FRENCH HISTORY - ANTIBES
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Des grecs aux francs:
The history of the city now known in modern-day as Antibes Juan-les-Pins, is best chronicled by events over past centuries in France and south of Europe, which have affected the evolution of this city. The settlement, first named Antipolis, was an essential commercial port for ancient Greek vessels. Under Roman invasion, the city became known as Antiboul, and developed into an important commercial centre and harbour for ships in the Mediterranean basin.

After the demise of the Roman Empire, Antibes was invaded frequently until the settlement of France. As feudal city from the 11th century, the port of Antibes was host to the large sailing vessels passing en route to the Holy Land. These ships each displayed a blue flag with a white cross - the origin of the coat of arms of the town today.

Military City :
Antibes became a frontier town during the Hundred Years War, and was besieged 16th century by Charles Quint. The Saint Laurent Tower, a bastion of the city under Henry 3rd, became the city's fortress, Fort Carré. The stronghold was finished in 1710, when Vauban completed the ramparts. The town was then completely encircled by walls, with Fort Carré dominating over the St. Roch cove.

The plague and renewed sieges during the 18th century were the ruin of economic activity. Quiet during the Revolution, under the Consul and the Empire, Antibes developed rapidly once more after 1860 when it became a part of the Earldom of Nice in France.

The plague and renewed sieges during the 18th century were the ruin of economic activity. Quiet during the Revolution, under the Consul and the Empire, Antibes developed rapidly once more after 1860 when it became a part of the Earldom of Nice in France. In 1894, the ramparts were partly-dismantled with the expansion of the town. The first tourists arrived on Cap d'Antibes soon followed and in 1882 the seaside resort of Juan-les-Pins was created. The town continued to grow after the First World War but remained less urban than other parts of the coast. Perhaps it was for this reason that artists such as Prévert, Audiberti, Greene and Picasso found inspiration by gazing at the ancient stones of the Château. The old town, the ramparts, Fort Carré and archeological sites are the living testimony to these eras. To walk around Antibes is to recall the rich days of the past. Many archeological finds, including a Roman mosaic recently discovered in the old town, can now be seen in the Bastion Saint André Museum.