© Ali Shayler
© Ali Shayler
© Ali Shayler
© Ali Shayler
© Ali Shayler
© Ali Shayler
© Ali Shayler
© Ali Shayler
An ancient riverside settlement with waterfront beaches
Just the other side of the airport to Nice, Saint-Laurent-du-Var has been brought bang up to date in recent years.
The waterfront is the place to be - a long esplanade stretches the length of the beach and is lined with a good choice of restaurants and bars. Most nightlife is centred around the harbour, where you’ll find more bars and restaurants as well as a couple of nightclubs.
The centre of Saint-Laurent-du-Var is typical of a small but busy town; unremarkable but it has everything you need such as pharmacies, supermarkets, shops, etc. Cut through some of the smaller side streets and you’ll find yourself in what remains of the old town; Place Adrien Castillon is a charming little square with an 11th century church.
Just beyond the church is the “Hotel de Ville”, or town hall - an extremely grand building set in pleasantly shaded landscaped gardens. There's a children’s playground nearby and a number of boules pitches, as well as a theatre.
In conjunction with the International Jazz Festival Association, Jazz a Juan will bring you three nights of entertainment with some of the most promising French and international acts on the jazz scene today.
This marathon takes place in the cooler autumn, starting in Nice and heading over a slightly varied route each year to the finish in the glamorous centre of Cannes.
Fans of Napoleonic history won't want to miss this re-enactment of the landing of Emperor Napoleon after his exile in Elba. On 1 March, 1815, Napoleon arrived with his army, and the scene is played out each year on the beach in Vallauris Golfe-Juan.
Halfway between Cannes and Monaco, built at the mouth of the Var river, its marina is one of the largest on the Riviera.
The Var river itself used to be the border between France and Nice (then Italian) and the town was created in the 11th century when a hospice was founded under Saint-Laurent himself to aid those passengers crossing the river. Gueyeurs transported travellers on their backs across the river until the construction of a bridge in 1792, before then mostly a ferry was used for travellers and traders, who used the Gueyeurs to carry heavier goods and animals across.
Due to its strategic location, the town has suffered in addition to floods, invasions, wars and epidemics, and the plague decimated the entire population. It was repopulated by Italian immigrants from Liguria.
Cut through some of the smaller side streets and you’ll find yourself in what remains of the old town; Place Adrien Castillon is a charming little square with an 11th century church.
Just beyond the church is the “Hotel de Ville”, or town hall - an extremely grand building set in pleasantly shaded landscaped gardens. There is a children’s playground nearby and a number of boules pitches, as well as a theatre.
Saint-Laurent-du-Var is a shopper’s paradise; the enormous Cap 3,000 shopping mall has all the high street favourites such as H&M, Mango, Zara, etc as well as some designer brands along the lines of Tommy Hilfiger, Guess and Desigual. If you prefer your holiday shopping to be a little more “local” then you’ll love the markets that are held every Sunday morning on the Esplanade du Levant, where you can find regional produce and typical Provençal goods.
Also, the stretch of sea beside the Plage des Flots Bleus is a protected marine area; an artificial cove has been created to encourage sealife to the area and visits are organised each morning (before 10:00) for families and school groups so that children can meet the fish. Call in at L'Aquarium Naturel des Flots Bleus to join in one of the visits.
The medieval church of Notre-Dame du Puy was raised to cathedral status in 1244, when the bishop transferred from Antibes to Grasse.
The Picasso museum is housed in the Chateau Grimaldi in the centre of the town of Vallauris. The chateau was built over a Roman fort in the 16th century.
The world-famous painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir lived at La Ferme des Collettes with his family from 1907 until his death in 1919. Renoir moved to Cagnes-Sur-Mer in the hopes that the warm climate would improve his arthritis, which eventually confined him to a wheelchair. The house in which he spent the last 12 years of his life is set in a beautiful estate full of citrus and olive trees, looking out along the coastline all the way to way to the Cap d’Antibes.
To the south west of Valbonne you'll find a centre for contemporary art known as Espace de l'Art Concret.
Take a look into the ancient past of Antibes which includes some artefacts from the Greek occupation when the town was known as Antipolis.
Chateau Grimaldi may take you somewhat by surprise if you are expecting the usual historical museum experience - it also holds regular exhibitions of contemporary art and isn’t afraid of displaying bizarre and sometimes challenging installations. The artworks are incongruous in such a traditional context and the collection changes regularly, so you never know quite what you’re going to get when you visit!
Saint-Laurent-du-Var sits on the long curve of stony beach on the Bay of Angels that runs right from Nice down to Antibes.
There are plenty of watersports to keep you occupied, including jetskis, pontoons, paddleboards and pedalos - or you could just rent a deckchair in a beach club and have a long leisurely lunch overlooking the water. Your move.
Plage du Cros de Cagnes is the main stretch of beach in Cagnes-Sur-Mer, running the length of the lively row of restaurants and bars that line the seafront.
Palm trees, sparkling blue waves and soft white sand make Plage des Bouches du Loup feel like a tropical paradise.
Right beside the marina, Plage de la Batterie (also known as Plage Villeneuve-Loubet) is a pleasant pebble beach with plenty of activities on offer.
