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Cannes

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Overview

Cannes is a resort city located on the French Riviera. It is located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, and is the host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The city is known for its association with the rich and famous, its luxury hotels and restaurants, and for several conferences.

Wikivoyage guide · 20 sections

▸Introduction179 chars

Once a small fishing village on the French Riviera, Cannes is now a glamorous and expensive seaside town of 73,000 people (2021) considered to be one of the social hubs of Europe.

▸Understand657 chars

Cannes' moment to shine arrives in May as the venue for the Cannes Film Festival, entertaining the rich and famous. During the festival, fans can see actors, celebrities, and directors up close and in person on the famous steps of the Palais des Festivals at the end of La Croisette. Although its nightlife, casinos and high end restaurants give Cannes a feel of exclusivity, Cannes does have alternatives to suit all types of budgets. Tourists can check out the beauty and architecture of Le Suquet, with its cobbled streets and breathtaking views, or sit at street side tables and enjoy the favoured hobby of people watching up and down the lovely marina.

▸Get in344 chars

During peak season (August) transportation should be booked in advance, as it will sell out.

If travelling by public transit, two weeks before or after August, also be aware of the possibility of labour strikes. Strikes are common, anticipated, and highly publicised. Check the French newspapers or news websites before purchasing your tickets.

Facts

Rank

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Coordinates

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia3,006 words

WBP editorial3

Beyond the Croisette: A Local’s Palette

While the boulevard is synonymous with glitter, the neighbourhood of Le Suquet offers a quieter narrative. Its steep, cobbled lanes wind past a medieval watchtower and a church whose bell still marks the rhythm of daily life. Stop at a family-run crêperie for buckwheat galettes topped with regional cheese, then linger at the weekly market on Rue d'Antibes where Provençal olives, sun‑dried tomatoes and artisanal lavender soaps are bartered amongst locals. The experience is less about celebrity and more about the continuity of coastal living, reminding visitors that Cannes sustains a culinary tradition that predates the film reels.

Seasonal Rhythm: When the Festivals Fade

The summer months bring the glitter of film and music conferences, but the city's character subtly shifts in late autumn. The sea retains a milder temperature than the northern Atlantic, allowing cafés to keep their terraces open while the crowds thin. This is the ideal period to explore the Îles de Lérins by ferry; the islands' pine‑scented paths are uncluttered, and the Monastery of Saint‑Honorat welcomes fewer pilgrims, offering a contemplative atmosphere. Autumn also coincides with the harvest of local grapes, making the nearby vineyards of Bellet an inviting detour for a quiet tasting session.

More in cities0

Most people will recommend to you to use the train. But if you are at unease dropping money like a millionaire, you might as well just opt for one of the several buses.

Nice – Buses leave from Nice Gare SNCF at 05:22, 06:23, 08:13, 11:23, 14:23, 15:12, 16:23, 17:40, 18:13, and 19:13, often daily. They take 30 min and continue to Marseille, €33 for the full distance, but Nice-Cannes should be less than €5.

Regional Zou! buses 620 connect Nice Parc Phoenix and Cannes Gare SNCF every 15 min (90 min, 2,50€ at driver), they also stop on the main road in front of Terminal 1 of Nice Airport and in Antibes.

Marseille – Buses leave from Marseille Saint-Charles at 05:58, 06:58, 07:58, 09:58, 11:58, 13:58, 16:56, and 18:58, often daily. They take about 2½ hr and continue to Nice, €33 for the full distance, but Marseille-Cannes should be around €25-30.

Aix-en-Provence – Does not seem to be served equally convenient.

Coaches (Express) run from Nice to Cannes centre via the A8 motorway at a cost of around €17, every 30 min, 45 min trip duration, no view.

▸By car1,624 chars

As with Antibes, Monaco and other towns on the French Riviera, access by road at popular times can be slow and frustrating. The coast roads are generally packed, and there are few ways to descend from inland. Locals do have some tricks, like the one described below, but they are complex and do not always work. Using the train to get in is probably better. You can park in Mougins or Mouans Sartoux and take the train to Cannes.

The obvious way to Cannes from the A8 Cannes/Grasse exit is often extremely slow; you end up descending the Boulevard Carnot, which has an endless stream of traffic lights. The simplest way to avoid this congestion is to bear right immediately after you have left the A8 at the first traffic light. Then, once you are off the main road, get into the right hand lane and stay there as the road turns into a normal two-way road.

