Review of Antibes Free Walking Tours

Antibes is one of the French Riviera’s most popular destinations and rightly so – it has amazing history, beautiful old buildings, interesting monuments, great restaurants, fantastic festivals, an award-winning market and it’s a photogenic place too!

Antibes is a photographer’s dream with picturesque buildings and streets

Recently, I joined a tour with Antibes Free Walking Tours to discover the best of Antibes in a few hours and find out why this relatively new company is being talked about!

Why did I join the tour when I am a local?

I know A LOT about Antibes, however I was very interested in finding out what this tour offers visitors to the Côte d’Azur and how it shares insight about daily French life, the towns rich history, popular attractions and hidden areas of a destination that only a local would know.

Antibes Free Walking Tours lets you discover authentic back streets like a local

My tour benefits

Whether you’re a solo traveller or visiting Antibes as part of a group, here’s my feedback on the benefits of taking this tour:

• Even though the tour is guided it moves at a good pace – it is not rushed nor too slow.

This tour moves at a good pace – neither too fast nor too slow

• The tour is fun and educational.  Cédric has a great sense of humour and he knows so many facts and figures about Antibes.  I have been on many tours around the world and it’s so great to meet a tour guide who is smiley and enthusiastic (which is not always the case in different cities!)
• A true representation of Antibes.  I was listening very carefully and he was 100% correct with historic dates and places so you can be assured that he is giving an honest representation of the town.

Discover Antibes highlights with this guided tour

• Chance to meet other travellers.  One of the best thing about travelling is meeting other people.  The day I joined in, other tour participants were from Sweden, Belgium, Canada and England.

Antibes is a fantastic destination and you’ll learn about the history and people on this tour

• A good mix of locations included in the tour.  The tour visits popular places as well as lesser visited places of interest and back streets. You get to see various areas of Old Town Antibes such as Marché Provençal (the covered market), Free Commune of Safranier, the remparts, Picasso Museum and the port.

Learn about some of Antibes top attractions such as the Picasso Musueum, as well as lesser known places

• The opportunity to learn about Antibes in a few hours.  I’ve done them all in various global destinations – self-guided walking tours, full day group tours that cram in 50 popular touristy spots (hello, London!), tourist trains, audio guided tours.  This tour is the perfect antidote if you have limited time in Antibes.
• Not ‘salesy’ or pushy.  I think it’s important to mention that this tour doesn’t feel like a directed crawl to various places that the tour guide gets a commission or backhander for taking people there.  Cedric has a background in I.T but due to a lifestyle change he has realised his passion for tourism and sharing his love for Antibes.  At no time did I feel obligated to buy or try anything along the way, it is a very relaxed yet professionally run tour. Cedric is personable and open to suggesting other places you can visit outside of joining the tour.

Who would suit this tour?

This tour would appeal to many different tourists with wide interests because it takes in so many aspects of Antibes.  Whether you like food, history, art, natural landscapes or finding out about French culture you won’t be disappointed.   Even for a local like me, I found it interesting and informative.  Here is a snapshot of the kinds of travellers who I believe would enjoy this Antibes tour:

• Small groups – couples, families, friends
• Cruise ship passengers or yacht charter guests looking for an onshore excursion of a few hours duration that gives an overview of Antibes, its history and top places of interest
• Art or history enthusiasts (the tour includes information about some well-known attractions such as the Picasso Museum as well as lesser known spots such as Chapelle St-Bernandin and the Peynet Museum)

Step inside some of the beautiful places in Antibes

• People who like quirky facts (Personally, I really love tours that include quirky or surprising information. You’ll hear some fun facts about Antibes and France including the history of absinthe (pastis’ nemesis!), the evolution of the city’s remparts and famous people who visit the area).

Learn fun facts about Antibes and France on this tour

What time is the tour?

The Antibes Free Walking Tours explores the heart of Antibes Old Town from Tuesday to Saturday.

Tours depart at 10.30am daily from Place de Gaulle, near the fountain in the square opposite Monoprix and last around 2 hours.

Note: The fountain isn’t operating on Thursday or Saturday due to the market, so just look for the guide in the red shirt.  It’s recommended to reserve a place in advance.

