The saying is true, life in Cannes is truly grandiose – and not just during the annual film festival. This beautiful seaside town is known for its old-world charm, sophisticated streets and picturesque neighbourhoods filled with exclusive restaurants, bars and boutiques. A former quiet fishing village, Cannes is now the film industry’s capital. Synonymous with jetsetters, yachting and glamour, those who visit Cannes are sure to experience a taste of the high-life. But there is more to the glitz city than this. Retaining its rustic appeal, one can also enjoy a quiet stroll through the Old Port, explore its open-air markets or watch the traditional boats come in after a day of fishing. Whether you’re looking to spend a few weeks relaxing under the sun on the beach, sail along the French Riviera, Cannes has it all, and more.
Here we share four things you have to do while visiting Cannes.
1) Walk along La Croisette
The place to see and be seen, the boulevard da la Croisette, is lined with luxury fashion houses, exclusive hotels and cafes on one side and the golden sands of the beach on the other. Begin your stroll along La Croisette by visiting some of the high-end boutiques located near the start, including Dior, Prada, Chanel and Miu Miu. Afterwards, head further down the Carré d’Or, to see some of the exclusive jewellery stores and have a drink at one of the most select bars. Further west near the Palais des Festivals, there are several beaches, private and public, so you can choose whichever one you prefer for an afternoon of unwinding and an unadulterated dose of Riviera glamour.
2) Explore Le Suquet
To the West of the harbour is Le Suquet, the original hillside settlement of the town where the winding maze of small streets has remained the same for the past hundreds of years. Head out in the late afternoon and wander through the streets, exploring the cafes and stores along the way. Head towards Rue Sainte-Antoine, which snakes up the hill between the old houses and is lined with several fine restaurants. Make your way up the stairways, past the ochre-coloured walls and bougainvillaea blossoms, until you reach the Place de la Castre. From there you can stand at the terraced garden by the to Notre-Dame d’Espérance look down to see the old harbour, the Palais des Festivals and the arc of La Croisette in their full glory at sunset.
3) Visit the Palais des Festivals
During May is when the Palais des Festivals truly comes to life during the Cannes Film Festival, as the international industry descends into the city to premiere and judge the latest releases, with the Palme d’Or awarded to the best. Running simultaneously with the Marché du Film, the world’s largest film trade fair, thousands of filmmakers, distributors and professionals come together to make contacts and connections. If you don’t have tickets to the Cannes Film Festival, or visit during a different time of the year, then you can still admire it from the outside. Next door is the Chemin des Etoiles, where you can admire hand casts of some of the biggest names in the film industry, from Georges Lucas, Sophia Loren, Meryl Streep and Luc Besson. Located a stone’s throw away from the Old Port of Cannes, you can also admire the fleet of superyachts berthed.
4) Stay at a luxury Cannes Villa
The best way to truly embody the Cannes lifestyle is by staying at one of the finest villas. The pinnacle of luxury, find one that exactly suits your needs and expectations with Cannes Villas rentals. Offering a broad selection of villas in your preferred neighbourhood, why not stay in La Californie, La Croisette or Croix des Gardes? Featuring every amenity you could want, from swimming pools to saunas and cinema, no stay in Cannes is complete without the finest accommodation.
