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. Cannes 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.

Cannes Attractions

Promenade de la Croisette
Central Cannes

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
La Croisette, 06400 Cannes
Tel: +33 4 93 39 01 01 | Fax: +33 4 93 99 37 34

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 Allée des Stars, handprints of celebrities are immortalised in the pavement cement.

Musée Picasso
Château Grimaldi, 06600 Antibes Juan-les-Pins
Tel: +33 4 92 90 54 20 | Fax: +33 4 92 90 54 21

Between the old city of Antibes, the ramparts and the sea is this superb 16th-century restored château 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 paintings as well as pottery and some lithographs.

Musée de la Castre
Place de la Castre, Le Suquet, 06400 Cannes
Tel: +33 4 93 38 55 26 | Fax: +33 4 93 38 81 50

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 focusing on ancient Egypt, the Pacific islands and pre-Columbus North America.

Le Suquet (Old Town)

This is the older part of Cannes, set on the hillside overlooking the resort. It retains a typical Mediterranean atmosphere and is a peaceful alternative to the vibrancy of seaside Cannes.

Îles de Lérins
Compagnies Estérel-Chanteclair, Gare Maritime des Iles, 06400 Cannes
Tel: +33 4 93 39 11 82

The two islands in front of the InterContinental Carlton hotel are covered with rich Mediterranean vegetation. The Royal Fort built by Vauban on Ste-Marguerite and the monastery on St-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.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
1 Avenue Ephrussi de Rothschild, 06230 St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Tel: +33 4 93 01 33 09 | Fax: +33 4 93 01 31 10

This splendid pink villa, facing the sea, combines different styles, reflecting the glamour of the Belle Epoque.

La Verrerie de Biot
Chemin des Combes, 06410 Biot
Tel: +33 4 93 65 03 00 | Fax: +33 4 93 65 00 56

The village of Biot is the capital of glass-blowing on the Mediterranean coast. Daily demonstrations take place throughout the summer, and visitors can purchase the finished products. Celebrated artist Fernand Léger spent a few years here towards the end of his life and is commemorated in various exhibitions in the Musée Fernand Léger, just south-east of the village.

Notre-Dame de Bon Voyage
Square Mérimée (1 Rue Notre-Dame), 06400 Cannes
Tel: +33 4 93 39 16 22 | Fax: +33 4 93 99 12 53

The largest church in Cannes, built in the Faux Gothic style in the late 19th century. A splendid example of fine architecture with an emphasis on detail.

Parc Phoenix
405 Promenade des Anglais, 06200 Nice
Tel: +33 4 93 18 03 33 | Fax: +33 4 93 18 01 01

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.

Massif de l'Esterel
Between Cannes and Fréjus

A pleasant and picturesque spot for walking and within a short distance of Cannes.