How to book 

You can find Antibes Free Walking Tours on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or drop them a line via their website.

I enjoyed the tour so much I have added reviews for them on TripAdvisor where I’m a Top Contributor with over 50 global reviews of hotels, resorts, restaurants and attractions and Wiki Places for Kids.

Disclosure:   I was kindly invited to a Special Bloggers Day with Antibes Free Walking Tours to experience the tour myself.  As I believe in supporting businesses who represent the Côte d’Azur to a high standard, I am listed as a Partner on the website.  However, as always, this review is my honest interpretation of what was offered.

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Les Voiles d’Antibes and L’Italie à Table 2018

Les Voiles d’Antibes

Les Voiles d’Antibes is an annual sailing regatta hosted at Port Vauban and the 23rd edition will take place from 30 May to 3 June 2018.

This popular event signals the first stage of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge and sees the port in Antibes and surrounding sea filled with beautiful yachts including vintage yachts built pre-1950 and classic yachts from the late 1950’s onwards.

Les Voiles d’Antibes 2018 will be held from 30 May to 3 June

As well as the yacht races, a pop-up Village is set up at the Bastion Saint Jaume at Port Vauban with exhibits about marine preservation and the sea.  A huge drawcard for the community is free nightly entertainment with live music and bars.

Les Voiles d’Antibes (image: Stilldrone)

See Les Voiles d’Antibes 2018 Programme here including times for the bands:  Les Voiles d’Antibes 2018 Programme

A map for the location of Les Voiles d’Antibes is below:

Find out more about the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge here:   Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge

L’Italie à Table

The sights and smells of L’Italie à Table will cross over the same time as Les Voiles d’Antibes (from 31 May to 3 June 2018) at Port Vauban in Antibes.

L’Italie à Table is an Italian food festival that features a number of Italian gastronomy products such as cheese, pasta, beverages, cured meats, olive oils, pastries, bread, sweets as well as recipe demonstrations, children’s workshops and live music.

The Antibes event is a sister festival to a similar festival that was recently held in Saint Raphael and another festival that will be hosted on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice from 8 to 10 June.

L’Italie à Table is returning for the third year to Antibes; it has been running for 14 years in Nice

L’Italie à Table Antibes is free entry to the public and opening hours are:  10am to 8pm daily; 10am to 9pm on Friday and Saturday.

View the programme here:  L’Italie à Table Antibes Programme

How to get there

By train: The Gare d’Antibes (Antibes train station) is just 5 minutes walk from Port Vauban; simply cross the road directly outside the main entrance to the station and walk down Avenue de la Libération to the roundabout, continue straight ahead along Avenue de Verdun.

L’Italie à Table is set up in marquees at the square opposite the marina and Les Voiles d’Antibes is taking place at Bastion Saint Jaume by the Nomade statue near the Quai des Milliardaires.

By bus:  Bus numbers 1, 8 or 200 stop outside Hotel Le Collier opposite the Antibes train station / Pole d’échanges and you can follow the directions above to get to the port from the station.  Alternatively, the Antibes Gare Routiere in old town is a 5 minute walk to the port.

By car:  You can get to both of these events by car either via the RN7 or bord de Mer (coastal road).  Because there are a number of constructions happening in central Antibes, car parking for both of these events is best at the Q-Park underground pay carpark at Pré des Pêcheurs, 20 avenue de Verdun.  Parking prices are here:  Parking Antibes port   Alternative pay carparks are located at Parking Poirier on boulevard Dugommier or Parking avenue Frères Olivier.

Accessibility notes

Both events are on flat, paved ground so they are suitable for families with kids in baby strollers, or people with restricted mobility.  Note:  The whole quay area and Village is on flat ground, however the bar area at Les Voiles d’Antibes is on raised decking and toilets at the Village are not accessible for wheelchair users. The nearest ground-level accessible toilets are by plage Gravette, at the automated pay toilet on Avenue de Verdun near the boules pitch or go to Félix Café or Gusto (pizza place) just inside the first archway to old town as both have ground-level accessible toilets.

