Port Vauban

Europe’s largest marina
Like the rest of the city of Antibes, the port has a long and rich history that goes back to ancient times.

The port area, now known as Saint Roch, was originally a Greek city founded by the Phoenicians, from its birth an important strategic hub for navies and trade.

In the early 20^th century, the port partly served as an ‘airport’ for seaplanes. The port also had a shipyard, which rebuilt Jacques Cousteau’s world-famous ship Calypso, among others. The development of the port we see today started in the 1970s, and in the period between 1980 and 1986 the marina was established.

The port is full of contrasts that gather behind its 16th century bastion walls called ‘Les Remparts’, from small fishing boats to yachts and mega-yachts in the big million class. Some of the world’s largest and most lavish yachts have Port Vauban as their home port.

Europe’s largest with room for 1,650 boats
The port has a water area of approx. 62 acres, including a total quay length of 4,200 meters, and a total capacity of 1,650 berths. The harbor welcomes all kinds of boats, from local 4m fishing boats (“pointu”) to 165m pleasure boats.

Since 1986, the famous “billionaire quay” or Quai Camille Rayon has been able to accommodate up to 18 superyachts (70 to 170 meters).

Working for biodiversity with its Biohuts
In 2015, Port Vauban in partnership with the City of Antibes installed 92 Biohut® nurseries in the port.

Biohut® is an artificial habitat, installed along the quays and under the pontoons. Consisting of a steel cage filled with oyster shells (food cage) combined with an empty cage (protective cage), it protects the young “recruits” of fish when attacked by predators seeking to get closer to the habitat.

Experiment has borne fruit as a scientific assessment has shown more than 60 different animal species and marine plants. Among the observed species, 15 have an interest for the fishing area, which is enough to conserve fishery resources and actually facilitate the hard work of fishermen.

The future of the port
Ideally located in the heart of the Côte d’Azur, between Monte Carlo and Saint Tropez, it combines heritage and modernity. A prestigious port with the ambition of becoming the port of the third millennium and an experimental field for new technologies, while preserving its heritage through an ambitious architectural project. This investment project is worth 135 million euros.

The harbor’s facts: 1,642 berths, max boat length 170 m. – max depth 7 m.

By Tommy Sverre / 2020