AZUR-RENTALS
CANNES-CROISETTE PENTHOUSE
Why Cannes
The origin of Cannes lies not in the old city itself but out in the calm blue waters of the Mediterranean sea where a tiny cluster of two, mostly uninhabitated islands, less than 2 miles offshore, play harbourmaster to the towns story. Never a shrinking violet, the town of Cannes has always been a key player on this part of the the French Riviera's coast.
Earliest Times
Before Cannes existed there were the Iles des Lerins. These tiny islands, their size belying their strategic importance, were populated by the ancient tribe of Liguria, the Ligurians. These people, who we have now come to associate with the most North Easterly region of Italy, were once a vast tribe.
Appearing in the histories of Northern Italy, Provence and Corsica it is possible that they reached all the way across Southern France into the North of Spain. They are the earliest known settlers to the area of Cannes dating back to the neolithic era from 4000BC to 2000BC.
The Iles des Lerins were so significant because they provided a sheltered and safe mooring in the environment of vibrant maritime commerce when pirates were at large and maurauders were rife.
The smaller of the two islands also had fresh water springs from which ships barrels could be replenished, an advantage that cannot be underestimated by todays standards. Archeological signs exist of a sizeable settlements on the islands from this time.
When to visit Cannes
In the Beginning
The French Riviera, as a holiday destination is largely credited to the British aristocracy, desperate to escape their own dreary weather and drafty homes. Cannes is said to have been 'discovered' by a former Lord Chancellor, Lord Brougham
All Year Round
In the 1950's the Hollywood set and American literati moved in. They much preferred it as a summer jet set location with its luxury apartments, villas and yachts to rent. The film Festival, in May, helped to establish Cannes on the world stage assisted in no small way by a stream of beautiful starlets.
Nowadays Cannes is seen as an all year round destination. The business of the summer kicked off by the May film festival and the mild winter climate attracting the older more retired clientele and tourists looking for a more gentle pace of life. There are many reasons to visit at any time of year.
The French Riviera, as a holiday destination is largely credited to the British aristocracy, desperate to escape their own dreary weather and drafty homes. Cannes is said to have been 'discovered' by a former Lord Chancellor, Lord Brougham
All Year Round
In the 1950's the Hollywood set and American literati moved in. They much preferred it as a summer jet set location with its luxury apartments, villas and yachts to rent. The film Festival, in May, helped to establish Cannes on the world stage assisted in no small way by a stream of beautiful starlets.
Nowadays Cannes is seen as an all year round destination. The business of the summer kicked off by the May film festival and the mild winter climate attracting the older more retired clientele and tourists looking for a more gentle pace of life. There are many reasons to visit at any time of year.
What to do in Cannes
For Families
Cannes is most famous for it's illustrious, world famous film festival. It is therefore not the first place that springs to mind as a family or child friendly holiday destination. The thing to remember about Cannes is that it is a city break holiday combined with a beach holiday.
This makes it a great spot for all the family with pretty much everything on offer to suit everyone's tastes and ages. That is what is wonderful about the French Riviera, it has mountains, countryside, sea, beaches, cities, museums, shopping, glamour and local rustique charm all rolled into one. You just immerse yourself in whichever one
you choose
.
Visit Cannes Beaches
With miles of beautiful white sandy beaches stretching along the seafront of this city going to spend a day at the beach couldn't be more convenient or accessible.
With the whole town laid out behind you you also have every restaurant, bar and shop near to hand too. This should make it easier to find reasonably priced or child friendly places to eat and drink. Steer clear of the private beaches belonging to the hotels, bar service doesn't come cheap.
Tip: Freeze bottles of water
It will stay cool for longer on hot sunny days at the beach. Add sirops for flavour.
Cannes Watersports
The mediterranean is a calm and predictable sea which makes it a good place to take children out to explore it's depths or to get involved in watersports for the first time.
There are many diving clubs, sailing schools and watersports operators along the sea front or out on the islands. Look in the RG directory under Cannes -Watersports for contact details of the different places and associations.
Tip: Try the islands
Combine a trip to the Ile des Lerins with a day on the water for all the family.