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Charity sale – Adults & Childrenswear, Toys, Books – ANTIBES Sat 27 Feb

Everyone is welcome at a charity sale with new and pre-loved adults and children’s clothes, toys and books to be hosted in Antibes on Saturday 27 February between 10.30am-4.30pm.

All proceeds go to Chances for Children Foundation (www.c4c.mc) with some great bargains on the day across brands including Gap, Esprit and Next.

Charity Clothes Sale – all proceeds to Chances for Children

There will also be mini photo shoots – €10 for 5 photos so its a perfect opportunity to capture your little ones smiling faces!

What:  Charity Clothes Sale

Where:  L’Amiraute Café, 3-4 Place Amiral Bernaud, 06600 ANTIBES

From:  10.30am-4.30pm

http://www.c4c.mc

Charity Wine Tasting Night – ANTIBES

A reminder that this Saturday 30 January is the ‘Game of Rhones’ wine tasting event in Antibes in support of the charity, Chances 4 Children.

WineFlyer5.pdfinal

Remember to bring your business cards so you can network and pop one in the prize draw as we have many exciting prizes to be won including vineyard tours, bottles of wine and massage vouchers! Join us for a fabulous evening in support of a good cause.

Tickets are only 30 euros each which includes two tasting glasses of Côte du Rhone and entry into the prize draw.

Both the wine bar and restaurant will stay open after the event to allow you to continue your night.

What: Game of Rhones Wine Tasting Evening

Where: Nacional – Beef & Wine, 61 place Nationale, 06600 Antibes

When: Saturday 30 January 2016 from 7.30pm – 9.30pm

PRE-SALE TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST! R.S.V.P today via email accessriviera06gmail.com or limited tickets for €30 available on the door on the night.

 

2 upcoming traditional maritime festivals in Antibes

1. Fête de la Saint Pierre

Today, Friday 26 June is the first day of three days of celebrations for Fête de la Saint Pierre that runs until Sunday 28 June in Antibes.

Saint-Peter (Pierre) is the Patron Saint of fishermen, and he is honoured every year with processions through the streets, dualing competitions on pointus (traditional fishing boats), games, water sports displays, night parades with paper lanterns, regattas and music.

Fête de la Saint Pierre, Antibes (image: Ville d’Antibes Juan les Pins)

The locations of the festival – Plage de la Gravette on Antibes port, Antibes old town and Bastion St Jaume are accessible for families with baby buggies or wheelchairs.

For the programme itinerary click on the following link (in French): http://www.antibes-juanlespins.com/agenda-culturel/autres-manifestations/icalrepeat.detail/2015/06/26/2092/-/fete-de-la-saint-pierre-2015

2.  Fêtes de Notre Dame de Bon Port

Next week, another maritime-related festival also occurs in Antibes – Fêtes de Notre Dame de Bon Port from Thursday 02 July to Sunday 05 July.

Since the ninth century, barefoot sailors carry the virgin statue of Notre Dame de Bon Port (Antibes’ protector) to the Antibes cathedral on the first Thursday of July, then return it to the Garoupe chapel the following Sunday.

It is a unique sight to see the sailors dressed in their white and blue outfits walking barefoot to Antibes with the statue on their shoulders – it not an easy parade for the sailors as they descend via the chemin du Calvaire which is rocky and uneven – I’m amazed how they manage to do this barefoot!

Fêtes de Notre Dame du Bon Port, Antibes (image: maville)

If you are an early-riser (!) you may catch the parade either to or from the Garoupe chapel which is on the Cap d’Antibes – the best location for accessibility and views is to situate yourself along Plage de Ponteil (Salis beach) near Antibes which is flat and has lots of vantage points (automated pay public toilets are located by the carpark across from Hotel Josse) – for the festival programme (in French) click on the link for further details: http://www.antibes-juanlespins.com/agenda-culturel/autres-manifestations/icalrepeat.detail/2015/07/02/2094/-/fetes-de-notre-dame-de-bon-port-2015

NOTE: To watch the processions, attend the masses at the Cathedral and enjoy the festivals is free of charge for the public.