cannes tourist board

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Cannes , located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, is an exceptional seaside resort bordered by the Lérins Islands offshore. The city is particularly famous in the world for its Croisette and famous festival . Along the bay, palm trees and beaches on one side and casinos and luxury hotels on the other, the Croisette will lead you to the Palais des Festivals. Take advantage of your holiday in Cannes to relax on the beach . There are two public beaches along the Croisette. If you are looking for more peace and quiet, head for the beaches of the Pointe de la Croisette or the Boulevard du Midi. They are also the meeting place for water sports enthusiasts: wakeboarding, parasailing, kayaking, kitesurfing, stand up paddle boarding, diving, catamaran rides…

Cannes is also an authentic destination. If you go away from the coast, during your stay, you will discover the charm of the city and its old districts such as Le Suquet . On weekends, stroll between the stalls of the Allées de la Liberté markets or in the heart of the Forville market to immerse yourself in the local culture, discover specialties such as socca and meet the people of Cannes. Shopaholics can stroll along the Croisette for its luxury stores or Rue d’Antibes for its fashion stores and trendy tea rooms. The Cannes La Bocca district, renowned for its tourist residences, is also a great place for shopping .

Nature lovers can set sail to discover the Lérins Islands : Sainte-Marguerite Island and Saint-Honorat Island, and their fauna and flora. You will be able to explore Fort Royal, which now houses the Museum of the Sea and the Iron Mask prison cell.

La Croisette

The Promenade de la Croisette runs along the magnificent beaches of Cannes for more than 3 km. Originally a simple dirt road, the Croisette has become a real tourist attraction on its own. In its early days, Cannes attracted a wealthy clientele from London before being adored by aristocrats from all over the world. Initially pedestrian, the boulevard bordering the Croisette was opened to traffic. Over time, tourists from all over the world and from all social classes flocked to one of France’s most famous promenades. Today, the Croisette is the characteristic image of the city.

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Castre Museum

The Castre Museum is housed in the remains of the medieval castle of the monks of Lérins, a listed historical monument, in Le Suquet . The castle, defensive body and place of worship, was the starting point of the fortified village. The museum houses collections of art and objects from Oceania, the Himalayas, the Americas as well as Mediterranean antiques and pre-Columbian ceramics. It overlooks the town and offers an exceptional view of the Croisette, the bay and the Lérins islands. You can also admire this magnificent panorama from the top of the square tower, the centerpiece of the castle.

Lérins Islands

The Lérins Islands are located in front of the bay of Cannes. The archipelago is composed of Sainte-Marguerite Island and Saint-Honorat Island, which both have a rich natural and cultural heritage. Sainte-Marguerite Island is covered with a national forest of Aleppo pines and eucalyptus. It is dominated by Fort Royal , which was also a state prison. You can also go there to enjoy the sumptuous beaches. As for Saint-Honorat Island , it is particularly famous for its historical monuments : The Monastery Tower, the Napoleonic heated shots, the Saint-Sauveur Chapel and the Trinity Chapel.

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Croix des Gardes Nature Park

Located at the top of a hill, the Croix des Gardes Nature Park is home to one of the most beautiful mimosa forests on the coast. As a unique reserve , the park can be discovered for the richness of its fauna and flora. Green lung of the city, it offers a panoramic view around Cannes : The Bay of Cannes, the islands, the Esterel massif and the Préalpes d’Azur. At the top of the hill, you can reach the cross made in 1990 by the artist Jean-Yves Lechevallier. Numerous hiking trails crisscross the park, ideal for the whole family.

Centre d’Art La Malmaison

On the Croisette, Centre d’Art La Malmaison hosts annual exhibitions of renowned artists such as Matisse, Ozenfant, Picasso, Masson, César and Chu Teh-Chun. The area offers an intimate setting with small lounges. Formerly a grand hotel, the Malmaison is the only pavilion still preserved as a whole. Renovated in 1983 then restructured in 1993, Centre d’Art La Malmaison presents two major exhibitions per year .

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Practical information

• Tourist Office of Cannes : https://www.cannes-france.com/
• Road service : A8 Highway (from Aix-en-Provence or the Italian border)
• Air access : Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (30 minutes)
• Railroad access : TGV station
• Sea access : port of Cannes
• Also discover : Cannes markets | Cannes Beaches

NEARBY  ToWNS :

• Cagnes-sur-Mer

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15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Cannes

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated Dec 28, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Basking in the sun of the French Riviera, Cannes sparkles with glamour and exclusivity. This legendary seaside resort has all the glitz and allure of the Côte d'Azur : private beaches, marinas filled with luxury yachts, stylish boulevards, elegant Belle Epoque hotels, and fashionable restaurants.

Nestled in an enchanting corner of the Golfe de la Napoule bay, Cannes is blessed with a balmy Mediterranean climate. The weather is mild year-round and perfect for sunbathing by the beach from May through October. Leafy palm trees grace the streets of Cannes, and subtropical flowers flourish throughout the city, giving visitors the impression of being in paradise.

The prestigious Film Festival of Cannes has been an important event since it began in 1946. Drawing famous movie stars from around the world, this annual red-carpet gala has earned an international reputation for promoting the art of filmmaking.

For those with more time, Cannes is an excellent base for a vacation in the South of France . Discover the best places to visit in this fashionable resort town on the Côte d'Azur with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Cannes.

See also: Where to Stay in Cannes

1. Boulevard de la Croisette

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One of the most fashionable streets on the French Riviera, this palm-lined boulevard is the center of tourist activity in Cannes. The Boulevard de la Croisette is lined with opulent villas, upscale boutiques and lavish Belle Epoque hotels, such as the legendary Carlton Cannes , a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture designed by Charles Dalmas.

The boulevard extends from the Palais des Festivals to the lovely La Roseraie (Rose Garden) at the Square du 8 Mai 1945. Along this two-kilometer stretch, the beachfront promenade is a great place for strolling, people-watching, and admiring the magnificent sea views. One thing to keep in mind: Many beaches along this stretch are private.

Beyond La Roseraie park is the idyllic Port Pierre Canto , with its rows of luxury yachts docked at the harbor. Also within walking distance is another harbor, the Port de la Pointe Croisette , the departure point for regattas organized by the Yacht Club of Cannes.

Another spot for water sports enthusiasts and sunbathers is the nearby Port Palm Beach . This quiet public beach on the western side of Pointe Croisette has a snack bar and restroom facilities.

Perched on the slopes of Mont Chevalier above the bay, the Old Town (Le Suquet) represents the original fishing village. In a picturesque hillside setting, this area offers exceptional views, as well as old-world charm. This traffic-free quarter features narrow cobblestone alleyways, pedestrian staircases, and interesting historic remnants such as the city's ancient walls.

At the heart of Le Suquet, the 15th-century church, Eglise Notre-Dame d'Espérance , and the 11th-century Tour du Mont Chevalier watchtower dominate the skyline. From the top of the watchtower, there is a wonderful panoramic outlook onto the beach and the bay all the way out to the Lérins Islands. Another joy of visiting Le Suquet is wandering the quaint old streets.

One of the old town's main shopping streets is the Rue Meynadier. This bustling pedestrian street is renowned for its specialty gourmet boutiques. Another important commercial street a few blocks away at the edge of Le Suquet is the Rue d'Antibes .

A shopping destination for French Riviera fashions, the Rue d'Antibes is lined with designer prêt-à-porter clothing boutiques, perfume stores, and jewelry shops. This fashionable street is also home to the outposts of two fancy Parisian-based pâtisserie establishments: Lenôtre (63 Rue d'Antibes) and Ladurée (79 Rue d'Antibes). Ladurée is famous for its colorful macarons, available in an assortment of flavors, as well as its refined ambience and enticing array of French cakes, cream puffs, and éclairs.

Of all the things to do on the French Riviera, the Festival de Cannes is the most exciting. This prestigious red-carpet event is definitely one of the biggest moments of the year in Cannes.

The festival draws movie stars and filmmakers from all over the world, as well as crowds of fans and journalists. Originally, the Festival de Cannes was established to rival the Venice Film Festival. Since its first edition in 1946, the festival has earned an international reputation for discovering, supporting, and promoting excellent films.

Address: Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, 1 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes

Official site: https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/

The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès is the venue for the Cannes Film Festival. Designed by the architects Bennett and Druet, the building was completed in 1982 and is used for events, conferences, music concerts, and festivals throughout the year.

The Palais des Festivals is an impressive complex of buildings, including numerous auditoriums with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. A modernization project was completed in 2015, which included enhancements to the famous entrance staircase and the seating of the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumiere. The foyer was also renovated; it is now brighter and more spacious.

Address: 1 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes

Built on the summit of Le Suquet, which dazzles with its dreamy views of the city, the Eglise Notre-Dame de l'Espérance is the most important church in Cannes. The late-Gothic edifice dates to the 16th century and has a notable 17th-century Madonna on the high altar.

When entering the church, visitors are struck by the peaceful interior and the inspiring heights of its Gothic vaulting. The church also features a mix of architectural styles, including a Renaissance porch plus an organ that was installed in 1857 and has been recently renovated. There is also an old cemetery that dates back to the 16th century.

During the Second World War, the church was temporarily used as a hospital. Today, the church is still a place of religious worship.

In July, the square in front of the church is illuminated and becomes a magical outdoor venue for Les Nuits Musicales du Suquet , a classical musical festival featuring one week of performances under the stars.

Address: 1 Place de la Castre, Cannes

On a hill overlooking the Bay of Cannes, the Musée des Explorations du Monde in Le Suquet occupies a classified Historical Monument, a medieval castle that was formerly the monastery of Lérins monks, and a Romanesque chapel (the 13th-century Chapelle Sainte-Anne). Surrounded by a Mediterranean garden, the site boasts exceptional views of the coastline and sea.

The Musée des Explorations du Monde has a superb collection of antiquities from Mediterranean civilizations, pre-Columbian primitive art, and 19th-century Provençal landscape paintings. Several small rooms feature exotic art objects from Oceania and the Himalayas. There is also an extensive collection of musical instruments from around the world.

Visitors can climb to the top of the building's 12th-century tower. This vantage point offers breathtaking 360-degree panoramas of Cannes and its surroundings.

Address: Place de la Castre, Le Suquet, Cannes

Cannes is famous for its fine sandy beaches, with gorgeous views and calm Mediterranean waters ideal for bathing. Including the nearby îles de Lérin and Estérel coastline, there are seven kilometers of beach property in Cannes. With so many options, there is something for every visitor.

While many of the beaches in Cannes are private property owned by hotels, several beaches are open to the public, and these are some of the best beaches in the South of France . These include the Plage Macé and the Plage Zamenhof , located off the Boulevard de la Croisette. These beaches charge a small fee for use of the lounge chairs and parasols.

Also available for public use (and free of charge) are the Plage du Casino , a golden-sand beach along the Boulevard de la Croisette; Plage de la Bocca , a quiet beach with gorgeous views and golden sand; the Plage du Midi , a long sandy beach near the center of Cannes; and Plage du Mouré Rouge , a great beach for water sports (paddleboarding, windsurfing, and kayaking) near the fishing ports. The lesser-known Plage des Rochers is the best beach for snorkeling.

Fashionable private beaches (that require entrance fees) along the Boulevard de la Croisette include the Croisette Beach , with a trendy "bistronomic" restaurant that serves Mediterranean cuisine prepared from local seasonal ingredients; and CBeach , which has a stylish restaurant, showers, and changing rooms.

Tucked away in a quiet environment near the Port Pierre Canto, the family-friendly private beach club at Bijou Plage has a gourmet restaurant that offers cuisine of the French and Italian Rivieras. The restaurant's beachfront terrace features amazing sea views. Sheltered within two coves, the sandy shoreline of Bijou Plage is lapped by gentle waves. The calm waters are safe for children to swim and splash around.

Maema Plage du Midi , on the Boulevard du Midi Jean Hibert, offers outdoor seaside dining with musical entertainment in the evenings. The beach is outfitted with sun beds and exotic bamboo sun umbrellas.

All the private beach clubs have excellent facilities, as well as lounge chairs and parasols available for rent, allowing sunbathers to enjoy a pampering and relaxing experience.

Emblematic of Cannes' Mediterranean scenery, the Vieux Port (Old Port) lies below the historic Le Suquet quarter. The Vieux Port, also known as Port Cannes I, is located near the Gare Maritime (Marine Railway Station), which was built in 1957. Besides its use as a dock for yachts and other sailboats, the Vieux Port is the launching point for the Royal Regatta.

North of the port are the picturesque Allées de la Liberté , ancient alleyways lined with shady plane trees. Every Saturday and Sunday from 8am until 1pm, the colorful Marché aux Fleurs (Flower Market) is held here.

This lovely district of Cannes exemplifies glamorous French Riviera scenery. Gorgeous vacation villas are surrounded by lush gardens and palm trees. This charming area is a wonderful place for a relaxing afternoon stroll.

Drawn by its beauty, Picasso lived in this neighborhood for a short while. It's easy to understand how the exquisite buildings and vibrant landscape would inspire an artist. Also worth a visit in this neighborhood is the Eglise Russe (Russian Church) on the Boulevard Alexandre III.

Built in 1894 by the Count Vitali, the Chapelle Bellini was once part of a Florentine-style villa and is set in a beautiful park. Identified by the arms of the Count, the chapel features an Italian Baroque design with an impressive clock tower and an interesting wooden staircase inside.