Visit Les Ile des Lerin
The islands are a must for everybody. They are incredibly beautiful and very interesting because of the history attached to them.
There are Roman remains to be seen, the 17th Century Fortress of Fort Royal and the abbey from 1050 all set in beautiful parklands of Eucalyptus and Pine trees. There are dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches and even the short ferry trip out there is exhilarating. It's a playground and a wonderland.
Tip: Bring a picnic
Don't be at the mercy of the lone establishment, a picnic allows you to enjoy the wilds of the Islands.
Get active in Cannes
There are all the usual holiday activities available in the town of Cannes. The French know how to provide top class facilities not just for tourists but for the locals too.
Rent bikes to go get around the town from your holiday rental, go rollarblading along the Croisette, play volleyball on the beachside courts, play tennis on the municipal courts, go karting and rock climbing or take a turn on the merry-go-round playgrounds.
What to do in Cannes
For Couples
Cannes is a perfectly romantic location for couples. The town has that old style glamour like walking through the set of a movie from the 1920's. It's a grown up, sophisticated destination where you can really spoil yourselves and get lost in another world.
Footsteps of the Stars
Visit the Allee des Stars. This is similar to the Hollywood walk of Fame with the hand imprints of actors like Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, Bruce Willis and many more household names embedded in the footpath.
Start your discovery of Cannes with this walk, followed by a stroll along the beach front Croisette and take in the atmosphere by cafe hopping and people watching. Choose a spot at one of the many outdoor cafes and enjoy the scenery.
Tip: Get your bearings
Spend the first day walking around and sitting in cafes browsing streep maps of Cannes.
The Cannes Film Festival
Plan your holiday to coincide with the film festival if you like a vibrant atmosphere. Tickets are not made available to the public but it's a wonderful time to be there.
The streets are full of beautiful people, beautifully dressed. The movie houses splash out on huge parties, posters and presentations of their latest big hits and the streets are hopping with fans and holiday makers hoping for a glimpse of an A list star. It's atmospheric and bubbling with activity.
Tip: Free movies at the outdoor cinema
During the festival old movies are played on a giant screen on the beach. First come first served for the seats.
Go Shopping
Ok maybe this is one for the girls but, as shopping experiences go, Cannes is a pretty pleasant one and there are lots of cafes and bars to take the sting out of it for shopping-phobic guys and reduce the crying.
Cannes is a small town but it still has great shops and lots of them. There are all the gorgeous designer boutiques lining the croisette or head deeper into the streets set back from the sea front to find lots of interesting little boutiques with more reasonable prices.
Tip: Look out for sale time
There are usually great end of season sales with up to 80% off prices. Late Winter and late summer are the times to go.
Explore the islands
Getting out onto the mediterranean sea is a must for anyone visiting the French Riviera and the Iles des Lerins afford people the perfect oppotunity to do so without having to shell out for boat hire or stress about weather conditions.
The ferry trip is frequent and short covering the distance quickly while giving you that lovely wind-in-the-hair freedom that getting out on the waves gives you. Head out early in the morning and bring a picnic.
Tip: Go diving
Get in touch with one of the dive companies and take up some underwater activity while you are out there.
What to do in Cannes
For a group of Friends
Cannes has a reputation for being a quiet town in the Winter. It is very seasonal with a slightly older, more retiring clientele in the off season, unlike Nice or Monaco, although this can have it's advantages too. If you are a bunch of ladies or 'une femmes d'une certain age' as they say in France, then this maybe the perfect time to visit with fewer crowds, cheaper deals and sale shopping on offer. If you are a gang of young mates then you'll want to be there when it's lively. The thing to do is to choose your time carefully.
Cannes has a large proportion of high profile events during which the town bursts with life. Keep an eye on festival timetables and events that are going on then you can plan your holidays around like minded visitors. The summer, of course, is always busy, vibrant and fun.
A holiday apartment in Cannes. If there is a gang of you then this really is the most cost effective way to vacation in Cannes and enjoy the freedom of having your own place, if only for a week or two.
