Tourist Attractions of Cannes

Sightseeing Overview

The long, shop-studded stretch of La Croisette is Cannes’ central attraction, with 12km (7.5 miles) of beach. During the International Film Festival, stars and millionaires, who pose (friment) in restaurants and along the expensive private beaches of La Croisette, become a major attraction. La Croisette is best viewed from the highest point of Cannes’ Old Town, Le Suquet, where the remains of the fortified tower still stand, along with the 12th-century Chapel of St Anne. Le Suquet is a lovely place for tourists to stroll, with its winding streets, small boutiques and restaurants.

At the end of La Croisette is the Palais des Festivals, whose endless Allees des Stars is imprinted with handprints and signatures of the famous. Just beyond, is the atmospheric Vieux Port, with its odd medley of luxury boats and tiny fishing vessels, its rows of palm trees and fragrant flower market of the Allees de la Liberte. Further west, along the seafront, are the free beaches, where the locals gather, along the Plages du Midi.

Passes
The Carte Musee or French Riviera Museum Pass allows free access to 62 of the Riviera’s museums, monuments and gardens including the Musee-Chapelle Bellini, Musee de la Castre, La Malmaison and Musee de la Mer. A three-day pass costs €15 and a seven-day pass costs €25. The card is available at participating museums, monuments and gardens, tourist offices, selected branches of Thomas Cook (Nice and Cannes) and FNAC department stores.

Key Attractions:

Musee de la Castre (Castre Musuem)

The Castre Museum, on the hilltop of Le Suquet, is housed in the former chateau of the monks of the Lerins Isles and the 12th-century chapel of St Anne. Nineteenth-century paintings by local artists depict images of Cannes under rosy skies, with palm trees, fishing boats and ladies in voluminous skirts. There is also a fascinating collection of 200 musical instruments, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern antiquities and an ethnology display. Guided tours in English are available on request.

Ile Ste Marguerite (St Marguerite Island)

It only takes a 15-minute boat ride from Cannes to get there but it took The Man in the Iron Mask 11 years to leave this tiny, forested island. The mysterious individual was believed to be of noble blood, however, his identity has never been proven. His cell can be visited in the Fort of St Marguerite, now renamed the Musee de la Mer (Museum of the Sea). This museum also houses archaeological discoveries from shipwrecks off the coast of the island, including Roman (first century BC) and Saracen (tenth century AD) ceramics.There is a regular boat service from the mainland. Operators include Esterel Chanteclair , Horizon 4 , Maritime Cannoise and Trans Cote D’Azur . Guided tours in English are available in summer.

Ile St Honorat (St Honorat Island)

Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants of the smaller, southern St Honorat Island. Monks have inhabited the island more or less continuously since AD410 and, at the height of their powers, owned Cannes, Mougins and Vallauris. Medieval vestiges remain in the stark church, which is open to the public, and in the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the sea’s edge. The monks divide their time between prayer and producing red and white wines La Vendange des Moines, Lerina liqueur, honey, lavender oil and recently launched and very successful Marc Blanc. In summer, when tourist numbers increase, the monks retire to their cloistered monastery, the Abbey of Lerins. Although closed to the general public, the monastery welcomes guests for weeklong retreats. The Cistercian monks who inhabit St Honorat run the only boat trips to the island. Boats depart from Cannes’ main port, at the Jetee Edouard.

Further Distractions:

The Villas of Cannes

Nineteenth-century Cannes can still be seen in its grand villas, built to reflect the wealth and social standing of their owners and inspired by anything from medieval castles to Roman villas. Lord Brougham’s Italianate Villa Eleonore Louise - one of the first great villas in Cannes - was built between 1835 and 1839.

Also known as the Quartier des Anglais, this is the oldest residential area in Cannes and perfect for a stroll. Another famous landmark is the beautiful Villa Fiesole - known today as the Villa Domergue - designed by Jean-Gabriel Domergue in the style of Fiesole, near Florence. The villas are not open to the public, however, Villa Domergue may be visited on appointment only.

Villa Eleonore Louise
24 avenue du Dr Picaud
Transport: Bus to Cannes La Bocca or the 2 Meridien stop.