The chapel was bought by the artist Emmanuel Bellini in 1953 and then used as his atelier. The Bellini Chapel is now a museum dedicated to the artist's works shown in his own studio space.

Address: Parc Fiorentina - 67 Avenue de Vallauris, Cannes

Le Centre d'Art La Malmaison occupies the game room, tea room, and a pavilion of the former Grand Hôtel, built in 1863. These rooms were used for art exhibitions organized by Aimé Maeght in 1945 and were converted by the city of Cannes to a museum in 1983. Today, the building is a center dedicated to contemporary art.

The museum hosts temporary expositions presenting the work of famous 20th- and 21st-century artists, including Picasso , Matisse , and Ozenfant , who found inspiration on the Côte d'Azur . Other internationally renowned artists whose works have been featured in the museum's exhibitions are César , Miró, and Masson .

Address: 47 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes

For stunning views of the Cannes coastline, La Croix-des-Gardes Nature Park is the place to go. This 80-hectare forest, classified as a Sensitive Nature Site ( Espace Naturel Sensible ), stands on a hillside above the Golfe de la Napoule. Within the park, five viewpoints afford 360-degree vistas of the bay, the sea, the Lérins Islands in the distance, and the Alpes d'Azur foothills.

Hiking trails within the Parc Naturel Forestier de la Croix-des-Gardes wind through the forest (the viewpoints are found along the way). There are also trails that traverse an arboretum, where over 40 varieties of mimosa flourish.

Sporty types will appreciate the park's 1.2-kilometer fitness trail that includes exercise equipment.

Address: Avenue de la Croix des Gardes (at Avenue Jean de Noailles), Cannes

For several nights every summer in July and August, the Bay of Cannes lights up with its renowned Festival International d'Art Pyrotechnique (Fireworks Festival). This unique international event brings together the best fireworks designers from all over the world.

The festival began in 1967 and continues annually, drawing thousands of spectators along the beaches of Cannes. Each night of the festival offers excitement and an array of dazzling fireworks.

The top pyrotechnic team receives the Vestale d'Or prize at the end of the fireworks competition. The audience can vote during the competition for their favorite fireworks, and winners are awarded the Prix du Public (Public Prize) along with prizes to stay at luxury hotels. Fireworks programs begin at 11pm and are open to the public for free viewing.

Official site: http://www.festival-pyrotechnique-cannes.com/en

Les Nuits Musicales du Suquet is an annual classical music festival that runs for one week in July. Taking advantage of the balmy Côte d'Azur weather, the open-air event is held outside in the courtyard of the Eglise Notre-Dame d'Espérance .

This world-class festival stages large symphonic concerts, as well as solo performances by violinists, pianists, and vocalists. The festival presents a varied program of classical music, with performances ranging from Chopin piano concertos to Mozart orchestra pieces.

Address: Parvis de L'Eglise Notre-Dame d'Espérance & 1 Place de la Castre (courtyard of the Musée de la Castre), Le Suquet, Cannes

Belle Epoque hotels and villas line the beachfront Boulevard de la Croisette, and smaller hotels dot the streets on the hillside above, off the fashionable shopping street of Rue d'Antibes. Larger hotels have their own sections of the beach, but there is plenty of public sand and sea within an easy walk of any of these highly rated hotels in Cannes:

Luxury Hotels :

• The five-star Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes , opposite the Palais des Festivals, boasts Belle Epoque elegance and top-notch service. Amenities include a concierge, fitness center, spa, sauna, and private beach. This high-end resort hotel also has two fine-dining restaurants and two stylish yet casual restaurants. A breakfast buffet is available.
• One block off Boulevard de la Croisette, the boutique Five Seas Hotel Cannes features beautifully furnished rooms and a rooftop infinity pool. This five-star resort hotel also provides concierge services; an upscale spa with sauna and hammam; fitness center; private beach; and a breakfast buffet. Dining options are available on the rooftop terrace.
• Currently under renovation and set to reopen in 2023, the five-star Carlton Cannes , overlooks the beach on Boulevard de la Croisette. This historic hotel dates back to 1913 and is known as the " Grande Dame ."

Mid-Range Hotels:

• About 300 meters from the beachfront Boulevard de la Croisette, the three-star Hôtel de Provence has balconies, a garden, and a rooftop terrace.
• The boutique four-star Hôtel America is one block off Boulevard de la Croisette and less than five minutes from the Palais des Festival and Rue d'Antibes shops.

Budget Hotels:

• On the hill above the old town, a 15-minute walk to the center shops, restaurants, and beaches, the three-star Idéal Séjour hotel offers a beautiful garden; fresh baked croissants every morning; and creative, well-designed rooms with literary themes.
• With small rooms and excellent service, the three-star Hotel des Congres et Festivals is a short block off Rue d'Antibes, close to both the beach and train station.
• Also a short walk to the beach and train station, the three-star ibis Cannes Centre hotel offers contemporary-style accommodations a block off Rue d'Antibes.

An organized day trip tour is a great way to see the highlights around Cannes without the hassle of driving and navigating along the narrow streets. Instead, you can soak up the spectacular scenery while you listen to interesting tips and stories from your experienced guide. These tours include convenient pickup and drop-off at centrally located Cannes hotels. Below are some fun day trip tours that guarantee the lowest price:

• Monaco and Eze Day Trip: The Monaco and Eze Small Group Day Trip from Cannes covers the highlights of the French Riviera. You will visit the medieval hilltop village of Eze, where you can tour a perfumery. After strolling around this delightful village, you head to Monte Carlo for a spin on the Formula One Grand Prix circuit and a palace visit. This full-day tour is limited to eight people.
• Provence Countryside Day Trip: If you want to focus on the quaint villages of Provence, the Provence Countryside Small-Group Day Trip from Cannes is an excellent choice. Highlights of this tour include a visit to the medieval perched hilltop village of Saint-Paul de Vence; the hilltop town of Gourdon; a perfumery tour in Grasse; and a drive along the scenic Loup Gorges, past other quaint villages. This full-day tour is also limited to small groups to maximize personal attention.

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Cultured Cities and Charming Towns : The stylish city of Nice is about 30 minutes by train or 45 minutes by car. The regal city-state of Monaco is one hour away by train or car. To further discover the beauty and charm of the Côte d'Azur, travelers can take day trips from Cannes to see smaller seaside villages like Eze, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël.

The Picturesque Provence Region : For those interested in experiencing the unspoiled nature and pastoral ambience of Provence , it's worth taking a trip to the dramatic Estérel Mountains (a 45-minute drive) for breathtaking views. There are also many attractions around Nice , including the traditional Provençal town of Grasse (the perfume capital of France) an hour drive north of Cannes.

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The Republic of Rose

A California-based travel and lifestyle blog

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Cannes, France

When most people think of Cannes, bustling beach clubs and the famous Cannes Film Festival likely come to mind. Cannes is a popular destination along the famous Cote d’Azur in the south of France, somewhere between Saint Tropez and Nice.  Known for its glamour, luxury shops, gourmet restaurants, and famous beaches, Cannes attracts visitors from all over the world.

I was lucky enough to spend a few years outside of Cannes growing up and still think of the Cote d’Azur as a home away from home. Whenever I can, I go back and visit Cannes for a couple of days to enjoy the beach and soak in the incredible south of France.

There are tons of things to do in Cannes and it’s the perfect city to get to know by wandering around.  In this guide, I’ll share all of the best things to see in Cannes to help you plan your trip.

Here’s the ultimate guide to visiting Cannes, France!

How to Get to Cannes

Cannes is located in the South of France, on the French Riviera (also known as the Cote d’Azur). The closest international airport is Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, roughly 20 miles from the center of Cannes. If you’re traveling from another country, this will likely be the easiest way to get to Cannes!

If you are visiting Cannes from another city in France, you’ll be happy to hear that the city is accessible via the SNCF train network, and the TGV runs directly from Paris to Cannes in about 5 hours.

Many people opt to road trip through southern France which is great as it gives you the flexibility to visit so many other destinations along the coast all the way from Provence to northern Italy if you like!

The Best Time to Visit Cannes

The best time to visit Cannes depends on your patience with crowds.  The French Riviera becomes very busy during festivals and the summer school holidays, which are most of July and August. Much of May is spent setting up for the Cannes Film Festival and the festival itself. Do not worry, as the entire region has almost 300 days of sunshine to enjoy throughout the year.

If you’re looking for an ideal time to visit with fewer crowds than usual, good weather, and time to enjoy all the sights, late-April to early-May is an excellent time to visit, and September to October is a great time as well.  Both these times allow for nice weather and fewer crowds.

How Many Days Should You Spend in Cannes, France?

To experience all of the great things to do in Cannes, it is recommended that you spend at least two full days in this beautiful town. This is because so many people visit Cannes in just one day, but giving yourself a full two days to see the city will allow you to walk around at your own pace and truly enjoy Cannes.

Where to Stay in Cannes

Cannes is known for its large seaside hotels along the Promenade de la Croisette, many of which are luxury stays. But if you’re looking to enjoy the glitz and glamour of Cannes on a budget, there are plenty of more affordable options as well.

• Le Grand Hotel Cannes : This luxurious hotel has it all.  It offers a retro look with fantastic sea views, extensive gardens to enjoy, and a Michelin-starred restaurant on site. It’s located close to the beach, boasts its beach club, and is a five-minute walk away from the superb shipping of rue d’Antibes. A fantastic hotel in a prime spot!
• Hôtel Martinez : Known for its’ Art Deco glamour, this recently renovated hotel is located directly on the beach and boasts a two-star Michelin restaurant, a beach club, and a fantastic spa. The hotel boasts 409 coastal-themed rooms, with the Premium Sea View room offering the best experience.
• Five Seas Hotel : This boutique hotel is only steps away from La Croisette and features special access to a private stretch of sand, a fantastic spa, and a rooftop terrace that features a pool and bar.  This luxurious hotel offers 45 rooms and a comfortable stay with excellent food and drink options.
• Hotel Verlaine : This hotel is located in the heart of Cannes and is only a few steps from Rue d’Antibes.  With a beautiful Belle époque exterior, you won’t be disappointed once you step into the vibrant interior, where you can relax in the small garden. Rooms are decorated in bold colors and designs.
• Hôtel Barrière Le Gray d’Albion : This central Cannes hotel channels Art Deco style for the contemporary era. There are restaurants and bars to delight visitors and a beach club in the summer. Leafy La Terrasse, the hotel restaurant, features vegetarian options. The hotel rooms have recently been renovated, with new balconies and better views.
• Villa Pruly Hotel Cannes Centre : This fashionable hotel is a converted mansion conveniently located between Rue d’Antibes and the Cannes train station.  This beautiful hotel offers several comfortable and brightly decorated rooms with amenities ranging from complimentary continental breakfast, terraces, bathtubs, and soundproofed rooms.
• Villa Claudia Hotel Cannes : A former 19th-century home is now an 18-room hotel in a convenient location in Cannes.  The Villa Claudia Hotel Cannes is a short walk from Rue d’Antibes and a 10-minute walk from the train station. The villa grounds offer an abundance of outdoor seating, and the hotel features a complimentary breakfast in the breakfast room.
• Hotel Alexandre III : Another fantastic hotel in a historical building, Hotel Alexandre III, is less than 1000 feet from the beach and features air-conditioned rooms, a private garden, a terrace, and free wifi. Rooms here are soundproofed and come with orthopedic mattresses, and you can reserve rooms with king-sized beds.

The Best Restaurants in Cannes

The south of France is home to some incredible cuisine and Cannes is a great showcase of that. From casual cafes to fine dining restaurants, there are plenty of different dining options in this city!

• Fromagerie Ceneri : Fromagerie Ceneri is the only place to shop for dairy products in Cannes.  So, if you’re visiting town and looking for an authentic Fromagerie experience from a master fromager-affineur that has been in business since 1968, Fromagerie Ceneri is your place. 
• Da Laura : Da Laura is a fantastic Italian restaurant located in the heart of Cannes that boasts a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy your authentic meal. This charming restaurant has years of great reviews on websites such as Yelp and Tripadvisor.
• B Fire by Mauro Colagreco : Restaurant goers looking for a one-of-a-kind indoor-outdoor experience will enjoy the BFire by Mauro Colagreco restaurant on its sizeable shaded terrace. Enjoy your fantastic meal overlooking the Mediterranean with unique decor and Italian and Argentinian food.
• La Table du Chef : Located right near Rue d’Antibes, this small restaurant is run by a chef the cooks with local produce and presents a new set menu at dinner. This restaurant is both Michelin-starred and TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice. You can’t go wrong here.
• Table 22 par Noël Mantel : This restaurant is located in the heart of the tourist area, only a few steps away from Marché Forville.  At Table 22 par Noël Mantel the chef’s team works to produce Provençal dishes for seasonal menus. Don’t miss out on this great French restaurant featuring regional flavors.

→ Pssst! Planning to explore more of the French Riviera? Don’t miss the Ultimate Guide to the French Riviera (all the BEST French Riviera Cities to Visit!).

Things to do in Cannes

With seaside views, charming streets and a plethora of shops and restaurants, there are plenty of things to do in Cannes and its surrounding area.

