Basking in the solar of the French Riviera, Cannes sparkles with glamour and exclusivity. This legendary seaside hotel has all the glitz and attraction of the Côte d’Azur: non-public beaches, marinas stuffed with luxurious yachts, fashionable boulevards, stylish Belle Epoque hotels, and stylish restaurants.
In an enthralling placing on Golfe de la Napoule bay, Cannes is blessed with a balmy Mediterranean climate. The climate is slight year-round and best for sunbathing through the seaside from May via October. Leafy palm timber grace the streets of Cannes, and subtropical plants flourish in the course of the city, giving traffic the influence of being in paradise.
The prestigious Film Festival of Cannes has been an essential tournament on account that it started in 1946. Drawing well-known film stars from round the world, this annual red-carpet gala has earned an worldwide popularity for merchandising the artwork of filmmaking.
For greater thoughts on matters to do and locations to go to in this glamorous inn city on the Côte d’Azur, examine our listing of the pinnacle sights in Cannes.
- Stroll alongside La Croisette
La Croisette
La Croisette
One of the most elegant streets on the French Riviera, this palm-lined boulevard is the core of traveler undertaking in Cannes. The Boulevard de la Croisette is lined with opulent villas, upscale boutiques and lavish Belle Epoque hotels, such as the legendary InterContinental Carlton Cannes, a masterpiece of Art Nouveau structure designed via Charles Dalmas.
The boulevard extends from the Palais des Festivals to the stunning La Roseraie (rose garden) at the Square du eight Mai 1945. Along this two-kilometer stretch, the beachfront promenade is a outstanding location for strolling, people-watching, and admiring the spectacular sea views. One component to maintain in mind: Most of the seashores alongside this stretch are private.
Beyond La Roseraie park is the idyllic Port Pierre Canto, with its rows of luxurious yachts docked at the harbor. Also inside on foot distance is any other harbor, the Port de la Pointe Croisette, the departure factor for regattas geared up by means of the Yacht Club of Cannes.
Another spot for water sports activities fanatics and sunbathers is the close by Port Palm Beach. This quiet public seaside on the western aspect of Pointe Croisette has a snack bar and restroom facilities.
- Wander via Le Suquet (Old Town)
Le Suquet (Old Town)
Le Suquet (Old Town)
Perched on the slopes of Mont Chevalier above the bay, the Le Suquet district represents the unique fishing village. In a picturesque hillside setting, this vicinity gives splendid views as properly as Old World charm. This traffic-free, pedestrian-only quarter facets slender ancient staircases, best courtyards, and fascinating ancient remnants, such as the city’s historical walls.
At the coronary heart of Le Suquet, the historical church, Eglise du Suquet, and the 11th-century Tour du Mont Chevalier watchtower dominate the skyline. From the top of the watchtower, there is a super panoramic outlook onto the seashore and the bay all the way out to the Lérins Islands. Another pleasure of journeying Le Suquet is wandering the quaint historical streets.
One of the historical town’s foremost buying streets is the Rue Meynadier. This bustling pedestrian avenue is famend for its area of expertise gourmand boutiques. Another necessary business road a few blocks away at the facet of Le Suquet is the Rue d’Antibes. A buying vacation spot for French Riviera fashions, the road is lined with clothier prêt-à-porter apparel boutiques.
- Catch a Film at the Festival de Cannes (Film Festival) in May
Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet
Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet
Of all the matters to do on the French Riviera, the Festival de Cannes is the most exciting. This prestigious red-carpet tournament is simply one of the largest moments of the yr in Cannes.
The pageant attracts film stars and filmmakers from all over the world, as properly as crowds of followers and journalists. Originally, the Festival de Cannes was once mounted to rival the Venice Film Festival. Since its first version in 1946, the competition has earned an global popularity for discovering, supporting, and promotion remarkable films.
