Cannes Guide
Cannes might be synonymous with A-list glamour but scratch the surface and you’ll discover a city rich in culture as well as one of the loveliest marinas in France.
A true Riviera town, life in Cannes revolves around the harbour which still boasts fishing boats as well as the super-yachts of the super-rich.
Celebrity is the other fuel that fires Cannes, with big names descending each summer for the town’s iconic film festival. Many will sun themselves on one of its beautiful beaches or aboard the seemingly endless yachts. As a result, the night scene tends towards the glitzy, while the boutiques off the main marina are eye-wateringly expensive.
Nevertheless, step back from the seafront and into Le Suquet, the picturesque old town, and you’ll be rewarded with a completely different side to the city – as well as stunning views over the Côte d’Azur. Sprawling its way up a precipitous hill, those who make it to the top will find the remains of a fortified tower and the 12th-century Chapel of St Anne.
And Cannes has plenty to recommend it offshore too, not least the islands of Ile St Marguerite and Ile St Honorat. The former is most famous for being the spot where the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask was incarcerated and although his identity has never been revealed, his cell at the in the Fort of St Marguerite remains.
Neighbouring St Honorat has been home to monks since AD410 and the ruins of the 11th century monastery can still be seen. The current group of ecclesiasts divide their time between prayer and wine production.
Wine is also to be found in Vieux Port, which sits just beyond the Allées des Stars, a street decorated with handprints left in the pavement by visiting actors. Rather more enchanting is the old port itself, with its odd medley of luxury boats and tiny fishing vessels, rows of palm trees and fragrant flower market.
Yes, Cannes can be all champagne and super cars, but the best things in the city are free - sun, sea, sand and celebrity spotting all included.
[Credit:http://www.worldtravelguide.net/cannes]
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A true Riviera town, life in Cannes revolves around the harbour which still boasts fishing boats as well as the super-yachts of the super-rich.
Celebrity is the other fuel that fires Cannes, with big names descending each summer for the town’s iconic film festival. Many will sun themselves on one of its beautiful beaches or aboard the seemingly endless yachts. As a result, the night scene tends towards the glitzy, while the boutiques off the main marina are eye-wateringly expensive.
Nevertheless, step back from the seafront and into Le Suquet, the picturesque old town, and you’ll be rewarded with a completely different side to the city – as well as stunning views over the Côte d’Azur. Sprawling its way up a precipitous hill, those who make it to the top will find the remains of a fortified tower and the 12th-century Chapel of St Anne.
And Cannes has plenty to recommend it offshore too, not least the islands of Ile St Marguerite and Ile St Honorat. The former is most famous for being the spot where the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask was incarcerated and although his identity has never been revealed, his cell at the in the Fort of St Marguerite remains.
Neighbouring St Honorat has been home to monks since AD410 and the ruins of the 11th century monastery can still be seen. The current group of ecclesiasts divide their time between prayer and wine production.
Wine is also to be found in Vieux Port, which sits just beyond the Allées des Stars, a street decorated with handprints left in the pavement by visiting actors. Rather more enchanting is the old port itself, with its odd medley of luxury boats and tiny fishing vessels, rows of palm trees and fragrant flower market.
Yes, Cannes can be all champagne and super cars, but the best things in the city are free - sun, sea, sand and celebrity spotting all included.
[Credit:http://www.worldtravelguide.net/cannes]
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Things to see in Cannes
Tourist offices
Cannes Tourist Office1 boulevard de la Croisette, La Croisette, Cannes, France
Tel: +33 4 9299 8422.
Opening Hours: Daily 0900-1900 (Mar-Oct); daily 1000-1900 (Nov-Feb); daily 0900-2000 (Jul-Aug).
www.cannes-destination.fr
Passes: The Cannes Côte d’Azur Card offers discounts on activities and attractions throughout the Côte d’Azur region. Available for three or six days, it includes access to more than 150 attractions. More details are on the Cannes tourism website (www.cannes-destination.fr).
Ile Ste-Marguerite
It only takes a 15-minute boat ride from Cannes to get here, but it took the Man in the Iron Mask 11 years to leave this tiny, forested island. His cell can be visited in the Fort of Ste-Marguerite, now renamed the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea).
Opening Times: The first boat to Ile Ste-Marguerite departs Cannes at 0730. The last boat off the island leaves at 1900. The museum is open Tue-Sun 1030-1315 and 1415-1645 (Oct-Mar); Tue-Sun 1030-1315 and 1415-1745 (Apr-May); daily 1000-1745 (Jun-Sep).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Ile Ste-Marguerite, Cannes, France
Telephone: +33 4 9338 5525 (museum).