After a sharp bend there is a traffic light. Continue straight on at the light. At the next major intersection (about 1 km further), turn left following signs to Cannes.

You are now on the N85; you should stay on it, and not follow misleading signs to other bits of Cannes until you are at the bottom (a T junction with a French Telecom building on your left). Probably the easiest thing to do at this point is to turn left at this T junction and almost immediately left again. Then go into the first parking garage you can (Parking Fontville).

Another way down to the coast (this works for both Cannes and Juan les Pins/Antibes) is to go to Vallauris and descend to the coast on the D135 and then turn right (for Cannes) or left (for Antibes) when you get to the N7.

▸See2,524 chars

Old town — The usual narrow winding streets filled with restaurants and souvenir shops. The view from the castle ruins at the top is excellent.

Covered Market (Marché Forville) — For a spectacular eating and viewing food experience, no other market in Cannes beats this for scale and variety. The market itself is at the west end of rue Meynardiers, one of the Cote's best gourmand streets. Closed as of 2026.

Palais des Festivals — Down La Croisette is the famous Palais des Festivals, where stars of the screen gather and watch films screened during the festival. Irresistible not to pose for a photograph on the 22 steps leading up to the entrance.

Hands of the stars — Just in front of the Palais you will find a line of dozens of hand prints of famous stars and actors. Similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Murs Peints — Several houses in Cannes are painted with overly large portraits of stars and movies themes. Checkout OpenStreetMap to find them.

Suquet — A quarter with a great view over the city.

Port — Admire the yachts of the rich and possibly famous - though true mega-yachts will be found at the International Yacht Club down the coast in Antibes.

La Croisette — Cannes catwalk beside the sea, it is the center of the city's tourist activity and known for its luxury hotels and boutique shops.

Beaches — The beaches are mostly private and cost up to €30 for a day's use (including sunbed and shade). The public beaches are crowded, and are found at the far east and west of town. If you want a quieter beach, a better option is to go to the Îles de Lérins, see below. At night the beaches can be tranquil, but watch out for spectacular fireworks displays (see posters/ask at tourist info) in the bay, get to the beach early to get a good spot!

Îles de Lérins — Two islands in the bay that are definitely worth visiting. The smaller is St Honorat, which has a monastery and ruined castle. The monks sell monastery-made food/drink products like wine which make unique souvenirs. The larger island is Ste Marguerite which also has a castle, shops, bars, and restaurants. Find a quiet cove, some shade from palm trees, and a cheap snorkel before you swim around the rocky coves. A return ticket to Ste Marguerite is €11 with ferries departing every hour roughly from 7 in the morning until about 05:30 at night - ask for a timetable. The ticket to St Honorat costs €13, and visiting the fortified monastery costs €3/pax. The timetable and information is also available in a brochure kept in most hotel lobbies.

▸Do2,025 chars

Festival de Cannes. The most famous film festival in the world takes place in mid-May every year. The world's biggest celebrities are on hand to walk the red carpet, and thousands of international films are screened in the festival and the Marché du Film, the world's biggest film market.

Notre-Dame d'Esperance, Place de la Castre. Provençal Gothic church with wood paneling dating back to the 14th and 15th century. Also worth a look is the collection of 19th century paintings, which includes a fresco by George Roux that portrays the baptism of Christ. The church is situated on top of Suquet hill in old Cannes, the church offers visitors a fabulous view of the town and its bay.

Croix des gardes. Natural park area, trails and vistas

Tour du Masque, 9, rue du Mont Chevalier, Cannes 06401. A popular attraction for history and literary buffs, the Tour du Masque is said to be haunted by the ghost of the mythical, mysterious figure known as the "Man in the Iron Mask."

Molinard, 60, boulevard Victor-Hugo, Grasse 06130, ☏ +33 4 9336-0162. Follow your nose down this flower-strewn villa to learn how perfume is made and manufactured. It's an olfactory and visual feast, as well as smelling some of the world's finest perfumes. Famous perfume bottles are also on display.

Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence, 2 rue Mirabeau, ☏ +33 4 9705 5800. The museum retraces everyday life in Provence from prehistoric times to the present day. The Provençal way of life is illustrated through furniture, pottery, paintings, traditional costumes and santons (Christmas crib figures). There's also an authentic formal garden for you to enjoy.

