A favourite haunt of the rich and famous, the Mediterranean city of Cannes is definitely the see-and-be-seen hub of France’s southern coast, specifically during the Cannes Film Festival in May, when its marinas are crammed with costly yachts and its shorelines lined with bikini-clad chicks. The renowned former fishing town, however, is not only a springtime destination for the wealthy, it is a fantastic holiday destination for the rest of the year, with tons to see and do close to the city, even if you’re on a budget break.Like all Mediterranean resorts, the beaches here are a significant draw, as is the almost endless sunshine. The fantastic stretches of pristine sand are separated into private hotel beaches and free public beaches, with plenty of room for everybody as well as their families along the gently-curving bay, with water sports features available everywhere. Calao Plage, the Plage du Midi and the Plages de la Bocca are favourites, with literally a bunch more to select from, all offered either by walking or by road from Cannes City Centre hotels.Le Souquet is Cannes’ Old Town, with many historic landmarks and monuments tracing the development of the city from the fishing village to one of Europe’s prime social hubs. Wonderful views and winding cobbled pavement hide stylish cafes and bars perfect for people-watching or a spot of lunch after a morning’s exploration of the sights. The famous La Croisette boulevard, created in the mid nineteenth century, extends along the seafront for three kilometres, skirting the glorious beaches and backed by luxurious hotels with views across the Mediterranean to the pretty Lerins islands overseas.
Visiting Cannes isn’t perfect without a stop at the Palais des Festivals on La Croisette, house to the film festival and the annual superstar parades of the famous, leaking with jewels and designer gear, over the red carpet lined with thousands of viewers and press photographers. Throughout the year, the venue plays host to exhibitions and several of the city’s festivals, like November Cannes Dance Festival with its impressive line-up of well-known international superstars.
Cannes museums have a great deal to present history enthusiasts, with the Musee de Castro a top destination for its Old Town place in the medieval castle as well as its demonstrates of Mediterranean artefacts and antiques, historical musical instruments, ceramics, archaeological artefacts and nineteenth century Provencal art. The effort of going up the the castle’s tower gains the lively vacationer with outstanding views of the city, its surroundings and the offshore islands.
The fascinating Maritime Museum lies on St Marguerite Island, effortlessly reached by boat from the harbour and set in an ancient fort, the setting for the prison in the Alexandre Dumas novel ‘Man in the Iron Mask’. Marine archaeological finds from shipwrecks dating from the Roman era as well as more modern times are displayed here, as well as non permanent displays of photos and other visual arts. Smaller island of St Honorat holds a ruined castle and a working monastery, with monk-manufactured wine and other merchandise making unique mementos. The islands are a serene getaway from the packed city in summer, with fine-looking beaches, restaurants and bars.
Most popular occupations in Cannes are dining and shopping, with everything from exclusive restaurants and world-famous designer boutiques to street food and discount shopping in Cannes marketplaces. One of the best covered markets is Marche Forville, set along the city’s gourmet street of Rue Maynardiers and giving a magnificent foodie experience unmatched for variety and scale. Every Monday, the marketplace goes brocante, with all of manner of antiques, bric-a-brac and collectables.
Between La Croisette and Rue d’Antibes is a huge selection of boutiques, together with a selection offering affordable fashions and accessories – for the rest, it’s a choice between maxing the plastic or window-shopping!
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