Find something close to the town if you are going to be out clubbing all night or look for something higher in the hills with a pool if you are looking for peace and quiet or to make your own fun. You can take charge of your own holiday this way and each person will have a lot more freedom to do their own thing and really relax.
Tip:Try a longer stay
It can be hard to arrange time off that suits everyone's work schedules, so book it for longer and have lots of friends pop in and out over the holiday.
Hit Cannes' nightspots
Cannes is a very elegant town and so it draws a very elegant crowd. It is a stop off point for lots of celebrities and A-list stars so the facilities have stretched to meet their needs.
Cannes is a great place to dress to kill, sip a few cocktails and party the night away. Start in a trendy beach bar while the sun puts itself to bed and then move onto a more glamourous club. Try Plage Royale and Le Baoli.
Go Daytrippin'
Cannes is a great town to base yourself from. It is very central to the French Riviera but there is a wealth of places to explore in every direction from the islands to the mountains and from St Tropez to Monaco.
Hiring a car could be good idea if you have willing drivers but there is also a great train system along the coast and ferry trips available too. This year there are nightbuses coming on stream giving even greater flexibility.
Tip: Head for the hills
Get away from the coast for a change. Try St Paul de Vence for French charm.
Try something different
Cannes offers all the usual holiday experiences, water sports, beaches, bars, clubs, great food, history but it is also close to the Verdon Gorge. The deepest gorge in Europe, it has stunning views, glacial lakes, sheer rock face and turbulent rapids.
It's a natural adventure playground, with bungee jumping, for the brave, rafting, rock climbing, hiking, wind surfing on the lake and Kayaking in the canyons. It's a stunning location and offers great contrast to the busy coastline in summer.
Tip: Visit the villages too
It's not just a natural wonderland the villages are beautiful too. Explore Moustier-Ste-Marie for definite.
What to see in Cannes
Well there's little doubt that Cannes is most famous for its International Film Festival which draws a huge crowd of both tourists and industry visitors not to mention the attention of the worlds media. It's not all there is to this surprisingly small town on the Riviera though.
Cannes has beautiful beaches, manicured gardens, grand architecture, traditional markets, great shopping, sparkling blue seas and a history that's just as individual, original and incredible as any other ancient town dotted along this part of the coast. There's a wealth of things to see and do, below are suggested just some of the most famous or the most interesting.
Historical Cannes
Cannes' history pre dates the Roman era when it was occupied by a race of people know as the Ligurians. The Ligurians populated areas from Northern Italy into Provence and possible stretching all the way acorss to parts of Northern Spain. Early remains suggest that the site, on which Cannes as we know it today stands, dates from the neolithic era from 4000BC. However it was the Iles des Lerins and their strategic importance to the growing shipping trade that really established Cannes on the Riviera.
Ancient Cannes was a very small place and to this end Cannes feels like it's history is more recent than, for example, Nice. The grandeur of Cannes came much later in the 19th Century when the town extended and it's magnificent old belle epoch and bourgeoise buildings were built. However the Old Town, or Le Suquet, will whisk you back through time and you can imagine how it all looked in its earliest days.
Le Suquet
The Romans arrived into the area in 2BC and Cannes became a naval base in their growing empire. Cannes future was not secure as a result however and, after the fall of the Roman empire, entered into a bleak period of history that saw the area descecrated and nearly wiped out altogether by raids and wars.
It was the Counts of Provence who eventually brought some stability to the area through a repopulation plan that dealt with issues of security and safety for the region. Cannes was given over to a noble family from Grasse in return for defeating barbarian warriors.
As the family grew so too did stability for the town. One of the sons studied under the monk Honoratus and became a monk himself. He giften the town of Cannes and the ile des Lerins to the church in 1030AD. This would prove to be a turning point for Cannes.
The safety of the the town was improved with towers and forts built on the Ste Marguerite and at Le Suquet on the mainland which meant that the security and longevity of the town became sealed.
Musee
Castle Grounds
Ste Marie
Old looking on new
Today Le Suquet, as the Old Town in Cannes is known, still stands guard over the port and surrounding area. The streets wind up a steep hill to the 11th century castle and distictive square tower with views that sweep down over the entire town, the mediterranean sea and the mountains stretching away into the distance.
