Great Things to Do Near Constance
Explore Antibes
Explore the little streets of the Vieille Ville (old town) where you will discover the impressive cathedral as well as the covered marketplace, and the Picasso museum, housed in the Chateau Grimaldi. Pause for lunch in one of the many pavements cafés or restaurants. Then follow the coast road around the headland, to admire the fancy yachts in the marina as well as the more humble fishing boats with their nets piled up on the quay.
A day at the beach
There are several beaches to choose from close by... the Plage de la Fontonne to the east of Antibes is the nearest beach to the house, a long shingle beach. If you prefer a sandy beach, or want to combine beach time with lunch or a stroll, head for one of the town beaches: Plage de la Gravette, Plage de Ponteil or Plage de la Salis. And just beyond Antibes, the Grande Plage at Juan-les-Pins is a lovely white sandy beach with numerous cafés and restaurants behind, and the nearby Plage du Pont Dulys offers various water sports.
Family fun
is close at hand (5km) at the Espace Marineland marine park, the Aquasplash water park, and the Far West theme park. Tackle one at a time, or buy a combined ticket for two or more attractions! Also nearby, Antibesland is a big evening amusement park with funfair rides.
Visit the Picasso museum
This museum dedicated to the artist Pablo Picasso is housed in the imposing Chateau Grimaldi on the waterfront in Antibes. Although Spanish, he spent much of his adult life in France and he stayed in this very building for 6 months in 1946. As well as artworks by Picasso himself, work by other artists is also displayed.
Game set match!
Tennis courts are available nearby at the Tennis Club in Antibes. Don't forget to bring your racquets!
Pretty Biot and its crafts
This local village is a joy to stroll through, with lots of arty shops and a good number of restaurants and cafés. Biot is known for producing ceramics and pottery and also beautiful bubbly glass. Visit the working glassworks factory and museum to learn about the history and process of glassmaking.
The Fernard Léger museum
is also located in Biot, and is well worth a visit. Léger (1881-1955) was a painter who became a key figure in the Cubist movement, and this museum has a good collection of his work. The frontage is adorned with a huge colourful mural designed by the artist.
The Chèvre d'Or gardens
are spread over almost a hectare of land, just outside of Biot. Originally created in 1948, the gardens are Italianate in style with features such as olive and cypress trees, fountains, pebble terraces and mosaics. Colour abounds, in swathes of blue African lilies, wisteria and bougainvillea. Other areas to discover include a wildflower meadow, an Orangerie, and a pond topped with lotus flowers and waterlilies.
A trip to Cannes
...should start on the Promenade de la Croisette: a tree-lined avenue stretching along the Mediterranean coastline, and at the heart of all the city's action. The town's most famous hotels are to be found here, along with a great selection of designer shops and restaurants. Be sure to take in the Palais des Festivals, the hub of all the red-carpet action during the Cannes festival. Wander west of the Palais des Festivals to discover the real Cannes beneath the showbiz glitz and glamour. Stroll around the beautiful Vieux Port before following rue St-Antoine up to Le Suquet, Cannes' oldest district, for incredible views of the bay.
Tee off!
Keen golfers will be delighted to discover several golf courses nearby. There are two courses within 5km of the house, near Biot, and another within 10km!
A spot of pampering
Why not treat yourself to a spa session, massage or beauty treatment during your stay? There are spas in Antibes, Mougins and Villeneuve-Loubet.
Walking in the Brague valley
Go walking in the Brague national park between Biot and Valbonne, through Mediterranean woodland and along the river Brague and its tributary the Bruguet. There are historical remains along the routes, such as old mills, volcanic stone mines and evidence charcoal-making, and signs of a Roman presence.
Musée Renoir
This museum dedicated to the work of Pierre-Auguste Renoir is less than 14km away in Cagnes-sur-Mer. Once his family home, it had many famous visitors including fellow artists Rodin, Matisse and Modigliani. Extensively renovated in 2013 there are now additional spaces open to visitors and an extended collection of works on display, both sculptures and paintings.
Treetop adventure courses
Great fun for kids (and adults!) who enjoy taking on a challenge and being outdoors. ‘Pitchoun Forest’ is a mini course especially geared up for children as young as 3 years old. Along the way there are nature-themed questions to answer and hidden animals to find. At ‘Canyon Forest’ in Villeneuve, older children and adults can tackle a larger scale adventure course. Rope swings, nets, log bridges, zip wires across the river etc!
Day out in Nice
Explore one of the oldest human settlements in Europe taking in the sights of the old quarter, Place Rossetti, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Place Massena which is the main square of the city. Held in the Cours Saleya, the daily morning Marché des Fleurs is a riot of colour and fragrances. Then why not stay on for a spot of lunch on a terrace restaurant in one of the picturesque squares. Being so close to the Italian border, the pizzas are very good but when in Nice, perhaps only a quintessential Salade Niçoise will do?
Shop at the market
A wonderful Provençal market is held every day from early morning to about 1pm in the covered marketplace in Cours Masséna in Antibes. You will find regional specialties such as olives, tapenades, socca and olive oil, as well as a host of locally grown fresh vegetables.
Two lovely walks on the Cap d'Antibes
Starting from the Garoupe beach, you can follow the Sentier Tirepoil trail, which takes you right alongside the coast on a well marked path. Also nearby, you can walk or drive to the lighthouse and the chapel on the Plateau de la Garoupe. You will be rewarded with a 360 degree view!
Botanical gardens
At the Jardins de Villa Thuret on the Cap d’ Antibes, garden lovers will revel in the abundance of exotic plants and trees flourishing within this botanical garden and arboretum which was established in 1857!
Try a new water sport?
Various water sports can be practised nearby. Canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding are on offer in Antibes, as well as water skiing and wakeboarding. Kite surfing lessons are available from Port Galice d'Antibes near Juan-les-Pins. Or perhaps you have always wanted to try scuba diving - a diving school based at the Vieux Port de Golfe Juan offers tuition from 8 years up.
