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Fort Carré
Explore more nearby places in France, Provence Alpes Cote D'azur

The militaristic Renaissance gem on the Saint Roch peninsula

Fort Carré, also referred to as the Fort Carré d’Antibes, is a majestic militaristic construction, located on the Saint Roch peninsula in France. The star-shaped fortification survives on Antibes’ outskirts – a waterfront city in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the southeastern part of the country.

What’s the history behind Fort Carré, its specific features, and how can you experience the site to its fullest? Here is a brief guide by Travel in Pink to help you shape your expectations and outline your next European adventure.

History throughout the centuries

The earliest fortifications at Antibes were presumably established as far back as Roman times. In 1553, a pre-existing old chapel served as a foundation for building a tower called la tour Saint-Florent. 

In 1565, Henry III appended four supplementary bastions to the original chapel and ultimately transformed it into what we know today as Fort Carré – one of the first fortified strongholds to be built in Renaissance France. The construction process took around two and a half decades, and after that, the fort was utilized in defending the border with Nice and protecting the town of Antibes. 

In the 17th century, Marquis de Vauban added outer walls to the defense and furtherly redeveloped some parts of Fort Carré by strengthening their construction and making them effective in overcoming ricochet fire.

Between 1979 and 1985, Fort Carré was renovated by volunteers, and in 1998 it was finally opened for visitors, tourists, and the general public.

Fort Carré site specifics and surroundings

Fort Carré is constructed on a rock 26 meters above sea level and allows a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view. 

The interior sections of the arrow-headed bastions include numerous barrack buildings and the well-preserved original ancient chapel that served as a foundation of the central tower. 

The impressive stronghold is set within a Conservatoire du Littoral protected 4-hectare park with rich Mediterranean flora and fauna, forming a vibrant ecosystem. All the fortress surroundings are free to stroll around and offer magnificent leisure spots among the olive trees, green oaks, jasmines, and bindweeds.

Planning your visit to Fort Carré

The site is open for visitors all-year-round, except for January 1st, May 1st, November 1st, and December 25th. You can plan your visit Tuesday to Friday from 12:30 to 16:00, or Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00 when entrance is provided every 30 minutes.

The 3€ ticket includes a guided tour, while children can enter the site for free and also enjoy the professional guide. Visitor information brochures are available on-site and offered in multiple languages, including English, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian. 

Visitors are welcome to enjoy the open-air garden, free parking spots, and full accessibility for people with reduced mobility and their companions.

50 Avenue du 11 Novembre, 06600 Antibes, France

Where is it on the Map?

50 Avenue du 11 Novembre, 06600 Antibes, France

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Explore more nearby places in France, Provence Alpes Cote D'azur
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The militaristic Renaissance gem on the Saint Roch peninsula

Fort Carré, also referred to as the Fort Carré d’Antibes, is a majestic militaristic construction, located on the Saint Roch peninsula in France. The star-shaped fortification survives on Antibes’ outskirts – a waterfront city in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the southeastern part of the country.

What’s the history behind Fort Carré, its specific features, and how can you experience the site to its fullest? Here is a brief guide by Travel in Pink to help you shape your expectations and outline your next European adventure.

History throughout the centuries

The earliest fortifications at Antibes were presumably established as far back as Roman times. In 1553, a pre-existing old chapel served as a foundation for building a tower called la tour Saint-Florent. 

In 1565, Henry III appended four supplementary bastions to the original chapel and ultimately transformed it into what we know today as Fort Carré – one of the first fortified strongholds to be built in Renaissance France. The construction process took around two and a half decades, and after that, the fort was utilized in defending the border with Nice and protecting the town of Antibes. 

In the 17th century, Marquis de Vauban added outer walls to the defense and furtherly redeveloped some parts of Fort Carré by strengthening their construction and making them effective in overcoming ricochet fire.

Between 1979 and 1985, Fort Carré was renovated by volunteers, and in 1998 it was finally opened for visitors, tourists, and the general public.

