Port Vauban

The port of Antibes has a long and rich history. As far back as the time of the Phocaeans, in the 4th century BC, the Saint-Roch cove was already used for trade and as a naval base for the city then known as Antipolis. By the 11th century, Port Vauban had taken on particular importance as one of the departure points for the First Crusade, launched by Pope Urban II to reclaim access to Jerusalem, which was under Turkish control at the time. Today, it’s named after the famous architect Vauban, known for building a vast network of fortifications across France known as the “Iron Belt,” commissioned by Louis XIV to protect the kingdom’s borders. In the 17th century, Vauban reinforced the walls around Antibes and redesigned the port itself. The quays you see date from the 18th century, while the current layout of the port was developed in the 1970s. With 1,650 berths and a dedicated superyacht dock known as the Billionaires’ Quay, Port Vauban is a major hub for leisure boating and yachting. It was developed by Camille Rayon, who designed many harbors along the French Riviera capable of accommodating the largest yachts in the world. Up to 19 large vessels can be moored along the Billionaires’ Quay. That’s why Antibes has earned the nickname “the yachting capital.” Both authentic and modern, the port is a key part of the charm that defines this Mediterranean city.