France:Antibes
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General
Antibes has one of the largest yacht marinas on the Côte d'Azur, built in the 1960s on the site of a Roman harbor. There is still a local fishing industry, much diminished from its size a century ago. It is an old and very attractive town, situated halfway between Nice and Cannes and has a large number of visitors' berths, mostly in Port Gallice.
If you are after the town centre, use Port Vauban-Antibes. Port Gallice is on the opposite side of the Cap D'Antibes peninsular.
Visit Antibes at any time of year and you will soon realise that Antibes is about yachts, expensive yachts and very expensive yachts. A stroll around the port is a must ,to see the mega boats with heliocopters or sea planes you may have to walk to the outer harbour and slip past the guards. The next thing you will notice is that nearly all the crews of these yachts are english, they mostly live on board and spend the greater part of the year moored at Antibes, this makes for some lively action in the local bars throughout the year.
The Old town is a must to visit with its narrow streets and varied restaurants. You will find great little specialist shops, one well worth the time to seek out is the cutlers where you can watch the craftsman beat a piece of steel into a blade and fashion it into a one off pocket knife.
On the Cap you will find the houses of the rich and famous but you will see little of them screened behind the high walls but the views of the coastline make it worthwhile taking a look.
If you are looking for the beach you are better to venture along to Juan Les Pins. This is also where you will find the late night action in season. You will find hotels easier to find here as well.
During July and August the whole of this coast is packed and a few kilometers by car can take hours but the train service is very good. Allow 35 mins from Nice to Antibes, Juan Les Pins is another 2 or 3 mins and Cannes a further 15 mins.
Nice Airport is serviced from most UK airports and a bus or train will take you anywhere you are likely to want in the area. Taxis are expensive compared to most parts of France and best avoided.
Approaches, Routes and Navigation
Tidal information and currents
Charts
Weather
Prevailing winds in the spring blow from west to north and often turn easterly near Cannes. In the summer, westerlies are replaced by calmer breezes. The dominant winds are westerly in the spring and summer. These winds can be unpredictable and change quickly around the headlands. Dry, sunny weather is the rule
However, winds along the Mediterranean coast and Corsica are sometimes variable, the strongest wind being the mistral, a northerly wind which occurs regularly and often reaches gale force.
In the Mediterranean, there are several continuous weather reports, broadcast in both English and French, on VHF channels. Channel 24 for Corsica; Channel 25 for Provence; Channel 23 for the Cote d'Azur.
Major ports
Marinas and Anchorages
Port Vauban-Antibes
Facilities are poor and staff are unhelpful if not blatantly rude.
Bureau du Port 06604 Antibes Tel:+33 (0)492 91 60 00 Fax:+33 (0)493 34 70 04
- VHF Channel 09
- 15 tonne crane
- 25 tonne crane
- 45 tonne travel hoist
- 12 tonne travel hoists
- Fuel
Port-Gallice
This is a much friendlier place
Pointe du Crouton Boulevard Baudouin 06160 Juan-Les-Pins Tel:+33 (0)492 937440 Fax:+33 (0)492 937444
- 30 tonne crane
- Toilets
- Showers
- Fuel
- Laundrette.
Chandlers and Repair Facilities
Victuals (Food and Drink!)
Supermarkets - Carrefour and the centre commercial by the A8, various smaller ones down the hill. The supermarkets, especially Carrefour, are by far the cheaper option.
Sailing Clubs
CN Antibes
Quai du Fort-Carre 06600 Antibes Tel:+33 (0)493 672250 Fax:+33 (0)493 672261
Club Nautique d'Antibes de Juan Les Pins
Quai de la Jetee Port Vauban 06600 Antibes Tel:+33 (0)493658000
International Yacht Club d'Antibes
Bassin de Grande Plaisance Port Vauban 06600 Antibes Tel:+33 (0)493 343030
Yacht Club d'Antibes
Quai Nord du Port Vauban BP 69 06601 Antibes Tel:+33 (0)492 911313 Fax:+33 (0)492 911396 http://www.yc-antibes.net yca@wanadoo.fr
Places and things to see
- Picasso museum: Picasso's paintings made in 1949, when he lived in Antibes and Vallauris. Apparently one of the most happy periods of his life (he was in love, with a woman and with the Riviera sun) and it shows. Great setting, in the old castle on the sea front, right in the old center.
- Postcard museum: A small museum with thousands of postcards, showing their history and the popular visual themes. Try to get the owner to give you a guided tour.
- The old town of Antibes: On either side of the Marché Provençal, the old, roofed marketplace, there are narrow streets, some old and beautiful and others just old. A very pleasant place to sit and have a coffee (which means espresso, of course). The ex-cathedral (still a church, but no longer a cathedral) is very different on the inside (romanesque) than on the outside (baroque). For the best (picture postcard) view of the old town, go to the little park at the end of the Avenue Albert I, near the Hotel Royal.
- The Cap d'Antibes: A little less built-up then the rest of the coast (beacuse the people that live there are so rich that they can afford large gardens), it is actually quite a pleasant place to walk. Also go up to the lighthouse, for the view, but especially for the old church next to it. Once your eyes have adjusted to the darkness, you'll be amazed at what the sailors have offered to the Virgin Mary.
- Musée de l'école (Antibes): A small museum with a lot of stuff and a team of volunteers that show you around. The museum was created in November 2004.
Goog places to eat and drink
Antibes features both standard French cuisine as well as local specials focusing on fresh seafood and produce from Provence. Scenic restaurants can be found around the port of Antibes, in the old town, and in Juan les Pins. You would be better off if you move away a few streets off the seafront, much better value can be found there.