La Croisette

Here you’ll find the center of most of the activity in Cannes, this splendid Boulevard de la Croisette, also known as La Croisette. This palm-lined boulevard is full of crowds in the summer, but this is where you’ll find all the beach clubs and excellent views of the sea here.

Rue d’Antibes

This famous road runs parallel to La Croisette, a few blocks away in the city’s heart. This is the place you want to go if you love to shop. While it’s full of shops, it’s also well known for many historic buildings from the 19th century!

Le Suquet is the medieval neighborhood in Cannes, or the old quarter of the town. Visitors will recognize it once they reach the winding, cobbled roads full of local restaurants. This hill is known as the birthplace of Cannes and is my favorite areas to explore!

Spend the Day at a Beach Club

One of the best things to do in Cannes is to spend the day at the beach club. There’s nothing better than relaxing in the sun, enjoying the bar, and grabbing a bite to eat. Some of the favorites in Cannes are Hyde Beach Cannes, Palais Stéphanie Beach, and Carlton Beach Club.

Marché Forville

Marché Forville is Cannes’ big indoor market, located close to the famous La Croisette boardwalk. You can find all types of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and more here. This is one of the top Cannes places to visit as both a tourist and a local, so don’t miss out!

Visit Île Sainte-Marguerite

Accessible by a 15-minute ferry ride, Île Sainte-Marguerite is easy to access from Cannes and makes for a perfect day trip. There are a few museums and forts to see on the island, as well as several beaches to relax on, or you could spend the day walking around and exploring!

Spend the day on a boat

Nothing is more quintessential in the South of France than spending a day on a boat.  Many companies offer daily and hourly charters. There are also options to join a group tour of the area for the day.

Day trip to Mougins

Mougins is just a 15-minute drive from Cannes and is a beautiful medieval village surrounded by rolling hills. This well-preserved village offers visitors a fantastic view of the surrounding area. As you wander through the village, you’ll learn why many famous people, including Picasso and Christian Dior, have stayed here.

Tips for Visiting Cannes

• It’s always helpful to learn a little bit of French before traveling to France. Although many locals in Cannes might know some English at the same time, it’s always good to be prepared and show respect by learning a few key phrases in French.
• Make sure to bring your water bottle with you. Most cities in France have public water fountains where you can refill your water bottle to stay hydrated. They are located about a foot or two off the ground, so you might not notice them right away!
• Cannes is a great city for walking around so make sure to pack some comfortable shoes.
• If you plan to visit Cannes in the summer, be aware of their national holidays on July 14th and August 15th as it can get quite busy in the area, sometimes with festivals taking place. Bastille Day, on July 14th, often is accompanied by a fireworks show on La Croissette!

What to Wear in Cannes

→ Planning to explore more of the French Riviera? Don’t miss the Ultimate Guide to the French Riviera (all the Best French Riviera Cities to Visit!).

How to Spend a Day at Anjuna Beach Club in Eze, France

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Plan Your Cannes Holiday: Best of Cannes

Essential Cannes

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Cannes Is Great For

Cultural tours.

Historical Tours

Ports of Call Tours

• 1 Understand
• 2.2 By train
• 2.3 By plane
• 2.4 By taxi
• 3.1 On foot
• 3.3 By taxi

Once a small fishing village on the French Riviera , Cannes is now a glamorous and expensive seaside town of 73,000 people (2021) considered to be one of the social hubs of Europe.

Understand [ edit ]

Cannes' moment to shine arrives in May as the venue for the Cannes Film Festival, entertaining the rich and famous. During the festival, fans can see actors, celebrities, and directors up close and in person on the famous steps of the Palais des Festivals at the end of La Croisette. Although its nightlife, casinos and high end restaurants give Cannes a feel of exclusivity, Cannes does have alternatives to suit all types of budgets. Tourists can check out the beauty and architecture of Le Suquet, with its cobbled streets and breathtaking views, or sit at street side tables and enjoy the favoured hobby of people watching up and down the lovely marina.

Get in [ edit ]

During peak season (August) transportation should be booked in advance, as it will sell out.

If travelling by public transit, two weeks before or after August, also be aware of the possibility of labour strikes. Strikes are common, anticipated, and highly publicised. Check the French newspapers or news websites before purchasing your tickets.

By bus [ edit ]

Most people will recommend to you to use the train. But if you are at unease dropping money like a millionaire, you might as well just opt for one of the several buses.

• Nice – Buses leave from Nice Gare SNCF at 05:22, 06:23, 08:13, 11:23, 14:23, 15:12, 16:23, 17:40, 18:13, and 19:13, often daily. They take 30 min and continue to Marseille , €33 for the full distance, but Nice-Cannes should be less than €5.
• Marseille – Buses leave from Marseille Saint-Charles at 05:58, 06:58, 07:58, 09:58, 11:58, 13:58, 16:56, and 18:58, often daily. They take about 2½ hr and continue to Nice , €33 for the full distance, but Marseille-Cannes should be around €25-30.
• Aix-en-Provence – Does not seem to be served equally convenient.
• Coaches (Express) run from Nice to Cannes centre via the A8 motorway at a cost of around €17, every 30 min, 45 min trip duration, no view.

By train [ edit ]

Trains between Nice and Cannes run every 30 min to 1 hr, with 30 min duration, and costs of €7.20. Not the mention the views are amazing, in comparison to the coaches, as the train runs adjacent the beach. You can buy your ticket at one of the many machines in the station. Sometimes on-board staff will take the time to help people with buying tickets while they are waiting for the next train. Although on-board ticketing staff are rare, the fine is stiff (minimum €100-300).

By plane [ edit ]

Most visitors bound for Cannes will arrive first at Nice's Côte d'Azur International Airport ( NCE  IATA ).

Marseille Provence Airport ( MRS  IATA ) is 2 hr away by bus and train.

By taxi [ edit ]

Taxi services from the airports are convenient, but at an astronomical price of €80 minimum; or more, if they take the scenic route.

By car [ edit ]

As with Antibes , Monaco and other towns on the French Riviera , access by road at popular times can be slow and frustrating. The coast roads are generally packed, and there are few ways to descend from inland. Locals do have some tricks, like the one described below, but they are complex and do not always work. Using the train to get in is probably better. You can park in Mougins or Mouans Sartoux and take the train to Cannes.

The obvious way to Cannes from the A8 Cannes/Grasse exit is often extremely slow; you end up descending the Boulevard Carnot, which has an endless stream of traffic lights. The simplest way to avoid this congestion is to bear right immediately after you have left the A8 at the first traffic light. Then, once you are off the main road, get into the right hand lane and stay there as the road turns into a normal two-way road.

After a sharp bend there is a traffic light. Continue straight on at the light. At the next major intersection (about 1 km further), turn left following signs to Cannes.

You are now on the N85; you should stay on it, and not follow misleading signs to other bits of Cannes until you are at the bottom (a T junction with a French Telecom building on your left). Probably the easiest thing to do at this point is to turn left at this T junction and almost immediately left again. Then go into the first parking garage you can (Parking Fontville).

Another way down to the coast (this works for both Cannes and Juan les Pins/Antibes) is to go to Vallauris and descend to the coast on the D135 and then turn right (for Cannes) or left (for Antibes) when you get to the N7.

Get around [ edit ]

On foot [ edit ]

Walking can quite often be the fastest mode of transport in Cannes. It also gives you the chance to stumble upon hidden sights that you may miss otherwise.

Getting around Cannes is not a problem at all. The city is well equipped with an efficient bus system (the only public transportation available in town) that provides service not only in the city but also to neighboring La Bocca, Le Cannet and Mandelieu-La Napoule. The bus companies include STU de Cannes Bus Azur, Bus Azur, CTM Cannes La Bocca and Beltrame. They all have scheduled services with a frequency of a bus every 15 min. Tickets can be purchased on the bus or at the bus stations and cost €1.50 per ride or you can purchase a Carte 10 which gives you 10 reduced-rate tickets at the bus office. Be careful which fare you buy as buses in Cannes can be very expensive.

• Taxis de Cannes , ☏ +33 4 929 9272 . Taxis can be hailed on the street or you can order them by phone or internet. Fares are pre-established with an opening charge of €3.50 and subsequent charges of €1.06-2.90/km . ( updated Aug 2019 )

Cannes has all the usual hire car rental establishments (Hertz, Avis, Budget) where you can rent a car if you wish. Parking is generally not an issue. Although you will have to pay, it is recommended that you use one of the off street parking garages as this is far better than searching fruitlessly for a parking lot on the street. Moreover Cannes has a truly horrible one-way system and it is much easier to walk. The Fontville parking gives good access to the port and old town.

If you are more interested in the Croisette and/or dislike walking, then there are other parking garages that are available, like the one by the station: one of the best is the one underneath the Palais des Festivales, and the one under the Grey d'Albion hotel in Rue des Serbes.

See [ edit ]

• Old town — The usual narrow winding streets filled with restaurants and souvenir shops. The view from the castle ruins at the top is excellent.
• Covered Market (Marché Forville) — For a spectacular eating and viewing food experience, no other market in Cannes beats this for scale and variety. The market itself is at the west end of rue Meynardiers, one of the Cote's best gourmand streets.
• Palais des Festivals — Down La Croisette is the famous Palais des Festivals, where stars of the screen gather and watch films screened during the festival. Irresistible not to pose for a photograph on the 22 steps leading up to the entrance.
• Hands of the stars — Just in front of the Palais you will find a line of dozens of hand prints of famous stars and actors. Similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• Murs Peints — Several houses in Cannes are painted with overly large portraits of stars and movies themes. Checkout OpenStreetMap to find them.
• Suquet — A quarter with a great view over the city.
• Port — Admire the yachts of the rich and possibly famous - though true mega-yachts will be found at the International Yacht Club down the coast in Antibes.
• La Croisette — Cannes catwalk beside the sea, it is the center of the city's tourist activity and known for its luxury hotels and boutique shops.
• Beaches — The beaches are mostly private and cost up to €30 for a day's use (including sunbed and shade). The public beaches are crowded, and are found at the far east and west of town. If you want a quieter beach, a better option is to go to the Îles de Lérins , see below. At night the beaches can be tranquil, but watch out for spectacular fireworks displays (see posters/ask at tourist info) in the bay, get to the beach early to get a good spot!
• Îles de Lérins — Two islands in the bay that are definitely worth visiting. The smaller is St Honorat, which has a monastery and ruined castle. The monks sell monastery-made food/drink products like wine which make unique souvenirs. The larger island is Ste Marguerite which also has a castle, shops, bars, and restaurants. Find a quiet cove, some shade from palm trees, and a cheap snorkel before you swim around the rocky coves. A return ticket to Ste Marguerite is €11 with ferries departing every hour roughly from 7 in the morning until about 05:30 at night - ask for a timetable. The ticket to St Honorat costs €13, and visiting the fortified monastery costs €3/pax. The timetable and information is also available in a brochure kept in most hotel lobbies.

Do [ edit ]

• Festival de Cannes . The most famous film festival in the world takes place in mid-May every year. The world's biggest celebrities are on hand to walk the red carpet, and thousands of international films are screened in the festival and the Marché du Film, the world's biggest film market.  
• Notre-Dame d'Esperance , Place de la Castre . Provençal Gothic church with wood paneling dating back to the 14th and 15th century. Also worth a look is the collection of 19th century paintings, which includes a fresco by George Roux that portrays the baptism of Christ. The church is situated on top of Suquet hill in old Cannes, the church offers visitors a fabulous view of the town and its bay.  
• Croix des gardes . Natural parc area, trails and vistas  
• Tour du Masque , 9, rue du Mont Chevalier, Cannes 06401 . A popular attraction for history and literary buffs, the Tour du Masque is said to be haunted by the ghost of the mythical,mysterious figure known as the "Man in the Iron Mask."  
• Molinard , 60, boulevard Victor-Hugo, Grasse 06130 , ☏ +33 4 9336-0162 . Follow your nose down this flower-strewn villa to learn how perfume is made and manufactured. It's an olfactory and visual feast, as well as smelling some of the world's finest perfumes. Famous perfume bottles are also on display.  
• Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence , 2 rue Mirabeau , ☏ +33 4 9705 5800 . The museum retraces everyday life in Provence from prehistoric times to the present day. The Provençal way of life is illustrated through furniture, pottery, paintings, traditional costumes and santons (Christmas crib figures). There's also an authentic formal garden for you to enjoy.  
• French Riviera , CMC Cannes Riviera Gastronomie Maritime, Gare Maritime, jet Albert-Edouard, Cannes 06400 , ☏ +33 4 9368-9898 . Enjoy the view of Cannes from this luxury ship. You can choose to do either a lunch tour or an evening dinner tour. For a one flat fee you receive lunch or dinner and a tour whilst enjoying live music. The tours run daily from 12:30-15:00, 20:30-23:30.  

Learn [ edit ]

Residential camps for teens in Cannes (vacation courses) are proposed by ESL-Ecole Suisse de Langues during the Summer. International students from 14 to 17 years follow sessions of 1 to 5 weeks.

Buy [ edit ]

Cannes is renowned for its luxury boutiques and designer fashion.

The shops in Cannes are concentrated between La Croisette and rue d'Antibes - a distance easily covered on foot. Here you'll find all the luxury boutiques you could possibly desire as well as other shops selling products at a more affordable price range. The old town has any number of shops selling souvenirs as well.

