A combined Austro-Savoyard army, commanded by Maximilian Ulysses Browne, invaded France and laid siege to Antibes on the French Mediterranean coast.

Despite having British naval support, the Allies failed to capture the town, and after two months Browne's army was forced to lift the siege and retreat back over the border into Savoy.

Earlier in the war the French had invaded Italy, attacking Savoy and the Austrian Duchy of Milan, but they were forced to retreat after the indecisive Battle of Rottofreddo (10 August 1746).

From here he had the option of pressing on westward, but before doing so he wished to take control of the fortified town of Antibes, which was situated on a promontory 10 kilometres to the south and had the potential to disrupt his communications with Italy if left in enemy hands.

He therefore sent an envoy to offer surrender terms to the town on 4 December, but these were refused by the commandant, Joseph-David, Count of Sade, and so Browne broke camp and marched south to besiege Antibes.