Official Language:
French
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Currency:
EUR
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Population:
Approximately 78,000 people call Cannes home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Cannes France: In the winter the climate is mild and in the summer it is moderately warm. The climate on the coast is similar to a sub-tropical one with a 61°F/16°C as annual average temperature in Cannes. In June the temperature average is
77°F/25°C and can vary between 70-86°F/21°C-30°C.
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During the Film Festival in May, Cannes is crammed with more money, more champagne, more mobile phones and more cleavage than anywhere else in the world. Apart from posturing boutiques, hotels and restaurants, it also has beaches (studiously avoided by the sallow) with the equivalent of room service.Cannes wasn't always world famous. In the fifth century, a small community of monks found their way to the nearby Lerin Islands and established a monastery. For hundreds of years, fishermen and sailors were the only inhabitants of the small Riviera town. In the early 20th Century, Cannes was a place where French families came to get away from work for a while to enjoy the temperate weather and beautiful scenery. Then Hollywood heard about the place, and the rest is history. Today, if you asked an American to name two cities in France, you had better believe that most would respond Paris and Cannes. With fame comes notoriety, and the town has received its share of the latter. People who have been to the Cannes Film Festival complain about the inflated prices and the fact that the town seemingly sells its soul every year in late May. Like the festival itself, these complaints are overblown. Cannes has retained its charm, and if you visit during any other time of the year you will be enchanted by this small beachside community built into the cliffs. 78,000 people call Cannes home, and they get to enjoy this beautiful city all year long. Plan your trip around the festival, and you'll enjoy it, too.
Cannes has just one museum and, since its speciality is ethnography, the only art you are likely to come across is in the many pretty galleries scattered around town. Still, the harbour, the bay, the hill west of the port called Le Suquet, the beachside promenade, the beaches and the people sunning themselves provide more than enough natural beauty. Cruise ships dock in the bay outside of the Port of Cannes. Ferry boats transport you from the bay to the actual port itself, with road links to the rest of the city. Local Transportation in CannesTrains travel between Cannes and Antibes, Nice, and other spots along the French Riviera. In Cannes itself, taxis are the preferred method of transportation, although you will be able to cover a lot of ground on foot.
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Attractions |
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On Ste-Marguerite is the Musee de la Mer:
(Fort Royal, tel. 04/9338-5526), full of interesting artifacts from ancient Roman and Arab civilizations. The tourist office (Palais des Festivals, Boulevard de la Croisette, tel. 04/9339-2453) in Cannes is a great place to start. Stop by for maps and brochures along with suggested itineraries.
Promenade de la Croisette:
It is where Cannes begins (or just La Croisette). Along this road are gaudy hotels, exclusive restaurants, and haughty boutiques. Chances are that you will be spending a majority of your time in Cannes in the vicinity of this street. Of course, there is a city beyond the promenade. curving along the coast and split by islands of palms and flowers. It's said that Edward, Prince of Wales (before he became Edward VII) contributed to its original cost. But he was a Johnny-come-lately to Cannes. In 1834, Lord Brougham, a lord chancellor of England, set out for Nice and was turned away because of an outbreak of cholera. He landed at Cannes and liked it so much that he decided to build a villa here. Returning every winter until his death in 1868, he proselytized it in London, drawing a long line of British visitors. In the 1890s, Cannes became popular with Russian grand dukes (it's said that more caviar was consumed here than in all of Moscow). One French writer claimed that when the Russians returned as refugees in the 1920s, they were given the garbage-collection franchise. A port of call for cruise liners, the seafront of Cannes is lined with hotels, apartment houses, and chic boutiques. Many of the bigger hotels, some dating from the 19th century, claim part of the beach for the private use of their guests. But there are also public areas. Above the harbor, the old town of Cannes sits on Suquet Hill, where you'll see a 14th-century tower,
The Tour du Suquet:
Which the English dubbed "the Lord's Tower, dating back to the 1300?s, is a good landmark.
Musée de la Castre:
In the Château de la Castre, Le Suquet (tel. 04-93-38-55-26), containing paintings, sculpture, examples of decorative arts, and a section on ethnography. The latter includes relics and objects from everywhere, from the Pacific islands to Southeast Asia, to South American Peruvian and Mayan pottery. There's also a gallery devoted to relics of ancient Mediterranean civilizations. Five rooms are devoted to 19th-century paintings. The museum is open Wednesday through Monday April through June from 10am to noon and 2 to 6pm, July through September from 10am to noon and 3 to 7pm, and October through March from 10am to noon and 2 to 5pm. Admission is 1.50€ and free for students and children.Though nobody plans a trip to Cannes to see churches, the city does contain some worthy examples.