Stroll, or stop by, the wide array of international designer shops that line La Croisette, which include Chanel, Dior, and Gucci. Check out the l`enfant terrible of French fashion, Jean Paul Gaultier in the Gray d'Albion arcade at number 17.

• Chez Bruno , 51 rue d'Antibes . crystallised fruit and marrons glacés  
• Maiffret , 31 rue d'Antibes . Chocolates made on the premises  
• Cannes English Bookshop , 11 rue Bivouac Napoléon ( just by the Palais des Festivals ), ☏ +33 4 9399-4008 . If you are getting desperate to read something in English  

A great street to grab yourself a bargain is on the Rue Meynadier, with a vibrant market atmosphere. Taste some sharp cheese at Ceneri, on 22 rue Meynadier, while quality wines are found at La Cave Forville, at 3 Forville Market.

A souvenir from the monastery on Ste Honorat is a good way to distinguish yourself from the other tourists toting bags of the same souvenirs.

Standard shopping hours are Monday to Saturday 10:00-12:00 and 14:30–19:30. In high season, many shops do not close for lunch. Sales tax varies between 5.5% (food) to 19.6% (luxury goods).

Eat [ edit ]

Although it tends to get pretty pricey to eat out in Cannes, it is possible to get a delicious meal incorporating the mouth-watering, fresh regional produce sourced from the markets.

The most popular restaurants to eat at are all along the riverfront, although they are they are not particularly value for money. While the food is ok, it's overpriced, however the people watching and posing-potential is an important compensation.

The best areas for dining are the rue Meynadier, in the beautiful old district of Le Suquet, where you can dine outdoors with a stunning view of the town below, and in the back streets of the Rue de Antibes, you can find some reasonable dining options.

Vegetarians have a bit of a rough time in France generally, in that most menus classify things as fish, meat and nothing else, and the French pride themselves in eating some fairly esoteric parts of animals not found in supermarkets back home - "testicules de mouton" for example. Traditional French cuisine is expensive at best, you could consider eating in some of the more Italian places.

The most romantic setting for dining in Cannes is away from the conference/ expense account circuit of central Cannes, in the historic quarter of Le Cannet, a northern suburb of Cannes some two kilometers away. Accessible by taxi or local buses, Vieux Le Cannet looks down over Cannes, and at its best vantage point is the large tree lined open square of Place Bellvue, tables alfresco, bounded by four or five quality restaurants patronized mainly by French "in the know". The Place Bellvue is on the main street rue St Sauver, home to artists ateliers and picture-postcard old French scenes. Well worth the extra effort.

• 43.55107 7.01386 1 Philcat . Sells Pan Bagnat, but quite expensive for €6. ( updated Apr 2019 )
• 24 Suquet Restaurant , 24 rue du Suquet , ☏ +33 4 9338 7522 . Located in the old town of Cannes, this chic and cosy restaurant serves fine Provincial cuisine in an atmosphere that is as welcoming as it is becoming.  
• Le Caveau 30 , 45 rue Félix Faure , ☏ +33 4 9339 0633 . Fresh seafood and produce worth coming back for, at this upscale restaurant that tends to get quite crowded in the summer months. Impressive wine list to go with the varied menu options and the staff are always attentive and professional.  
• Palm Square , 1 allées de la Liberté , ☏ +33 4 9306 7827 . Chic and ultra trendy, the Palm Square is the place to eat tasty food surrounded by a group of friends, in a gorgeous setting. Cuisine is mostly modern French, although the chef does mix it up with splashes of Indian or Thai flavorings.  
• La Palme d'Or , Hôtel Martinez, 73 boulevard de la Croisette . Great location overlooking the bay of Cannes. Food is of an extremely high standard, the stylish and contemporary decor impresses, and the service is impeccable. Two Michelin stars have been awarded to this restaurant.  
• Le Restaurant Arménien , 82 boulevard de la Croisette , ☏ +33 4 9394 0058 . For genuine Armenian food served in a charming and atmospheric setting. Popular restaurant that also offers Mediterranean inspired alternatives.  
• Authentic , 92, Ave Francis Tonner, Cannes La Bocca ( traveling west from Cannes, pass the market in La Bocca & it's on your right, one block further. ), ☏ +33 4 9348 3406 . No view (location isn't great), but this resto itself is simple but lovely. Even better, the food. For a really wonderful meal at 30% or less of prices in Cannes itself, check out this great little secret. The meal always begins with a little complimentary tasting. Very popular at noon, so make a reservation during August for lunch or dinner. The chef is from Alsace, but uses local fare superbly, too. menus start under €20 for dinner .  
• Sombraro X-press , 25 rue suquet , ☏ +33 505 988-7412 . 24/7 . Wholesome Mexican food at a great price. Menu includes light choices for watchful eaters. cheap .  
• 43.553073 7.016222 2 Bella Pizza , 9 rue du maréchal Joffre , ☏ +33 4 93992510 . Reported as a very good pizza in Cannes, with extremely nice owners. €12 for a pizza . ( updated Jun 2020 )

Sleep [ edit ]

• Villa La Contemporaine de Cannes . Modern Cannes luxury villa rental located in the exclusive area of La Californie above Cannes.  
• Citadines Croisette Cannes , 1, rue le Poussin , ☏ +33 4 97 06 92 00 , fax : +33 4 93 38 84 09 , [email protected] . This 3-star establishment with an indoor garden and a solarium offers 58 flats in 2 wings of 3 and 5 floors, ranging from studios to one-bedroom apartments. From April to September, residents can have access to a private beach. All studios and apartments are fully air-conditioned and have a bathroom with separate toilet and a fully-equipped separate kitchen area. Some studios are equipped for people with reduced mobility.  
• Hôtel Alnea , 20 rue Jean de Riouffe , ☏ +33 4 9368 7777 . Comfortable hotel that has basic features, with satellite TV, telephone with internet connection and WiFi. Near the Palais des Festivals.  
• Hôtel America Cannes , 13 rue Saint Honoré , ☏ +33 4 9306 7575 . 28 rooms, including 4 junior suites, just behind the Majestic Hotel, 60 m from the Congress Centre. Very clean and comfortable. All rooms have flat-screen TV, high speed wireless internet connection. Laundry, wake-up call services, concierge services. No restaurant, only buffet breakfast or in-room breakfast.  
• Palais Stephanie Beach ( Palais Beach ), ☏ +33 04 92 99 52 82 , [email protected] . Unique business & leisure property with 234 rooms including 47 suites, 16 meeting rooms and a 820-seat auditorium (formerly Noga Hilton). ( updated Dec 2020 )
• Claremont Hotel , 13 Rue Du Août . This quaint and charming hotel offers comfortable rooms for single or sharing occupancy. It provides breakfast, laundry and wakeup-call services, and transfers to and from the airport, and other towns along the Riviera.  
• 3.14 hotel , 5 rue François Einessy , ☏ +3304 9299 7200 . Unique hotel with rooms designed from five continents, with each floor representing a continent, such as vibrant Asia or cultural Europe. All rooms have flat-screen TV, DVD player, broadband internet connection and WiFi access and the hotel even has its own private beach on La Croisette.  
• Le Mistral , 13 rue des Belges . Modern boutique hotel with art works on display in each of the rooms. The rooms are soundproofed and air conditioned and feature free Wi-Fi access, cable TV and direct phones.  
• Suitehotel Cannes Centre , 46 bis boulevard . Carnot. 10 minutes from the railway station, all rooms have separate bathrooms and toilets, a small kitchenette, large working spaces and flat screen TVs.  
• The InterContinental Carlton , 58 boulevard de la Croisette , ☏ +33 4 9306 4006 . With a private beach, the InterContinental offers guests comfort and convenience with two restaurants, two bars and a health club on site.  
• Hotel Martinez , 73 boulevard de la Croisette , ☏ +33 4 9298 7300 . The place where A-list celebrities like visiting presidents or royalty stay, the Hotel Martinez is one of the Riviera's grand dames, with its own private beach and pool, a spa and fitness center, grand apartments, suites and pretty rooms. It also plays host to the Michelin awarded restaurant, La Palme d'Or (see "Eat").  
• Résidence Pierre & Vacances Cannes Beach ( Cannes-La-Bocca shopping quarter ). In the spirit of Cannes, the 7- to 8-floor residence is shaped like a “P” and spread out around a large patio with exotic vegetation. The apartments are equipped with terraces or balconies. It has a fitness room and a restaurant. If you get tired of your private beach (unlikely) then the public sand beach is a 50-m walk away.  
• Croisette Beach Hotel , 13 rue du Canada , ☏ +33 4 92 18 88 00 . Located in the Golden Square of Cannes, on a quiet street between the bustle of the Croisette and the luxury stores on the Rue d'Antibes. €110-210 .  
• 43.55619 7.02345 1 Boîte d'Amour , ☏ +39 3454540697 , [email protected] . Italian-style accommodation with big terrace. ( updated Nov 2019 )

Connect [ edit ]

Check out Carrefour, most of them have free Wi-Fi.

Go next [ edit ]

If you fancy a change of scenery from Cannes or just want to make the most of its location then you can make a day trip to other beautiful and famous cities. A few to note are:

• Aix-en-Provence is 1½ hr west by car.
• Monaco is 45 min northeast by car.
• Nice is 30 min northeast by car.
• Saint-Tropez is 1¼ hr southwest by car.

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Cannes Travel Guide: Top Things to Do and See

We have saved the best for last on our trip to the South of France , where we allowed ourselves the luxury of some personal time travel. It has been an unbelievable 14 years since we last strolled down those narrow streets of the “Le Suquet” in Cannes and watched the impressive sailing yachts in the harbour . Back then we were simply students on a language trip, today we came back as travel bloggers. We were especially looking forward to being back in Cannes and reminiscing on old times!

First of all: Cannes has preserved their maritime charm very well. The little town on the famous Côte d’Azur is just as beautiful as we remember it. In this travel guide, we’ll tell you which highlights you should not miss on a trip to Cannes. We will also show you impressions of our trip to the beautiful island of Sainte-Marguerite.

1. Cannes on the Côte d’Azur: What to Expect

2. travel guide: top things to do and see in cannes, 3. excursion to the island of sainte-marguerite, 4. restaurant and café tips for cannes, 5. our hotel tips for cannes.

When you think Cannes, you think sea breezes, holiday vibes and of course the famous Annual Film Festival. In addition to Nice and Saint Tropez, Cannes is one of the most popular destinations along the fashionable Côte d’Azur. With a population of 70,000 inhabitants, Cannes is definitely the busiest destination on our road trip through the South of France .

The fact that Cannes is not exactly cheap, is one that should be well known. If you admire the many sailing yachts in the harbour, then it quickly becomes clear that there is a high proportion of celebrities and/or millionaires here on the Côte d’Azur. Interesting side fact: We have never seen so many helicopters as we did in Cannes, this was surprising for a city. In Cannes, the transport company Uber even offers helicopter rides, which is just next level transport!

Anyway, the good news is that as travellers we can say it was certainly not exceptionally more expensive to visit in comparison to our other destinations in the South of France. So don’t worry: with a bit of planning, a city trip to Cannes will not eat a hole in your purse! As long as you stay away from the expensive hotels and luxury boutiques along the Croisette.

In order to get around and see the most important sights and highlights in Cannes, it’s best to spend a whole day wandering. Cannes should definitely not be reduced to classic sights. In our opinion, what makes this city much more special is its lively Mediterranean flair .

Marché Forville

Our tip: Start your visit as early as possible in the morning at the Marché Forville, the most famous weekly market in Cannes . We are one of those people who can never get enough of the hustle and bustle of the market. If you share the same love and fascination for markets as we do, then a visit to the Marché Forville is a must!

In the surprisingly extensive market hall, all sorts of delicacies from all over Provence are on offer here, including fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, olives, cheese and the list keeps going. Would you like to try a specialty of the region? Then we have a recommendation for you: Socca – a kind of pancake made from chickpea flour, which is baked in a wood oven and then sprinkled with pepper. Look for the red sign saying “Socca’nnes”. You will find the stand in the corridor of the market opposite the Spar grocery store.

Opening hours: every day except Monday from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm (1:30 pm in July and August) Address: 6 Rue du Marché Forville, 06400 Cannes

The old town of Cannes by the name of “Le Suquet” is a street-like labyrinth . The bad news: souvenir shops and tour groups are in abundance here. Le Suquet is rather touristic. The good news: If you take a few turns down quieter alleys, you can quickly avoid that scene. There are also alleys where you find you’re the only ones there. Le Suquet is built on a hill . So you will have to overcome some altitude and stairs. But we promise you: It’s worth it!

View from the Église Notre Dame d’Esperance

Since we already touched on the topic of uphill: one particular walk that we highly recommend, is the one on the top of the hill to Église Notre Dame d’Esperance. Perched high above the old town, the 16th-century church is one of Cannes’ postcard icons. From here you can enjoy a magnificent view over the bay of Cannes. The square in front of the church is very busy, but we really liked the holiday flair up here.

A small downer: Unfortunately, some trees prevent a clear panoramic view. But we have an insider tip for you: Right next to the church is the entrance to the “Musée des Explorations du Monde” , which is located in a former castle. The museum displays all sorts of art objects and antiques, but the best is outside the walls of the museum: you can climb the tower of the museum and have a magnificent view from above in all directions . For us, who wanted to take nice pictures in peace, this was clearly the best spot for it.

