Cap d'Antibes Coastal Path (Tire-Poil): Complete Guide
The Cap d'Antibes coastal path, also known as the Tire-Poil footpath, starts at Garoupe beach (large car park on avenue André Sella) and follows the southern tip of the cape for about 5 km, which the tourist office reckons is a 2-hour walk. It's free, it closes in bad weather, and a stretch below Villa Eilenroc is shut for works: check before you set off.
This is the most beautiful walk in Antibes: an old customs officers' path cut into the limestone, winding between pine trees, sculpted rocks and turquoise water. Here's how to plan it without any nasty surprises.
The route in practice
According to the Antibes Juan-les-Pins tourist office, the Tire-Poil footpath:
- starts at Garoupe beach; the large car park on avenue André Sella is about 200 metres from the start of the path;
- follows the shoreline around the southern tip of the cape;
- ends with a return along avenue Mrs L.D. Beaumont and then avenue de la Tour Gandolphe, so you can loop back to your starting point on foot;
- is about 5 km long and takes 2 hours to walk.
Depending on the source, it's rated "easy" to "moderate": the path is well maintained, with steps and staircases on the steep sections, but the ground is uneven and can be slippery after rain. It is not wheelchair accessible. Dogs are allowed.
Closures: what to check before you go
This is what spoils more walks than anything else. There are two reasons the path may be closed:
Bad weather
The tourist office is clear on this: the path is closed in bad weather, especially in strong winds. In rough seas, waves can sweep over some of the lower sections. If the gates are closed, don't go around them.
Works below Villa Eilenroc
Cliff stabilisation works affect the section below Villa Eilenroc, at the Anse de l'Argent Faux cove. The announced dates have shifted: one regional listing gave a closure until 28 February 2026, while the tourist office now says this section will be closed until May 2027 . The rest of the path should, in principle, remain open.
Our tip: check the Antibes Juan-les-Pins tourist office website on the morning of your walk, or give them a call (04 22 10 60 01).
What you'll see along the way
Starting from La Garoupe, the path reveals, one after another:
- the Baie des Anges and Nice in the distance, with the Alps on a clear day;
- Château de la Garoupe (1907), hidden behind a stone wall and pine trees;
- a viewpoint where, the tourist office notes, you can sometimes spot dolphins;
- Château de la Croë (1927), once the residence of the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson;
- Villa Eilenroc (1860–1867) and its rose garden, owned by the town since 1982;
- sheltered coves and rocks you can swim from in summer.
The site is a Natura 2000 area ("Baie et cap d'Antibes – îles de Lérins") and partly managed by the Conservatoire du littoral, France's coastal protection agency: stay on the path, don't pick anything, and take your rubbish home with you.
Make a day of it: La Garoupe, the Calvaire path and Villa Eilenroc
The Garoupe plateau
Before or after the coastal path, head up to the Garoupe plateau via the Chemin du Calvaire, a shady, paved climb lined with small shrines. At the top you'll find the lighthouse, the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garoupe chapel, full of sailors' votive offerings, and a viewpoint indicator. The panorama stretches from Italy to Cap Camarat; on very clear mornings you can sometimes make out Corsica.
Villa Eilenroc
The gardens and villa are open on a limited schedule (Saturdays, according to tourist listings) and sometimes close in summer because of the wildfire risk .
Billionaires' Bay
The little beach at the Anse de l'Argent Faux, long reachable only by sea, has been linked to the path by a trail since 2011. It's directly affected by the stabilisation works, so check before heading down. We describe it from the water in Kayaking Cap d'Antibes and Billionaires' Bay.
Our tips for a great walk
- Best time: early morning in summer (low-angled light, bearable heat, fewer people) or late afternoon in spring and autumn.
- Footwear: proper walking shoes, not flip-flops. The rocks are sharp; water shoes come in handy if you plan to swim.
- Water and sun: much of the route has no shade. Bring at least 1 litre of water per person, a hat and sunscreen.
- Swimming: there are no lifeguards at the coves along the path. Don't jump off the rocks without checking the depth first; read our article on cliff jumping on the French Riviera before you take the plunge.
- Getting there without a car: the André Sella car park fills up fast in summer. Envibus buses run to Cap d'Antibes from the town centre .
Our partners in Antibes
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Tire-Poil footpath take?
The tourist office allows about 2 hours for a loop of roughly 5 km. Add extra time for photo stops and a swim.
Is the Cap d'Antibes coastal path open all year round?
It's free and open all year, but it closes in bad weather (strong winds, rough seas). A section below Villa Eilenroc is also closed for works .
Is the path suitable for children?
Yes, for children who are used to walking, as long as you keep a close eye on them on the rocky sections and staircases, which don't have handrails everywhere. It isn't suitable for pushchairs.
Where do you park for the coastal path?
At the large car park on avenue André Sella, near Garoupe beach, about 200 metres from the start .
Kayaking with Azurkay
The path shows you the cape from above; a kayak shows it to you at water level, where the cliffs plunge into the seagrass meadows. Our 4-hour guided tour sets off from Plage du Crouton and follows the cape to Billionaires' Bay, with snorkelling and supervised jumps from the rocks (up to 15 m for those who dare). Groups of 16 people maximum, state-qualified instructors, €75 per person. See the full programme on the Cap d'Antibes kayak tour page.
