{"id":7007,"date":"2023-12-19T11:16:50","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T10:16:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/provencelovers.fr\/visit-museum-archaeology-antibes\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T17:34:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:34:38","slug":"visit-museum-archaeology-antibes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/provencelovers.fr\/en\/visit-museum-archaeology-antibes\/","title":{"rendered":"Museum of Archaeology (Antibes): visit + photos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you visit Antibes, you’ll undoubtedly want to take a stroll along its ramparts, on the shores of the Mediterranean. Walk along the Promenade de l’Amiral de Grasse, linking Old Antibes to Plage du Ponteil, and you’ll come across the Bastion Saint-Andr\u00e9. Built by Vauban at the end of the 17th century, it houses the Mus\u00e9e d’Arch\u00e9ologie d’Antibes. We were delighted to visit it, learning more about the city’s origins through some remarkable objects.<\/p>\n\n

Here are our practical tips<\/strong> for planning your visit to the Mus\u00e9e d’Arch\u00e9ologie in Antibes.<\/p>\n\n

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This guide is completely independent<\/strong>, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Is a visit to the Museum of Archaeology worthwhile?<\/h2>\n\n

Absolutely! This museum presents objects from underwater and land excavations, which we found fascinating! The tour is chronological, and begins with an introduction to the origins of Antibes, through relics (ceramics, bowls, etc.) attesting to the presence of the Etruscans and Greeks in the area. Next, we’re transported back to Roman times. <\/p>\n\n

The rest of the tour is more thematic, looking at beliefs in ancient times and the differences between rural and urban life. Having enjoyed our visit, we have listed this museum in our article on the best museums in Antibes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

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WHERE TO STAY IN Antibes<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Option 1: near the ramparts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Near the city walls, where you can enjoy the charm of the old town and all the restaurants.Hotel la Villa Port<\/strong> – prices, pictures and availability<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Near the beaches (Ponteil and Salis), with views of the ramparts and the mountains.Hotel La Jabotte<\/strong> – prices, pictures and availability<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Juan-les-Pins, in the heart of the peninsula.Hotel La Villa Cap d’Antibes<\/strong> – prices, pictures and availability<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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See our complete selection of the best hotels in Antibes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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See all accommodations available on your dates >>.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

What you can see<\/h2>\n\n

The Antibes “galet”<\/h3>\n\n
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The tour begins with an overview of the origins of the city of Antibes, focusing in particular on pottery that attests to the presence of the Etruscans and, later, the Greeks in the area. However, it was a pebble\u2014probably made of serpentine\u2014that caught our attention the most. <\/p>\n\n

Dating from the 5th century B.C., it features the oldest inscription in Antibes and is one of the few Greek inscriptions predating the Hellenistic period to have been discovered in the colonies of Marseille!<\/p>\n\n

Roman coins<\/h3>\n\n
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We then discovered Antibes in Roman times, thanks in particular to these coins dating from 44 B.C. In bronze, they depict the head of Apollo adorned with laurels, and on the reverse, Victory crowning a trophy, through the figure of Artemis, Apollo’s twin sister. This shows that the city, recently Romanized, was still under Hellenistic influence.<\/p>\n\n

Ceramics<\/h3>\n\n
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The next section of the tour focuses on the city of Antibes during the time it was a colony of Marseille. The Mediterranean world is explored as a whole through some sixty vases and ceramic objects produced by the civilizations of the Italian Peninsula (indigenous peoples, Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans). <\/p>\n\n

Our favorite piece is this impressive Attic vase\u2014that is, one made in the Athens region in the 7th century B.C. Can you make out its designs, created using the “red-figure” technique?<\/p>\n\n

Objects from underwater excavations<\/h3>\n\n
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We then discovered objects from underwater excavations (amphorae…) carried out in Anse Saint-Roch and numerous shipwrecks. They attest to Antibes\u2019 role in the development of trade ties as early as the 6th century BCE. <\/p>\n\n

It’s these wooden anchors with lead jaws that have impressed us the most. We’d never seen one before, but these massive anchors (4th-5th centuries), which succeeded stone ones and preceded iron ones, were impressive!<\/p>\n\n

Objects linked to ancient beliefs<\/h3>\n\n
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Visitors are then introduced to funeral beliefs and practices in Antiquity. A number of funerary blocks are on display. We were particularly interested in this terracotta statuette from Roman times. It depicts the god who was most revered at the time: Mercury. <\/p>\n\n

Can you catch a glimpse of its attributes? In his left hand, he holds a wand surrounded by intertwined snakes surmounted by 2 small wings, and a purse in his right, reminding us that he is the god of crafts and commerce.<\/p>\n\n

A beautiful mosaic (late 2nd century AD)<\/h3>\n\n
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The visit then plunges us into the rural world, with weaving machine tools and this beautiful mosaic from the late 2nd century A.D. This black and white geometric limestone pavement adorned a gallery bordering the courtyard of a presbytery, and was embellished with a fountain.<\/p>\n\n

Oil lamps<\/h3>\n\n
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Our tour ended with a section devoted to everyday objects from city life in Antiquity. In addition to the lead pipes, we were able to observe these very well-preserved oil lamps. Various types were on display. We were able to discover oil lamps with rounded spouts, but also with open channels and convex medallions.<\/p>\n\n

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A LITTLE MORE patience<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in Provence<\/strong> a success, will soon be gathered<\/strong> in a single ebook!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Access to the Mus\u00e9e d’Arch\u00e9ologie in Antibes<\/h2>\n\n

Where is the museum?<\/h3>\n\n