Address: Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, 1 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
- Palais des Festivals et des Congrès
Palais des Festivals et des Congrès
Palais des Festivals et des Congrès | Karlis Dambrans / image modified
The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès is the venue for the Cannes Film Festival. Designed by using the architects Bennett and Druet, the constructing was once accomplished in 1982 and is used for events, conferences, track concerts, and gala’s at some point of the year.
The Palais des Festivals is an astonishing complicated of buildings, along with severa auditoriums with contemporary sound and lighting fixtures systems. A modernization venture was once carried out in 2015, which covered enhancements to the well-known entrance staircase and the seating of the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumiere. The lobby used to be additionally renovated; it is now brighter and greater spacious.
Address: 1 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
- Eglise Notre-Dame de l’Espérance
Notre-Dame de l’Espérance
Notre-Dame de l’Espérance | Tim Gage / photograph modified
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 essential church in Cannes. The late-Gothic edifice dates to the sixteenth century and has a magnificent 17th-century Madonna on the excessive altar.
When coming into the church, traffic are struck through the peaceable indoors and the inspiring heights of its Gothic vaulting. The church additionally elements a combine of architectural styles, consisting of a Renaissance porch plus an organ that used to be set up in 1857 and has been lately renovated. There is additionally an ancient cemetery that dates returned to the sixteenth century.
During the Second World War, the church used to be quickly used as a hospital. Today, the church is nevertheless a area of spiritual worship. In July, the rectangular in the front of the church is illuminated and turns into a magical out of doors venue for the Nuits Musicales du Suquet, a classical musical competition proposing one week of performances beneath the stars.
Address: 1 Place de la Castre, Cannes
- Musée de la Castre
Musée de la Castre
Musée de la Castre
On a hill overlooking the Bay of Cannes, the Musée de la Castre occupies a labeled historical monument, a medieval fortress that was once formerly the monastery of Lérins monks. Surrounded by way of a Mediterranean garden, the web page boasts wonderful views of the shoreline and sea.
The Castre Museum has a tremendous series of Mediterranean antiquities, pre-Columbian primitive art, and 19th-century Provencal panorama paintings. Several small rooms function wonderful artwork objects from Oceania and the Himalayas. There is additionally an sizeable series of musical devices from round the world.
Visitors can climb to the pinnacle of the building’s 12th-century tower. This vantage factor affords breathtaking 360-degree panoramas of Cannes and its surroundings.
Address: Le Suquet, Cannes
- Find a Patch of Sand at a Public Beach in Cannes
Busy public seaside in Cannes
Busy public seaside in Cannes
Cannes is well-known for its pleasant sandy beaches, with great views and calm Mediterranean waters best for bathing. Including the nearby îles de Lérin and Estérel coastline, there are seven kilometers of seashore property in Cannes. With so many options, there is some thing for each visitor.
While many of the seashores in Cannes are personal property owned by means of hotels, countless seashores are open to the public, and these are some of the high-quality seashores in the South of France. These consist of the Plage Macé and the Plage Zamenhof, placed off the Boulevard de la Croisette. These seashores cost a small rate for use of the lounge chairs and parasols.
Also accessible for public use (and free of charge) are the Plage du Casino, a golden-sand seaside alongside the Boulevard de la Croisette; Plage de la Bocca, a quiet seashore with extraordinary views and golden sand; the Plage du Midi, a long sandy seaside close to the middle of Cannes; and Plage du Mouré Rouge close to the fishing ports. The lesser-known Plage des Rochers is the pleasant seaside for snorkeling.
- Spend a Day at a Private Beach in Cannes
Private seashore in Cannes
Private seashore in Cannes
Fashionable personal seashores (that require entrance fees) alongside the Boulevard de la Croisette consist of the Plage Croisette, with a fancy restaurant that serves Provençal cuisine; CBeach, which has a elegant restaurant, showers, and altering rooms; and Bâoli Beach, which boasts an excellent gastronomic restaurant.
Tucked away in a quiet surroundings close to the Port Canto, the non-public seashore golf equipment close to the Plage du Bijou provide outstanding eating picks and wonderful sea views. Maema Plage du Midi, on the Boulevard du Midi Jean Hibert, gives outside dining with musical amusement in the evenings.
