Though much of Cannes culture circles around fashion and cinema, natural beauty, history, and beachside experiences mesh seamlessly to take you on a memorable voyage.
All the glitz and glamour that Cannes is known for, thanks to its eponymous red-carpeted film festival, is just the tip of the iceberg. For the sun-kissed resort town on the French Riviera brims with designer bars, couture outlets, luxury hotels, and gourmet diners. Scheduled to be hosted from May 17 this year, the Cannes Film Festival may be the main reason why this French town hold the world’s attention, but it certainly isn’t the only one.
Here, spotting celebrities and super luxury cars, sunning on the sun lounger-lined beaches, basking the patios of en plein air (open-air) cafes while sipping on French wines, and hitting the casinos are perennial pastimes. There’s also abundant natural beauty to soak in — right from the harbour where luxury yachts are moored, to the bay and beaches, offshore islands, the beautiful La Croisette promenade, and the old quarter of Le Suquet. Add to its the warm, balmy weather that keeps Cannes company almost year long and the picturesque vistas of the southern coastline of France.
Dotted with designer boutiques, palm trees, smart hotels with private beaches, and casinos, the famed beach promenade, La Croisette, certainly deserves a leisurely stroll or two. Marché Forville, the nearby gigantic indoor market is perfect if you wish to sample fresh local produce and fromages.
La Mairie de Cannes (Town Hall) is a splendid example of early French Third Republic architecture, complete with an ornate clock face housed under a mansard roof. The grand town hall overlooks the Le Vieux Port (Old Port), where the glamorous rows of yachts are lined up at all times.
The Roman settlement of Le Suquet is a delight to stroll around, with 18th-century pastel-coloured buildings, steep cobbled streets, family-run restaurants, and great views of the Bay of Cannes. Go further back in time at Musée de la Castre through its amazing collection of medieval artefacts, Asian instruments, and unusual paintings.
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