Antibes, Côte d'Azur

Initially named Antipolis, the town was founded by the Greeks in the 5th century BC, becoming part of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC. Once the Roman Empire collapsed, its history becomes turbulent until the 15th century when it comes under French rule and stability is restored.

In the 1800s wealthy nobles began building their holiday residences around the area, and in 1870 the first luxury hotel was built here.

The ancient fort guarding the town was built in the 16th century and is open to the public for a small admission fee.

Antibes was home to Picasso in 1946, and over 300 of his paintings are shown in the Musée Picasso in the Château Grimaldi.

The Commune Libre du Safranier quarter of Antibes is dedicated to preserving traditions of the local townspeople and holds festivals and parties to raise money to help those in need.

The Cap d'Antibes is an upmarket area with large discreet villas. You can walk up through the lanes to explore the Cap, passing by some lovely botanical gardens (Jardin Botanique de la Ville Thuret) and on towards lands end where the iconic and luxurious Hotel du Cap sits.

There are a couple of small beaches in Antibes.

Plage de la Gravette is next to the marina, and Plage de la Groupe and Plage de la Salis lie to the south west of the town.

If you arrive in the morning, head for the Provençal covered market first. Take in the colours, the scents of the rich products of Provence. Then, wander about the narrow streets behind the ramparts and peek over for a splendid view of the Mediterranean sea.

Just behind the ramparts, you find the old Château Grimaldi. This castle used to belong to the same family that now resides in Monaco. Of the medieval structure only the tower remains; the rest was rebuilt in the 16th century.

The main attraction of the Grimaldi castle is the Picasso Museum. In 1946 Picasso resided in Antibes, but had no studio to work in. The curator of the then small, historical museum in the castle invited Picasso to use a floor as his work place. For months, Picasso worked "comme un fou" and produced more than a hundred paintings and pottery, the best known, perhaps, La Joie de vivre-Antipolis. Picasso, known for his stinginess, atypically donated his work to the town of Antibes, upon which the curator immediately renamed his museum as Picasso Museum. Undoubtedly, this museum is worth a visit. There are also works by other artists, such as Calder, Modigliani and Max Ernst.

Wander through the streets of the old town, along the Cours Masséna (where the covered market is) you'll find many restaurants with outdoor seating.

Approaching Antibes from the Autoroute by way of the D35 is a challenge. The departmental road is stuffed with traffic, winding its way around numerous rotaries, stopping at countless traffic lights. One can try to approach the town in a circumventive way, taking the Cap d'Antibes road for instance. But the many extra miles may not make up for the lesser irritation.

Parking can be difficult. It's best to opt for paid parking if it's still available. Off-season, you may find free parking along the ramparts, but even then you're lucky to find a place.