On its rocky headland across the harbour, the Fort Carré has watched over Antibes since the sixteenth century, when the town was France’s frontier post facing Savoy. Its four-pointed star silhouette — later refined in the manner of Vauban — is visible from the whole bay, and the view from its walkway is the best in town.
A soldier’s history
Built under Henri II and continuously garrisoned for four centuries, the fort’s most famous resident was an involuntary one: in 1794, the young general Napoleon Bonaparte was briefly imprisoned here during the Revolution’s upheavals.
Guided visits tell the story well; the circuit around the ramparts delivers a 360° panorama over Port Vauban, the old town and the Alps.
Visiting
Reach it on foot from the old town in about twenty minutes, skirting the harbour — a lovely walk in itself. Access is by guided tour on a seasonal schedule, so check times before setting out.
Photographers: the classic shot of the fort above the superyachts is taken from the Môle Nord breakwater, ideally at first light.
Everything on this page is minutes from our doors.
Seven restored houses inside the old town — live availability, transparent prices, and your hosts two streets away.
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