Opening hours Musée des Explorations du Monde: can be found on the official Cannes website Admission Musée des Explorations du Monde: 6,5 Euros for adults; and free for students + those under 26 (with ID)

Palais des Festivals & Walk of Fame

Cannes would not be Cannes without the Annual Film Festival . Every May, film celebrities from all over the world meet on the Côte d’Azur. Since it is unlikely that you are there at exactly the same time as the film festival in Cannes, we have a small consolation: you can still visit the site of the world-famous spectacle, but from the outside. Plus, the red carpet in front of the Palais des Festivals can be seen all year round and therefore also a very popular photo spot.

In front of the Palais des Festivals you can admire a mini “Walk of Fame” . Some French and international celebrities have planted their handprints and autographs here.

Beaches in Cannes

Those after luxury will find what they are looking for at the “Croisette” . Along the famous beach esplanade are the city’s most expensive hotels and upmarket boutiques. We personally prefer the side of the Boulevard de la Croisette, which faces the sea. It is approximately a 3 km stretch of beach houses, beach cafes, restaurants and some beach clubs.

“See and be seen” is the motto – so do not be surprised if you suddenly come across a luxury ride with a booming engine. The same motto applies to the beach clubs: petite model sizes and six-packs are very disproportionately represented here.

It is more comfortable on the other side of the bay on the beach called Gazagnaire . This public beach is relatively narrow and quite close to the road, but good for swimming.

We rented a kayak at the northern end of the beach at Cannes Jeunesse and paddled out to sea. Compared to our quiet tours at the Pont du Gard and in Roquebrune-sur-Argens, the trip on the open sea was quite an adventurous experience. A two-seater kayak costs 18 Euros per hour.

West of the Croisette there are also some great beaches. There is a beach called “Rochers de la Bocca” , which is especially beautiful. The main draws of this beach are its impressive rock formations, which give this place a rather wild and natural impression.

A few hundred metres off the Cannes mainland, a tiny group of islands called the “Îles de Lérins” juts out of the water. Sainte-Marguerite, the largest of the four islands, is a popular tourist destination during the summer season. The rugged, natural bays magically attract visitors.

Have you ever read a novel and then visited the novel’s location? Yes/No? Let’s just say that it’s a pretty cool and surreal experience. To top it off, we even had the Crime Book author – Christine Cazon personally accompany us! And guess where? To the island of Sainte-Marguerite!! This is where the location of her novel “Stormy Côte d’Azur” is set. It was not stormy on the day of our visit (peak summer warm to be precise), but it was a very special experience to walk in the footsteps of the characters in the novel.

What you can experience on the island of Sainte-Marguerite

Many come to Sainte-Marguerite for an afternoon swim . The coves, cliffs and Azure-Blue waters are a dream and if you look around properly, you will still find some quiet spots in amongst the shade of the pines. Small warning: Dozens of boats traffic the coast during high season. Sainte-Marguerite is unfortunately not a secret.

If you are more into sightseeing, then take a short walk to Fort Royal (Admission: 6 Euros). You can reach it after about 10 minutes walk from the boat dock. Part of the fort served as a state prison for centuries. For 11 years, the mysterious “man with the iron mask” was imprisoned here. You can still visit the cell today because the oldest part of the site is now host to a museum. Archeological finds are exhibited here amongst others. If you go through the premises of these temporary exhibitions, you will come to a great panoramic terrace.

Arrival to Sainte-Marguerite

The crossing from Cannes to the island of Sainte-Marguerite takes about 15 to 20 minutes. We ourselves went with the boat company “Trans Côte d’Azur” on the way. The boats operate every 1 to 2 hours throughout the year, with the interval being increased in high season. The boats leave from Port de Cannes (Port de Cannes, quai Laubeuf 06400 Cannes).

On Sainte-Marguerite itself there is no car traffic or public buses. It does not need it considering the size of the island. So you simply get around by foot.

Here you can book your ticket for the boat trip in advance: Ticket Sainte-Marguerite (return)

With the large restaurant scene in Cannes one can feel a little overwhelmed quite quickly. So in this chapter, we’ll share with you the places we dined at as well some tips that Christine Cazon very kindly shared with us (cheers for that!).

Lunch with sea view? Yes, please! The Riviera Beach is a Beach Club, Bar and Restaurant all in one (Address: Boulevard du Midi Jean Hibert). It is located directly on the beach and is very comfortably furnished – a nice place to relax. The price level is as expected, not exactly low, but for Cannes and especially its location, it was within reason. With the main courses averaging around 20 Euros, they serve predominantly fish and meat – but they do have a great salad variety.

We were recommended the restaurant Tredici from quite a few people, but unfortunately we didn’t end up visiting. It’s run by a bunch of young people and we’re pretty sure it’s great. The Tredici is located right in the Suquet, in the old town of Cannes (Address: 13 Rue Louis Perrissol). The menu features Italian-inspired dishes. You should definitely stop by there, if you are in Cannes!

If you are looking for a great café then Fleur & Chloé might be for you (Address: 14 Avenue de Lyon). This “Salon de thé” is located outside the city centre. The interior is minimalistic and pure, but very comfortable. The Fleur & Chloé is known for its delicious pâtisserie, but there is also a small lunch menu.

Tip No. 1: Lovely Bed & Breakfast

Are you looking for a personally managed bed & breakfast with great value for money in Cannes? Then we can warmly recommend the B&B Villa Du Roc Fleuri .

A small, family-run accommodation awaits you here. The breakfast is great and the owner very warm and accommodating. The bed & breakfast is a bit away from the centre, but you can walk to the port and the old town of Cannes in just over 10 minutes.

Our conclusion: Fantastic value for money! The B&B Villa Du Roc Fleuri is an affordable alternative to the expensive hotels along the Croisette.

Here you can book the hotel: B&B Villa Du Roc Fleuri

Tip No. 2: Luxury Boutique Hotel

Would you like to treat yourself to a little luxury in Cannes? Then the Five Seas Hotel could be something for you. This luxurious 5-star hotel is – of course – close to the Croisette and therefore to the beach. The old town is also just a few minutes’ walk away.

The rooms are spacious and extremely comfortably furnished. Two special highlights are the rooftop pool on the 5th floor and the wellness area. Our conclusion: A special hotel in a top location.

Here you can book the hotel: Five Seas Hotel

Disclaimer: Advertisement & Affiliate Links

For this travel guide we have collaborated with the French National Tourist Board (Atout France). As part of the nature campaign #gesichterfrankreichs we were allowed to travel for two weeks through the South of France – including Cannes on the Côte d’Azur. Of course, this cooperation does not influence our opinions.

This travel guide contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or buy something through the links, we will get a small commission. For you, this does not change the price at all. A million thanks from the both of us!

Have you ever been to Cannes or the Côte d’Azur? If you have any more tips or questions, please leave us a comment!

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Cannes travel blog — the fullest travel guide to cannes for first-timers.

Cannes – a beautiful coastal city located in the southern France. The world famous Cannes city is home to the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival Festival de Cannes) that held every year. Cannes is also known as a prosperous coastal city, a paradise of luxury hotels and restaurants as well as the venue for many major cultural festivals. Traveling to Cannes, visitors will have an interesting journey to discover the vibrant pace of life, attractive landmarks and many other unique cultural features. So, is Cannes worth visiting, what to do in Cannes and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Cannes for the first-time? Let’s check out our Cannes travel blog with the fullest travel guide to Cannes (Cannes travel guide, Cannes city guide, Cannes France travel guide, Cannes guide, Cannes visitor guide) from how to get to Cannes, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit, what to eat and top things to do in Cannes to find out the answer!

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This legendary resort town has all the charm and glamor of the Côte d’Azur: Private beaches, harbor filled with luxury yachts, boulevards brimming with style, elegant hotels and trendy restaurants. The world famous Cannes is known as a home of the most famous film festival. It was truly a European city, where Britain and Italy established and began to develop into leisure resorts with yachts and harbours. Today, it is home to the one of world’s most prestigious film festivals, which is held every year, and many world stars are coming for their vacations.

Cannes travel blog: Overview of Cannes

It is not easy to get a grand and bustling Cannes city as it is now, but Cannes had to go through a long period of change to get where it is today. Thousands of years ago, Cannes was just a small fishing village, under the rule of the Greeks and then the Romans, many times attacked by Muslims and pirates before returning to France. It’s a small, secluded place that no one knows about. In 1834, the English aristocrat – Lord Brougham (once prime minister of England) visited here and he was captivated by the cool climate, azure sea water with clear blue sky and beautiful scenery here. He built a house so that in the winter, he went there to rest and avoid the cold of the foggy country.

Currently, Cannes has more than 70,000 settlers. The city of Cannes is famous in the world for its Cannes Film Festival and Cannes Lions. This is a city of luxury and splendor. Cannes is famous for the most beautiful hotels in France. This city also has beautiful beaches, monumental architecture and many special festivals.

After that, many British nobles, imitating Lord Brougham, came here in turn to build houses and reside in the winter. Over time, from a fishing village, Cannes developed into the beautiful city as we seen today. Cannes is not only a tourist city, but also a cultural and artistic center, where many international festivals take place, the most important of which are the Music Festival in January and the Film Festival in May every year. Cannes attracts a lot of artists, painters and writers who come here to live and create. International conferences continuously take place here. This city is bustling all year round, day and night.

Cannes France travel guide: When to come?

Cannes is a tourist city. Therefore, this place is always crowded and bustling. A good time to come here is in spring, early summer or early autumn. At this time the weather is still warm and the city is less crowded. It will be easy for you to visit and explore the city.

In general, you can visit Cannes at any time of the year. However, the best time to visit Cannes is in the summer. In the summer the weather is not too hot, the climate is always cool, it rarely rains, so it is quite convenient for visitors to hang out, sightseeing, bathing or take part in outdoor activities.

In addition, you can consider to come here during major festivals and events as follow.

Cannes Film Festival

Especially if you come to Cannes in May every year, they will have the opportunity to attend the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival, where many world-famous movie stars gather. However, if going around this time, the price of services in the city will increase by 30% compared to other times. Therefore, you should consider the right time to have a favorable trip.

Cannes Film Festival is one of the best international film festivals on the globe, attracting the attention of the public worldwide. At this time, the city seems to be dressed in a sparkling and beautiful beauty of world famous movie stars.

Fireworks festival in the summer

In the famous tourist cities of France, Cannes is like a charming paradise when summer comes, the journey is more sparkling thanks to the summer fireworks festival. In July and August, Cannes Bay is lit up with spectacular fireworks displays from all over the world. The fireworks festival dates back to 1967. The winning fireworks team will be honored with a Vestal award at the end. In particular, tourists can vote for their favorite and most impressive team.

Le Suquet Musical Festival

Nuits Musicales du Suquet is an annual classical music festival that takes place for a week in July. Taking advantage of the mild Côte d’Azur weather, the event often held outside in the courtyard of Notre Dame d’Espérance. This world-class festival hosts large symphony concerts and smaller solo performances by violinists, pianists and singers. The repertoire is varied and shows classical music from Mozart to Chopin.

Cannes travel guide: How to get to Cannes?

You can fly to the city of Cannes via the Nice Cote d’Azur airport. This is a fairly large international airport and on average each year this airport welcomes about 10 million passengers to France.

To arrange best flight route as well as finding cheap airfare, you can access Google Flights , Skyscanner or Kayak to hunt.

From Nice to Cannes

Cannes is also a good place to make a day trip from Nice. If you want to spend a night in a luxury hotel or shop in the upscale boutiques of Boulevard Croisette, but otherwise, it is also possible to visit this beautiful city for a day with an overnight. Here are some options for getting there:

Intercity train or known as TER. Take about 10 stops from Nice Ville to Cannes train station.

Price: about €7 Time: about 30 minutes

Take bus number 200 from Cannes via Antibes. This bus runs every 20 minutes, we do not recommend taking the bus because it takes a lot of time but it is a good way to save money.

Price: €1.5 Time: about 1 hour 30min

Cannes city guide: Getting around Cannes

Popular means of transport include bus, subway, bicycle or walking is also a good suggestion.

• Bus: Buses are convenient if you are traveling short distances. The downside is that moving is quite slow which takes a long time.
• Metro: Cheap, fast travel speed. Only about 1.70 euros/ticket, 10 tickets cost 12 euros. Suitable for moving to places in a certain area.

In addition, Cannes also has a ferry and a modern high-speed train system. As a seaport city, traveling by ferry in Cannes is very easy. A tour of Cannes by ferry takes only about 1 to 2 hours.

The high-speed train system here is the TGV train specializing in transporting passengers moving from Cannes to the main cities of France and moving within the city. You should book tickets online in advance to get a cheaper price than buying directly.

Tips: You should not rent a self-driving car here because parking fees in Cannes are always in the top of the most expensive cities in the world.

Cannes travel blog: Where to go, what to do in Cannes & top things to do in Cannes

La croisette boulevard and palace of festivals and congresses of cannes.