Plage de la Pierre au Tambour runs from the port all the way to Antibes and has a busy road and train line running behind it, neither of which you can hear much. If you stand facing the sea and look to your right you can see Antibes and its 16th century fort sticking out from the mainland.
Antibes sits at the far end of the Bay of Angels (Baie des Anges), a vast sweep of azure blue sea that washes up on a smooth pebbled shore.
Plage de la Gravette has a lot going for it. It’s wide, sandy and it’s right in the middle of the old town, making it perfect for a quick swim while exploring Antibes, or to spread out with a picnic for the day.
Le Nacional is a THE Beef and Wine restaurant in the heart of historical Antibes. A restaurant that will excite the taste buds of gourmet meat aficionados. The choicest pieces of beef provided by the highest quality butchers.
Ideally located on the hill in Cannes, the Hotel de Mougins is only five minutes from Sophia Antipolis, ten minutes from Cannes and Grasse, and twenty five minutes from Nice International Airport.
Laurent Paccini is the chef at this Relais & Châteaux hotel and brings the food of different cultures to his excellent Mediterranean restaurant in Saint-Paul de Vence.
Enjoy a culinary experience at this fine dining restaurant, Les Pêcheurs. It offers a creative cuisine that deftly blends flavours and fragrances from throughout the French Riviera.
La Passagère at Hôtel Belles Rives offers a refined culinary journey shaped by the creative talents of Chef Aurélien Véquaud and Pastry Chef Steve Moracchini. Set against a stunning Riviera backdrop, this restaurant pairs inspired cuisine with a spectacular setting.
Toile Blanche Le Restaurant offers fresh, seasonal dishes inspired by the Mediterranean, where simplicity meets creative flair.
Most nightlife is centred around the harbour, where you’ll find more bars and restaurants as well as a couple of nightclubs and where the majority of events will take place. Shimmy over to Le Spey River on Wednesday evenings for a free salsa lesson and tex-mex tapas.
Enjoy sea views and delicious cocktails at this jazz lounge in central Antibes.
Moleskine armchairs, panoramic view, masterpieces, cracked oak floors, all complemented by a breathtaking view from the terrace where the sunset is magical.
This English-speaking pub is located in the heart of Old Antibes. It is a real institution for Captains and crew members.
You can be sure you'll have a good time in this authentic, lively bar.
The club is known for hosting some of Europe’s most popular DJs, as well as its creative theme nights. Imagine a village square at night - cobbled streets, fountains and a lively atmosphere.
This trendy bar is located in the old Antibes and is very popular with the yacht crew.
Twitchers and nature lovers should remember to pack their binoculars; the river Var is a renowned bird reserve where you may spot plovers, sandpipers, grey herons, egrets, flamingos and many more.
There's good fishing to be had too - although the stretch of sea beside the Plage des Flots Bleus is a protected marine area with a total ban on fishing.
The hills rising up behind Saint-Laurent-du-Var are popular with road cyclists and once you get beyond the towns, they are riddled with hiking trails.
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
Based in Cannes, motorbike and scooter rental so you can explore the South of France.
This company is based in Cannes and offers a wide range of road bikes, with delivery available to Antibes.
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
A challenging ride up a steep mountain pass to a summit of 963m, the Col de Vence is a classic cycling route of the Cote d’Azur. Starting from Nice along the Promenade des Anglais, follow the cycle path past the airport to Cagnes-Sur-Mer; you’ll know you’ve reached Cagnes-Sur-Mer when you come to a long stretch of seafront and a dangling rhinoceros (you’ll understand when you see it), turn right up Avenue General Leclerc - it’s the second road after the church.
There is no other way to discover the stunning coast of the Cote d’Azur than by bike. This bike ride is not the most challenging, as no serious hills are conquered, but it is a stunning way to explore the coastal towns of the Cote d’Azur.
Leaving Cannes and travelling east along the coast allows you to enjoy the Cap de la Croisette just outside of the centre of Cannes as well as the towns, villages and seaside resorts that are scattered along the Cote d'Azur. A good train service ensures that your journey does not need to be a return, but merely a one way trip.
When you think of the Cap d'Antibes you tend to think prestigious villas and residences for billionaires, nestled in the green oasis of the peninsula.
Perched at nearly 500m above sea level this historical site once housed Romans in tents as they overlooked the land below.
The Cordula was created by the Ligurians, then occupied by the Greeks and Romans before being burned by the Barbarian invasions of the 4th century. The wooded parkland now lies lust north of the coast at Vallauris and offers shade on sunny days.
This enjoyable half-day hike follows a river linking two of the region’s most beautiful towns, Valbonne and Biot.
Based in Antibes, their kayak activities extend along the French Riviera and include the Iles de Lerins.
This company offers you the chance to test, try, learn and improve your stand up paddle board techniques though rental and board sales.
A small centre that focuses on a personal touch and offers not only beginner diving courses, but PADI certification and also instructor development courses.
If you feel like a change from the beach, take a trip to the local public swimming baths. There is a 25-metre swimming pool inside, plus an outdoor 50-metre pool with a diving board.
