Unmissable Walk around the Cap D’Antibes

The ‘Sentier du Littoral’ is up there with one of the most beautiful walks in the whole of France, let alone the Riviera, and it is very accessible to all who have no mobility issues.  Well-marked and mostly paved it follows the rugged coastline of the Cap D’Antibes with some stunning scenery along the way. If you only pick one walk to do whilst in the French Riviera, make it this one!

Baie des Milliardaires, Cap D'Antibes

Best time of year to walk the Sentier:

We have walked along this route countless times and its charm varies with each season. In the winter you run the risk of it being closed (see WARNING below) but it feels rugged, slightly isolated, and it is not throng with other tourists. Spring and autumn are busier times but you can get some great sunsets as you make your way around the coastline. Summer is very different again – the path is very exposed so be sure to have wide brimmed sunhats and carry lots of water (there are no places to get water on route)  - that said, it is wonderful to stop at the coves and leap into the crystal clear water and due to the heat it usually isn’t overly busy.

Equally beautiful on a crisp winters day

WARNING: In times of high winds, waves or rain the sentier will be closed to the public and the entrance gates locked. This is for the safety of the public as the waves or wind could easily take someone out to sea in inclement weather.

Cap D’Antibes –Sentier du Littoral

Distance: 5km               Elevation: 20m                Estimated Time: 2h            Difficulty: Easy

The loop walk takes approximately 2h and is 5km in length depending on how many times you stop to take photographs!

The starting point is on the right hand side of Plage de la Garoupe. You will find a good amount of free parking on and around Avenue Andre Sella. We were there in mid-summer and were still able to find spots even at midday.

Plage de la Garoupe

The path is very well marked with yellow signage so don’t worry about getting lost.  The first part is paved as you head away from Plage de la Garoupe with a view of the Garoupe lighthouse over the water on your left.

Garoupe bay with the lighthouse

Soon you will round the headland and see old Antibes over to the left with the imposing mountains behind in the distance.  In the winter this makes for a lovely view with their snow-capped peaks framing the sea and town.

Snow-capped near Alps in winter

FACT: The path is actually called the ‘Sentier de Tire-Poil’ which translates to ‘Hair-pulling path’  in reference to the winds that can whip along this stretch of coast.

The route will bring you around some of the biggest and most expensive coastal estates in the world, owned by the rich and famous – spot the security cameras keeping a beady eye on passers by!

Eventually you will arrive at a path/road heading inland – the Chemin des Douaniers. I recommend continuing a little further along the coast, following the yellow signs, as there is plenty more to see. The path weaves in and amongst the shade of the ancient trees until you reach an open area with places to sit / sunbathe / leap into the sea and even a man-made bar set into the rocks.

The 'public baths' area

A perfect way to cool off on a summers day

Here you will find yourself underneath the grounds of the famous villa, Eilenroc.

Nestled at the tip of Cap d'Antibes, just before you reach the Baie des Milliardaires, you will find the stunning Belle Epoque villa, Eilenroc. It was named after it’s first owners wife Cornélie, in anagram form! Exuding luxury and elegance it was built in 1867, allegedly following plans by Charles Garnier, the architect behind both the Paris and the Monte Carlo opera houses.

Villa Eilenroc

As with many grand estates her history is also chequered… unfortunately the couple quickly divorced after it’s completion and Eilenroc was sold off at a fraction of the original cost. The villa passed through several owners until, in 1927, it was bought by a very wealthy American named Louis Dudley Beaumont. He, and his wife, Helene, an opera singer from London, moved into the house and Eilenroc entered her heyday, hosting all manner of celebrities, royalty and heads of business at lavish dinners and glittering parties.

Below Eilenroc - spot the bar (!)

When Louis died in 1942, Helene left Eilenroc to live in Monaco. She hardly ever returned to the villa and died in 1988 leaving Eilenroc to the Ville of Antibes. It is supposedly open to the public at the following times but I have tried on many an occasion to visit and have yet to succeed. At time of going to press (Jan 2019) it is currently closed for works.

Opening times:

The Wednesday from 2:00pm to 5:00pm
The 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month  from 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Rate : 2 euros (free under 12).
Free between the 1st October to the 31st March

No dogs permitted.

Once you have reflected on what once was, turn your attention to the left and you will see the stunning Baie des Milliardaires – one of the most picture-perfect spots on the whole Riviera in my opinion.

Baie des Milliardaires in winter - not a soul in sight

There is also a small beach which you will probably have all to yourself on a winters day but you wouldn’t be as lucky in the summer season.

The beach at Baie des Milliardaires in summer....

.... and in winter

From here you take the stairs up and away from the sea and the path will bring you past the entrance to Eilenroc and several other rather enormous estates.

The rest of the walk wends its way through the ‘suburb’ of Cap D’Antibes and its spectacular abodes. Keep following the yellow markers and you will soon find yourself back at the parking at Plage de la Garoupe.

TOP TIP: Be sure to wear decent shoes / trainers... flip flops are not suitable!

Accommodation:
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