French Riviera, CMC Cannes Riviera Gastronomie Maritime, Gare Maritime, jet Albert-Edouard, Cannes 06400, ☏ +33 4 9368-9898. Enjoy the view of Cannes from this luxury ship. You can choose to do either a lunch tour or an evening dinner tour. For a one flat fee you receive lunch or dinner and a tour whilst enjoying live music. The tours run daily from 12:30-15:00, 20:30-23:30.

▸Buy1,463 chars

Cannes is renowned for its luxury boutiques and designer fashion.

The shops in Cannes are concentrated between La Croisette and rue d'Antibes - a distance easily covered on foot. Here you'll find all the luxury boutiques you could possibly desire as well as other shops selling products at a more affordable price range. The old town has any number of shops selling souvenirs as well.

Stroll, or stop by, the wide array of international designer shops that line La Croisette, which include Chanel, Dior, and Gucci. Check out the l`enfant terrible of French fashion, Jean Paul Gaultier in the Gray d'Albion arcade at number 17.

For those with a sweet tooth, get your fix on Rue d'Antibes, which has the best chocolatiers and delicatessens

Cannes English Bookshop, 11 rue Bivouac Napoléon (just by the Palais des Festivals), ☏ +33 4 9399-4008. If you are getting desperate to read something in English

A great street to grab yourself a bargain is on the Rue Meynadier, with a vibrant market atmosphere. Taste some sharp cheese at Ceneri, on 22 rue Meynadier, while quality wines are found at La Cave Forville, at 3 Forville Market.

A souvenir from the monastery on Ste Honorat is a good way to distinguish yourself from the other tourists toting bags of the same souvenirs.

Standard shopping hours are Monday to Saturday 10:00-12:00 and 14:30–19:30. In high season, many shops do not close for lunch. Sales tax varies between 5.5% (food) to 19.6% (luxury goods).

▸Eat3,175 chars

Although it tends to get pretty pricey to eat out in Cannes, it is possible to get a delicious meal incorporating the mouth-watering, fresh regional produce sourced from the markets.

The most popular restaurants to eat at are all along the riverfront, although they are they are not particularly value for money. While the food is ok, it's overpriced, however the people watching and posing-potential is an important compensation.

The best areas for dining are the rue Meynadier, in the beautiful old district of Le Suquet, where you can dine outdoors with a stunning view of the town below, and in the back streets of the Rue de Antibes, you can find some reasonable dining options.

Vegetarians have a bit of a rough time in France generally, in that most menus classify things as fish, meat and nothing else, and the French pride themselves in eating some fairly esoteric parts of animals not found in supermarkets back home - "testicules de mouton" for example. Traditional French cuisine is expensive at best, you could consider eating in some of the more Italian places.

The most romantic setting for dining in Cannes is away from the conference/ expense account circuit of central Cannes, in the historic quarter of Le Cannet, a northern suburb of Cannes some two kilometers away. Accessible by taxi or local buses, Vieux Le Cannet looks down over Cannes, and at its best vantage point is the large tree lined open square of Place Bellvue, tables alfresco, bounded by four or five quality restaurants patronized mainly by French "in the know". The Place Bellvue is on the main street rue St Sauver, home to artists ateliers and picture-postcard old French scenes. Well worth the extra effort.

1 Philcat. Sells Pan Bagnat, but quite expensive for €6. (updated Apr 2019)

24 Suquet Restaurant, 24 rue du Suquet, ☏ +33 4 9338 7522. Located in the old town of Cannes, this chic and cosy restaurant serves fine Provincial cuisine in an atmosphere that is as welcoming as it is becoming.

Le Caveau 30, 45 rue Félix Faure, ☏ +33 4 9339 0633. Fresh seafood and produce worth coming back for, at this upscale restaurant that tends to get quite crowded in the summer months. Impressive wine list to go with the varied menu options and the staff are always attentive and professional.

La Palme d'Or, Hôtel Martinez, 73 boulevard de la Croisette. Great location overlooking the bay of Cannes. Food is of an extremely high standard, the stylish and contemporary decor impresses, and the service is impeccable. Two Michelin stars have been awarded to this restaurant.

