Antibes is a small town situated between Nice and Cannes. From around the middle of the 19th century the Antibes area regained its popularity, as wealthy people from around Europe discovered its natural environment and built luxurious homes there.  The harbor was again used for a "considerable" fishing industry and the area exported dried fruit, salt fish, and oil.

By the First World War, it had been connected by rail with Nice and most of its fortifications had been demolished to make way for new residential districts.

Parked our car and we are walking toward the old town.

No car is allowed so it is really nice to walk around...

On our there we saw this beautiful patisserie shop: Atelier Jean Luc Pele

All of the pastries looked so beautiful

Every single piece of pastry on display is like a work of art.

Jean Luc also specialized in Chocolate.  We got in the store a bought a few artisanal chocolate bars to take home to the U.S.

Looks so good...

We passed by a square filled with restaurants with outdoor seatings.  However, it was so hot so I do not think it is comfortable to eat al fresco a lunch time.

Le Vieil Antibes brasserie located in the center of the old town is a well known place.

We are now entering the old town.

The center of the town is full of part farmers market, part street restaurants and loads of cute little shops that spill out into the streets.

Ripe tomatoes on display right and for sale on the outside of the restaurant.

The narrow, winding cobblestone streets are filled with little boutiques, gourmet food shops, cafés, and restaurants.

 Arch way leading to the port through old city walls. We are on Rue Thuret looking toward the port.

This the view looking into Rue Thuret in the old town.  The tile map is on the left (see below for close up)

Tile map of the old town of Antibes in the arch at the end of Rue Thuret

Public beach, sandy and hollow great for kids and family.

Le Musée Picasso is one of Antibes bigger attractions, established in the magnificent Chateau Grimaldi. The Chateau was established by the Grimaldi clan in 1608 (Grimaldis are still reigning in Monaco). The museum possesses 245 works by Picasso, many given by the man himself, as well as by his wife Jacqueline.

Pablo Picasso came to the town in 1946, having visited his friend and fellow painter Gerald Murphy and his wife Sara in 1923, and was invited to stay in the castle. During his six-month stay, Picasso painted and drew, as well as crafting ceramics and tapestries. When he departed, Picasso left a number of his works to the municipality. The castle has since become the Picasso Museum.

In 1926, the old Château Grimaldi in Antibes was bought by the local municipality and later restored for use as a museum. 

The Antibes Cathedral can be found next to the Chateau Grimaldi in the Old Town.  It is the fortress type building located next to the Mediterranean Sea. 

The cathedral is located next to the famous Picasso Museum.

The Antibes Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church.  It is a national monument dated from the 5th or 6th century built on the site of a Roman temple dedicated to Diana and Minerva.  It is said that St Paul was stopped here on a journey to Spain in 63 AD.

Loan and Chi Be entering the Cathedral.

The current cathedral was built in 1746, after the town was bombed during the Austrian succession wars. Louis XV helped financially with the construction of the new façade. The sculpted tympanum over the door was made in 1710 by Joseph Dolle, a local sculptor, and represents Saint Roch and Saint Sebastian, protectors of Antibes.

In the interior, some masterpieces from the Renaissance and modern periods.

Altar of Saint Antoine de Padoue carved in gilded wood