Philippe Prost, architect, urban planner and historian of fortifications, has dreamed up a large-scale project for Port Vauban which combines modernity and heritage.
“To transform the Vauban port, I first of all based myself on the history of this port, a multimillennial port. The architecture must be in keeping with this history.”
The Quai Camille Rayon underwent a facelift in 2022, and now features a Yacht Club. This unique building offers exclusive spaces such as a lounge bar, meeting rooms, a helipad lounge and two panoramic terraces with a total surface area of 700 m². It also includes a Crew Center with a lounge, gym and training studio.
On the eastern side of the port, the majestic bastion was restored in 2024, with the creation of two reception areas.
At the end of the Quai Julien Baudino, the Échauguette lighthouse has been restored, along with its terrace offering a 360° panoramic view of the port, complete with an orientation table. At the foot of the lighthouse, the Café de l’Echauguette has opened its doors. This new space offers artisanal ice creams and other delicacies in a convivial setting.
To complete the enhancement of this part of the port, an elevated walkway will soon extend the promenade along the ramparts, linking Vieil Antibes to the Échauguette lighthouse.
The project for the future Port aims to clear the site between the Pré aux Pêcheurs and the present harbour master’s office, which is currently used for parking. It will be turned into a high-quality green space providing a natural gateway to the old town.
Between the old town and the foot of the Fort Carré, Anse Saint-Roch will be devoted to tranquillity with the redevelopment of a spacious landscaped area and a pedestrian walkway connecting the city of Antibes and its territory.
A new building with a skywalk will open the area up to the city and connect Port Vauban to Antibes’ bus and railway stations. In order to provide services to clients and yacht owners, this building will house the cruise reception and all the port’s administrative services under one roof. It will also feature a restaurant with a panoramic terrace, making Anse Saint-Roch the perfect spot for yachtsmen and cruise passengers to meet with the Port’s teams.
Home to the shipyard, the Fort Carré basin will provide facilities for repairs and refits on pleasure boats of up to 16 metres in length on a converted 16,000 m² dry-dock area, which will include a public zone covering at least 2,700 m².
This craftsman district will provide professionals with high value-added services and enable its sole operator, Monaco Marine Antibes, to exploit the département’s largest dry-dock infrastructure.
In harmony with its surroundings at the foot of the Fort Carré (a listed monument), the new dry-dock area will combine modernity and heritage, with the construction of a village of craftsmen dedicated to dry-docking activities. The village will also include a ship chandler, showers and toilets, an electric bike rental service, drinking fountains and a restaurant with a sunny terrace for a break to relax and socialise.