The boulevard runs along the coast with a length of 9km. The largest and most beautiful street is called La Croisette, on which there is a building named after the Palace of Festivals and Congresses of Cannes (Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes), where the annual International Film Festival takes place. My first thing to do when I came to Cannes was to take a photo in front of this building as a souvenir. In the past, it was the casino of the city, heavy architectural style, looking nothing special. When they built a new casino in the south of the city, this building was converted into the Palace of Festivals and Congresses of Cannes. It’s not just dedicated to cinema, but it’s also home to all sorts of festivals and conferences.

The Croisette is now a popular avenue lined with prestigious shops and luxury hotels that have made up Cannes’ history, including the Carlton, Martinez and Majestic. This most famous street has all the luxury brands of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Celine and Valencia.

Leaving the Palace of Congress, we walked along La Croisette boulevard to the south. Unlike the beach in Nice with only pebbles (galet), in Cannes is a very beautiful golden sand beach. Rows of palm trees run along the boulevard, behind are luxury hotels.

Behind the modern look of Cannes city, there is also an old town located around the Suquet hill. The scenery here is very quiet, tranquil, in contrast to the noisy and busy life of Cannes on the coast. This is an old village that still retains the ancient architecture with a 22 meter high watchtower. On Suquet Hill, standing next to the old city wall, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Cannes below. The streets here are winding, narrow, uphill and downhill like many other villages along the blue coast. On the balconies of houses with rustic wooden windows, there are colorful flowers, most of which are mimosa, the flower chosen as the symbol of Cannes.

The district Le Suquet represents the original fishing village. The hill of “Suquet” is where the city of Cannes began to be built. In a picturesque hillside setting, the area offers exceptional views and a bygone era charm. Le Suquet has retained the atmosphere of the last century. In the city of Nice, in the castle area, you can see a different face from the luxurious entertainment city of Cannes.

Occasionally, a beautiful small yard with an old iron fence and a faucet next to the wall appears, looks really dreamy. Leaving Cannes, if you continue your journey to the west, you will pass through three beautiful villages (also three towns) of Saint-Raphael, Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Tropez. The most famous is Saint-Tropez, the jet-society classes often gather here to relax and resting, the rich in the world also race to buy houses here.

Half a century ago, in 1956, French director Roger Vadim chose the settings here for his film And God Created Woman (Et Dieu créa la femme), featuring the young girl Brigitte Bardot (B.B for short) to the position of a famous movie star around the world. Saint-Tropez is also the setting of most comedies starring comedian Louis de Funès (1914-1983).

Chapelle Bellini

Address: 67 bis avenue de Vallauris, All. du Parc Fiorentina, 06400 Cannes, France Hours: 2–5PM/Saturday, Sunday: Closed

Built in 1894 by Count Vitali, Chapelle Bellini was once part of a Florentine villa and set in a beautiful park. Under the design of the Count, the chapel has an Italian Baroque design with an impressive clock tower and exquisite wooden stairs inside. The chapel was purchased by the artist Emmanuel Bellini in 1953 and later used as his church. The Bellini Chapel is now a museum dedicated to the artist’s works represented in his own gallery space.

Sainte-Marguerite

In Cannes, visitors can book for a cruise out to sea and visit the island of Sainte-Marguerite. This island is 3km long and 90m wide. In addition to the beautiful scenery, the island of Sainte-Marguerite attracts visitors because it has a fortress that once imprisoned a mysterious prisoner named the Iron Mask (Le Masque de Fer) for 11 years.

This fortress was built in the early seventeenth century by order of Cardinal Richelieu, under King Louis XIII. This is a small fortress, built in Vauban architecture, located on the tip of the island overlooking the sea. The lower floor of the fortress is a prison, divided into cells to keep prisoners isolated. The Iron Mask was imprisoned here for 11 years (from 1687 to 1698), then was transferred to the Bastille in Paris and died in 1703. Visitors are led to see the cachot where the Iron Mask was imprisoned. There is also a chain used to bind him. The story of the Iron Mask has been the subject of many historical novels, films and television series. You can Google it to learn more about the mysterious character.

Notre-Dame de l’Espérance

Address: 1 Rue de la Castre, 06400 Cannes, France

Perch atop Le Suquet, resplendent with picturesque views of the city, Notre-Dame de l’Espérance is the most striking church in Cannes. Upon entering the church, visitors are struck by the interior and the height of the Gothic dome. The church is also a mix of architectural styles, including a Renaissance. There is also a cemetery that dates back to the 16th century.

During World War II, the church was temporarily used as a hospital. Today, the church is still sacred worship place. In July, the square in front of the cathedral is illuminated and becomes an outdoor venue for the Nuits Musicales du Suquet, a classical music festival with a week of performances under the stars.

Port town of Grimaud

Grimaud is a beautiful lakeside town located between Cannes and Saint Tropez. This town is likened to the “Venise of Provence”. In 2001, UNESCO also recognized this town as an architectural heritage of the 20th century. Coming here, visitors will be able to visit many ancient architectural works, long-standing historical sites and soaking themselves in water of beautiful beaches. The most beautiful beach here is Pampelonne. This beach is always full of people. From Russian billionaires, famous movie stars come to this beach every year.

Picasso Museum

Address: place mariejol, 06600 Antibes, France Hours: 10AM–1PM, 2–6PM/Monday: Closed

The Picasso Museum in Antibes street with a beautiful location on the coast. They invited Picasso to stay for six months in 1946 and when he left he left 23 paintings and 44 drawings to the town. It’s an opportunity to see some amazing artwork of a genius painter.

Castre Museum (Cannes travel blog)

Address: 6 Rue de la Castre, 06400 Cannes, France Hours: 10AM–9PM

On a hill overlooking Cannes Bay, the Musée de la Castre occupies a medieval monastery, now classified as a historic site. Visitors can climb to the top of the building to capture a 360-degree panorama of Cannes and its surroundings. The museum’s courtyard is also an ideal place to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. The museum collects and displays a collection of antiquities from this region along with primitive pre-Columbian art.

The Musée de la Castre is situated on an ideal hilltop location. From here, Cannes tourists can overlook the most beautiful beaches in France. This historic site was originally the medieval castle of the monks of Lérins.

La Malmaison Contemporary Art Museum

Address: 47 Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France Hours: 10AM–7PM

The La Malmaison Museum housed in the Grand Hôtel’s games and tea rooms, built in 1863. These rooms were used for art exhibitions organized by Aimé Maeght in 1945 and converted into a museum by the city of Cannes in 1983. This small museum displays contemporary art. The museum hosts two major exhibitions annually dedicated to famous artists who found inspiration in the Côte d’Azur, including Picasso, Matisse and Ozenfant. Other internationally renowned artists featured in the museum’s collections are Paul Cézanne, Miró and Masson.

Referring to Cannes is indispensable for fine sand beaches, warm Mediterranean sunshine. Of which, visitors can go to Lérin and Estérel beaches, stretching about 7 km in Cannes. Note, some beaches are privately owned, the rest visitors are free to experience.

Macé or Zamenhof, located near Boulevard de la Croisette, will charge a fee for loungers and parasols. The attraction of Cannes is also lies in quiet beaches such as La Bocca, Mouré Rouge beach… Or Les Rochers is an ideal place for diving and many other attractive sea sports.

Rue d’Antibes

Parallel to La Croisette Avenue, inland is Antibes Avenue. This is the commercial center of Cannes with many high-end restaurants and shops. There are many Chinese restaurants here, after walking around the streets, we just pulled here without fear of being burned out our wallets because the price is cheaper than eating at Western restaurants.

Antibes Street is a shopping paradise where you can find relatively affordable brands or famous cosmetic brands in France. Today, all major international brands names are found in Rue d’Antibes. You can also admire its architectural, with buildings from the 19th century.

Vieux Port de Cannes

Address: Jetée Albert Edouard, 06400 Cannes, France Hours: 8AM–6PM

Vieux Harbor is symbolic of Cannes’ Mediterranean landscape. This attraction is located in the famous old town Le Suquet. This place is also known as Port Cannes I, not far from the Marine railway station built in 1957.

The old port opens under Suquet. There are several luxury yachts here. In the morning, the colorful Marché aux Fleurs (Flower Market) is held here. Vieux is the peaceful anchorage of many luxury yachts in Cannes. This is the starting point of the Royal Regatta cruise. The northern view of Vieux is as perfect as the Allées de la Liberté.

Island tours

Going to Cannes, you can also leisurely take a cruise to see the sea as well as the whole city from afar, or board a boat to explore the offshore islands. Cannes is fame for its many beautiful and historic islands. The very well-known one is the Lérins Islands, consisting of two separate islands, in the center of which is a narrow strait. On the island, there are many mysterious ancient churches and monasteries.

Plage Le Goeland

As a unique seaside resort town, Cannes also has high-end private beaches that require an entrance fee of €12 to €18. There are a few cafes and restaurants on the private beach, where you can lying on sun loungers under parasols and sipping drinks and eating cool ice-cream.

Cannes travel blog: What to eat?

Cannes cuisine is not as subtle and sophisticated as Paris cuisine, but brings many distinctive features of the Mediterranean region. This place is famous for dishes such as ratatouille, pissaladière, herbs, olive oil, and special spices.

Some famous restaurants in Cannes are: La Palme d’Or, Paloma, Villa Archangel, Le Park 45.

Below are some special dishes you should try when coming to Cannes.

Socca, a type of pancake that originated in Nice and the Italian coast. This type of cake cooks very quickly, its price is cheap.

Bouillabaisse

This is a classic French fish soup from the Provençe region on the Mediterranean coast. Traditional bouillabaisse is made with a variety of fish and seafood, such as rascasse, red mullet, spiny lobster and crab.

Pan Bagnat is a sandwich. It is a specialty of this city. The sandwich consists of raw vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, anchovies or tuna, and olive oil, salt and pepper.

This is a popular and well-known delicacy in French cuisine. Foie gras is sold in a whole, or made into mousse, parfait or pâté. It is also seen as an accompaniment to other dishes, such as steak. Foie gras belongs to the cultural and culinary heritage of the French people.

Cannes travel guide: Where to stay?

La Californie ( Agoda , Booking ): This beautiful space of Cannes is the epitome of French Riviera charm. Wonderful resort villas surrounded by the cool air of palm trees. An afternoon walk with your loved one under the romantic sunset of Cannes. Maybe visitors are even more surprised when Picasso, the famous Spanish painter and sculptor once live here. It is also understandable that the poetic space of La Californie has inspired great art to so many great artists.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Hotel de Provence ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hotel Barriere Le Majestic Cannes ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hotel Martinez ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hotel Le Cavendish ( Agoda , Booking )
• La Bastide De L’Oliveraie ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hotel Splendid Cannes ( Agoda , Booking )
• Radisson Blu 1835 Hotel Cannes ( Agoda , Booking )
• Okko Hotel Cannes Centre ( Agoda , Booking )

Check out more top and best hotels in Cannes on Agoda.com or Booking.com

Cannes city guide: Some notes before you go

• Cannes uses the Euro. You should bring cash, including small coins to easily buy bus tickets and pay for food and drinks. You should limit the use of credit cards because the fees are very high.
• You should be wary of pickpockets or snatching while sightseeing. When going out, do not bring too much cash or valuables.
• Cannes city is quite small, visitors can completely walk to enjoy the beautiful scenery here.
• It is not recommended to rent a self-drive car in Cannes because the parking area and parking fees in this city are very high. If you come to Cannes in winter, you need to prepare warm clothes because the winter here is very cold.
• The cost to attend the Cannes Film Festival is very expensive, so you can choose to participate in free festivals but with Cannes style and colors to have interesting experiences.

Traveling to Cannes has never been so easy. If you want to have a vacation in Europe, this will be the great city for tourists. The picturesque natural scenery, breathtaking coastline and small streets nestled around the hillsides are sure to offer an unforgettable experience.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Cannes you can refer to

• Cannes Walking Tour
• Private Walking Tour in Cannes
• Cannes, Antibes and Saint Paul de Vence Village Half Day Tour from Nice
• Monte Carlo By Night: A Romantic Evening Tour from Nice, Cannes, or Monaco
• The Historical Nice City Half Day Tour from Nice, Cannes, or Monaco
• Cannes, Antibes & St-Paul de Vence Half Day Tour from Nice
• The Best of the French Riviera Day Tour From Nice or Cannes
• French Riviera Bays and Billionaire’s Splendors 4-Hour Tour from Nice
• French Riviera Full Day Tour from Nice
• From Cannes: Round-Trip Ferry to Ste. Marguerite Island
• From Nice: French Riviera in One Day
• Cannes: Round-Trip Boat Transfer to Saint Tropez
• From Nice or Cannes: Monaco, Monte Carlo & Eze Half-Day Trip
• From Cannes: Discover the Calanques of the Esterel
• Cannes: Half-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch
• Cannes: 4-Hour Boat and Snorkeling Tour
• Cannes: 1 or 2-Hour Segway Tour

Read more France guide here .

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Home » Travel Guides » France » 15 Best Things to Do in Cannes (France)

15 Best Things to Do in Cannes (France)

Life in Cannes is turned on its head during those two weeks in May, when scores of paparazzi, industry bigwigs and the world’s biggest stars are in town for the famous film festival. The remainder of the year it’s a sleek pleasure garden for the world’s wealthiest people, and a honeypot for people seduced by the glamour.

Check the prices on Boulevard de la Croisette, sashay up the red carpet at the Palais des Festivales and see if you can get in touch with the real Cannes, at the Marché Forville and the old quarter around Le Suquet.