Notre-Dame de Bon Voyage:
The largest and most prominent issquare, near the Palais des Festivals; it was built in a faux Gothic style in the late 19th century. The most historic church, Notre-Dame de l'Espérance, place de la Castre (tel. 04-93-99-55-07), was built between 1521 and 1627 and combines both Gothic and Renaissance elements. The town's most unusual church is the Eglise Orthodoxe Russe St-Michel Archange, 36-40 bd. Alexandre-III (tel. 04-93-99-03-26), built in 1894 through the efforts of Alexandra Skripytzine, a Russian in exile; it's capped with a cerulean-blue onion dome and a gilded triple cross. Be warned that it's usually locked, except for services on Saturday at 5pm and Sunday between 9:30am and noon.
Ile St-Honorat:
The best known for its ancient and still-operating monastery, the Abbaye de St-Honorat (Les Iles de Lerins, tel. 04/9299-5400). Travelers who visit for purposes of prayer and meditation are welcomed on a limited basis. If you would rather commune with nature, head toward the island's west coast, which is covered by pine forests and beaches.
Ile Ste-Marguerite:
is where the now famous Man In The Iron Mask was imprisoned in 1698. No one knows who the man was, or what he did to infuriate King Louis XIV to such an extent. His cell has been preserved, although its most famous inhabitant died there in 1703.
Casino Croisette :
The largest and most legendary casino in Cannes is the Casino Croisette, in the Palais des Festivals, 1 jetée Albert-Edouard, near promenade de la Croisette (04-93-38-12-11). Within its glittering confines, you'll find all the roulette and blackjack you'd expect. Entrance into the more glamorous gaming rooms incurs a fee of 7°F ($11.90). Men are required to wear a jacket, and all guests must present their passport or identity card. The gaming room is open from 5pm till 4 or 5am. For a more casual spot of gambling, slot machines are also available from 11am until closing. Entrance is free and the dress code is far more relaxed.
Seeing Cannes from a Petit Train:
One of the best ways to get your initial bearings in Cannes (and to get an idea of the difference between the city's new and old neighborhoods) is to climb aboard one of the white-sided Petits Trains touristiques de Cannes. Diesel-powered, and rolling on rubber tires through the streets of the city, they operate year-round (except Nov) every day from 9:30am to between 7 and 11pm, depending on the season. Two itineraries are offered: For views of glittery modern Cannes, board the train at a designated spot in front of either of the town's two casinos for rides along La Croisette and its side streets. For a ride through the relatively narrow streets of Vieux Cannes (Le Suquet), board the train at a clearly designated site along La Croisette on its seaward side, immediately opposite the Hotel Majestique. Both tours depart every hour; each lasts between 30 and 40 minutes, depending on traffic; and each costs between 5€ and 6€ for adults, and between 2.50€ and 3€ for children under 10, depending on the tour. (The tour of the old town is the less expensive.) A combination ticket granting access on both of the two tours (which can be enjoyed on separate days, if you prefer) costs 8€ for adults and 5€ for children under 10. For details, call tel. 06-14-09-49-39.
Cannes Time Off:
The beach is silky white, the sea as blue as sea will ever be and the entertainment among the best in the world. It is hardly surprising that Cannes is a famous playground for the wealthy and successful, regularly seen promenading La Croisette in sunglasses costing more than the average package holiday. It is perfectly positioned for driving along the rest of the Riviera and is close enough to the Alps to allow an afternoon excursion. The old quarter, Le Suquet and the aromatic and visual delight of early morning flower markets remain typically French. Most of all though, Cannes is a vivacious city filled with people indulging in the finer things of life and having an extremely good time.
Promenade de la Croisette:
For many, this promenade is Cannes, with the beach on one side and luxury hotels, shops and boutiques on the other. During the day, the focus is on the fine white sands and the azure blue of the warm Mediterranean. When night falls the other side of the promenade comes alive and some of the finest dining in the world is on tap in a wealth of superb restaurants. Dancing, casinos, live music and movie premieres all feature in the choice of available entertainment.