In it's day these views were the very thing that guarded Cannes against attack from its many enemies, the horizon gazed upon for many an hour no doubt, albeit for very different reasons. Today we can simply stroll up to this highest point, enjoy the vista and remark at the constructions.
On this site you will also find the 12th Century Chapelle Ste Anne and a 19th Century church called Notre Dame d'Esperance. The Castle houses the museum de la Castre where archealogical displays are on view as well as a collection of musical intruments from around the world and paintings by Provencal artists. Whether your interest lies in history or not it's simply a lovely walk and a great view, well worth the effort.
Parks and Gardens in Cannes
French towns take great pride in their appearance and throughout the country you will find impeccably manicured town squares and well tended parks. Cannes perhaps takes even more care than other towns and the flowers and gardens of the Mediterranean coast have become synonimous with spectacular, formal flower displays. The municipality in Cannes grow more than 400,000 bedding plants every year and the famous flower gardens along the Croisette are planted out four times a year with seasonal floral displays.
Iles des Lerins
Although formal gardens are dramatic and beautiful it's wonderful to see natural flora and vegetation as it has grown, without the influence of man, for thousands of years. The best place to experience this is on the Iles des Lerins, in particular St Honorat.
St Honorat is the smaller and more remote of the two islands but it's history predates even Cannes town itself and belies the level of importance it once held in Europe. St Honorat first built a monastery here in the 5th Century where it was a place of study for 3700 monks at one time and a religious centre for all of Southern Europe.
It's power became diminished over the centuries by invasion and corruption but it remains a cistercian monastery to this day. The forested island also homes indigenous parasol pines, fragrant Eucalyptus and towering Cypress trees in a lanscpe that seems untouched by time. The monks grow vines, lavender and oranges and produce their own honey and alcohol.
Cannes Gardens
Parasol Pines
Island view
Famous Visitors
The islands are wild and as nature intended them to be with wild flowers and winding paths down to rocky sheltered coves. They are a wonderful discovery and it's a great wya to pass the day. Bring a picnic and swimming gear to really make the most of it.
Other gardens, of the more formal variety, include those at Villa Rothschild, the Riviera extension Hanging Gardens, Jardin Albert 1er and the Square Verdun. See more listings for parks and gardens in the RG directory under 'Cannes'.
Festivals in Cannes
Cannes is famous for its festivals, in particular the Film festival, but there are many less well known events staged at various times of the year so it would seem prudent to mention them here as they are indeed something to see. The chances are that you will come across one whether you have scheduled your holiday around one or not. There are festivals centred around magic, games, dance, television, property as well as film.
The Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival was initially launched as a antidote to sceptism of the Venice film festival which had been launched by Mussolini in the 1930's. The French saw it is nothing more than a propaganda vehicle and decided to start their own festival.
The timing however couldn't have been worse. In September 1939 Mae West was one of the first starlets to hit the shores of Cannes but she promptly jumped back onto her ship and sailed off as the threat of War became a reality. The festival stalled before it could begin and nothing more happened until 1946 when it restarted as a small trade festival.
In 1951 the festival switched to the month of May, perhaps to fit in with the start of the summer 'season'. Despite being small and ostensibly for film critics and reviewers, Cannes was already established on the jet set social calendar so the festival crowd was always going to be illustrious.
Shopping
Stars
Scenery
Style
It is believed that more than 70,000 people make the trip to Cannes each year for the festival despite it being a private industry event. Of this number less than 5000 are press, journalists or critics.
The glamour and glitz, however , are uncontainable and the streets are a blaze with the vibrancy and occasion of the festival, people gather for the chance to soak up the atmosphere and rub shoulders with champagne sipping stars.
Cannes has beautiful beaches, manicured gardens, grand architecture, traditional markets, great shopping, sparkling blue seas and a history that's just as individual, original and incredible as any other ancient town dotted along this part of the coast. There's a wealth of things to see and do, below are suggested just some of the most famous or the most interesting.