La Croisette
Known locally as La Croisette, this glitzy promenade gently curves along the Cannes coastline for around 2km (1.2 miles). To one side, luxury hotels, art deco villas and high-end boutiques show off the greatest beauty humans can muster, while Mother Nature trumps their efforts on the other with golden sands and the sparkling Bay of Cannes.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes, 06414, France
Ile St-Honorat
Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants of peaceful St-Honorat Island. The Abbaye de Lérins is open to the public, as are the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the sea's edge. The monks divide their time between prayer and making wines, honey, lavender oil and Lérina, a herbal liqueur.
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 0740-1700, Sun 0800-1700 (Oct-Apr); Mon-Sat 0740-1800, Sun 0800-1800 (May-Sep) (first boat from Cannes and last boat back).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Ile St-Honorat, Cannes, France
Telephone: +33 4 9298 7138.
Website: www.abbayedelerins.com
Le Suquet
Cannes’ old quarter is a charming warren of cobbled streets and sharp stairways that wend their way up to the Church of Our Lady of Hope, a gothic-styled church completed in 1627. The views from here are among the best in the city. Hobble back down the Rue St Antoine cobblestones to lunch in one of its many restaurants.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Rue St Antoine, Le Suquet, Cannes, France
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Cannes Tourist Office1 boulevard de la Croisette, La Croisette, Cannes, France
Tel: +33 4 9299 8422.
Opening Hours: Daily 0900-1900 (Mar-Oct); daily 1000-1900 (Nov-Feb); daily 0900-2000 (Jul-Aug).
www.cannes-destination.fr
Passes: The Cannes Côte d’Azur Card offers discounts on activities and attractions throughout the Côte d’Azur region. Available for three or six days, it includes access to more than 150 attractions. More details are on the Cannes tourism website (www.cannes-destination.fr).
Ile Ste-Marguerite
It only takes a 15-minute boat ride from Cannes to get here, but it took the Man in the Iron Mask 11 years to leave this tiny, forested island. His cell can be visited in the Fort of Ste-Marguerite, now renamed the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea).
Opening Times: The first boat to Ile Ste-Marguerite departs Cannes at 0730. The last boat off the island leaves at 1900. The museum is open Tue-Sun 1030-1315 and 1415-1645 (Oct-Mar); Tue-Sun 1030-1315 and 1415-1745 (Apr-May); daily 1000-1745 (Jun-Sep).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Ile Ste-Marguerite, Cannes, France
Telephone: +33 4 9338 5525 (museum).
La Croisette
Known locally as La Croisette, this glitzy promenade gently curves along the Cannes coastline for around 2km (1.2 miles). To one side, luxury hotels, art deco villas and high-end boutiques show off the greatest beauty humans can muster, while Mother Nature trumps their efforts on the other with golden sands and the sparkling Bay of Cannes.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes, 06414, France
Ile St-Honorat
Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants of peaceful St-Honorat Island. The Abbaye de Lérins is open to the public, as are the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the sea's edge. The monks divide their time between prayer and making wines, honey, lavender oil and Lérina, a herbal liqueur.
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 0740-1700, Sun 0800-1700 (Oct-Apr); Mon-Sat 0740-1800, Sun 0800-1800 (May-Sep) (first boat from Cannes and last boat back).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Ile St-Honorat, Cannes, France
Telephone: +33 4 9298 7138.
Website: www.abbayedelerins.com
Le Suquet
Cannes’ old quarter is a charming warren of cobbled streets and sharp stairways that wend their way up to the Church of Our Lady of Hope, a gothic-styled church completed in 1627. The views from here are among the best in the city. Hobble back down the Rue St Antoine cobblestones to lunch in one of its many restaurants.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Rue St Antoine, Le Suquet, Cannes, France
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Murs Peints de Cannes (The Painted Walls of Cannes)
Since 2002, artists have been commissioned to paint vast, film-related murals on the sides of buildings. Around 20 are scattered across the city and the tourist office has a map detailing their locations. Arguably the best is that of the silent film star, Harold Lloyd, hanging from a clock at 9 rue Louis Braille.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Cannes, France
Musée de la Castre
The museum at the top of Le Suquet is housed in the 12th-century chapel of Ste-Anne and a former chateau that belonged to the monks of the Lérins Isles. Inside is a fascinating collection of 19th-century paintings of Cannes, plus 200 musical instruments and antiquities. Guided tours in English are available on request.