Authentic, 92, Ave Francis Tonner, Cannes La Bocca (traveling west from Cannes, pass the market in La Bocca & it's on your right, one block further.), ☏ +33 4 9348 3406. No view (location isn't great), but this resto itself is simple but lovely. Even better, the food. For a really wonderful meal at 30% or less of prices in Cannes itself, check out this great little secret. The meal always begins with a little complimentary tasting. Very popular at noon, so make a reservation during August for lunch or dinner. The chef is from Alsace, but uses local fare superbly, too. menus start under €20 for dinner.

▸Sleep3,860 chars

Villa La Contemporaine de Cannes. Modern Cannes luxury villa rental located in the exclusive area of La Californie above Cannes.

Citadines Croisette Cannes, 1, rue le Poussin, ☏ +33 4 97 06 92 00, fax: +33 4 93 38 84 09, cannes@citadines.com. This 3-star establishment with an indoor garden and a solarium offers 58 flats in 2 wings of 3 and 5 floors, ranging from studios to one-bedroom apartments. From April to September, residents can have access to a private beach. All studios and apartments are fully air-conditioned and have a bathroom with separate toilet and a fully-equipped separate kitchen area. Some studios are equipped for people with reduced mobility.

Hôtel Alnea, 20 rue Jean de Riouffe, ☏ +33 4 9368 7777. Comfortable hotel that has basic features, with satellite TV, telephone with internet connection and WiFi. Near the Palais des Festivals.

Hôtel America Cannes, 13 rue Saint Honoré, ☏ +33 4 9306 7575. 28 rooms, including 4 junior suites, just behind the Majestic Hotel, 60 m from the Congress Centre. Very clean and comfortable. All rooms have flat-screen TV, high speed wireless internet connection. Laundry, wake-up call services, concierge services. No restaurant, only buffet breakfast or in-room breakfast.

Palais Stephanie Beach (Palais Beach), ☏ +33 04 92 99 52 82, contact@palaisstephaniebeach.com. Unique business & leisure property with 234 rooms including 47 suites, 16 meeting rooms and a 820-seat auditorium (formerly Noga Hilton). (updated Dec 2020)

Claremont Hotel, 13 Rue Du Août. This quaint and charming hotel offers comfortable rooms for single or sharing occupancy. It provides breakfast, laundry and wakeup-call services, and transfers to and from the airport, and other towns along the Riviera.

3.14 hotel, 5 rue François Einessy, ☏ +33 04 9299 7200. Unique hotel with rooms designed from five continents, with each floor representing a continent, such as vibrant Asia or cultural Europe. All rooms have flat-screen TV, DVD player, broadband internet connection and WiFi access and the hotel even has its own private beach on La Croisette.

Le Mistral, 13 rue des Belges. Modern boutique hotel with art works on display in each of the rooms. The rooms are soundproofed and air conditioned and feature free Wi-Fi access, cable TV and direct phones.

Suitehotel Cannes Centre, 46 bis boulevard. Carnot. 10 minutes from the railway station, all rooms have separate bathrooms and toilets, a small kitchenette, large working spaces and flat screen TVs.

The InterContinental Carlton, 58 boulevard de la Croisette, ☏ +33 4 9306 4006. With a private beach, the InterContinental offers guests comfort and convenience with two restaurants, two bars and a health club on site.

Hotel Martinez, 73 boulevard de la Croisette, ☏ +33 4 9298 7300. The place where A-list celebrities like visiting presidents or royalty stay, the Hotel Martinez is one of the Riviera's grand dames, with its own private beach and pool, a spa and fitness center, grand apartments, suites and pretty rooms. It also plays host to the Michelin awarded restaurant, La Palme d'Or (see "Eat").

Résidence Pierre & Vacances Cannes Beach (Cannes-La-Bocca shopping quarter). In the spirit of Cannes, the 7- to 8-floor residence is shaped like a “P” and spread out around a large patio with exotic vegetation. The apartments are equipped with terraces or balconies. It has a fitness room and a restaurant. If you get tired of your private beach (unlikely) then the public sand beach is a 50-m walk away.

Croisette Beach Hotel, 13 rue du Canada, ☏ +33 4 92 18 88 00. Located in the Golden Square of Cannes, on a quiet street between the bustle of the Croisette and the luxury stores on the Rue d'Antibes. €110-210.

