Antibes
Just next to the infamous riviera city of Cannes, with its red carpet and irresistable celebrities, is Antibes. Though the city may be lacking in international film festivals like the one that draws millions 20 minutes away to Cannes, Antibes has nevertheless become a destination for countless tourists as well as retiring Brits looking to take advantage of the sun and sand. Especially in the spring and summer, the Mediterranean weather and sunlight makes it a perfect place to spend the warmer months. ...but it's worth it. Today, the demographic in Antibes varies greatly from that in Cannes. During the film festival, Cannes is filled with stars, but during the year, most of the people who take residence in Antibes' neighbor city are native cannois. Not so in Antibes, where the demographic is made up of people, mainly from the British Isles, who have purchased a second home in the city. This demographic has turned the city into a very luxurious place all year round, and most of the boutiques in the city center cater to those looking for haute couture. The entire city has a constant feeling of glamor about it that is impossible to find in any other city on the riviera.
Beach
Like Cannes, Antibes is characterised by sandy beaches: beaches on the Mediterranean are usually rocky, and it is only in cities like Cannes and Antibes that man-made sandy beaches allow tourists to truly enjoy the pastime of laying in the sun. The Plage de la Gravette in Antibes is one of the oldest in the city, and while it can get a bit crowded, especially in the peak season, it is a very safe and pleasant beach with a westward facing shoreline allowing for perfect afternoons spent in the sun.
Old Antibes
Many riviera cities grow famous for their proximity to the Mediterranean, and their cultural aspects are overlooked. Be sure not to do this in Antibes, where there are many things to see and do, one of which is the wall surrounding the city that dates from the Roman Empire. This fortification was built when Antibes was a strategic city for the Roman troops, directly across from the major city of Nice. It is due to this location that Antibes gets its name, ?antipolis,? meaning ?across from the major city (polis)?.
Artists
Like in most riviera towns, Antibes has taken much influence from the artists that were inspired by the city and the region in general. Today, there are various museums to visit, including the Picasso Museum at the Grimaldi Ch?teau. Both the museum and the ch?teau itself are worth a visit, the museum and its contents showing how inspired the famous Spanish painter was by the region, and the ch?teau's architecture suggesting the interesting way that the Grimaldi family has influenced this region of France.
