Issue 17
CAP D’ANTIBES: WHERE THE RIVIERA FINDS ITS BALANCE
CAP D’ANTIBEs
WHERE THE RIVIERA FINDS ITS BALANCE
By Susie Hollands
There are certain places on the French Riviera that need no introduction.
Saint-Tropez has its mythology. Cannes has its film festival. Nice has its grand boulevards and international reputation. Yet whenever people ask me where they should spend time on the Côte d’Azur, I often find myself recommending somewhere else entirely - Cap d’Antibes.
Not because it is more glamorous than its neighbours, but because it offers something increasingly difficult to find on the Riviera: balance.
Cap d’Antibes and its surrounding area somehow combine history, culture, beaches, exceptional restaurants, a vibrant town centre and an outstanding quality of life without ever feeling as though they are trying too hard.
It possesses all the ingredients that attract people to the South of France in the first place, yet it remains slightly under the radar compared to some of its better-known neighbours.
DON’T SKIP THE OLD TOWN
The first thing that strikes you about Antibes is its sense of history. Arriving in the old town, you are immediately aware that this is not a resort created for tourism. The stone ramparts, narrow streets and historic buildings tell a much older story. Over the centuries, Antibes has been a Greek settlement, a Roman outpost, a fortified medieval town and, ultimately, one of the Riviera’s most desirable addresses.
The old town remains the heart of Antibes. Unlike some destinations where luxury brands have gradually displaced local businesses, Antibes has retained its authentic character.
The Provençal market is one of the town’s enduring pleasures.
Like so many of my favourite places in France, Antibes reveals itself through its food. The Marché Provençal overflows with local produce, olive oils, cheeses, charcuterie and seasonal fruit and vegetables from across the region. Markets have always been one of my favourite ways to understand a place. They tell you what people eat, how they live and what remains important to them.
Antibes still has that strong connection to local life that many destinations gradually lose as they become more international.
THE SENTIER DU LITTORAL
One of the great advantages of Antibes is the sheer variety of its coastline. Unlike much of the Côte d’Azur, where pebbled beaches dominate, Antibes marks the beginning of the sandy beaches that stretch westwards. Yet what makes the area particularly special is its diversity.
You can spend the morning on a family-friendly beach near the old town before discovering the rocky coves and hidden swimming spots that wrap around Cap d’Antibes.
The coastal path around the Cap remains one of my favourite walks in the South of France. Following the shoreline, with sweeping views across the Mediterranean towards the Alps, it offers an entirely different perspective on the Riviera. Away from the traffic and bustle of the larger towns, there is a tranquillity that surprises many visitors. The landscape feels protected and timeless.
The Cap itself has long attracted royalty, artists, entrepreneurs and international visitors, yet despite its prestige it has retained a remarkable sense of calm.
THE PROPERTY OPPORTUNITY
Hidden behind pine trees and high stone walls are some of the Riviera’s most beautiful villas and gardens, while the legendary Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc has become one of the world’s great luxury hotels.
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LE PROVENÇAL
Today, another historic landmark has reclaimed its place on the peninsula. The beautifully restored Le Provençal, once the glamorous retreat of artists, writers and Hollywood stars during the Riviera’s golden age, has been thoughtfully revived, bringing renewed energy to Juan-les-Pins while honouring its remarkable heritage.
Alongside the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, it reflects the peninsula’s unique ability to celebrate its past while embracing a new generation of Riviera living.
Discover the amazing new apartments and Penthouses for sale. Just call me for a chat and we can also arrange a visit or video visit.
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SOUTH OF FRANCE CAP D'ANTIBES ESTATE
Down a secluded drive in the heart of the prestigious Cap d’Antibes (west side) on the French Riviera you will find a former rose farm lovingly restored as a family or second residence. With a wonderful , expansive garden, professional level tennis courts and a perfectly situated pool this property is rather rare , due to it’s very high level renovation and perfect attention to detail. Bathed in light from all angles you will enjoy interior living but feel the nature and sunlight throughout the house.
PORT VAUBAN
Art is woven deeply into the identity of Antibes.
The town has attracted painters for well over a century, inspired by the extraordinary quality of light and the ever-changing colours of the Mediterranean. Monet, Renoir and Signac all spent time here, but it is Picasso whose connection is perhaps most celebrated. His museum, housed within the Château Grimaldi where he worked after the Second World War, remains one of the cultural highlights of the Riviera. It offers an insight not only into Picasso himself but into the enduring relationship between creativity and this remarkable coastline.
Then there is the harbour.
Port Vauban is one of the largest marinas in Europe and home to some of the most impressive yachts in the Mediterranean. Yet unlike in some Riviera destinations, the luxury feels integrated into the town rather than dominating it. You can admire the boats, stroll along the waterfront and then disappear back into the old quarter, where life feels remarkably unchanged.
Families, retirees, entrepreneurs and international residents all seem to find their place here. There are excellent restaurants, highly regarded schools, beautiful homes and easy connections to both Nice and Cannes, yet the atmosphere remains relaxed, welcoming and entirely manageable.
From a property perspective, this balance is precisely what makes Antibes so compelling.
Cap d’Antibes remains one of Europe’s most prestigious residential addresses, home to extraordinary villas hidden among pine trees and landscaped gardens. Yet the town itself offers a far broader range of opportunities, from charming apartments within the old quarter to elegant contemporary homes overlooking the Mediterranean.
For me, Antibes represents the French Riviera at its most complete. It offers everything people dream of when they imagine life on the Côte d’Azur—history, culture, exceptional food, beautiful beaches and an enduring sense of community—but without the sense of spectacle that can sometimes overshadow its more famous neighbours.
It is quietly confident, effortlessly beautiful and endlessly liveable. And perhaps that is precisely why those who discover it so often return.
With warmth,
Susie Hollands
Founder, VINGT Paris & Twenty1