Historical Cannes
Cannes' history pre dates the Roman era when it was occupied by a race of people know as the Ligurians. The Ligurians populated areas from Northern Italy into Provence and possible stretching all the way acorss to parts of Northern Spain. Early remains suggest that the site, on which Cannes as we know it today stands, dates from the neolithic era from 4000BC. However it was the Iles des Lerins and their strategic importance to the growing shipping trade that really established Cannes on the Riviera.
Ancient Cannes was a very small place and to this end Cannes feels like it's history is more recent than, for example, Nice. The grandeur of Cannes came much later in the 19th Century when the town extended and it's magnificent old belle epoch and bourgeoise buildings were built. However the Old Town, or Le Suquet, will whisk you back through time and you can imagine how it all looked in its earliest days.
Le Suquet
The Romans arrived into the area in 2BC and Cannes became a naval base in their growing empire. Cannes future was not secure as a result however and, after the fall of the Roman empire, entered into a bleak period of history that saw the area descecrated and nearly wiped out altogether by raids and wars.
It was the Counts of Provence who eventually brought some stability to the area through a repopulation plan that dealt with issues of security and safety for the region. Cannes was given over to a noble family from Grasse in return for defeating barbarian warriors.
As the family grew so too did stability for the town. One of the sons studied under the monk Honoratus and became a monk himself. He giften the town of Cannes and the ile des Lerins to the church in 1030AD. This would prove to be a turning point for Cannes.
The safety of the the town was improved with towers and forts built on the Ste Marguerite and at Le Suquet on the mainland which meant that the security and longevity of the town became sealed.
Musee
Castle Grounds
Ste Marie
Old looking on new
Today Le Suquet, as the Old Town in Cannes is known, still stands guard over the port and surrounding area. The streets wind up a steep hill to the 11th century castle and distictive square tower with views that sweep down over the entire town, the mediterranean sea and the mountains stretching away into the distance.
In it's day these views were the very thing that guarded Cannes against attack from its many enemies, the horizon gazed upon for many an hour no doubt, albeit for very different reasons. Today we can simply stroll up to this highest point, enjoy the vista and remark at the constructions.
On this site you will also find the 12th Century Chapelle Ste Anne and a 19th Century church called Notre Dame d'Esperance. The Castle houses the museum de la Castre where archealogical displays are on view as well as a collection of musical intruments from around the world and paintings by Provencal artists. Whether your interest lies in history or not it's simply a lovely walk and a great view, well worth the effort.
Parks and Gardens in Cannes
French towns take great pride in their appearance and throughout the country you will find impeccably manicured town squares and well tended parks. Cannes perhaps takes even more care than other towns and the flowers and gardens of the Mediterranean coast have become synonimous with spectacular, formal flower displays. The municipality in Cannes grow more than 400,000 bedding plants every year and the famous flower gardens along the Croisette are planted out four times a year with seasonal floral displays.
Iles des Lerins
Although formal gardens are dramatic and beautiful it's wonderful to see natural flora and vegetation as it has grown, without the influence of man, for thousands of years. The best place to experience this is on the Iles des Lerins, in particular St Honorat.
St Honorat is the smaller and more remote of the two islands but it's history predates even Cannes town itself and belies the level of importance it once held in Europe. St Honorat first built a monastery here in the 5th Century where it was a place of study for 3700 monks at one time and a religious centre for all of Southern Europe.
It's power became diminished over the centuries by invasion and corruption but it remains a cistercian monastery to this day. The forested island also homes indigenous parasol pines, fragrant Eucalyptus and towering Cypress trees in a lanscpe that seems untouched by time. The monks grow vines, lavender and oranges and produce their own honey and alcohol.
Cannes Gardens
Parasol Pines
Island view
Famous Visitors
The islands are wild and as nature intended them to be with wild flowers and winding paths down to rocky sheltered coves. They are a wonderful discovery and it's a great wya to pass the day. Bring a picnic and swimming gear to really make the most of it.
Other gardens, of the more formal variety, include those at Villa Rothschild, the Riviera extension Hanging Gardens, Jardin Albert 1er and the Square Verdun. See more listings for parks and gardens in the RG directory under 'Cannes'.