Opening Times: Tue-Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1700 (Oct-Mar); Tue-Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1800 (Apr-Jun and Sep; Wed until 2130 in Sep); daily 1000-1900 (Jul-Aug).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Le Suquet, Cannes, France
Telephone: +33 4 9338 5526.
Palais des Festivals et des Congrès
There are only two ways to see inside this concrete blotch on the Cannes landscape: by becoming a film star or through a guided tour with the tourist office. This is where the Cannes Film Festival is held each year, so make like the good and the great of the silver screen by climbing its iconic 22 steps for a photo. Then it’s inside for red carpets and cinematic history.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes, 06400, France
Telephone: +33 4 9299 8400.
Website: en.palaisdesfestivals.com
Atlante the Mermaid
Standing on a rock at the entrance of Port Canto, the bronze statue of Atlante the Mermaid is either guarding the marina or luring in sailors like a siren. With a starfish in her hair, the life-size figurine by French sculptor Amaryllis was erected in 2000 and is said to be considering the losses of the 20th century.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Port Canto, Cannes, France
Telephone: +33 4 9218 8484 (Port Canto).
Since 2002, artists have been commissioned to paint vast, film-related murals on the sides of buildings. Around 20 are scattered across the city and the tourist office has a map detailing their locations. Arguably the best is that of the silent film star, Harold Lloyd, hanging from a clock at 9 rue Louis Braille.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Cannes, France
Musée de la Castre
The museum at the top of Le Suquet is housed in the 12th-century chapel of Ste-Anne and a former chateau that belonged to the monks of the Lérins Isles. Inside is a fascinating collection of 19th-century paintings of Cannes, plus 200 musical instruments and antiquities. Guided tours in English are available on request.
Opening Times: Tue-Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1700 (Oct-Mar); Tue-Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1800 (Apr-Jun and Sep; Wed until 2130 in Sep); daily 1000-1900 (Jul-Aug).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Le Suquet, Cannes, France
Telephone: +33 4 9338 5526.
Palais des Festivals et des Congrès
There are only two ways to see inside this concrete blotch on the Cannes landscape: by becoming a film star or through a guided tour with the tourist office. This is where the Cannes Film Festival is held each year, so make like the good and the great of the silver screen by climbing its iconic 22 steps for a photo. Then it’s inside for red carpets and cinematic history.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes, 06400, France
Telephone: +33 4 9299 8400.
Website: en.palaisdesfestivals.com
Atlante the Mermaid
Standing on a rock at the entrance of Port Canto, the bronze statue of Atlante the Mermaid is either guarding the marina or luring in sailors like a siren. With a starfish in her hair, the life-size figurine by French sculptor Amaryllis was erected in 2000 and is said to be considering the losses of the 20th century.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Port Canto, Cannes, France
Telephone: +33 4 9218 8484 (Port Canto).
Le Vieux Port
Get ready to go into full gawp mode under the sunshine of the Old Port. This is where the super famous moor their super yachts, but there is plenty of space for other bobbing beauties as well. Snooping and selfies are welcome, although you can’t board any of the boats unless invited.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Promenade de la Pantiero, Cannes, 06400, France
Telephone: +33 4 9339 6177.
The Villas of Cannes
19th-century Cannes can still be seen in its grand villas, such as Villa Domergue. Also known as the Quartier des Anglais, this is the oldest residential area in Cannes and perfect for a stroll. Although many villas are not open to the public, Villa Domergue may be visited by appointment.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Cannes, France
PRICES | AVAILABILITY | BOOK NOW
[Credit:http://www.worldtravelguide.net/cannes/things-to-see]
Get ready to go into full gawp mode under the sunshine of the Old Port. This is where the super famous moor their super yachts, but there is plenty of space for other bobbing beauties as well. Snooping and selfies are welcome, although you can’t board any of the boats unless invited.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Promenade de la Pantiero, Cannes, 06400, France
Telephone: +33 4 9339 6177.
The Villas of Cannes
19th-century Cannes can still be seen in its grand villas, such as Villa Domergue. Also known as the Quartier des Anglais, this is the oldest residential area in Cannes and perfect for a stroll. Although many villas are not open to the public, Villa Domergue may be visited by appointment.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Cannes, France
PRICES | AVAILABILITY | BOOK NOW
[Credit:http://www.worldtravelguide.net/cannes/things-to-see]