tourist attractions cannes france

15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Cannes

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated Dec 28, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Basking in the sun of the French Riviera, Cannes sparkles with glamour and exclusivity. This legendary seaside resort has all the glitz and allure of the Côte d'Azur : private beaches, marinas filled with luxury yachts, stylish boulevards, elegant Belle Epoque hotels, and fashionable restaurants.

Nestled in an enchanting corner of the Golfe de la Napoule bay, Cannes is blessed with a balmy Mediterranean climate. The weather is mild year-round and perfect for sunbathing by the beach from May through October. Leafy palm trees grace the streets of Cannes, and subtropical flowers flourish throughout the city, giving visitors the impression of being in paradise.

The prestigious Film Festival of Cannes has been an important event since it began in 1946. Drawing famous movie stars from around the world, this annual red-carpet gala has earned an international reputation for promoting the art of filmmaking.

For those with more time, Cannes is an excellent base for a vacation in the South of France . Discover the best places to visit in this fashionable resort town on the Côte d'Azur with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Cannes.

See also: Where to Stay in Cannes

1. Boulevard de la Croisette

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One of the most fashionable streets on the French Riviera, this palm-lined boulevard is the center of tourist activity in Cannes. The Boulevard de la Croisette is lined with opulent villas, upscale boutiques and lavish Belle Epoque hotels, such as the legendary Carlton Cannes , a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture designed by Charles Dalmas.

The boulevard extends from the Palais des Festivals to the lovely La Roseraie (Rose Garden) at the Square du 8 Mai 1945. Along this two-kilometer stretch, the beachfront promenade is a great place for strolling, people-watching, and admiring the magnificent sea views. One thing to keep in mind: Many beaches along this stretch are private.

Beyond La Roseraie park is the idyllic Port Pierre Canto , with its rows of luxury yachts docked at the harbor. Also within walking distance is another harbor, the Port de la Pointe Croisette , the departure point for regattas organized by the Yacht Club of Cannes.

Another spot for water sports enthusiasts and sunbathers is the nearby Port Palm Beach . This quiet public beach on the western side of Pointe Croisette has a snack bar and restroom facilities.

Perched on the slopes of Mont Chevalier above the bay, the Old Town (Le Suquet) represents the original fishing village. In a picturesque hillside setting, this area offers exceptional views, as well as old-world charm. This traffic-free quarter features narrow cobblestone alleyways, pedestrian staircases, and interesting historic remnants such as the city's ancient walls.

At the heart of Le Suquet, the 15th-century church, Eglise Notre-Dame d'Espérance , and the 11th-century Tour du Mont Chevalier watchtower dominate the skyline. From the top of the watchtower, there is a wonderful panoramic outlook onto the beach and the bay all the way out to the Lérins Islands. Another joy of visiting Le Suquet is wandering the quaint old streets.

One of the old town's main shopping streets is the Rue Meynadier. This bustling pedestrian street is renowned for its specialty gourmet boutiques. Another important commercial street a few blocks away at the edge of Le Suquet is the Rue d'Antibes .

A shopping destination for French Riviera fashions, the Rue d'Antibes is lined with designer prêt-à-porter clothing boutiques, perfume stores, and jewelry shops. This fashionable street is also home to the outposts of two fancy Parisian-based pâtisserie establishments: Lenôtre (63 Rue d'Antibes) and Ladurée (79 Rue d'Antibes). Ladurée is famous for its colorful macarons, available in an assortment of flavors, as well as its refined ambience and enticing array of French cakes, cream puffs, and éclairs.

Of all the things to do on the French Riviera, the Festival de Cannes is the most exciting. This prestigious red-carpet event is definitely one of the biggest moments of the year in Cannes.

The festival draws movie stars and filmmakers from all over the world, as well as crowds of fans and journalists. Originally, the Festival de Cannes was established to rival the Venice Film Festival. Since its first edition in 1946, the festival has earned an international reputation for discovering, supporting, and promoting excellent films.

Address: Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, 1 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes

Official site: https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/

The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès is the venue for the Cannes Film Festival. Designed by the architects Bennett and Druet, the building was completed in 1982 and is used for events, conferences, music concerts, and festivals throughout the year.

The Palais des Festivals is an impressive complex of buildings, including numerous auditoriums with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. A modernization project was completed in 2015, which included enhancements to the famous entrance staircase and the seating of the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumiere. The foyer was also renovated; it is now brighter and more spacious.

Address: 1 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes

Built on the summit of Le Suquet, which dazzles with its dreamy views of the city, the Eglise Notre-Dame de l'Espérance is the most important church in Cannes. The late-Gothic edifice dates to the 16th century and has a notable 17th-century Madonna on the high altar.

When entering the church, visitors are struck by the peaceful interior and the inspiring heights of its Gothic vaulting. The church also features a mix of architectural styles, including a Renaissance porch plus an organ that was installed in 1857 and has been recently renovated. There is also an old cemetery that dates back to the 16th century.

During the Second World War, the church was temporarily used as a hospital. Today, the church is still a place of religious worship.

In July, the square in front of the church is illuminated and becomes a magical outdoor venue for Les Nuits Musicales du Suquet , a classical musical festival featuring one week of performances under the stars.

Address: 1 Place de la Castre, Cannes

On a hill overlooking the Bay of Cannes, the Musée des Explorations du Monde in Le Suquet occupies a classified Historical Monument, a medieval castle that was formerly the monastery of Lérins monks, and a Romanesque chapel (the 13th-century Chapelle Sainte-Anne). Surrounded by a Mediterranean garden, the site boasts exceptional views of the coastline and sea.