All the non-public seashores have exquisite facilities, as properly as lounge chairs and parasols accessible for rent, permitting sunbathers to revel in a pampering and enjoyable experience.
- Explore the Vieux Port (Old Port)
Vieux Port
Vieux Port
Emblematic of C
annes’ Mediterranean scenery, the Vieux Port (Old Port) lies under the ancient Le Suquet quarter. The Vieux Port, additionally recognized as Port Cannes I, is positioned close to the Gare Maritime (Marine Railway Station), which used to be constructed in 1957. Besides its use as a dock for yachts and different sailboats, the Vieux Port is the launching factor for the Royal Regatta.
- La Californie
Eglise Russe
Eglise Russe | Fr Maxim Massalitin / image modified
This stunning d
istrict of Cannes exemplifies glamorous French Riviera scenery. Gorgeous holiday villas are surrounded by way of lush gardens and palm trees. This charming location is a notable region for a enjoyable afternoon stroll.
Drawn by using its beauty, Picasso lived in this nearby for a brief while. It’s convenient to apprehend how the extraordinary constructions and shiny panorama would encourage an artist. Also well worth a go to in this nearby is the Eglise Russe (Russian Church) on the Boulevard Alexandre III.
- Chapelle Bellini
Built in 1894 with the aid of the Count Vitali, the Chapelle Bellini was once as soon as phase of a Florentine-style villa and is set in a lovely park. Identified by way of the fingers of the Count, the chapel points an Italian Baroque graph with an wonderful clock tower and an fascinating wood staircase inside.
The chapel was once sold by means of the artist Emmanuel Bellini in 1953 and then used as his atelier. The Bellini Chapel is now a museum committed to the artist’s works proven in his very own studio space.
Address: Parc Fiorentina – sixty seven bis, Avenue de Vallauris, Cannes
- Le Centre d’Art La Malmaison
Le Centre d’Art La Malmaison
Le Centre d’Art La Malmaison | dierk schaefer / photograph modified
Le Centre d’Art La Malmaison occupies the sport room and tea room of the Grand Hôtel, constructed in 1863. These rooms have been used for artwork exhibitions prepared via Aimé Maeght in 1945 and had been transformed with the aid of the metropolis of Cannes to a museum in 1983. Today, the constructing is a middle devoted to cutting-edge art.
The museum hosts expositions offering the work of 20th- and 21st-century artists who determined proposal from the Cote d’Azur, such as Picasso, Matisse, and Ozenfant. Other internationally famend artists featured in the museum’s collections are César, Miró, and Masson.
Address: forty seven Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
- Take in the Fireworks Festival in July and August
Fireworks in Cannes
Fireworks in Cannes
For various nights each and every summer season in July and August, the Bay of Cannes lights up with its famend Fireworks Festival. This special global match brings collectively the satisfactory fireworks designers from all over the world. The pageant started out in 1967 and attracts hundreds of spectators alongside the seashores of Cannes. Each night time of the competition provides pleasure and an array of superb fireworks.
The pinnacle pyrotechnic group receives the Vestal Prize at the quit of the fireworks competition. The target market can vote for the duration of the opposition for their favored fireworks, and winners are awarded the Prix du Public (Public Prize) alongside with prizes to remain at luxurious hotels. Fireworks applications start at 11pm and are open to the public for free viewing.
Address: Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, 1 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
- Enjoy a Concert at Musical Nights of Le Suquet in July
The Nuits Musicales du Suquet is an annual classical track pageant that runs for one week in July. Taking benefit of the balmy Côte d’Azur weather, the tournament is held backyard in the courtyard of the Eglise Notre-Dame d’Espérance.
This world-class competition consists of each massive symphonic live shows and smaller solo performances via violinists, pianists, and vocalists. The repertoire facets a different listing of classical musical portions from Mozart to Chopin.
Address: Notre-Dame de l’Espérance, 1 Place de la Castre, Le Suquet, Cannes