A few metres to the right of our apartment is the Old Town with its delightful coffee shops, where you can easily while away the hours watching the world go by supping your café allongé and enjoying a croque monsieur. There is also an abundance of good quality restaurants and shops (Carrefour, Monoprix) all within a one-kilometre radius of the apartment. If you prefer self-catering and picnics on the beach there are excellent delis, cake shops and bakeries all on, or just off, Rue de la République, many of which are in the pedestrian zone.

The beaches could be described as bijou and some are private (expect to pay anything up to 25€ for the privilege of slightly more privacy, a sun bed, umbrella and a towel). One of our favourite beaches is the public Plage de la Gravette, which feels larger than some of the strips of beach going round to Cap d’Antibes and Juan les Pins. It is great for families, as there is more space to spread out and is situated to the right of the sea wall almost directly below the Picasso Museum.

The beautiful 16th Century Chateau Grimaldi is the home of the Picasso Museum and is on the ramparts overlooking the sea. Next door is Antibes’ Cathedral and below these stunning buildings is the city’s Market Hall, one of the most famous food markets in the area and packed with lively bars and restaurants round its periphery.

Otherwise don’t miss Port Vauban, which is to the east of the old town and only minutes away from the main rail station. Antibes may be a small, quaint town, but its marina has more yachts by sheer tonnage than any port along the Cote d’Azur.