An activity that is accessible to everyone; all you need is to have a swim suit and be able to swim! The perfect trip for a group of friends or a family.
Jet-ski, waterskiing, wakeboard, wakesurf, parachute, canoe and paddleboard, Glisse Paradise have it all!
There are some chain hotels here, handy for the airport at Nice, but for something more boutique-styled you will need to go further afield, either into Nice or into the hills above the coast.
At 6km from Valbonne, in the commune of roquefort-les-pins, in a quiet area, charming villa situated on a plot of land of about 2100 m².
In the town of Vallauris, we present the villa "Luma" located in height, without direct vis-à-vis, with a very beautiful sea view, on a plot of 800 m².
Villa Bellevue does not bear this name without reason. You live here high on the slopes of Vallauris, the place where Picasso lived and worked for many years.
In your own artistic villa with contemporary interiors, a stunning pool and unobstructed views of the forest of Valmasque in a region of the French Riviera that so inspired Picasso, Matisse and Miró, you will stay just 18 km from the lively city of Cannes
Villa Lunetta features four bedrooms (2 master suites and 2 guest rooms) and four en-suite bathrooms and shower rooms spread over two spacious floors.
Located in Vallauris, 10 km from Cannes, in a leafy residential area with sea view, luxurious villa set in 2500 m² of wooded, fenced grounds.
Located on a quiet street just one block away from the stunning French Riviera, the 1-bedroom Artistic Riviera 7E Sweet Inn vacation apartment offers a stylish, romantic abode in one of Juan les Pin’s best areas.
In the town of Vallauris, we present the villa "Luma" located in height, without direct vis-à-vis, with a very beautiful sea view, on a plot of 800 m².
Located on a quiet street just one block away from the stunning French Riviera, the 1-bedroom Lovely Riviera 4F Sweet Inn vacation apartment offers a stylish and comfortable abode in one of Juan les Pin’s best areas.
At 6km from Valbonne, in the commune of roquefort-les-pins, in a quiet area, charming villa situated on a plot of land of about 2100 m².
Located on a quiet street just one block away from the stunning French Riviera, the 1-bedroom Sunny Terrace 4C Sweet Inn vacation apartment offers a stylish, romantic abode in one of Juan les Pin’s best areas.
In the area of Roquefort les Pins in 6 km from Valbonne, in a residential and green area, nice villa on a land of 2600 m².
La Villa Cap d'Antibes, a four-star hotel, offers an intimate boutique experience, blending discreet elegance with a serene atmosphere.
This celebrated Provençal inn combines elegant accommodation with a private collection of modern art by renowned 20th-century artists.
Hôtel Belles Rives, a historic Art Deco gem, offers luxury and comfort in the heart of Cap d’Antibes, with a Michelin-starred restaurant and stunning seaside views.
A charming and historic four-star villa in the heart of Juan-les-Pins, offering an intimate retreat where Mediterranean elegance and relaxed luxury come together.
Effortlessly elegant and full of charm, this authentic Provençal mas offers a peaceful escape for romantic getaways and family retreats alike.
Toile Blanche is a stylish retreat where contemporary design, Provençal elegance and immersive art come together across serene gardens and valley views.
Easy to access, Saint-Laurent-du-Var is little more than a short bus ride from Nice airport; you can even cycle there using the Vélobleu bikes that are stationed all along the coastline. The no.200 bus also runs regularly between Nice and Cannes, passing through Saint-Laurent-du-Var along the way.
From Nice airport to Antibes, they handle the rest. The Côte d’Azur's most trusted private transfers.
Car Riviera offers a range of cars available for hire with a driver to chauffeur you either to and from the airport, for sight seeing trips or just to and from dinner so you can sit back and relax. Large vehicles such as Espace and Multi vans are at your disposal.
Created in 1976 this company has grown and has now transported well over 100,000 passengers. They have a fleet of 12 craft to meet client demands.
Heli Securite offer transfers on a helicopter from the airport to your yacht or various destinations in and around the Cannes area, St Tropez and Monaco. In addition to this they also service all of the main French ski resorts from their base in Courchevel.
With a long history and experience in the VIP transport industry this company is proud of its personal and high-quality services.
Chabe Transfers are a renowned luxury transfer and taxi service operating in the French Riviera.
SOLE AGENT. A charming semi-detached villa with garden, situated in a private domain with swimming pool and tennis court, near the beaches of La Garoupe.
Located in the sought-after residential area of Peyregoue, in Antibes, this semi-detached villa enjoys a peaceful and secure setting within a gated community offering tranquility and excellent lifestyle.
Boasting an exceptional location facing the sea, in the heart of a sought-after area, this property offers 160 sq m of living area, plus 200 sq m of seafront terraces and a 130sqm garden.
Find out all about what is happening in Antibes and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, fabulous beaches, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in this charming Riviera town.
See allLatest News & ReviewsYou will not be short of entertainment in this beautiful French Riviera town, especially during the summer. Markets are very popular, selling everything from local produce to arts & crafts and second-hand objects. There are also plenty of cultural and musical events, including world-famous festivals like Jazz a Juan, as well as regattas and other sports competitions.
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