Festivals in Cannes
Cannes is famous for its festivals, in particular the Film festival, but there are many less well known events staged at various times of the year so it would seem prudent to mention them here as they are indeed something to see. The chances are that you will come across one whether you have scheduled your holiday around one or not. There are festivals centred around magic, games, dance, television, property as well as film.
The Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival was initially launched as a antidote to sceptism of the Venice film festival which had been launched by Mussolini in the 1930's. The French saw it is nothing more than a propaganda vehicle and decided to start their own festival.
The timing however couldn't have been worse. In September 1939 Mae West was one of the first starlets to hit the shores of Cannes but she promptly jumped back onto her ship and sailed off as the threat of War became a reality. The festival stalled before it could begin and nothing more happened until 1946 when it restarted as a small trade festival.
In 1951 the festival switched to the month of May, perhaps to fit in with the start of the summer 'season'. Despite being small and ostensibly for film critics and reviewers, Cannes was already established on the jet set social calendar so the festival crowd was always going to be illustrious.
Shopping
Stars
Scenery
Style
It is believed that more than 70,000 people make the trip to Cannes each year for the festival despite it being a private industry event. Of this number less than 5000 are press, journalists or critics.
The glamour and glitz, however , are uncontainable and the streets are a blaze with the vibrancy and occasion of the festival, people gather for the chance to soak up the atmosphere and rub shoulders with champagne sipping stars.
Where to eat in Cannes
Where to eat in Cannes
There are no shortage of restaurants in Cannes but finding the right one for you can prove a little bit tricky. The sea front is lined with restaurants but many of them front onto the road, are large chains or are over priced. It is worth wandering the streets to find little tucked away places or to read reviews and do a little bit of research It is harder to stumble upon great little eating places in Cannes than it is in other Riviera towns, where you can hardly go wrong. Below are some suggestions but please add your own reviews to our review section if you have found the perfect place.
Some suggestions of where to eat in Cannes
L'Assiette
20, Rue St Antoine, 06400, Cannes
Tel:+33 493 397725
Fax:+33 493 381281
L'Assiette is a lovely traditonal French restaurant tucked away in the streets of the old town in Cannes, also known as Le Suquet. The walls are decorated with famous clientele to both the restaurant and Cannes. With such a cosy atmosphere it is a place to linger over a bottle of wine with friends, either to avoid the hot sun of the daytime or to settle in for the evening.
L'Annex
Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400, Cannes
Tel:+ 33 (0)493 397379
Fax:+33 (0)493 396859
Email:lannex.commercial@yahoo.fr
L'Annex is one of the many beach bars and restaurants that line La Croisette and Cannes beach. The decor is stylish and relaxed with dark timber, steel and glass. The restaurant sits in the shadow of Cannes' famous Carlton Hotel and has uninterrupted views of the Med. Fish is a speciality and presentation is modern twist on tradtional food.
Le Grand Cafe
2, Rue Felix Faure, 06400, Cannes
Tel:+33 (0)493 99 9310
Fax:+33 (0)493 99 9312
Email:contact@legrandcafe-cannes.com
Le Grand Cafe is one of the many restaurants to line the street just behind La Croisette. There are a lot of cafe's and places to eat along this street but many of them are cramped and offer little more than a view of the traffic. Le Grand Cafe is set back from the road and the food is basic but good quality and price. It is a good place to stop for a cafe, a light lunch or to watch the world go by.
There are no shortage of restaurants in Cannes but finding the right one for you can prove a little bit tricky. The sea front is lined with restaurants but many of them front onto the road, are large chains or are over priced. It is worth wandering the streets to find little tucked away places or to read reviews and do a little bit of research It is harder to stumble upon great little eating places in Cannes than it is in other Riviera towns, where you can hardly go wrong. Below are some suggestions but please add your own reviews to our review section if you have found the perfect place.
