The Côte d'Azur is so named for good reason. The crystal-clear waters of the Cap d’Antibes are the definition of sparkling azure blue. Indeed, the South of France has some of the most beautiful towns in the country, to really make the most of this stretch of coastline, head out of the main town, hit the dusty trail and hike out to the best viewpoints.
Lose yourself down the pretty streets in the town of Antibes
About Antibes
People flock from all over the world to bask in the sun-drenched splendour of the French Riviera, strolling along the many excellent beaches, admiring the beautiful yachts and the beautiful people on board. The town’s beauty has also attracted some famous admirers over the years, including the author Graham Greene, and the artists Max Ernst and Pablo Picasso.
Picasso, in fact, featured the town in many of his works, and even has a museum dedicated to him there now. The curation of the Musée Picasso focuses heavily on the artist’s work of Antibes, but after its most recent renovation includes a broader perspective of Picasso’s life.
There are numerous postcard-perfect bays all around the Cap d’Antibes
For a taste of ‘real’ Antibes, head into the old town and get lost amid the maze of cobbled streets. Try to navigate your way to the Marché Provençal, a beautiful old local market housed beneath a 19th century roof.
Head out early, as it’s only open until 1pm, but while you’re there you can pick up all manner of delicious morsels to rustle up some lunch. Admire the view from the old sea walls while you eat and build up an appetite for a good, long walk along the rugged coastline below.
Driving to Antibes from Calais
Getting to Antibes from Calais will take around 11 hours if you drive direct as it is located to the south, in Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. However, this provides plenty of opportunities for stops along the way to see some other towns and picturesque spots. The beauty of driving in France is that you can set your own pace and choose where to spend time before arriving at your destination.
The A26 is usually the recommended road, meaning you could stop at Reims, Lyons, and Valence as you head south. Once you arrive in Antibes, you are also not far from Nice, with its beautiful Promenade des Anglais, Old Town, and plenty of fine dining opportunities.
Take a dip in the crystal clear waters of this little slice of paradise
The Sentier de Tirepoil path
This hiking trail connects the beach of Garoupe to the cove of Argent Faux, but you’ll start and finish at La Garoupe beach, where you can park your car just behind the beach itself on avenue Andre Sella. The name Sentier de Tirepoil roughly translates to ‘hair pulling trail’, which is due to the fact that the east wind often blows across the peninsula, ruffling visitors’ hair.
This area of Cap d'Antibes is protected due to the unique flora and fauna in the area, with guides of the trail available from the close-by tourist office to learn more.
An overview of the walking trail
This route forms a circle, making it easier to navigate in a couple of hours. As you walk you will catch glimpses of the Mediterranean, Aleppo pine trees, and Victorian châteaux surrounded by impressive gardens. The trail also leads you past the Baie des Milliardaires d'Antibes, or the Bay of Antibes Billionaires, where you can choose to detour to the famous rose gardens of Villa Eilenroc, a stunning 19th century building that perfectly represents the Belle Époque era of French history.
With some steeper sections, this walking trail certainly requires good footwear, but is perfectly safe for most abilities. The parts of the path closest to cliff edges are cordoned off by railings and are wide enough for passing or stopping to capture a photo or two.
Cap d’Antiques trail route description
From La Garoupe beach, head to the end of the beach and start to follow the footpath round towards the wild headland, in the opposite direction to the town of Antibes. Keep following the wide path, and you’ll come to a stunning cove with views of the Côte d'Azur that will take your breath away.
Keeping along the trail, which will change shortly after this first cove into a paved path, and next you’ll come to the Cap Gros. All along the coast, you’ll find pretty bays and inlets of the clearest, bluest water you’ve ever seen. And on your other side, some of the biggest, most beautiful houses and villas in the area.
Continue around the headland, past a couple more bays where you can stop off for a refreshing dip, or at least a paddle, until you come to the Baie des Milliardaires d'Antibes, or the Bay of Antibes Billionaires. From here, take the path inland, which will lead you back to La Garoupe beach where you started.
Who is the trail suitable for?
Whether you’re a seasoned pro, or a bit of a hiking rookie, the Cap d’Antibes trail is accessible to everyone. The route is about 4.8km in length, and will take you around two hours to complete, with an ascent and descent of 30m. Overall, this isn’t a particularly strenuous hike and you are rewarded with the views.
Take care when walking along this coastal path. It’s mostly safe and without hazard, but after rain or particularly rough seas, the path can get wet and slippery. There are handrails along the majority of the route but take your time. This will also give you more time to enjoy the natural beauty of the place.
Take in the beautiful views across the water as you hike
Start your Antibes adventure with LeShuttle
If you’ve got itchy feet and can’t wait to set off on your next walking adventure, you’ll be hard pushed to find a more scenic route than the Cap d’Antibes trail. Just remember to book your tickets with us in advance to take advantage of the best fares across the Channel.