Perhaps the city of Cannes is most known for the prestigious film festival bearing its name. But this great city has much, much more to offer than its cinematic miracles. Cannes takes pride in its architectural grandeur, whether in its popular historical buildings or in its frequented Cannes luxury rentals. It is celebrated for its art. It is famous for its cuisine. Let’s walk you through the bountiful marvels that Cannes has to offer.
The Cannes Film Festival may be the most celebrated and popular among media audiences but there are more festivities in the city that are less known but may be as influential to the world.
The Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity is an annual advertising festival that is renowned globally among members of the creative communications, advertising, and media industry. Annually, they gather for a seven-day event to celebrate, network, and discuss the current issues of the field - a pretty huge gathering and arguably one of the most signficant one today.
Image Source: The Drum
Another well-known festival in Cannes is the yearly Yachting Festival reputed to be Europe’s leading in-water boat show. The celebration features a wide variety of watercrafts from sail boats to multihulls.
Image Source: Bespoke Yacht Charter
The city’s waterscape is only as beautiful as the sky above it and the terrain that compliments it. Cannes cradles some of the most beautiful beaches in France. Depending on what kind of day you want to have or the kind of privacy that you prefer, the city has its share of both public and private plages that are naturally instagrammable.
Bask in the luxury and privacy of Plage du Goeland or people-watch along the shore of Plage de la Bocca. Enjoy a tan at Long Beach or stroll along Plage du Midi with your lover for a romantic sunset.
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Find Cannes luxury rentals near the plages.
Cannes’ skyline offers a change of scenery for those who spend most of their time surrounded by skyscrapers and modern architecture. Its history is alive in its buildings. In Le Suquet, the original Cannes, you can find the old castle Musée de la Castre and the old church, the Eglise Notre-Dame d’Espérance. The old neighborhood’s buildings built in Romanesque is well preserved and are open to tourists who want to experience Cannes l'authentique.
Of course, visiting Cannes wouldn’t be complete without taking a stroll in its most iconic street, the Boulevard de la Croisette, a mile-long route laden with ice cream stalls, beaches, and where the city’s (and world’s!) most famous and exclusive hotels are huddled
La Malmaison offers a grander display, housing contemporary art, and is a great model for the belle époque architectural style.
Le Suquet
Image Source: Yacht Charter Cannes
There are plenty of free things you can do around Cannes but perhaps the most culture-oriented and popular among European culture buffs is visiting museums. And the good thing? Most of them are free!
Head over to the Musée de Grasse if you are also into exploring the countryside, and to the Picasso Museum in Antibes. Other worthwhile visits include the Villa Domergue and the Galerie Hurtebize, among others.
Musée de Grasse
Image Source: www.museesdegrasse.com.en
This group of islands is located off the French Riviera and is constituted of four main land bodies: the Île Sainte-Marguerite and the Île Saint-Honorat - the bigger ones, and the Îlot Saint-Ferréol and Îlot de la Tradelière which are uninhabited. If you want a little boat-ride adventure and then relax with your travel companion, these islands should be in your list. They offer great spots for picnics, water sports, swimming, and general sightseeing. One particular to-do among visitors of the Lerins is visiting the old abbey in the island of Saint-Honorat, famous for the monks who have inhabited the island in isolation for hundreds of years.
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If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to romp during the day but prefer the utmost level of privacy when it comes to your personal space, it’s important to choose a place to stay that answers to all your needs. Never compromise when it comes to your comfort. Choose the best Cannes luxury rentals and villas for absolute relaxation.
One of the most recommended attractions when visiting Cannes is the Marché Forville. The local indoor market is where you can find the must-try local delicacy, the socca, a kind of chickpea pancake. Here, you can buy fruits and vegetables produced by local farmers and find all sorts of market produce: cheese, meat, and seafood.
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From the Boulevard de la Croisette to the rue Meynadier, Cannes has all the prerequisites for a delightful and leisurely walk. Not only are there great points of interest, every inch of the city offers a charm that is unique to its own. If you get tired, there are benches everywhere. And you can almost always find a place to take a break, have some refreshments, and relax a bit before you resume your strolling adventure.
One of the best places to include in your march is no other than the national park, La Croix-des-Gardes. A full 136 acres of public forest or woodland, it’s a great place to gather your thoughts together while stopping by the city on a long travel itinerary, and is a great place to commune with nature if you want some time off the busier districts of the city.
Croix des Gardens
Image Source: Finest Residences
A vibrant art scene is never missing in culturally rich cities as Cannes. And indeed, the city boasts its share of historical and modern masterpieces. Museums that dot the city offer visitors a look into the evolution and rich history in the region embedded in their well preserved art pieces. The La Malmaison complements this with its extraordinary showcase of modern art chef-d'œu·vre.
Painting at a Cannes Bus Station
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Pamper yourself with some of the best culinary masterpieces of Cannes. The L'Affable in Rue La Fontaine, the Restaurant La Palme d'Or at the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez, and the L'Assiette Provençale hold the reputation as top favorites in the city by both tourists and locals alike. The fine dining experience is also unmatched in the French Riviera which serves you a great selection of restos, bars, and cafes accompanied by a scenic coastal view.
French Riviera coast
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Proximity to dining places is often an aspect of consideration for travelers looking for accommodation. Our exclusive listing for the best Cannes luxury rentals help you filter your choices to arrive at the best option.
The art of food preparation is a big deal in many European centres and Cannes is not an exception. Many cookery courses are specialized to teach you the subtleties and nuances of food preparation in these regions. Many of the world’s aspiring chefs and cooks frequent cities as Cannes to advance their practice. From local Mediterranean cooking to special pastry classes, a variety of cookery courses are open to anyone willing to learn the art.
Image Source: SeeCannes.com
The best time to visit Cannes really depends on what kind of holiday you want to have. The summer is usually when the city is most crowded and packed with vacationers enjoying the glorious Mediterranean beaches.
If you want to rub shoulders with the rich and famous or experience the cinematic glitz, the infamous Cannes Film Fest happens around May. But, if you don’t want to break the bank but still enjoy the more mellow side of Cannes, the best time to come is around September to December and throughout the winter from December to March.
Accordingly, you need to tailor your choice of accommodation to your vacation dates. It’s great to enjoy a more paced-out holiday in the outskirts of Cannes if you want to avoid the throng during the more crowded months. When the holiday crowd has thinned around fall, the city takes on a more relaxed mood, great for holiday goers longing for a rather tranquil atmosphere without going to the country. Around this time, you will also have more choices for accommodation in the city.
You can find hotel accommodations on the seaside, the countryside, and the city center. But if you favor a more personalized stay, there are private properties for rent all over the city. Cannes luxury rentals and private villas are specifically popular among vacationers who place more value on better privacy. Meanwhile, serviced and self-catering apartments are most booked by travelers who usually stay longer than a day or two.
Don't just book any hotel you find on the internet. If you're traveling with family or simply want to get the most out of your European travel experience, you need to exercise caution and ensure your safety and comfort while in unfamiliar territory.
Ask yourself these important questions first before choosing a place to book:
This is only a skeleton list and you can always add your own criteria such as the level of privacy it offers and the availability of certain services.
With your own responses, you should be able to compare your options and make a more informed decision about where to stay during your Cannes holiday.
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