1 Boîte d'Amour, ☏ +39 3454540697, cannesmaison@hotmail.com. Italian-style accommodation with big terrace. (updated Nov 2019)

Introduction

City in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France Not to be confused with Caen or Cannae. Commune in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, FranceCannes Canas (Occitan)CommuneA view of Cannes FlagCoat of armsLocation of CannesCannesShow map of FranceCannesShow map of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurCoordinates: 43°33′05″N 7°00′46″E / 43.5513°N 7.0128°E / 43.5513; 7.0128CountryFranceRegionProvence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurDepartmentAlpes-MaritimesArrondissementGrasseCantonCannes-1 and 2IntercommunalityCA Cannes Pays de LérinsGovernment • Mayor (2020–2026) David Lisnard (LR)Area119.62 km2 (7.58 sq mi)Population (2023)74,350 • Density3,790/km2 (9,815/sq mi)Demonym(s)Cannois (masculine)Cannoise (feminine)Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)INSEE/Postal code06029 /06400Elevation0–260 m (0–853 ft)1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. Cannes is a resort city located on the French Riviera. It is located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, and is the host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The city is known for its association with the rich and famous, its luxury hotels and restaurants, and for several conferences.

History

[edit] By the 2nd century BC, the Ligurian Oxybii established a settlement here known as Aegitna (Ancient Greek: Αἴγιτνα). Historians are unsure what the name means, but the connection to Greek αἴγες "waves, surf" seems evident. The second element could be compared to the Cretan and Thessalian towns of Itanos (Ἴτανος) and Iton (Ἴτων); also phonetically close is the Aetolian town of Aegitium (Αἰγίτιον). The area was a fishing village used as a port of call between the Lérins Islands. Cannes seen from Spot Satellite In 154 BC, it became the scene of violent but quick conflict between the troops of Quintus Opimius and the Oxybii. In the 10th century, the town was known as Canua. The name may derive from "canna", a reed. Canua was probably the site of a small Ligurian port, and later a Roman outpost on Le Suquet hill, suggested by Roman tombs discovered here. Le Suquet housed an 11th-century tower, which overlooked the swamps where the city now stands. Most of the ancient activity, especially protection, was on the Lérins Islands, and the history of Cannes is closely tied to the history of the islands. An attack by the Saracens in 891, who remained until the end of the 10th century, devastated the country around Canua. The insecurity of the Lérins islands forced the monks to settle on the mainland, at the Suquet. Construction of a castle in 1035 fortified the city then known as Cannes, and at the end of the 11th century construction was started on two towers on the Lérins islands. One took a century to build. Around 1530, Cannes detached from the monks who had controlled the city for hundreds of years and became independent. During the 18th century, both the Spanish and British tried to gain control of the Lérins Islands but were chased away by the French. The islands were later controlled by many, such as Jean-Honoré Alziary and the Bishop of Fréjus. They had many different purposes: in the middle of the 19th century, one served as a hospital for soldiers wounded in the Crimean War. Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux bought land at the Croix des Gardes "about the year 1838, when it was little more than a fishing village on a picturesque coast" and constructed the villa Eleonore-Louise; Brougham's work to improve living conditions attracted the English aristocracy, who also built winter residences. The Hôtel de Ville The 19th century saw the modernization of Cannes, spearheaded by Marie de Lametz and her son, Prince Charles III, to follow the successes of nearby Nice and the successful gambling industry in Bad Homburg. After several failures in 1850s, the late 1860s saw an expansion of casino, villas, hotels, roads and railway (the distance from Paris to Cannes reduced to 23 hours). The Hôtel de Ville was completed in 1876. During the repression of January and February 1894, the police conducted raids targeting the anarchists living there, without much success. At the end of the 19th century, several more railways were completed, which prompted the arrival of streetcars. In Cannes, projects such as the Boulevard Carnot and the rue d'Antibes were carried out. After the closure of the Casino des Fleurs (hôtel Gallia), a luxury establishment was built for the rich winter clientele, the Casino Municipal next to the pier Albert-Edouard. This casino was demolished and replaced by the new Palace in 1979. In the 20th century, new luxury hotels such as the Carlton, Majestic, Martinez, and JW Marriott Cannes were built. The city was modernised with a sports centre, a post office, and schools. There were fewer British and German tourists after the First World War, but more Americans. Winter tourism gave way to summer tourism, and the summer casino at Palm Beach was constructed. In 1931, Karan Singh, the crown prince of Jammu and Kashmir, was born at the Martinez Hotel. The city council had the idea of starting an international film festival shortly after World War II. On 3 November 2011, it hosted the 2011 G20 summit. In 2021, Cannes was designated as the City of Film by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Climate

