festival was officially launched,
a town now twinned with the French Quarter of New Orleans.
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The
surrounding area |
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Golfe-Juan
This small seaside resort offers a superb view of the Lérins
Islands and of the "Cap d'Antibes". |
Golfe Juan is in the centre of a large natural harbour stretching from Cap d'Antibes to the East, to the Cap de la Croisette to the West, on the outskirts of Cannes. It was on the beach of Golfe Juan - on March 1st 1815 - that Napoleon I landed on his return from the island of Elba and gave the order to march first towards Cannes and Grasse, then further north: the route taken by Napoleon I as far as Laffrey, a small village to the north of Grenoble, is now known as the "Route
Napoleon".
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As far back as Roman times, Biot was a Potters' Village. In the 15th century, it was decimated by the plague and was completely re-peopled by 48 families from Genoa. Biot then continued to flourish thanks to trade with the Genoese. Towards the end of the 19th century, clay pots used for transporting foodstuffs were gradually falling into disuse and it was not until the middle of the 20th century that Biot resumed its expansion, with the development of glassworks and decorative pottery.
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Biot
An arts-and-crafts town perched on a promontory overlooking Antibes and
known for its glass-blowing and pottery studios. |
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Visit |
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In Antibes: the walk along the ramparts for a
constantly changing view of Cap d'Antibes, and a browse around the Provençal
market. The Picasso Museum is a must for its rich collection of paintings and
sculptures.
At Juan-les-Pins: a walk along the Promenade du Soleil, Port Gallice and Port
Croûton, and the Eden Beach Casino.
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Strolls
2-hour tour - 1-day
tour - 2-day tour
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