Across the whole of the Côte d'Azur, few localities can claim to have a more varied and compelling history than the twin towns of Antibes and Juan-les-Pins, together with the adjoining promontory of Cap d'Antibes. Over the years the area has experienced major changes in its physical appearance, its social make-up, its economy and its image abroad.
Through a set of five essays, the aim of this short, selective and essentially biographical study is to introduce the general reader to just a few of the more interesting, and often larger-than-life personalities/families, most of whom arrived from outside of the area. Some of the more substantial estates and associated residences figure prominently. So too does a hotel of international renown. In terms of time frames, the emphasis is on 'La Belle Epoque' and 'Les Annees Folles', but a concluding section refers to much more recent and contentious developments - the presence of Russian oligarchs.
