FORT CARRE
A fort built on a rock 26 metres above the ground, symbolizing the entrance to the town from Nice.
Located on the Saint-Roch peninsula, the fort carré is a landmark at the entrance to the town from Nice. Built on a rocky outcrop 26 meters above sea level. Surrounded by a 4-hectare protected park and now owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral, it was built on the orders of King Henry II to serve as a sentinel and defense post for Antibes, the last French port before the border with the county of Nice. The 43-metre high walkway offers a 360-degree panoramic view. It was built in several stages: the central tower in 1550, followed by the four bastions in 1570. The fort was only partially invaded once, in 1592, by the Duke of Savoy's army. Vauban completed the fortified belt, and the site remained strategic until the 19th century. When Nice became part of France, the site was decommissioned. At the foot of the fort, the army set up barracks and a high-level military sports training center, which it later handed over to the Ministry of Sports in 1967. Left derelict, the fort was restored by volunteers between 1979 and 1985. The town of Antibes bought the fort in 1997, opened it to the public in 1998 and installed sports facilities at the foot of the ramparts. Since then, concerts and other events have been held in the open-air amphitheatre. We also recommend the beautiful outdoor walk around the fort carré, which is freely accessible, with views of the Mercantour massif and the Bay of Antibes, which is well worth the detour. Regional beauty!
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