[edit] Cannes has a subtropical Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa) and the city enjoys 11 hours of sunshine per day during summer (July), while in winter (December to February) the weather is mild. Both seasons see a relatively low rainfall and most rain occurs during October and November when over 100 mm (3.9 in) falls. Cannes summers are long and warm, with summer daytime temperatures regularly hitting 30 °C (86 °F), while average temperatures are about 25 °C (77 °F). Temperatures remain high from June to September, the busiest time of the year. Mean temperatures drop below 10 °C (50 °F) for only three months of the year (December to February). The spring and autumn are also warm, although more suited to those who prefer slightly cooler weather. The record high temperature was 39.2 °C (102.6 °F) on 19 July 2023, while the record low temperature was −12.0 °C (10.4 °F) on 9 January 1985. Climate data for Cannes (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1949–present) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 22.9(73.2) 26.0(78.8) 27.9(82.2) 27.6(81.7) 31.7(89.1) 37.3(99.1) 39.2(102.6) 38.3(100.9) 35.0(95.0) 31.4(88.5) 25.8(78.4) 23.8(74.8) 39.2(102.6) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 13.6(56.5) 13.9(57.0) 16.0(60.8) 18.2(64.8) 21.9(71.4) 25.5(77.9) 28.2(82.8) 28.6(83.5) 25.3(77.5) 21.3(70.3) 17.1(62.8) 14.3(57.7) 20.3(68.6) Daily mean °C (°F) 8.6(47.5) 8.8(47.8) 11.0(51.8) 13.5(56.3) 17.2(63.0) 20.9(69.6) 23.5(74.3) 23.7(74.7) 20.3(68.5) 16.7(62.1) 12.5(54.5) 9.4(48.9) 15.5(59.9) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 3.7(38.7) 3.7(38.7) 6.0(42.8) 8.7(47.7) 12.6(54.7) 16.3(61.3) 18.7(65.7) 18.8(65.8) 15.4(59.7) 12.1(53.8) 7.9(46.2) 4.6(40.3) 10.7(51.3) Record low °C (°F) −12.0(10.4) −9.2(15.4) −9.9(14.2) −0.5(31.1) 2.3(36.1) 7.4(45.3) 8.8(47.8) 10.5(50.9) 5.3(41.5) 0.9(33.6) −3.4(25.9) −5.6(21.9) −12.0(10.4) Average precipitation mm (inches) 82.5(3.25) 57.0(2.24) 60.2(2.37) 78.2(3.08) 51.8(2.04) 32.5(1.28) 18.7(0.74) 23.9(0.94) 92.1(3.63) 134.3(5.29) 145.4(5.72) 104.6(4.12) 881.2(34.7) Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 5.9 5.3 5.7 6.3 5.4 3.6 1.8 2.7 4.8 7.5 8.5 6.4 63.9 Average relative humidity (%) 72 70 70 70 73 74 72 72 74 75 74 72 72.3 Mean monthly sunshine hours 148.1 164.0 216.7 227.3 274.6 312.5 346.5 320.1 254.2 192.7 149.6 136.5 2,742.7 Source 1: Meteociel Source 2: Infoclimat.fr (humidity 1961–1990)

