Escapade La Garoupe and Cap d’Antibes

Antibes is famous for its Fort Carré, Port Vauban, Old Town and Picasso Museum. However, it also boasts one of the Côte d'Azur’s unmissable promenades: the Tour du Cap d'Antibes.

The Tour du Cap d'Antibes

Departure is from the end of La Garoupe’s beach.
In order to find a place to park in the summer, it is best to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon. Parking is free. The no. 2 bus also goes to the beach.
To do the Tour du Cap d'Antibes, we will be following the chemin des douaniers.
This route takes you past unspoilt, interesting and almost dream-like places.
Let yourself be carried away by the sound of waves rushing into little creeks, views of the sea as far as the eye can see, and enormous billionaire properties dotted around the peninsula.
Although, at times the path is narrow and a little steep, it is not difficult, and it offers beautiful views throughout.
The path ends at Argent Faux Cove also known as Millionaires Bay, in front of Villa Eilenroc.
To return to our departure point, we will take avenue Beaumont as far as boulevard Kennedy, and then on the right, take avenue de la Tour Gandolphe to La Garoupe beach.

La Garoupe’s lighthouse

On leaving the beach, we can also visit La Garoupe’s lighthouse.
From La Garoupe beach, we go back on ourselves along avenue Sella, then avenue de la Tour Gandolphe as far as boulevard Kennedy.
We turn right, then, at the junction, take boulevard Meilland on the left. Follow it for roughly 700m before taking the road on the right signposted for the lighthouse.
The lighthouse is one of the most powerful in the Mediterranean, and although it is not open to the public, boasts the best views of Antibes town thanks to its position atop a 103m high hill.

Villa Thuret’s botanical garden

On the way back down, take the main boulevard on the right for around 300m until you arrive at Villa Thuret’s botanical garden.
Just before the garden, turn left on to chemin Raymond.
In the summer, the garden is open every week day, from 8am-6pm. Entry is free. (Group bookings required.)
The science-focussed garden is managed by INRA for educational purposes and as a plant bank.
There are three routes available: the urban trees route, the Mediterranean in the world route and the aromatic plants route.
1600 plant species are grown by Villa Thuret. A lot of emphasis has been given to trees, which in this garden are incredibly lush and truly superb.