Antibes
A ramparted Greek foundation with a castle where Picasso worked for six months and left the results.
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Antipolis was founded by Greeks from Massalia and has been continuously occupied since; the sea ramparts, rebuilt under Vauban, still front the old town, and the Fort Carre stands on a promontory across the harbour. In 1946 Picasso was offered space to work in the Chateau Grimaldi and spent about six months there producing paintings, drawings and ceramics on Mediterranean and mythological themes, most of which he left to the town; the castle became the first Picasso museum. Port Vauban beside it is one of the largest marinas in the Mediterranean, with a quay for very large yachts. The Provencal market runs daily in season.
What you actually see
- The Picasso museum - the 1946 work he made and left in the castle.
- The sea ramparts - Vauban-era walls with a walk above the water.
- Fort Carre - a star fort on the promontory across the harbour.
- The covered market - a daily Provencal market in the old town.
When to go
April to June and September to October; the market closes Mondays out of season. The museum closes Mondays. Summer is crowded, particularly around the port.
Honest expectations
The Picasso collection is specific to one short period rather than a survey of his career. The rampart walk is exposed and hot. Parking in the old town is essentially impossible.
Nearby
Cannes lies west; Nice is east.
What to pack for Antibes
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