Fort Carré site specifics and surroundings

Fort Carré is constructed on a rock 26 meters above sea level and allows a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view. 

The interior sections of the arrow-headed bastions include numerous barrack buildings and the well-preserved original ancient chapel that served as a foundation of the central tower. 

The impressive stronghold is set within a Conservatoire du Littoral protected 4-hectare park with rich Mediterranean flora and fauna, forming a vibrant ecosystem. All the fortress surroundings are free to stroll around and offer magnificent leisure spots among the olive trees, green oaks, jasmines, and bindweeds.

Planning your visit to Fort Carré

The site is open for visitors all-year-round, except for January 1st, May 1st, November 1st, and December 25th. You can plan your visit Tuesday to Friday from 12:30 to 16:00, or Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00 when entrance is provided every 30 minutes.

The 3€ ticket includes a guided tour, while children can enter the site for free and also enjoy the professional guide. Visitor information brochures are available on-site and offered in multiple languages, including English, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian. 

Visitors are welcome to enjoy the open-air garden, free parking spots, and full accessibility for people with reduced mobility and their companions.

50 Avenue du 11 Novembre, 06600 Antibes, France

Where is it on the Map?

50 Avenue du 11 Novembre, 06600 Antibes, France

Explore more places in Europe

See more in Can't retrieve term. In case if you changed taxonomy slug for this term, please update widget settings to use new taxonomy slug.
Explore more nearby places in France, Provence Alpes Cote D'azur

The militaristic Renaissance gem on the Saint Roch peninsula

Fort Carré, also referred to as the Fort Carré d’Antibes, is a majestic militaristic construction, located on the Saint Roch peninsula in France. The star-shaped fortification survives on Antibes’ outskirts – a waterfront city in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the southeastern part of the country.

What’s the history behind Fort Carré, its specific features, and how can you experience the site to its fullest? Here is a brief guide by Travel in Pink to help you shape your expectations and outline your next European adventure.

History throughout the centuries

The earliest fortifications at Antibes were presumably established as far back as Roman times. In 1553, a pre-existing old chapel served as a foundation for building a tower called la tour Saint-Florent. 

In 1565, Henry III appended four supplementary bastions to the original chapel and ultimately transformed it into what we know today as Fort Carré – one of the first fortified strongholds to be built in Renaissance France. The construction process took around two and a half decades, and after that, the fort was utilized in defending the border with Nice and protecting the town of Antibes. 

In the 17th century, Marquis de Vauban added outer walls to the defense and furtherly redeveloped some parts of Fort Carré by strengthening their construction and making them effective in overcoming ricochet fire.

Between 1979 and 1985, Fort Carré was renovated by volunteers, and in 1998 it was finally opened for visitors, tourists, and the general public.

Fort Carré site specifics and surroundings

Fort Carré is constructed on a rock 26 meters above sea level and allows a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view. 

The interior sections of the arrow-headed bastions include numerous barrack buildings and the well-preserved original ancient chapel that served as a foundation of the central tower. 

The impressive stronghold is set within a Conservatoire du Littoral protected 4-hectare park with rich Mediterranean flora and fauna, forming a vibrant ecosystem. All the fortress surroundings are free to stroll around and offer magnificent leisure spots among the olive trees, green oaks, jasmines, and bindweeds.

Planning your visit to Fort Carré

The site is open for visitors all-year-round, except for January 1st, May 1st, November 1st, and December 25th. You can plan your visit Tuesday to Friday from 12:30 to 16:00, or Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00 when entrance is provided every 30 minutes.

The 3€ ticket includes a guided tour, while children can enter the site for free and also enjoy the professional guide. Visitor information brochures are available on-site and offered in multiple languages, including English, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian. 

Visitors are welcome to enjoy the open-air garden, free parking spots, and full accessibility for people with reduced mobility and their companions.

50 Avenue du 11 Novembre, 06600 Antibes, France

Where is it on the Map?

50 Avenue du 11 Novembre, 06600 Antibes, France

Explore more places in Europe

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