Some suggestions of where to eat in Cannes
L'Assiette20, Rue St Antoine, 06400, Cannes
Tel:+33 493 397725
Fax:+33 493 381281
L'Assiette is a lovely traditonal French restaurant tucked away in the streets of the old town in Cannes, also known as Le Suquet. The walls are decorated with famous clientele to both the restaurant and Cannes. With such a cosy atmosphere it is a place to linger over a bottle of wine with friends, either to avoid the hot sun of the daytime or to settle in for the evening.
L'Annex
Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400, Cannes
Tel:+ 33 (0)493 397379
Fax:+33 (0)493 396859
Email:lannex.commercial@yahoo.fr
L'Annex is one of the many beach bars and restaurants that line La Croisette and Cannes beach. The decor is stylish and relaxed with dark timber, steel and glass. The restaurant sits in the shadow of Cannes' famous Carlton Hotel and has uninterrupted views of the Med. Fish is a speciality and presentation is modern twist on tradtional food.
Le Grand Cafe
2, Rue Felix Faure, 06400, Cannes
Tel:+33 (0)493 99 9310
Fax:+33 (0)493 99 9312
Email:contact@legrandcafe-cannes.com
Le Grand Cafe is one of the many restaurants to line the street just behind La Croisette. There are a lot of cafe's and places to eat along this street but many of them are cramped and offer little more than a view of the traffic. Le Grand Cafe is set back from the road and the food is basic but good quality and price. It is a good place to stop for a cafe, a light lunch or to watch the world go by.
Insider tips
Cannes Insider Tip 1
Free Museum Entry
A lot of the municipal museums have days where the entry is free to all.
Most of the museums in Cannes, including the Musee de la Castre
is free on the first sunday of every month. No excuses to avoid culture trips now.
Cannes Insider Tip 2
Permis free Cars
Not everyone wants to hire a car but occassionally a set of wheels can come in very useful.
In France there are small cars that you need a license to drive, strictly city run arounds,
they are available to hire. Check under Cannes-Transport for contacts.
Cannes Insider Tip 3
Festival Town
Cannes is famous for its festivals, not just the exclusive Film Festival but all kinds of events.
Check online to see if there's one to interest you.
Property festivals for investors, Shopping festivals with young designer fashion shows,
Games shows for all the latest toys and computer wizardry are just a few examples.
Cannes Insider Tip 4
VO Cinemas
Most of the bigger towns along the Riviera have cinemas that show 'version original' films
Most blockbuster movies in France are dubbed rather than subtitled but see the originals
in English at a variety of cinemas.
Look in the directory to find addresses and contacts for film schedules.
Cannes Insider Tip 5
Artists Facilities
The South of France is synonimous with many famous artists and
there is a lot of support for current artists. The Association des Beaux Arts
de Cannes have exhibition space, run childrens courses and offer free facilities
for visiting artists including drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture and etching.
Look in the directory, under Cannes, for contact details.
Free Museum Entry
A lot of the municipal museums have days where the entry is free to all.
Most of the museums in Cannes, including the Musee de la Castre
is free on the first sunday of every month. No excuses to avoid culture trips now.
Cannes Insider Tip 2
Permis free Cars
Not everyone wants to hire a car but occassionally a set of wheels can come in very useful.
In France there are small cars that you need a license to drive, strictly city run arounds,
they are available to hire. Check under Cannes-Transport for contacts.
Cannes Insider Tip 3
Festival Town
Cannes is famous for its festivals, not just the exclusive Film Festival but all kinds of events.
Check online to see if there's one to interest you.
Property festivals for investors, Shopping festivals with young designer fashion shows,
Games shows for all the latest toys and computer wizardry are just a few examples.
Cannes Insider Tip 4
VO Cinemas
Most of the bigger towns along the Riviera have cinemas that show 'version original' films
Most blockbuster movies in France are dubbed rather than subtitled but see the originals
in English at a variety of cinemas.
Look in the directory to find addresses and contacts for film schedules.
Cannes Insider Tip 5
Artists Facilities
The South of France is synonimous with many famous artists and
there is a lot of support for current artists. The Association des Beaux Arts
de Cannes have exhibition space, run childrens courses and offer free facilities
for visiting artists including drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture and etching.
Look in the directory, under Cannes, for contact details.