Passing through Antibes? A visit to the old town is a must. On your walk, you may come across the Musée de la Carte Postale. This highly original museum is not just for collectors. An audio-guided tour will teach you all you need to know about postcards. Let yourself be tempted by this unusual tour!
Here are our practical tips for planning your visit to the Musée de la Carte Postale.
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 Postcard Museum worthwhile?
This volunteer-run museum permanently exhibits a private collection of several thousand postcards from all eras and all countries. The tour is complemented by themed temporary exhibitions. Our visit gave us a new perspective on postcards, which impressed us with their variety of illustrations and shapes!
In fact, we listed this museum in our article on the best museums in Antibes.
What you can see
The evolution of postcards
The tour begins with an introduction to the history and evolution of postcards. They are displayed chronologically in the showcase. We saw postcards from the world’s fairs, and even invitations to Victor Hugo’s funeral! Through these yellowed images and illustrations, the history of France was unfolding before our very eyes! To find out more about the history of illustrated postcards, which are almost 100 years old, you can visit the museum’s official website here.
Regional postcards
The museum also uses postcards as a “medium” to address social issues. Such is the case with one of our favorite sections of the tour: regional postcards. We found it very moving to see original black-and-white photographs, bearing witness to a way of life and an era. These are “real” people posing on the postcards, showing off their traditional dress. Maps are sorted by department. Of course, it’s the ones from the Seine-Maritime region that stand out the most for us, as we’re from Normandy ourselves!
Advertising postcards
Postcards have been a popular medium for the advertising industry. We saw a large number of colorful ads, particularly for food products, but also for other everyday items (washing powder, Marseille soap, etc.).
Original postcards
We were amazed during our visit to see postcard types we’d never seen before! For example, this chocolate postcard, but also puzzle cards!
Innovative devices
This is undoubtedly our favorite part of the visit: the discovery of innovative equipment that made it possible to create sound postcards or 3D postcards, long before the invention of 3D! This is the case of the stereo map above. The user would place a card of the same brand on the device and look through it to get an impression of volumes. And don’t miss the device that records human voices on postcards, created in 1956 by Juan-les-Pins resident Roger Van Roy.
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The Musée de la Carte Postale in Antibes: how to get there
Where is the museum?
- The museum is located in the Old Antibes district.
- It’s just a 5-minute walk from the SNCF train station, tourist office and port.
Access by car and parking
We recommend parking in a nearby pay parking lot, as it can be difficult to get around in the center of Antibes. The Jean Marie Poirier, Port Vauban and Pré-des-pêcheurs secure parking lots are a ten-minute walk away.
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
The museum is easily accessible by public transport. Numerous bus routes serve the area (1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 30, 31) and the Diables Bleus stop. To calculate your route, visit the official Antibes transport network website here.
Visiting difficulties
The tour is not particularly difficult. The audio tour is available in English, French, Spanish, German and Italian. Explanatory panels in French and English are available throughout the visit. A paper version adapted for the visually impaired can be requested from reception. The museum is equipped with mobile induction loop systems, enabling people with hearing aids to fully enjoy the audioguided tour. To take advantage of this service, please ask at reception. The museum is also accessible to people with motor disabilities.
Practical tips for visiting the Postcard Museum
Schedules and prices
The Musée de la Carte Postale is open Tuesday to Sunday, 2pm to 6pm. Closed on December 25 and January 1.
Adults pay €8. The visit is free for children under 12.
How long
Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour for your visit, depending on your interest in postcards.
Best moment
The museum isn’t very busy, but we preferred to go in the morning, so that we could enjoy the quiet of downtown Antibes. To find out what else you can do in this area, you can read our dedicated article on what to do in Antibes.
Direction of visit
The direction of the tour is indicated by the audioguide. If you don’t like audioguides, we advise you to follow the windows in chronological order.
Eating out
Numerous restaurants are located close to the museum. To find out which one to choose, read our article on the best restaurants to eat in Antibes!
Hotels
Antibes is an ideal place to spend the night, close to Cannes and Nice. Here are our recommendations:
WHERE TO STAY IN Antibes
Option 1: near the ramparts
Enjoy the charm of the old town and all its restaurants.
We recommend..:
- Hotel la Villa Port – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel La Place – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: Beachside
Around the beaches of Antibes (Ponteil and Salis), where views of the ramparts and mountains are exceptional.
We recommend..:
- Hotel La Jabotte – prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: Juan-les-Pins
If you are looking for a less classical atmosphere, stay in the heart of the old town near the main attractions.
- Hotel La Villa Cap d’Antibes – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Alexandra – prices, pictures and availability