Palais des Festivals :
Sitting beside the old harbour on the famous Croisette, the Palais des Festivals offers year round exhibitions, shows, and concerts and during May, the famous Film Festival. Nearby in the Allee des Stars, handprints of celebrities are immortalised in the pavement cement. La Croisette, 06400 Cannes Tel: +33 4 93 39 0101
Chateau Grimaldi/Musee Picasso:
Between the old city of Antibes, the ramparts and the sea, is this superb 16th-century restored chateau containing a substantial collection of work by Pablo Picasso, who inhabited the second floor for some three months. The collection includes a selection of his painting as well as pottery and some lithographs.06600 Antibes Juan - les - pins Tel: +33 4 93 34 9191
Musée de la Castre:
Place de la Castre, 06400 Cannes Tel: +33 4 93 38 5526 Since 1952 the castle, built during the 11th and 12th centuries in the old Le Suquet district of Cannes, has housed the collections of the Museum of Cannes. Exotic cultures are celebrated here with collections focussing on ancient Egypt, the Pacific islands and pre-Columbus North America.
Le Suquet (Old Town):
This is the older part of the city set on the hillside over looking the resort. It retains a typical Mediterranean atmosphere and is a peaceful alternative to the vibrancy of seaside Cannes.
Isles of Lerins:
Compagnie Esterel Chanteclair, Gare Maritime des Isles, 06400 Cannes Tel: +33 4 93 39 1182 The two islands in front of the Carlton Inter-continental hotel are covered with rich Mediterranean vegetation. The Fort Royal built by Vauban on Sainte Marguerite and the monastery, on Saint Honorat are open to visitors and are the only buildings on the islands. There is a shuttle ferry from the town to the islands every 20 minutes during the day.
Musée Ephrussi de Rothschild:
1 Avenue Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat This splendid pink villa, facing the sea ,combines different styles, reflecting the glamour of the Belle Epoque.
Verrerie de Biot :
Chemin des Combes, Biot Tel: +33 4 93 65 0300 The village of Biot is the capital of glassblowing on the Mediterranean coast. Daily demonstrations take place throughout the summer and visitors can purchase the finished products. Celebrated artist, Fernand Leger, spent a few years here towards the end of his life and is commemorated in various exhibitions in the Musee Fernand Leger, just south-east of the village.
Notre Dame de Bon Voyage:
Square Merimee, Cannes Tel: +33 4 93 39 1622 The largest church in Cannes built in the Faux Gothic style in the late nineteenth century. A splendid example of fine architecture with an emphasis on detail.
Parc Phoenix:
The Phoenix Botanical Gardens are home to one of the largest greenhouses in Europe. Housing an enormous collection of exotic plants the gardens are a beautiful example of nature in a controlled environment. 405 Promenade des Anglais, 06100 Nice Tel: +33 4 93 18 0333
Massif de I'Esterel (Esterel Massif):
Between Cannes and Frejus A pleasant and picturesque spot for walking and within a short distance of the city.
Jimmy's de Régine:
The casino also has one of the best nightclubs in town, Jimmy's is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11pm to dawn. Admission is 10°F ($17) and includes a drink.J immy's de Régine (04-93-68-00-07).
Shopping:
Bouteille The best perfume shop is Bouteille, 59 rue d'Antibes (04-93-39-05-16), but it's also the most expensive. Its prices are high because it has a wider selection, gives away many more free samples, and presents you with a tote bag. Other perfume shops dot rue d'Antibes. Any one of them may feature your favorite fragrance in a promotional deal (they rotate the deals). Address : 59 rue d'Antibes - Phone 04-93-39-05-16
Gray-d'Albion:
Most of the big names in designer fashion, for both men and women, line La Croisette. These stores are all in a row, stretching from the Hôtel Carlton almost to the Palais des Festivals, with the best names closest to the high-rise Gray-d'Albion, 17 La Croisette (04-92-99-79-79), which is both a mall and a hotel (how convenient). The stores in the Gray-d'Albion mall include Hermès and Souleiado. The mall is broken down into two parts, so you go outdoors from the first part of the building and then enter again for the second part. It serves also as the shopper's secret cutaway from the expensive shopping street, La Croisette, to the less expensive shopping street, rue d'Antibes.
Galeries Lafayette:
Near the train station in the heart of Cannes, Galeries Lafayette has a small branch at 6 rue du Maréchal-Foch (04-93-39-27-55). It's noted for self-consciously upscale fashion available in carefully arranged interiors
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More Information |
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Useful Links About Cannes:
Cannes Travel Information
www.cannesguide.com
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