Cannes is a resort town along the French Riviera. World renown for the Cannes Film Festival, it has so much more to offer. I was in town for a work trip and was lucky enough to have some time to explore. I wanted to share some of my recommendation through my Weekend Guide to Cannes.
My recommendations include:
As cliché as it might sound, a visit to the beach is a must. There are several in this town, but you are most likely to visit Plage Croissette, Plage Macé, or Plage du Midi. They are right downtown and are free entry — there are many other private beaches in the area. All of them offer stunning views of the town along the bright turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. There is a boardwalk that you can follow that runs along the length of them. I liked to run along it early in the morning (before the crowds), all the way to the lighthouse.
You can also spot many different boats, from cruise ships to billionaires’ yachts and fishing boats too! This brings me to my next bit of advice: visit the harbour. Even if you’re not a boat fanatic, it is an impressive sight.
While visiting the harbour, it is possible to hop on a catamaran. An experienced sailor can take you around the bay. Some can also bring you to the nearby islands. It’s a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours. grab a few beers and enjoy views of the French Riviera!
Back on land, be sure to check out La Croisette, the promenade running parallel to the beach bearing the same name. This tree-lined pedestrian avenue has restaurants, cafes, bars, and luxury fashion boutiques. If you are looking for more budget-friendly shopping, I recommend visiting rue d’Antibes: an equally popular street with lots of shops and nice architecture.
If you are looking for a bite to eat, this is a great area to find meals made with local ingredients: olives and seafood. I had the chance to enjoy tapas at Bella Storia, a popular Italian restaurant. A few of their specialties include octopus salad, fried courgette flowers, and charcuterie.
If you want to try a local dish, I recommend stopping by Boulangerie Le St. Antoine for pissaladière. This tart is essentially a doughy bread covered with caramelized onions, anchovies, and olives. It is super delicious and I always eat this when I visit the coast! I particularly liked this one because they sprinkled on some herbes de provence for some extra oomph.
Don’t forget to enjoy the local street art while you dine on a terrasse (patio). Cannes has only recently accepted street art as a way to celebrate its famed cinema culture. Le Murs Peints – Cinéma Cannes is particularly famous. You can’t miss it as you walk up to Le Suquet, my last recommendation.
Finally, Le Suquet is Cannes’ original hillside settlement, dating back to Roman times. It’s narrow, winding streets lead up to Place de la Castre, a garden next to Notre-Dame d’Espérance.
The climb is worth it: it offers spectacular views of the harbour and city. You can also take a photo next to the Cannes sign from the featured photo of this article. Right next door is Château de la Castre, a castle built in the 11th century which is currently a museum.
Overall, Cannes has a lot to offer, in addition to its film festival and big conferences. It is a lively coastal city that combines ancient and modern. There is something for everyone, from lounging on the beach, to aquatic escapades, shopping, and discovering history. It is worth visiting any time of the year!
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