Cannes on the Mediterranean coast is a charming city to visit at any time of the year. It is known for its glamor, particularly in May, when the Cannes Film Festival attracts the best movie stars in the world. It is a great seaside resort with the best hotels but with many good, sandy and free public beaches. And it is a perfect starting point for other cities along this stunning part of the Côte d’Azur.
Edited by Mary Anne Evans
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The Croisette
Direction
73 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, FranceGet directions
Telephone
+33 4 93 90 12 34
Web
Visit the website
Few places better symbolize the glamor of Cannes than La Croisette, the stretch of sidewalk that runs along the coast. La Croisette faces the Mediterranean on one side and is lined with top palace hotels like the Martinez, Carlton and Cannes Intercontinental on the other, all separated by a majestic line of palm trees.
There are vendors selling souvenirs, billboards promoting the film festival, and unique shops across the street. Best of all, there are wonderful cafes along the beach and, for a fee, you can rent a lounger and umbrella on one of the hotels-owned private beaches and have an extremely expensive drink just a few feet from the water. .
During the famous Cannes Film Festival, the stars are spread out on the private beaches, surrounded by paparazzi.
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Cannes film festival
Every May, stars, wannabes and movie fans descend on Cannes for the famous annual Film Festival. It turns the otherwise no-nonsense resort into a frenzy of activity with everyone trying to catch a glimpse of the action.
It may seem like an industry event, for the insiders only, but there are a number of ways you can get involved, including the big outdoor screen on the beach for ordinary mortals to share great movies.
Check out the Cannes Film Festival guide for more information on what (and who) to see where.
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Palace of Festivals and Congresses
Direction
Cannes Festival and Congress Center, 1 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, FranceGet directions
Telephone
+33 4 92 99 84 00
Web
Visit the website
The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, or convention center, is a rather ugly modern building at the eastern end of La Croisette. But it is the venue for all the big events in Cannes, including, of course, the Cannes Film Festival. Even as the film industry has long been rolling the red carpet, you can imagine the glitz and glamor here, savoring it by looking at the footprints of celebrities embedded in the flagstones of the building’s exterior.
The convention center hosts many events throughout the year, including the popular Shopping Festival at Easter.
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Castre Museum
Direction
6 Rue de la Castre, 06400 Cannes, FranceGet directions
Telephone
+33 4 89 82 26 26
Web
Visit the website
The Musée de la Castre, now a museum, housed in the remains of an 11th century priory in Le Suquet. Its main collection is of musical instruments from around the world. It is also a good place for prints and photos of old Cannes that show the contrast with today’s bustling city.
Climb the tower for a great view of Cannes and head out to the Iles de Lérins on the horizon.
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Shopping in Cannes
Direction
11 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, FranceGet directions
Telephone
+33 4 93 38 76 75
Web
Visit the website
One of the main reasons to visit Cannes is to spend money. In addition to the shops on La Croisette, there are numerous streets running north from the street and parallel to La Croisette. There’s a shopping mall nearby and several upscale chain stores (think Gucci, Christian Lacroix, and Ferrari) plus local boutiques.
The Antibes and Meynadier slopes are also good for shopping.
Don’t forget the annual Easter Shopping Festival at the Palais des Festivals.
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Islas Lerins Islands
Direction
06400 Cannes, FranceGet directions
Telephone
+33 4 93 43 18 17
Web
Visit the website
The Iles de Lérins islands off the coast of Cannes attract just 15 minutes by ferry but a world away from the dazzling resort. The two islands are charming and offer peace, quiet, and rocky inlets to enjoy.
Ile-Ste-Marguerite is dominated by her fort. Walk through the cells and imagine the fate of the Man in the Iron Mask , imprisoned here according to novelist Alexandre Dumas.
Ile St-Honorat is quieter, owned by monks since 410 AD.
More about the fabulous islands of France
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Museum of the Sea
Direction
Ile Sainte Marguerite, 1 Place Bernard Cornut-Gentille, 06400 Cannes, FranciaGet directions
Telephone
+33 4 89 82 26 26
Web
Visit the website
This unique museum of the sea is located on the Ile Ste-Marguerite and is worth a visit in its own right. Off the coast of Cannes, the exhibits are dedicated to the prison system and underwater archeology collections. The highlight of the museum is the exhibition dedicated to the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask .
