Top 10 Things To Do In Cannes

Top 10 Things To Do In Cannes

When you hear of Cannes, you automatically think ‘Cannes Film Festival’.  Founded in 1946 this festival put Cannes on the world map- it previews news films and documentaries from around the world. As it is an invitation-only festival, if visiting you might want to find other equally awesome top 10 things to do while in Cannes!

The city is located on the French Riviera and is known for opulence depicted in its association with the rich and famous and the hotels and restaurants in it. You get to experience some of it as you explore the city.

1. La Croisette

Cannes – Boulevard de la Croisette- by Txllxt TxllxT- Wikimedia Commons

With the world’s wealthiest visiting Cannes each year, it is not surprising that La Croisette was built to satisfy rich clients who came during winter- to give them a place deserving of their presence. This promenade is a mile long along the seafront.

The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès (the Cannes film festival) is held at La Croisette. The street also hosts many luxurious shops, restaurants and hotels.

Despite the glitz and glam, La Croisette does have some history that you will discover on your tour. The promenade has a Provençal name, “Crouseto” which means “little cross”. To this end there is an oratory placed at the end of the cape showing this history- pilgrims left La Croisette for St. Honorat, attracted by the reputation for holiness of the monks of Lérins who lived there.

2. Marché Forville

Marché_Forville- by Tiia Monto- Wikimedia Commons

The French are quite particular with their food and wine, thus their daily markets abound in local seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables. Cannes’ Marché Forville opens all week every morning from 7 to 1 pm except Mondays.

Simply take a stroll or sample the olives, meats, seafood and more local produce. You could actually have a filling meal just from the food samples so it’s best to go on an empty stomach in order to have a taste of what’s on offer.

The live music that plays on Saturday and Sunday give the Marché Forville a different touch.

3. Île Sainte-Marguerite

Ile_sainte_marguerite- by Abxbay- Wikimedia Commons

A boat ride to Saint Marguerite gives you the chance to explore the deep, aromatic forest with stone pines and eucalyptus trees that are within the island.

Île Sainte-Marguerite does have inhabitants- there is a commercial ferry available all year round that provides transport to the mainland. While most of the buildings in the Island are the fishermen homes, there is a small boatyard and a couple of spots that have refreshments.

While on the Island, be sure to visit the Museum of the sea that was once a Prison. It features items recovered from ancient Roman and Saracen shipwrecks, a Roman cistern room as well as a number of former prison cells on display.

4. Île Saint-Honorat

Île_Saint-Honorat- by Rüdiger Stehn- Wikimedia Commons

Once you see Île Sainte-Marguerite, you will be drawn to seeing Île Saint-Honorat which has a monastery with 30 Cistercian monks. The 10th-century chapels erected by monks on the island at different points in history (that are no longer in use) as well as the remains of a Napoleonic cannonball oven and a Second World War gun emplacement should interest you. There you will see against the backdrop of olive trees and Aleppo pines.

The Island produces wine and honey which you may want a taste of.

5. Musée de la Castre

Musée de la Castreleineart- by leineart- Wikimedia Commons

The city doesn’t have that many medieval buildings hence one of the top ten things to do while in Cannes is visiting one! Musée de la Castre is the 11th-century museum with stunning displays of ancient artwork and music instruments from around the world, landscape paintings by 19th-century Provencal artists and medieval architecture. The museums’ location gives you picturesque views of the Cannes Bay and the Mediterranean Sea as you browse through international culture and arts.

6. Villa Domergue

With Cannes being renowned for the Cannes film festival, visiting the place where the jury meets to pick winners is somewhat of a thrill.  Villa Domergue has been listed as an official historical monument since 1990. Originally a house built for French painter Jean-Gabriel Domergue who specialized in portraits of Parisian women, this house was turned into a museum in his honor.

The Mediterranean style terraced gardens, as well as the exquisite balustrades on the terraces, will catch your eye as you walk through the property or attend a jazz concert or night time event.

7. Cannes Yachting Festival

port et croisette-by Christophe.Finot- Wikimedia Commons

If you schedule your visit to Cannes for September, you will be in time to catch the Cannes Yachting Festival. The festival lays quite the display of the latest boats and luxury yachts on sale. While you might not be purchasing one immediately, this festival offers the opportunity to browse and take in the interior and exterior of the boats and yachts.

You might also bump into someone who speaks your local language at one of the two locations of the event, as it attracts a lot of attendees from overseas. The Cannes Yachting Festival is Europe’s leading in-water boating event.

8. Le Vieux Port

Vieux Port de Cannes- by Cunjamalay Wendy- Wikimedia Commons

Get to experience the luxury that is Cannes by pulling up a chair or stool at one of the bars lining up the water’s edge, and watching huge yachts’ arriving in the city. A relaxed evening sipping on a drink at charming Le Vieux Port will inspire the most amazing pictures.

9. Le Suquet

Le_Suquet- by Christophe.Finot- Wikimedia Commons

If you are curious about what Cannes looked like in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, Le Suquet is the place to be. This is the oldest area in Cannes; an old Roman settlement above the city with winding streets. For a different touch to the Cannes cuisine, pop into one of the family-run restaurants for that home-cooked meal away from home.

The old houses that were once fishermen residences are 5 minutes from the beach. The pastel color on the buildings makes the area quite charming.

10. Cap d’Antibes Sentier du Littoral

Cap_d’Antibes- by Gilbert Bochenek- Wikimedia Commons

Away from the goings-on at The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, pick your walking shoes and take a walk through the coastal path in Cap d’Antibes Sentier du Littoral. From Villa Eilenroc you will walk to Plage de la Garoupe (the sun will be behind you this way, and not on your face). You can finish your walk by taking a rest and a bite at one of the beach cafes at Eilenroc.

The east side of the cape is your best bet as it is less windy. You can also find spots where you can sunbathe on the rocks and take a dip.

Exploring the different areas of, and diversifying things to do in Cannes ascertains that you make the most of of your time in the city. As Cannes is associated with the rich and famous, you might just have made the cut with a trip there!