Cannes
Cannes is located in the heart of the French Riviera, on the Mediterranean coast.
Since the end of the 19th century, and perhaps even more so than any other Cote d'Azur town, Cannes is associated with the rich and famous and the glitzy - in part due to the prestigious annual Cannes Film Festival ensuring that the city name is broadcast to every home in the western world along with a list of glittering celebrities photographed in the sunshine with a palm tree backdrop.
The image is not far wrong - Cannes does attract the jet-set and the rich and famous, and the city reflects it. In reality there is perhaps slightly less to see and do - beach and expensive bars and restaurants aside - in Cannes than in some of the other Riviera resorts, but the chance to walk in the footsteps of your movie heroes helps to compensate...
In fact despite the bad press given to Cannes in many guide books we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Places to visit in Cannes
Situated along the sea edge the sea edge the harbour glitters with the reflections of the sun from the many yachts harboured here. Walk a bit further along the coast and you are on the famous Boulevard de la Croisette.
The Palais des Festivals - location of the Cannes Film Festival is on one edge of the boulevard and you too can have your photo taken on the famous steps of the Palais. Unfortunately they hadn’t rolled out the red carpet for us! On the floor nearby are the tiles with the hand prints of famous stars such as Clint Eastwood and Bruce Willis.
Continue down the ‘la Croisette’ and there is a long sandy beach, though much is taken up by private beaches belonging to the expensive hotels on the other side of the ‘Croisette’. All along the boulevard there are lots of designer shops interspersed amongst the hotels.
Behind the ‘Croisette’ is the Rue d’Antibes which also has an amazing concentration of designer shops. It is a wide and pleasant street and a lovely place for a bit of window shopping. There are a lot of more affordable shops here too.
Back beyond the ‘Vieux Port’, the ‘old port’ and harbour walk steeply upwards and on to the hill known as Le Suquet. On the summit are the remains of a priory and the Chapelle St Ann - now home to the Musée de la Castre. The views from here over Cannes, and the harbour and beaches are fantastic.
Behind the back of the old port the 'Allées de la Liberté' is an attractive open space where the Cannes flower market is held.
Keep drifting west through the old town to the main market - Marche Forville - and narrow streets lined with boutiques full of things you can't afford.
From Cannes you can take a 15 minute ferry ride to the lovely Isles de Lerins. One of the Isles - Sainte Marguerite housed a prison where the ‘Man in the Iron Mask’ was locked up!
See more photos of Cannes
Visit Cannes (Provence, Alpes-Maritimes) travel, gites and hotels
Best Prices on Hotels in Cannes - Guaranteed
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The Cannes hotels listed feature descriptions, guest reviews, ratings, location maps, online booking etc. as well as the 'best-price' guarantee. The search for hotels in Cannes is provided by booking.com. General holiday / vacation options- See Provence gites for Cannes holiday rentals - Holiday villages in Provence Holidays nearbyLooking for something close by? See a wide choice of hotels, holiday villages and holiday rentals at: VisitSee Visit Cannes for places to visit near Cannes including: a detailed map, villages in bloom and most beautiful villages DiscussAsk questions or leave a comment about Cannes in our Provence forum Airports near CannesNice airport at 26 km Toulon airport at 108 km Cannes property for saleSee Provence property for sale
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Tourist Classifications for Cannes
- Town is "Ville Fleurie category 4" (ie good attention to gardens and flowers)
- approved Station Classée (resort paying particular attention to facilities for tourism)
Places to visit near Cannes, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Cannes.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
13 km: Antibes (Riviera town) 13 km: Biot (attractive town) 19 km: Cagnes-sur-Mer (Village and Chateau Grimaldi) 20 km: Cap Esterel (Holiday village) 19 km: Gourdon (Most beautiful village) 15 km: Grasse (Perfume town) 11 km: Juan-les-Pins (Beach resort) 26 km: Nice airport (airport) 20 km: Saint-Paul-de-Vence (Popular hilltop village) 30 km: Saint-Raphael (French Riviera resort) 22 km: Vence (Attractive town)
See also Cannes (version Francais)
