A great location for visiting both the beaches and towns of the French Riviera as well as the gorgeous villages and landscapes of the Côte d'Azur hinterland, La Sentinelle is perfectly positioned just 3km from the heart of the charming village of Biot and a 10-minute drive to the beaches north of Antibes.
With views down to the outskirts of Biot and towards its historic centre, you can reach this medieval village in around a 5-minute drive. Famed for its glass-blowing and ceramics, it is a delightful place to go out for a spot of lunch in a pretty restaurant, a peruse in one of the many artisan studios or to visit one of its galleries, including the impressive Musée Léger which celebrates the artwork of French 20th century artist Fernand Léger.
It’s just a 10-minute drive to the Mediterranean coast where you will find a number of beaches north of Antibes stretching as far as Villeneuve-Loubet Plage with its modern marina. Along this part of the coastline you will find plenty of summer watersports and beachside summer restaurants. There are also some fantastic family-friendly attractions about 5km away with waterparks, adventure golf and amusement parks close to Plage d’Antibes.
To the south, the old town of Antibes (10km) is a joy to explore with its fortified walls, characterful lanes filled with pretty shops and restaurants and the Picasso museum in the heart of the old quarter. The beaches of Juan-Les-Pins are fantastic for all ages and you will find watersports and boat trips too. The Cap d’Antibes is a paradise for walkers with its magnificent landscapes or discover one of its idyllic little beaches such as Plage de la Garoupe, once frequented by Hemingway and Picasso.
The palm-fringed beaches of Cannes (20km) also await, as do the city’s bars, glitzy restaurants and shops or hop on a boat to the quieter Lérins Islands with their pine and eucalyptus trees and incredible natural surroundings. The galleries, shops and markets of Nice (24km) are also close enough for a superb day out or continue onwards towards Monaco, about an hour away, and even the Italian border.
Other beautiful villages and towns to visit include artistic Mougins (15km) with its gastronomic restaurants, picturesque Opio (19km) famed for its olive oil and Grasse (26km), the perfume capital of France. Head to Valbonne (15km) on a Friday morning for its brilliant weekly market, perhaps followed by a long walk through the Valmasque forest with a particularly lovely route following the Brague river all the way to Biot.
This region is especially loved by golfers with a great number of well-regarded golf courses across this area including the prestigious Royal Mougins Golf Resort within half an hour by car.
The Region
Despite being renowned for its annual international film festival in May at the iconic Palais des Festivals, Cannes is not just a glamourous destination for the rich and famous. The attractive Côte d’Azur town is loved all year round for its palm-fringed beaches, upmarket shopping opportunities and wonderful restaurants as well as a certain French Riviera charm.
Stroll along Cannes’ iconic La Croisette boulevard following the footsteps of stars from years gone by as you admire prestigious hotels, luxurious boutiques and private beach clubs. Stop off for a cocktail as the sun sets and admire the twinkling lights across the bay. Even at night, La Croisette remains the vibrant heart of this bustling town.
Shop to your heart’s delight along the streets of the Carré d’Or district – come across hundreds of well-known stores along Rue d’Antibes. At the end of a busy day there’s a vast choice of restaurants to suit every taste and budget from authentic bistros spilling out on to the street to Michelin starred establishments.
Soak up the historic side of Cannes as you explore Le Suquet quarter’s medieval lanes passing little shops, atmospheric restaurants, flower-filled balconies and old fishermen’s houses. Climb to the top of the hill by Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance for stunning views of the harbour, followed by a visit to Château de la Castre and its popular museum. This part of Cannes is also home to the colourful Marché Forville showcasing the very best gourmet delights of Cannes and beyond.
Escape the crowds as you venture to Croix Des Gardes natural park with forest walking routes, botanical plants and glorious views across to the Lérins Islands. Look out for some fantastic boat trips from Cannes’ marina from whale and dolphin-watching excursions to family adventures on board a chartered yacht, sight-seeing ferries and romantic sun-set cruises.
Beyond the city centre, visit the ceramic studios and National Picasso Museum in Vallauris, follow Picasso’s footsteps in the enchanting hilltop village of Mougins (loved for its galleries and gastronomy) and appreciate the artistic vibe of Biot with beautiful views of the French Riviera. Chic Juan-les-Pins, so loved by Parisians in the summer, is home to beachside restaurants and more watersports whilst keen walkers will adore the incredible coastal trail around Cap d’Antibes.
In the other direction is the charming seaside village of Théoule-sur-Mer, backed by the dramatic Esterel massif, another paradise for hikers. By staying in one of our collection of handpicked rentals in Cannes you can experience all of this and more during your time on the glistening Côte d’Azur.
