Plage de la Garoupe (Antibes)

Plage de la Garoupe is a small sandy bay on the Cap d'Antibes, the wooded peninsula between Antibes and Juan-les-Pins on the Côte d'Azur. It faces east toward Antibes and Nice, so the water stays calm when the wind blows from the west. It suits swimmers and snorkellers, and it is the starting point of the Cap d'Antibes coastal path.

Public sand, private restaurants and clear water

Public sand alternates with private beach restaurants, which take up much of the bay. The water is clear, and the rocky edges are popular for snorkelling. The tourist office lists the beach as suitable for children; no lifeguard information is published. Access to the public sections is free every day.

The coastal path (Tire-Poil)

The sentier du littoral, called Tire-Poil after the wind that sweeps this shore, starts from the large car park on Avenue André Sella. After about 200 metres of road it reaches the coast and follows the rocks around the southern tip of the cape, about 5 km and two hours over steps and steep, uneven sections; the loop returns by Avenue Mrs LD Beaumont and Avenue de la Tour Gandolphe. The regional tourism board rates it easy with proper footwear. It closes in bad weather and is not accessible by wheelchair. Dogs are allowed.

Along the way you pass protected coastal plants such as sea lavender and Jupiter's beard, wind-shaped Aleppo pines and multicoloured volcanic rock near a belvedere where dolphins are sometimes seen. The path gives views of the Château de la Garoupe, begun in 1907, the Château de la Croë, built in 1927, and Villa Eilenroc, built between 1860 and 1867 and left to the city of Antibes in 1982. The area is part of the Natura 2000 site Baie et cap d'Antibes, îles de Lérins. The Antibes tourist office runs guided nature walks in French in summer. Shade and services are scarce, so carry water and go early.

Lighthouse and sailors' chapel on the Garoupe plateau

Above the beach, at the highest point of the cape, the Garoupe plateau holds a lighthouse with a range of about 60 km and the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garoupe, filled with sailors' ex-votos. The view takes in the bay of Antibes and, on clear days, the Alps.