Lets explore the best things to do in Cannes :

1. Le Suquet

West of the harbour is Cannes’ original hillside settlement, where the pattern of the scurrying little streets hasn’t changed in hundreds of years.

If you’re out to dinner in the evening chances are you’ll spend at least some time on Rue Sainte-Antoine, which twists its way up the hill between old fisherman’s houses.

You can let your curiosity take over and climb the stairways, slowly making your way up past ochre-painted walls and bougainvillea blossoms, until you get to Place de la Castre.

There you can stand at the terraced garden next to Notre-Dame d’Espérance and see the harbour, the Palais des Festivals and the arc of La Croisette all below.

2. La Croisette

Call it a cliché but this beach and promenade is the place to see and be seen.

It’s about as posh as it gets; across the Boulevard de la Croisette the luxury fashion houses line up to be counted, and on the shore is a chain of private beaches with fine golden sands.

The public beach is furthest to the west, near the Palais des Festivals, and like all of the shore can be heaving with people in mid-summer.

But it’s a small price to pay (or a big one, if you’re on a private beach!) for an unadulterated dose or Riviera glamour.

3. Palais des Festivales

The venue of the Cannes Film Festival has been photographed so many times that it’s taken on a kind of universal recognition.

You can go on a tour around the Grand Auditorium, following in the footsteps of the world’s most famous personalities and where some landmarks in recent movie history have taken place.

Naturally you’ll have the chance to walk the red carpet on the stairs that lead up to the Gran Auditorium by the Promenande de la Croisette.

There won’t be any paparazzi around but maybe you can ask a loved one, or even a passer-by to take your photo on these famous steps.

4. Film Festival

In mid-May the world’s most famous film festival transforms Cannes and brings the great and the good to the city, as upcoming releases are judged and the famous Palme d’Or awarded to the best.

It runs at the same time as the Marché du Film, described as the world’s largest film market, where thousands of filmmakers, distributors and other industry professionals rub shoulders and make contacts.

What does it mean for us mere mortals if we don’t have accreditation? Well, for two weeks there’s a special buzz around the place, and you’ve got a great chance of spotting celebrities.

If you’re all about the movies then there are also fee screenings of former Palme d’Or Winners on La Croisette in the evenings.

5. Marché Forville

Every morning you can go on a journey through Provence without ever leaving Cannes.

All you have to do is visit this covered market, where seasonal produce and regional flavours are sourced from around the south of France.

It’s also favoured by locals, which is grand because glimpses of real everyday life can be rare in this ritzy city.

What’s on offer can range from fruit, veg, flowers and fragrant herbs right up to exquisite hand-crafted confectionery, truffles and gourmet olive oils.

And you can round it off with a glass of wine from one of the bars just outside, while there’s also live music on Saturdays and Sundays.

The food market sets up daily, except on Mondays when there’s a flea market instead.

6. Île Sainte-Marguerite

Just 15 minutes by ferry from Cannes’ old port, Île Sainte-Marguerite is the closest of the two Lérins Islands to the mainland.

It’s the perfect option if the beaches and streets of Cannes get a bit much: The island has deep, aromatic forest with stone pines and eucalyptus trees, and even on busy days you can get a little solitude.

There’s historical interest here too: On the north coast is the star-shaped 17th-century Fort Royal, which kept prisoners like the mystery Man in the Iron Mask.

These days it’s a diverting maritime museum with items retrieved from local Roman and Moorish shipwrecks.

7. Île Saint-Honorat

Île Sainte-Marguerite’s neighbour has a different flavour, and has been a pilgrimage site for 1,600 years.

A monastery was founded on the island in 410 by St.

Honoratus, and a monastic community soon formed around him.

There have been deadly raids and expulsions since then, but today there’s still a significant Cistercian community, making a living selling homemade honey and wine.

On a walking tour you can see the picturesque ruins of various abandoned chapels, as well as the ruins of a cannonball oven from the Napoleonic period.

If you have time, nip inside Lérins Abbey and the dramatic 15th-century fortified monastery on the south coast.

8. Musée de la Castre

After struggling up the hill in Le Suquet you can step inside this museum, which is in one of Cannes’ few medieval buildings, a fort built in the 11th century to defend the bay.

On display are the city’s public collections, and they’re as diverse as you can imagine, with primitive art from pre-Colombian America, Oceania the Himalayas and the Arctic; ancient artefacts from the Mediterranean, musical instruments from around the world and three rooms dealing with 19th-century French landscape paintings around Cannes and the Riviera.

At the end of the tour you can climb 109 steps the to the top of the square tower to improve on that view of the bay from the terrace.

9. Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Espérance

Next to the old fortress you can also beat the heat for a few minutes in this solemn gothic and renaissance church, constructed in the 1500s.

It’s an austere-looking building from the outside, but there are some things to pique your interest inside.

In the Chapelle des Baptêmes there’s a 16th-century sculpture from Burgundy depicting St.

Anne, the Virgin and child.

And above the entrance is a cute Pavia organ added in the 19th century.

Time your visit for Christmas and you can bring the little guys to see the musical nativity scene, which was crafted in the 1920s and has some 200 figures, some of which are mechanical.

10. Villa Domergue

In the quiet hills behind Cannes is an art deco mansion that does the neat trick of looking modern and ancient all at once.

That’s because it was inspired by Venetian palaces, but was built by the painter Jean-Gabriel Domergue in 1934. His sculptor wife, Odette Maugendre designed the beautiful Mediterranean-style terraced gardens, and the whole property was the venue for some legendary Riviera parties.

It was bequeathed to the city in the 70s and is now a sophisticated location for music events like Jazz à Domergue, and where the Cannes Festival jury retires for its deliberations.

Take a tour of the villa and see the Bay of Cannes from the exquisite balustrades on the terraces.

11. Luxury Shopping

Beginning at La Croisette is a shopping area that has pretty much every high-end brand you can name.

It’s impossible not to feel a little underdressed as you shuffle by branches of Dior, Chanel, Gucci , Miu Miu, Bulgari and Prada.

In fact you could walk for an hour or so and pass nothing but luxury boutiques.

Unless you have expensive habits or happen to be extremely wealthy you’ll mostly be doing window shopping in this part of Cannes, but it’s an education to see how the other half lives.

This is especially true of the Carré d’Or, between La Croisette and Rue d’Antibes, where glitzy jewellery shops rub shoulders with the most select bars in the city.

12. Rue d’Antibes

A few streets in from the La Croisette and parallel to the bay, Rue d’Antibes is a lengthy shopping artery with international high-street brands like Desigual , Lacoste, Mango and Sephora, alongside all the French favourites such as Fnac and Devernois.

So you can go on that Cannes shopping trip without breaking the bank or being turned away before you can even step inside the shop! The incomparably chic location will make your outing feel that little more special too.

And interspersing the stores are luxury bakers and chocolatiers, for a bit of extra indulgence.

13. Painted Walls

Since 2002 the city has started embracing its position in world cinema by putting up large murals showing iconic actors, characters and scenes from cherished movies.

So on Boulevard Vallombrossa there’s a painting of Charlie Chaplin and “The Kid” on a strip of celluloid.

There’s a touch of trompe-l’oeil to many of these, like the painting of Harold Lloyd on Louis Braille, which shows the silent star hanging from the clock hands, as in Safety Last from 1923. If you know your movie cars, you’ll appreciate the fresco at the Berthelot-ex Diabolika car park where there’s the Batmobile, Travis Bickle’s Taxi and Starsky and Hutch’s Gran Torino.

14. Cap d’Antibes Sentier du Littoral

Here’s another way to retreat from the commotion of Cannes for blissful privacy, in a wonderful natural setting.

The coastal walk on the lower reaches of Cap d’Antibes hugs the steep and rocky shoreline.

In places the walk is so open to the elements that the path is occasionally closed off when the winds are up, but towards the east side of the cape things are calmer, and you’ll find spots where you can sunbathe on the rocks and take a dip in gleaming waters.

So in the summer two things are essential: Good walking shoes, and swimwear, because the sea will be very enticing on a hot day.

15. Le Nomade and Port Vauban

The wealth on show at the port in Antibes will take your breath away.

This is one of the most expensive places in the world to moor your boat, with rates exceeding a million Euros.

And some of the vessels will have you rubbing your eyes; they look more like ocean liners than private yachts and are owned by the very richest people in the world.

The best view is from the aptly-named Quai des Milliardaires, but there’s also an enthralling piece of public art to investigate.

Le Nomade is the giant figure of a person looking out at the Mediterranean, and consisting of hundreds of white letters.

It ‘s the work of the Catalan artist Jaume Plensa, and is magical at night when lit up from within.

15 Best Things to Do in Cannes (France):

• La Croisette
• Palais des Festivales
• Film Festival
• Marché Forville
• Île Sainte-Marguerite
• Île Saint-Honorat
• Musée de la Castre
• Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Espérance
• Villa Domergue
• Luxury Shopping
• Rue d'Antibes
• Painted Walls
• Cap d'Antibes Sentier du Littoral
• Le Nomade and Port Vauban

Cannes   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Henryk Sadura | Getty Images

10 Best Things To Do in Cannes

Updated February 12, 2021

Though it's known internationally for its film festival, there's much more to do in Cannes than gaze at the silver screen. Indulge in the glamour of Cannes by window-shopping along Rue d'Antibes or testing Lady Luck at Casino Barrière Les Princes .

• All Things To Do

La Croisette La Croisette free

You won't want to miss La Croisette on a visit to Cannes. This famous promenade bursts with upscale shops and hotels like the InterContinental Carlton Cannes and the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic , as well as beaches from end to end. Once a dirt road surrounded by sand dunes, La Croisette was transformed into a promenade at the end of the 19th century, slowly turning into the elegant destination that it is today.

Recent visitors say it's a great place to take a walk thanks to the fantastic views, high-end shopping and great people-watching. However, others warned that the beach can get quite crowded.

Marché Forville Marché Forville free

Forville Market, located near Rue Meynadier, is the oldest market in Cannes. You can purchase everything from fresh vegetables and flowers to Mediterranean fish, and you just may stumble upon one of the area's top chefs also doing his or her weekly shopping.

Past visitors said the food is top quality and that there are a variety of options to suit any taste. Others recommended stopping by if you're on the hunt for a unique souvenir, such as jarred sauces. Reviewers also noted that the market is a great place to find provisions for a picnic.

Casino Barrière Les Princes Casino Barrière Les Princes free

Along with its annual film festival, Cannes is also famous for its casinos. What's more, it's the only place in France with three casinos. If you're in the mood to test Lady Luck during your trip, consider paying a visit to Casino Barrière Les Princes. In addition to its 21 tables games, the Casino Barrière Les Princes is a one-stop shop with a restaurant and two bars, but remember to dress the part; no shorts, tank tops or swimsuits are allowed.

Recent visitors said the casino is small but has a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff.

Popular Tours

Private Customized French Riviera Tour from Port of Cannes 8H

(33 reviews)

from $ 542.97

Discover the Lérins Islands and the Bay of Cannes by Private Boat

(48 reviews)

from $ 423.51

Cannes Shore Excursion: Private Tour of the French Riviera

(41 reviews)

from $ 760.15

Les Murs Peints (Painted Walls) Les Murs Peints (Painted Walls) free

If you're a fan of film, take some time to admire the Painted Walls of Cannes. Found throughout the city, these walls pay a tribute to cinema with depictions of famous actors, actresses and movie scenes. Among the walls, you'll find paintings of Marilyn Monroe, Buster Keaton, James Dean and many others. For help locating the various murals, download this brochure from the Cannes Tourist Office for a full list with addresses.

According to recent visitors, the murals are a fun and interesting addition to the city (they've been around since 2004).

Fort Royal Fort Royal

Cruise over to Fort Royal on Île Sainte-Marguerite (part of the Lérins Islands) to see this historic structure. Built in the early 17th century to defend the entrance to Cannes, the fort later became a state prison in 1685 and housed the mysterious "man in the iron mask" – a famous prisoner whose face was always hidden and whose true identity is still debated among historians to this day. But before the island sheltered the fort, it was occupied by the Romans.

Reviewers said the fort has an interesting history and offers great views of Cannes. Others recommended perusing the Museum of the Sea, which displays a variety of exhibits detailing ship wrecks that were discovered off the shores of the Islands of Lérins, as well as a model of the ancient Roman water reservoir system.

Musée de la Castre Musée de la Castre

Set inside a medieval chateau – once the home of Lérins monks – the museum features artifacts hailing from five continents. Among the items on display are musical instruments, artwork, masks and antiques. Aside from the artifacts, perhaps the museum's biggest draw is its location in a medieval tower that offers spectacular views overlooking the Bay of Cannes.

Visitors say views from the museum are spectacular and that the collections are interesting. Though you'll have to climb more than 100 steps to reach the panoramic views, you'll be happy to hear reviewers say it doesn't require much effort.

Rue d'Antibes Rue d'Antibes free

For retail therapy, you'll want to head to Rue d'Antibes, a road that runs parallel to La Croisette but lies a few blocks inland. Once a road that linked Toulon to Antibes, the Rue d'Antibes is a close competitor to La Croisette. Today, it's home to stores for moderately priced brands, such as Zara and Mango, as well as the former Cannes theater. Even if you're not interested in shopping, reviewers say Rue d'Antibes is worth a stroll to admire the architecture – many of the buildings date to the 19th century with ironwork and sculptures by Pellegrini.