Landmarks

[edit] The Promenade de la Croisette is the waterfront avenue with palm trees. La Croisette is known for picturesque beaches, restaurants, cafés, boutiques, and luxury hotels. Le Suquet, the old town, provides a good view of La Croisette. The fortified tower and the Chapelle Sainte-Anne house the Musée des Explorations du monde. A distinctive building in Cannes is the Russian Orthodox church. Hotels[edit] Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes Hôtel Martinez InterContinental Carlton Cannes JW Marriott Cannes Villas[edit] Cannes of the 19th century can still be seen in its grand villas, built to reflect the wealth and standing of their owners and inspired by anything from medieval castles to Roman villas. They are not open to the public. Lord Brougham's Italianate Villa Eléonore Louise (one of the first in Cannes) was built between 1835 and 1839. Also known as the Quartier des Anglais, this is the oldest residential area in Cannes. Another landmark is the Villa Fiésole (known today as the Villa Domergue) designed by Jean-Gabriel Domergue in the style of Fiesole, near Florence, which may be visited on appointment. Île Sainte-Marguerite[edit] St. Marguerite Island It took the Man in the Iron Mask 11 years to leave the tiny, forested St Marguerite Island. The mysterious individual was believed to be of noble blood, but his identity has never been proven. His cell can be visited in the Fort of St Marguerite, now renamed the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea). This museum also houses discoveries from shipwrecks off the island, including Roman (1st century BC) and Saracen (10th century AD) ceramics. Île Saint-Honorat[edit] St. Honorat Island Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants of the smaller, southern St Honorat Island. Monks have inhabited the island since AD 410 and, at the height of their powers, owned Cannes, Mougins, and Vallauris. Medieval vestiges remain in the stark church, which is open to the public, and in the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the seashore. The monks inhabit the Lérins Abbey and divide their time between prayer and producing red and white wines. Museums[edit] The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence houses artifacts from prehistoric to present, in an 18th-century mansion. The Musée de la Castre has objects from the Pacific Atolls, Peruvian relics, and Mayan pottery. Other venues include the Musée de la Marine, Musée de la Mer, Musée de la Photographie and Musée International de la Parfumerie. Theatre and music[edit] Small venues stage productions and host short sketches during the annual International Actors' Performance Festival (Festival Performance d'Acteur). Local theaters include the Théâtre Debussy, the Espace Miramar and the Alexandre III. Festivals and show events[edit] Festival d'art pyrotechnique de Cannes 2021 The Cannes Film Festival founded in 1946 is held annually, usually in May, at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is a global event and awards show for those working in advertising and related fields, held annually in June. The Festival d'art pyrotechnique de Cannes is an annual fireworks competition held in the summer at the Bay of Cannes. Midem, the foremost trade show for the music industry. MIPIM, the world's largest property-related trade show. Carnival on the Riviera is an annual parade through the streets to mark the 21 days before Shrove Tuesday. The International Festival of Games is a festival of bridge, belote, backgammon, chess, draughts, tarot, and more (February). Cannes Yachting Festival is an event for boating enthusiasts in the Vieux Port (September). The International Actors' Performance Festival: comedy sketches and performances by fringe artists The International Luxury Travel Market brings together under one roof the top international luxury travel providers and suppliers from all around the world. The Global Champions Tour showjumping league has an annual event in the ports of Cannes. MIPCOM and MIPTV, held in October and April respectively, are the world's most important trade markets for the television industry. The Pan-African Film Festival, held in early April and featuring films from the African diaspora.

Transport

[edit] Nice Côte d'Azur Airport[edit] Located 24 km (15 mi) from Cannes, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport. The smaller Cannes–Mandelieu Airport is nearby. Rail[edit] Cannes station is the main railway station for the city of Cannes. It is situated on the Marseille–Ventimiglia railway. There are several rail services including: TGVs from Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice, a TER from Marseille St Charles to Nice, a TER service from Cannes to Les Arcs, and a TER service from Grasse/Cannes to Ventimiglia (Italy). The formers occasional Thello (Italian train) from Marseille St Charles to Milan no longer operates since December 2021. Cannes-la-Bocca station is both a passenger station and a goods/maintenance depot. It is situated alongside the beach and has a connection to local ferries. There are three more stations on the line to Grasse: Le Bosquet, La Frayère, and Ranguin. Bus[edit] Coach services arrive at the Gare Routière de Cannes, in the centre of the city, near the Town Hall. Companies from abroad include Eurolines and Agence Phocéens. Regional services are by Rapides Côte d'Azur and CTM, with services from Nice and Grasse/Mandelieu respectively. Local bus services are provided by Bus Azur. Ferry[edit] Ferries are available in the Nice harbour from Bastia and Calvi in Corsica, with services provided by SNCM Ferryterranée and Corsica Ferries. From Bastia, the journey is 4 hours, and 45 minutes on conventional ferries, and 3 hours, and 40 minutes on express ferries, while from Calvi, conventional vessels take 3 hours, and 45 minutes, and express vessels take 2 hours and 45 minutes. An average of four ferries a day sail on these routes, with more during summer. Port[edit] Cannes has 2 marinas – Vieux Port de Cannes (with 800 berths up to 145 m in length) beside the Palais des Festivals and Port Pierre Canto at the far end of the Croisette. Vieux Port is the main port and is used for cruise stopovers and yacht charters. Panorama of Cannes waterfront, from which many ferries can be caught

