Would you like to visit the most powerful lighthouse on the Mediterranean coast? Head for Cap d’Antibes! This wooded peninsula, dotted with villas and luxury hotels, separates Antibes from its seaside resort, Juan-les-Pins. It’s also home to the 103-metre-high Garoupe lighthouse, which we found impressive!
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to the Phare de la Garoupe in Antibes.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to the Garoupe lighthouse worthwhile?
Yes, the Phare de la Garoupe is well worth a visit. With its 116 steps, this 1948 limestone lighthouse rises 103 meters above sea level. Once at the top, you’ll enjoy a 180° view of the sea, the Esterel massif and the Mercantour Park. Don’t miss its lighting system, which has a range of 60km! It is the most powerful lighthouse on the Mediterranean coast, and the only one in the region open to the public. We also recommend a visit to the nearby church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garoupe and a walk in the wood of the same name.
This is one of the best activities in Antibes!
WHERE TO STAY IN Antibes
Option 1: near the ramparts
Near the city walls, where you can enjoy the charm of the old town and all the restaurants.
Hotel la Villa Port – prices, pictures and availability
Near the beaches (Ponteil and Salis), with views of the ramparts and the mountains.
Hotel La Jabotte – prices, pictures and availability
In Juan-les-Pins, in the heart of the peninsula.
Hotel La Villa Cap d’Antibes – prices, pictures and availability
What you can see
Le Bois de la Garoupe
The Bois de la Garoupe is a 10-minute walk from the lighthouse. We took the woodland path to get there and really enjoyed the short walk. We wandered among the holm oaks and enjoyed this little haven of nature, quite rare on the densely urbanized Mediterranean coast! The path is rather narrow but easy. The vegetation provides a pleasant coolness. This site is protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral.
La Chapelle du Calvaire
At the end of the Chemin du Calvaire winding through the woods, you’ll find a small chapel of the same name. Although disappointed that it wasn’t open to the public, we were seduced by the bright color of its facade and the pietà sculpture above the door. As the chapel is currently being restored, it may be open during your visit!
The lighthouse outbuildings
The lighthouse is flanked by stone outbuildings. They feature sanctuaries, as can be seen on the right-hand side of this photo. Don’t hesitate to take a look! The scene depicts “Jesus on the cross”.
The lighthouse
We were impressed by the lighthouse’s undeniable majesty. Its pale limestone contrasted with its red lantern. The tower is in harmony with the ground-floor building, which is a soft beige color. The rounded openings contrasted with the rectilinear structure of the rest of the lighthouse. For the moment, the first floor features only a virtual tour of the summit, but the site could soon be enriched with a museum space!
The orientation table
As you leave the lighthouse, be sure to extend your experience. Admire the panorama once again from the orientation table next to Notre-Dame-de-la-Garoupe church. Thanks to the directions, we were able to find our way to Nice, and admire the snow-covered peaks of the Alps.
Notre-Dame-de-la-Garoupe church
Take the time to enter this church, open daily from 10am to 6pm. We liked its simple, rustic look. The church was once a place of pilgrimage for sailors. This explains the many ex-votos inside!
The Garoupe lighthouse in Antibes: how to get there
Where is the lighthouse?
- In the Cap d’Antibes district, in the town of Antibes.
- From Old Antibes: 15min by car (40min walk).
- From Juan-les-Pins: 10min by car (40min walk).
Access by car and parking
Access to the lighthouse is easy by car. In fact, it’s the most convenient way to get there! Take the Route du Phare. It will take you to the Plateau de la Garoupe, where you’ll find a free parking lot with bicycle parking. If you want to walk to the lighthouse via the Bois de la Garoupe, you can park at the Base Nautique parking lot at Plage de la Salis. The 20-minute walk takes you along the Chemin du Calvaire, which winds through beautiful holm oaks.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Public transport access
To get to the lighthouse by public transport, you can take bus 2, which links Cap d’Antibes to the town center. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
Visiting difficulties
The lighthouse has 116 steps! You won’t be able to climb to the top if you have mobility problems. However, the site is accessible to people with reduced mobility. A ramp provides easy access to the first floor of the lighthouse, where a virtual and interactive tour is offered.
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Visiting the Garoupe lighthouse: useful tips
Schedules and prices
The lighthouse is open:
- During school vacations: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
- Outside school vacations (October to June): Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 5pm.
Schedules may be subject to regular change, so check the latest information on the official website here.
How long
Allow 1 hour for the visit, or 1? hours if you wish to visit the Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garoupe and the wood.
Best moment
Tours are given in groups of 10 every 20/25 minutes.
Direction of visit
From the first floor to the top, there’s a set direction for the visit.
Eating out
The lighthouse is located at Cap d’Antibes, where you’ll find some excellent restaurants. La Maison de Bacon, for example, is only a 15-minute walk away! Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Antibes.
Hotels
You’re right in the center of Antibes, which boasts a number of top-quality hotels. Here are our recommendations:
WHERE TO STAY IN Antibes
Option 1: near the ramparts
Near the city walls, where you can enjoy the charm of the old town and all the restaurants.
Hotel la Villa Port – prices, pictures and availability
Near the beaches (Ponteil and Salis), with views of the ramparts and the mountains.
Hotel La Jabotte – prices, pictures and availability
In Juan-les-Pins, in the heart of the peninsula.
Hotel La Villa Cap d’Antibes – prices, pictures and availability
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
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