Settling into Antibes: Tips, Eats, and Adventures from My First Two Weeks Abroad
Arriving in Antibes
Upon arriving on the French Riviera for my semester abroad, I was welcomed by a CEA CAPA representative who guided me to my apartment and provided essential information about the apartment and neighborhood. We also received a binder with advice on traveling in and out of Antibes, navigating buses and trains, finding necessities, and locating affordable grocery stores and pharmacies.
View of the sunset from our apartment.
Although being dropped off in a foreign country with new friends and strangers can feel intimidating, the CEA CAPA team made me feel at home. During the first week, we attended orientations to adjust to living in a new country and studying at an international school. Orientation also gave us the chance to meet others in the program since we’re spread across apartments throughout Antibes.
Group photo during orientation week.
Exploring Antibes
During the first two weeks, my friends and I spent much of our free time wandering Old Town and discovering Juan-les-Pins. Below is a list of some of my favorite spots I've discovered in my new home for the semester.
Dinner at Le Bistrot de Bacchus.
Le Bistrot de Bacchus
Le Bistrot de Bacchus is a popular local restaurant with a broad menu, including pastas, specialty pizzas, seasoned steak, and fresh salads. I ordered the Pizza Pistachio with burrata, pistachio pesto, mortadella, and crushed pistachios—one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had.
View of Antibes, the French Alps, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Produce at the market.
Old Town Market
The Old Town Market, near the port and steps from Le Bistrot de Bacchus, is the best spot for fresh produce. Stalls offer fruits, vegetables, poultry, spices, and more. Center vendors sell authentic French products, while stalls along the edges carry mostly imports. The market runs daily from 10 AM to 1 PM, after which artists set up with handmade goods, jewelry, and paintings.
Views from the streets of Old Town.
Petit Monsieur
As a coffee addict, I was thrilled to find Petit Monsieur in Old Town. I thought I’d have to wait until December, when I returned home to the US, to enjoy proper iced coffee, but theirs is actually among the best I’ve ever had. The shop offers a wide range of drinks, including excellent matcha.
Scenes from our dinner table at Chez Jules.
Panino
Meals in Europe are often leisurely, but Panino is the perfect stop for something quick. This small sandwich shop on the edge of Old Town serves sandwiches from the bar or at picnic tables outside. Their focaccia-based sandwiches are made fresh in an open kitchen. I recommend the Friulano and Crudo Tartufo.
Plage de La Gravette at sunset.
Beaches
The beaches are central to life in the south of France. My favorite spots are the beach clubs in Juan-les-Pins, though some hidden gems offer beds for just ten euros. My friends and I often relax at Plage de la Gravette, a small cove beach near the port with crystal-clear water and great people-watching.
Exploring the beautiful trails of Cap d’Antibes.
Cap d’Antibes
Cap d’Antibes is a stunning coastal hike with panoramic ocean views, cliffsides, and glimpses of enormous homes and yachts. The three-mile loop takes about an hour.
Walking the Promenade Amiral de Grasse.
