Private Jet to Antibes

Antibes, often called the cultural heart of the Côte d'Azur, oozes history and charm. Founded as a 5th-century Greek trading post, it was once home to Pablo Picasso, the renowned Spanish artist. Today, this glamorous seaside town has the largest marina in Europe, Port Vauban, where the ‘billionaires’ quay’ hosts some of the world’s most expensive super yachts. As a resort that ‘has it all’, it’s a prestigious tourist hotspot that attracts the rich and famous.

Antibes lies on the French Riviera, or Côte d’Azur, in south-eastern France. To the east, across the Bay of Angels, sits Nice, the regional capital. Just 6 miles to the west is fashionable Cannes, famous for the Cannes Film Festival. The sunny, mild, Mediterranean climate means it enjoys 3,000 hours of sun per year and average summer temperatures of up to 86ºF (30ºC).

History lovers head to the Old Town’s cobblestone streets, dotted with quaint cafés, ice-cream parlors, boutiques, bars and traditional markets. The many historic buildings in the region include the 16th-century Fort Carré, the beautiful 5th-century abbeys of Valbonne and Frejus, and the Romanesque Notre-Dame du Puy cathedral, which houses three paintings by Rubens. Antibes’ iconic coastal skyline is dominated by the tower of the Museo Picasso, housed in a charming medieval castle, Chateau Grimaldi. The region offers many other museums too, focusing on art, archaeology, the sea, perfumery, and even absinthe!

There’s an abundance of sandy white beaches here. Those near Antibes Old Town and Cap d’Antibes are mainly public, while Juan-les-Pins, just around the headland, offers more exclusive beaches. Visitors can enjoy sailing, diving, paddleboarding, kayaking and kitesurfing, take a boat trip, or just relax. There are also golf courses, tennis courts, and great trails for hiking, horse-riding, walking, climbing, cycling and mountain-biking. Many trails pass through the national parks: Mercantour has spectacular lakes, peaks and wildlife, while coastal L’Esterel offers dramatic red cliffs and sea views. There are plenty of local theme parks and waterparks too, and of course, vineyard tours. In the evening, visitors enjoy the town’s many clubs, bars and restaurants (nearly 20 are Michelin-starred).

With a population of around 72,000, Antibes’ development has been boosted by neighboring Sophia Antipolis, one of France’s largest science parks. Several higher education centers have campuses on site, including SKEMA Business School. Antibes itself is home to Centre International d'Antibes, a renowned French language school. However, in this cosmopolitan town, nearly everyone speaks English too.