Visiting Cannes
Few cities hold as much global recognition as Cannes. Since the 1940s, the city has been synonymous with cinema, largely due to its annual film festival that draws the biggest names in the industry every May.
The silver screen at its peak
Cinema is the heartbeat of Cannes. You will inevitably find yourself at the Palais des Festivals, where the world's most famous actors and directors walk the red carpet. The city celebrates this legacy with elaborate wall murals depicting film history. Keep an eye out for portraits of Marilyn Monroe or Charlie Chaplin as you wander the streets. On the plaza outside the Palais and in the surrounding gardens, you will find the Chemin des Étoiles, a collection of handprints from over 300 celebrities that is always a hit with kids.
Between luxury and local life
The Croisette is the local answer to the boardwalks you might find in Miami Beach. This three-kilometer coastal road lined with palm trees is an ideal spot for a walk. It runs alongside sandy beaches that get packed during the summer months. Cannes shows two distinct sides: one defined by high-end hotels and casinos, and another more grounded in history. To see the latter, head to Le Suquet, the oldest neighborhood in the city. Located at the top of Mont-Chevalier, it offers a clear view of the coast. In the summer, the shaded alleys are perfect for a stroll that leads up to the Notre-Dame-d'Espérance church. Afterward, head down to the Vieux Port to see the sailboats and colorful local fishing boats.
Two islands just off the coast
Cannes also has a deep cultural footprint. You can explore this at the musée de la Castre, which is housed in a medieval castle, or at the Malmaison art space. If you have the time, take the 20-minute boat shuttle to the Îles de Lérins. The islands of Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat offer quiet beaches and walking paths. The larger of the two, Sainte-Marguerite, is popular with hikers and is home to the Musée de la Mer, located inside the royal fort. The second island is inhabited by a monastic community that maintains a vineyard.
When to go
You can visit Cannes year-round thanks to the mild climate of the French Riviera. If you prefer to avoid heavy crowds, steer clear of May during the film festival, as well as the peak summer months of July and August. June and September offer some of the most pleasant weather for exploring the city.
How to get there
Cannes-Mandelieu Airport is only 15 minutes from the city center. However, you will likely find more flight options and better pricing by flying into Nice. From Nice, the city is a 40-minute ride on the TER regional train. If you are coming from Paris, the direct train takes about 5 hours.
Despite its bling-bling side, the city of palms never ceases to amaze. Along the Croisette, we happily lounge on the beach while admiring the yachts. Cannes' reputation obviously owes a lot to its grandiose events, especially the film festival, which lets you catch a glimpse of stars on the red carpet. But the city has plenty of other attractions far from the glitter. The Vieux-Port and Le Suquet neighborhoods, with their Provencal streets and old stone buildings, give a different image of Cannes. They are packed with great restaurants and offer a beautiful view of the sea from the hill.