According to recent visitors, the Rue d'Antibes offers great shopping and even better people-watching. Visit this shopping district anytime the mood strikes; stores operate their own hours.

Palais des Festivals et des Congrès Palais des Festivals et des Congrès free

Read More »

Monaco, Monte Carlo and Èze Private Tour from Cannes

(14 reviews)

from $ 412.65

Ferry from Cannes to St Tropez

(153 reviews)

from $ 83.99

Provence Wine Tour - Small Group Tour from Cannes

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from $ 184.61

La Croix des Gardes La Croix des Gardes free

Abbaye De Lérins Abbaye De Lérins

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Plan Your Trip to Cannes: Best of Cannes Tourism

Essential Cannes

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Cannes Is Great For

Cultural tours.

Historical Tours

Ports of Call Tours

• Hotel Martinez Cannes
• Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
• Hotel Barriere Le Majestic Cannes
• JW Marriott Cannes
• Hotel de Provence
• Mademoiselle Gray Plage Barriere
• Gusti Italiani
• Le Bouche à Oreille ( BÀO )
• Bâoli Cannes
• La Croisette
• Île Sainte-Marguerite
• Iles de Lerins
• Marche Forville
• Catamaran from Cannes
• Ferry from Cannes to the island Ste Marguerite
• Discover the Lérins Islands and the Bay of Cannes by Private Boat
• Excursion nautique - Estérel 2H30
• Cannes Luxury Catamaran Half or Day Cruise with lunch option

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Travel Guide To Cannes

Cannes has long been associated with the glamour and pizzazz of its annual film festival, when hordes of star-spotters, starlets such as Sharon Stone and Cameron Diaz and paparazzi descend on this small seaside town. Year-round, Cannes is an exuberant and lively seaside destination, with a good choice of luxury hotels, gourmet dining and pretty, if busy, beaches.

Where to stay in Cannes

5 rue Francois Einesy, 06400 Cannes (00 33 4 92 99 72 00; fax: 00 33 4 92 99 72 12; www.slh.com/314hotel). Located just off La Croisette, the hotel was known as Hôtel Savoy until 2004. It has 96 rooms, 15 suites, three restaurants and a bar located on the roof terrace. £

16 rue Victor Cousin, 06400 Cannes (00 33 4 93 39 21 44; fax: 00 33 4 92 98 80 33; www.hotelannalivia.com ; email: [email protected] . This good, small, Irish-owned hotel has recently been refurbished. The problem with hotels like this one is that they tend to be booked well in advanced, and you need a personal introduction to get on the waiting list. £

HOTEL DE MOUGINS

205 Avenue du Golf, 06250 Mougins (00 33 4 92 92 17 07; fax: 00 33 4 92 92 17 08; www.hotel-de-mougins.fr ; email: [email protected] ). Only a 10-minute drive from Cannes' city centre, Hôtel de Mougins staff-to-guest ratio of 2:1 ensures immaculate service. The style is upmarket Provençal farmhouse with floral fabrics, white-painted furniture and stone floors. The 51 rooms are set in a landscaped garden. £

HOTEL DU CAP EDEN ROC

Boulevard Kennedy 29, 06601 Cannes (00 33 4 93 61 39 01; fax: 00 33 4 93 67 13 83; www.edenroc-hotel.fr ). Set in 25 acres of gardens and dating from 1870, this chic hotel could be mistaken for a private château. It has a wonderful position on the tip of the Cap d'Antibes peninsula between Cannes and Nice. Ask for a room with a sea view over the Mediterranean and the îsles de Lérins. Closed from mid-October to April. £££

HOTEL LA VILLA TOSCA

11 rue Hoche, 06400 Cannes (00 33 4 93 38 34 40; fax: 00 33 4 93 38 73 34; www.villa-tosca.com ; email: [email protected] ). The hotel, formerly known as Touring, has recently been renovated. Situated on a calm pedestrian street, it has 22 rooms, some with sunny balconies. £

HOTEL MARTINEZ

73 La Croisette, 06406 Cannes (00 33 4 92 98 73 00; fax: 00 33 4 93 39 67 82; www.hotel-martinez.com; email: [email protected] . An immaculately restored Art Deco hotel from 1929. For a hotel with 404 rooms, the Martinez feels remarkably intimate and has faultless service. It has a lovely, two Michelin-starred restaurant, La Palme d'Or, and a luxurious new Givenchy spa opened in 2003, incorporating eight treatment rooms and a sauna. £

HOTEL THOMAS

19/27 route de Valbonne, 06100 Le Cannet (00 33 4 93 69 80 70; www.hotelthomas.fr ; email: [email protected] ). This is a very friendly hotel with an hourly shuttle into the film festival. The restaurant, Chez Alphonse, is situated on the top floor, with a terrace providing a good view over the bay of Cannes. The swimming pool also holds a nice view over the city. £

IMMOSOL VACANCES CANNES

20 rue Latour Maubourg, 06400 Cannes (00 33 4 93 94 50 00; www.immosol.fr ). If you rather have a bit more privacy than in a hotel, Immsol Vacances Cannes offers a wide range of flats and villas to stay in, from three nights to one month. ££

INTERCONTINENTAL CARLTON

58 La Croisette, 06414 Cannes (00 33 4 93 06 40 06; fax: 00 33 4 93 06 40 25; www.cannes.intercontinental.com ; email: [email protected] ). This vast, belle époque hotel has the perfect location in the centre of La Croisette - 800 metres from the Palais des Festivals and within walking distance of every deluxe boutique. The hotel has 338 rooms, including 36 suites, three restaurants and two bars, a lavish health club and a casino. To Catch a Thief , starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, is just one of the films featuring the hotel. ££

LA COLOMBE D'OR

Place Géneral de Gaulle, 06570 St-Paul-de-Vence, (00 33 4 93 32 80 02; fax: 00 33 4 93 32 77 78; www.la-colombe-dor.com ; email: [email protected] ). Many of the great names of 20th-century art, like Matisse, Braque and Léger, used to pay for their rooms in this great hotel with paintings that are still on display. The hotel is made up of 16 rooms and 10 apartments, and its restaurant is superb ( see Where to eat ). It is essential to book for dinner. ££

MAJESTIC BARRIERE

14 La Croisette, 06407 Cannes (00 33 4 92 98 77 00; fax: 00 33 4 93 38 97 90; www.lucienbarriere.com ; email: [email protected] ). An imposing seafront hotel, facing esplanade Georges Pompidou. The decor ranges from neo-Egyptian to Louis XIV. The Majestic has 305 rooms, the legendary Fouquet's Bar on its premises and an A-list clientele, including Sharon Stone, Kate Moss, Robert De Niro and Michael Jackson. £

Where to eat out in Cannes

BEACH RESTAURANT AT INTERCONTINENTAL CARLTON CANNES 58 La Croisette, 06414 Cannes (00 33 4 93 06 40 06). This restaurant at the InterContinental Carlton Cannes has lovely, and by Cannes standards, reasonably priced food. Open only during the beach season - from early April to mid-October. LA COLOMBE D'OR Place Géneral de Gaulle, 06570 St-Paul-de-Vence, (00 33 4 93 32 80 02; www.la-colombe-dor.com ). The restaurant at the Colombe d'Or Hotel has a very rustic Côte d'Azur feel to it. Matisse, Miró and Picasso were all regulars, and their paintings adorn the walls. LA MERE BESSON 13 rue des Frères-Pradignac, 06400 Cannes (00 33 4 93 39 59 24). Hidden away in a tiny street a mere 100 yards from La Croisette, this restaurant provides traditional Provencal cooking. Its daily specials range from beef stew to stuffed rabbit, and it serves the best piperade in the world. The restaurant is often quiet at lunch, but it gets crowded in the evenings so be sure to book a table. LA PALME D'OR AT HOTEL MARTINEZ 73 La Croisette, 06406 Cannes (00 33 4 92 98 74 14; www.hotel-martinez.com). This is a suitably expensive two Michelin-star restaurant, but the food is delicious. The Alsatian chef, Christian Willer and his colleague, Christian Sinicropi prepare dishes including salade de pigeonneau and a succulent agneau de Sisteron persillé . The food is served in a wonderful Art Deco dining room at Hôtel Martinez ( see Where to Stay ). LE MESCLUN 16 rue Saint Antoine, 06400 Cannes (00 33 4 93 99 45 19; www.lemesclun-restaurant.com ). Reasonable prices and consistently good food. LE PALAIS ORIENTAL 10 boulevard Jean-Hibert, 06400 Cannes (00 33 4 92 98 99 98). When you feel that you can't eat one more French meal without provoking what the locals call a crise de foie , seek out this Moroccan-style restaurant on the other side of the old port. It is great for couscous, tagines and belly-dancing. LOU SOULEOU 16 boulevard Jean-Hibert, 06400 Cannes (00 33 4 93 39 85 55). For affordable seafood, try the bouillabaisse and a good aioli.

The best nightlife in Cannes

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CNT Editors , CN Traveller

Olivia Morelli

CASINO CROISETTE Jetée Albert Edouard, 06400 Cannes (00 33 4 92 98 78 00). The Casino Croisette is the place to be if you want to try your luck next to some of the highest gamblers on the Riviera.

JIMMY'Z Palais des Congrès, 06400 Cannes (00 33 4 92 98 78 78). A glitzy club which calls itself the discotheque des stars . Open 11pm to dawn.

WHISKY A GOGO 115 Avenue Lérins, Cannes (00 33 4 93 61 26 40). Attracts a well-heeled crowd.

What to see in Cannes

CINEMA Take the opportunity to watch some French films in the town hosting one of the greatest film festivals in the world.

CINEFIL CINEMA ARCADES 3 77 rue Félix Faure, 06400 Cannes (00 33 8 92 68 00 39). For modern French films and the occasional Hollywood import.

CINEMA OLYMPIA 16 rue Pompe, 06400 Cannes (00 33 4 93 39 13 93). An opportunity to see Hollywood films in their versions françaises .

EXCURSIONS Cannes is a small town, but there is still plenty to see as it is caught between a rock and the sea.

ILES DE LERINS The lovely îles de Lérins offer the opportunity of a day-trip or two. The two wooded islets, St-Honorat and Ste-Marguerite, named after the two saints who founded religious houses on them, are just off the coast of Cannes and have been inhibited by monks for centuries. The monks cultivate part of the island and produce a delicious liqueur called Lérina. The Abbaye Notre Dame de Lérins on St-Honorat (00 33 92 99 54 00; www.abbayedelerins.com ) offer a hostel for visitors interested in participating in the abbey life for a few days. For others, Ste-Marguerite offers pretty beaches, particularly on the south end of Chemin de la Chasse. Boat trips out to the îles de Lérins depart from Gare Maritime (Allées de la Liberté) and Quai des îles approximately every hour, although much less frequently between October and June.

THE TOWN La Croisette, the long boulevard along the seafront, is the sight to see in Cannes. It has hotels and boutiques on one side and private beaches on the other. Also, make sure you don't miss Vieux Port with its fishing-boats and plush luxury craft on the other side of Palais des Festivals.

THE FILM FESTIVAL ( www.festival-cannes.fr ). The legendary film festival was established in 1939 to rival Mussolini's film festival in Venice. Associated with famous starlets such as Sophia Loren and Brigitte Bardot, the event has come to epitomise ritzy glamour. The big American studios have traditionally shunned the festival, but the importance of the international entertainment market has brought a growing stream over from Hollywood, as well as hundreds of holidaymakers with expectations of wild times and star-spotting. The film festival takes place in May every year, and is by invitation only.

Where to shop in Cannes

FASHION The great and good of Paris' fashion houses are all represented in chic boutiques around La Croisette and rue d'Antibes.

CELINE 24 La Croisette, Cannes (00 33 4 92 99 20 12; www.celine.com ).

CHANEL 5 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes (00 33 4 92 59 08 12; www.chanel.com ).

CHRISTIAN DIOR 38 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes (00 33 4 92 98 98 00; www.christiandior.fr ).

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER 17 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes (00 33 4 93 39 46 46; www.jeanpaul-gaultier.com ). The first exclusive Gaultier-shop outside Paris, with decor by Philippe Starck.

TRABAUD 48 rue d'Antibes, Cannes (00 33 4 92 98 30 92). Italian fashion labels like Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Costume National can all be found in this shop, located on rue d'Antibes, just behind La Croisette.

LALIQUE 87 rue d'Antibes, Cannes (00 33 4 93 38 66 88; www.lalique.fr ). Crystal in exclusive forms is readily available in this branch of the well-known French institution.

VOG 61 rue d'Antibes, Cannes (00 33 4 93 39 36 86). The place for upmarket interiors.

How to get to Cannes

AIRPORT The nearest airport is Aéroport Nice de Côte d'Azur in Nice ( www.nice.aeroport.fr ). There are frequent and efficient train services from the airport to Cannes. Operated by SNCF ( www.voyages-sncf.com ), the train calls into the station at rue Jean-Jaurès in Cannes.

AIRLINES FROM THE UK British Airways (0844 493 0787; www.ba.com ) BMI (0844 8484 888; www.flybmi.com ) Globespan (0844 856 2585; www.flyglobespan.com ) easyJet (0905 821 0905: www.easyjet.com )

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