Notable people

[edit] Catherine Guillouard, 2017 Gérard Philipe, 1955 Sarah Bouhaddi, 2014 Jean-Baptiste Dumas Alexis de Tocqueville, 1850 Public service[edit] Dante Livio Bianco (1909–1953), Italian civil lawyer and wartime partisan leader. Anne Spoerry (1918–1999), French-Kenyan doctor and pilot Karan Singh (born 1931), former ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Indian diplomat and politician Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz (1936–2020), Spanish royal and Grandee of Spain Jean-Charles Terrassier (1940–2022), psychologist, specialized in childhood intellectual giftedness Norbert Turini (born 1954), prelate of the Catholic Church, archbishop of Montpellier. Catherine Guillouard (born 1965), CEO of RATP Group, state-owned public transport operator The arts[edit] Amédée de Vallombrosa (1880–1968), classical organist Gérard Philipe (1922–1959), theater and film actor Claude Mercier-Ythier (1931–2020), French harpsichord maker James de Beaujeu Domville (1933–2015), theatrical producer and Commissioner of the National Film Board of Canada Gabriel Tacchino (born 1934), French classical pianist and piano teacher Vojislav Stanimirovic (1937–2022), reformed criminal, writer, journalist, and artist Jean-Jacques Kantorow (born 1945), violinist and conductor Jacques Israelievitch (1948–2015), a French violinist Paolo Barzman (born 1957), French-American film director Frédéric Boyer (born 1961), author of novels, poems, and essays Cécilia Cara (born 1984), French actress and singer Sport[edit] Bernard Casoni (born 1961), a former footballer with 488 club caps and 30 for France Yann Bonato (born 1972), basketball player Johan Micoud (born 1973), footballer with 485 club caps and 17 for France Cyrille Sauvage (born 1973), racing driver Sébastien Vieilledent (born 1976), rower and gold medallist at the Rowing at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's double sculls Sarah Bouhaddi (born 1986), footballer with over 300 club caps and 149 for France women Anthony Modeste, (born 1988), football player with over 400 club caps Tony Ramoin (born 1988), snowboarder, bronze medallist at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Élodie Lorandi (born 1989), a swimmer and medallist at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Paralympics Johann Zarco (born 1990), Grand Prix motorcycle racer Norman Nato (born 1992), racing driver Brandon Maïsano (born 1993), racing driver Dylan Bronn (born 1995), a footballer with over 200 club caps and 35 for Tunisia Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (born 1995), NBA player Dorian Boccolacci (born 1998), racing driver Lenny Martinez (born 2003), professional cyclist Died in Cannes[edit] Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux (1778–1868), British statesman & Lord Chancellor. Charles Grant, 1st Baron Glenelg (1778–1866), a Scottish politician and colonial administrator. Victor Cousin (1792–1867), a French philosopher, founded "eclecticism". Jean-Baptiste Dumas (1800–1884), a French chemist, worked on organic analysis and synthesis. T. E. Ellis (1859-1899), Welsh politician, leader of Cymru Fydd. Prosper Mérimée (1803–1870), a French Romanticism writer. Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859), aristocrat, diplomat, political scientist & philosopher, and historian. Louis Blanc (1811–1882), a French socialist politician and historian. Sir Monier Monier-Williams (1819–1899), an Oxford scholar who taught Asian languages. John Francis Campbell (1821–1885), a Scottish author and scholar. Sir Henry James Sumner Maine (1822–1888), a British Whig comparative jurist and historian. Charilaos Trikoupis (1832–1896), Greek politician, Prime Minister of Greece seven times, 1875–1895. Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire (1833–1908), a British statesman. Benjamin Godard (1849–1895), a French violinist and Romantic-era composer. Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany (1853−1884), eighth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert Nubar Gulbenkian (1896–1972), Armenian business magnate and socialite Jacques Monod (1910–1976), French microbiologist and biochemist, Nobel prizewinner

Cannes

Beyond the Croisette: A Local’s Palette

Seasonal Rhythm: When the Festivals Fade

Mobility on the Riviera: Getting Around Like a Resident