Departure: Cap d’Antibes - Garoupe Beach (car park)
Level: Medium - Distance : 5 km (3.1 miles)
Duration: 2 hours
Advice : Wear walking shoes. The path is closed when the weather is too bad (gale).
A well-maintained trail
Far from any urban area, the coastal path, named the Sentier de Tirepoil, is at the southern end of Cap d'Antibes. This walk, with pathways and steps in the steeper parts, is easy to walk, as long as you wear comfortable shoes.
From the big car park on avenue Andre Sella , you barely have to walk 200m (660ft) to leave the urban area and find yourself looking over Nice and the Baie des Anges. From this point, you'll only hear the sea, the wind, and seagulls.
Adaptable nature
Ever since the mid 19th century, this little corner of paradise has attracted rich men who built luxury resideces there.
You will pass Chateau Garoupe, built in 1907 and hidden by a tall stone wall and pine-trees.
From the belvedere, you may be lucky enough to see dolphins or, in the other direction, see Chateau Croë, built in 1927, which was for a time home to the Duke of Windsor and his infamous wife, Wallis Simpson. Towards the end of the path, you will pass Villa Eilenroc. Built between 1860 and 1867, the Villa was a gift to Antibes from its last owner, Hélène Beaumont, back in 1982.
The walk comes to an end on avenue Mrs LD Beaumont and then avenue Tour Gandolphe .
Eilenroc villa rose garden ©Mairie d'Antibes - Eilenroc villa J. Bayle rose garden ©Mairie d'Antibes - J. Bayle
Venturing further in your discovery...
Legend has it that the Tirepoil path (literally hair pull) takes its name from the omnipresent wind that ruffles visitors' hair.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the coast was occupied and in part privatized by the villas' residents. The Littoral Law allowed the city to take it back and open it to the public.
That part of the Cap is a Natura 2000 Site (Site Natura 2000 "Baie et Cap d'Antibes - îles de Lérins"), and is managed by the sea and littoral conservatory (Espace Mer et Littoral et le Conservatoire du Littoral.)
It is protected and must be respected.
To find out more about the pathway and the species foudn there, the Tourist Office offers guided tours (in French).
o find out more about the pathway and the species foudn there, the Tourist Office offers guided tours (in French).
Warning: the path is closed when the weather is bad (gales for example).
