Cap d'Antibes: the visitor's guide (Eden Roc, Tirepoil, Eilenroc)
Between Antibes and Juan-les-Pins, Cap d'Antibes reaches into the sea like a secret garden of the Côte d'Azur: pine woods, legendary villas, footpaths cut into the rock and sweeping views over the bay. Here are our local pointers for exploring the peninsula — and how to reach it without worrying about parking, often tricky on its narrow roads.
The peninsula and the Garoupe lighthouse
Cap d'Antibes forms a wooded peninsula between Port Vauban and the beaches of Juan-les-Pins. At its highest point, the Garoupe plateau brings together the lighthouse and the Notre-Dame de la Garoupe sanctuary, a sailors' chapel from which the view sweeps over the Baie des Anges, the Lérins islands and, on a clear day, the snow-capped peaks far inland.
It is the best place to start, to grasp the lay of the land before heading down to the coves and coastal paths.
The Tirepoil coastal path
The Tirepoil path, or sentier du littoral, rounds the southern tip of the Cap at the water's edge. It skirts the Garoupe bay and then the famous Baie des Milliardaires, lined with some of the most private estates on the Riviera, amid rocks and umbrella pines.
The walk is accessible but can be slippery when the sea is rough; sturdy shoes and an early start away from the midday heat are recommended. Being dropped off near Garoupe beach saves you hunting for parking at the trailhead.
Villa Eilenroc and its gardens
At the tip of the peninsula, Villa Eilenroc, designed in the 19th century by Charles Garnier — the architect of the Paris Opera — opens its gardens to the public on certain days. A rose garden, olive-tree avenues and lawns rolling down to the sea make up a romantic setting prized for its viewpoints.
Opening times are seasonal and limited, so it is best to check before setting out.
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, a Riviera legend
Opened in the 19th century, the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc and its Eden-Roc pavilion, set on the rocks facing the open sea, are among the most legendary addresses on the Côte d'Azur. The place inspired writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and drew generations of artists and public figures.
Even without staying there, you can sense from the surroundings the aura of this cape where the Riviera invented part of its legend.
Getting there and parking
Cap d'Antibes is just a few minutes from Antibes or Juan-les-Pins, but its narrow, wall-lined roads offer very little parking, which fills up fast in season. A private chauffeur drops you as close as possible to each site — the Garoupe plateau, the trailhead, Villa Eilenroc — and picks you up at the agreed time. Our local team is rated 5.0/5 from 38 Google reviews and knows the access points and the best times to visit.