A Guide To Fort Carre, Antibes

Things to do

Although the fort is technically a square, it’s position on the peninsula makes it star-shaped on maps. The fort was built under the reign of King Henry II of France, with construction starting in the 16th century and more developments added to it during the 17th century. Fort Carre is unlikely to be the first fort in the area with Roman fortifications. Its elevated position on the coast is a strategic one. In July 1794, after the overthrow of Robespierre, Napoleon Bonaparte was imprisoned here, although it was only for a short time. The fort is also popular in pop culture, having made an appearance in the 1983 James Bond movie Never Say Never Again.

Walk through the fort

The fort stands 26 meters (85 feet) above sea level and is a great place for both a photo opportunity and getting some of the best views on the cost. In addition, it is still pretty well-preserved, with many of its original features still intact. The top of the fort offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the coast, hills, and the city nearby. Tours here are offered in a variety of different languages and hosted by an array of knowledgeable guides who will take you around the entire fort, showing the old barracks, officers’ quarters, bastion, and the old artillery.

Relax in the garden

Perhaps one of the lesser-known aspects of Fort Carre is the beautiful natural green space surrounding it. The fort is surrounded by 4 acres (1.6 ha) of green space where visitors can relax. Moreover, the on-site garden is home to a lot of plants and flowers typically grown around the Meditteranean. After your walk through the grounds and halls of the fort, why not take pause and relax in the beautiful French garden and take in views of the coast.

Travelers tips

Accessibility

The fort museum is open to everyone, with several facilities for differently abled people. However, while the museum is indeed accessible, those with mobility issues should be aware that some areas of the fort may be difficult to explore due to the sheer age of the fort.

When to come

The fort and museum are open all year round from Tuesday to Friday as well as Saturday, with tours offered in French, German, English, Spanish, Russian, Italian, and Chinese. Do bear in mind that the museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Christmas, All Saint’s Day, and Labor Day.

How to get there

By car

Due to the fact that Antibes is a very old French town, driving is not the best option nor the most convenient way to get here. Most streets are not set up or built for vehicles, but if you are arriving by car, there is free parking available right outside the fort.

Bike

Antibes is small enough (and beautiful enough) to get around on a bike. Ride through town the real European way and hop on a bike! Some spots might be a little hilly, but they should not be a problem. Explore the place and see it up close on a bike. There are rentals available around the area and space to park your bike in front of the fort.

Walk

If you’re not very far, then consider just walking to the fort. The town is not very spread out, so walking is the perfect way to get acquainted with the place. Walk through the old downtown area to the fort and take in the views along the coast.

How to book tickets

You can buy your tickets at the entrance, and every ticket purchase comes with a tour of the grounds in the language of your choice. Prices are very affordable, with 3 euros (3.30 USD) being the standard price and 1.50 euros (1.60 USD) as the discounted rate for students. You’ll also be thrilled to know that visitors under 18 can get in for free.

Fort Carre information

Fort Carre

Address: Avenue du 11 Novembre, 06600 Antibes, France

Board of tourism: Visit France

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sun - Mon)

Price: 0 - 3.30 USD