The Musée des Explorations du Monde has a superb collection of antiquities from Mediterranean civilizations, pre-Columbian primitive art, and 19th-century Provençal landscape paintings. Several small rooms feature exotic art objects from Oceania and the Himalayas. There is also an extensive collection of musical instruments from around the world.

Visitors can climb to the top of the building's 12th-century tower. This vantage point offers breathtaking 360-degree panoramas of Cannes and its surroundings.

Address: Place de la Castre, Le Suquet, Cannes

Cannes is famous for its fine sandy beaches, with gorgeous views and calm Mediterranean waters ideal for bathing. Including the nearby îles de Lérin and Estérel coastline, there are seven kilometers of beach property in Cannes. With so many options, there is something for every visitor.

While many of the beaches in Cannes are private property owned by hotels, several beaches are open to the public, and these are some of the best beaches in the South of France . These include the Plage Macé and the Plage Zamenhof , located off the Boulevard de la Croisette. These beaches charge a small fee for use of the lounge chairs and parasols.

Also available for public use (and free of charge) are the Plage du Casino , a golden-sand beach along the Boulevard de la Croisette; Plage de la Bocca , a quiet beach with gorgeous views and golden sand; the Plage du Midi , a long sandy beach near the center of Cannes; and Plage du Mouré Rouge , a great beach for water sports (paddleboarding, windsurfing, and kayaking) near the fishing ports. The lesser-known Plage des Rochers is the best beach for snorkeling.

Fashionable private beaches (that require entrance fees) along the Boulevard de la Croisette include the Croisette Beach , with a trendy "bistronomic" restaurant that serves Mediterranean cuisine prepared from local seasonal ingredients; and CBeach , which has a stylish restaurant, showers, and changing rooms.

Tucked away in a quiet environment near the Port Pierre Canto, the family-friendly private beach club at Bijou Plage has a gourmet restaurant that offers cuisine of the French and Italian Rivieras. The restaurant's beachfront terrace features amazing sea views. Sheltered within two coves, the sandy shoreline of Bijou Plage is lapped by gentle waves. The calm waters are safe for children to swim and splash around.

Maema Plage du Midi , on the Boulevard du Midi Jean Hibert, offers outdoor seaside dining with musical entertainment in the evenings. The beach is outfitted with sun beds and exotic bamboo sun umbrellas.

All the private beach clubs have excellent facilities, as well as lounge chairs and parasols available for rent, allowing sunbathers to enjoy a pampering and relaxing experience.

Emblematic of Cannes' Mediterranean scenery, the Vieux Port (Old Port) lies below the historic Le Suquet quarter. The Vieux Port, also known as Port Cannes I, is located near the Gare Maritime (Marine Railway Station), which was built in 1957. Besides its use as a dock for yachts and other sailboats, the Vieux Port is the launching point for the Royal Regatta.

North of the port are the picturesque Allées de la Liberté , ancient alleyways lined with shady plane trees. Every Saturday and Sunday from 8am until 1pm, the colorful Marché aux Fleurs (Flower Market) is held here.

This lovely district of Cannes exemplifies glamorous French Riviera scenery. Gorgeous vacation villas are surrounded by lush gardens and palm trees. This charming area is a wonderful place for a relaxing afternoon stroll.

Drawn by its beauty, Picasso lived in this neighborhood for a short while. It's easy to understand how the exquisite buildings and vibrant landscape would inspire an artist. Also worth a visit in this neighborhood is the Eglise Russe (Russian Church) on the Boulevard Alexandre III.

Built in 1894 by the Count Vitali, the Chapelle Bellini was once part of a Florentine-style villa and is set in a beautiful park. Identified by the arms of the Count, the chapel features an Italian Baroque design with an impressive clock tower and an interesting wooden staircase inside.

The chapel was bought by the artist Emmanuel Bellini in 1953 and then used as his atelier. The Bellini Chapel is now a museum dedicated to the artist's works shown in his own studio space.

Address: Parc Fiorentina - 67 Avenue de Vallauris, Cannes

Le Centre d'Art La Malmaison occupies the game room, tea room, and a pavilion of the former Grand Hôtel, built in 1863. These rooms were used for art exhibitions organized by Aimé Maeght in 1945 and were converted by the city of Cannes to a museum in 1983. Today, the building is a center dedicated to contemporary art.

The museum hosts temporary expositions presenting the work of famous 20th- and 21st-century artists, including Picasso , Matisse , and Ozenfant , who found inspiration on the Côte d'Azur . Other internationally renowned artists whose works have been featured in the museum's exhibitions are César , Miró, and Masson .

Address: 47 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes

For stunning views of the Cannes coastline, La Croix-des-Gardes Nature Park is the place to go. This 80-hectare forest, classified as a Sensitive Nature Site ( Espace Naturel Sensible ), stands on a hillside above the Golfe de la Napoule. Within the park, five viewpoints afford 360-degree vistas of the bay, the sea, the Lérins Islands in the distance, and the Alpes d'Azur foothills.

Hiking trails within the Parc Naturel Forestier de la Croix-des-Gardes wind through the forest (the viewpoints are found along the way). There are also trails that traverse an arboretum, where over 40 varieties of mimosa flourish.

Sporty types will appreciate the park's 1.2-kilometer fitness trail that includes exercise equipment.

Address: Avenue de la Croix des Gardes (at Avenue Jean de Noailles), Cannes

For several nights every summer in July and August, the Bay of Cannes lights up with its renowned Festival International d'Art Pyrotechnique (Fireworks Festival). This unique international event brings together the best fireworks designers from all over the world.

The festival began in 1967 and continues annually, drawing thousands of spectators along the beaches of Cannes. Each night of the festival offers excitement and an array of dazzling fireworks.

The top pyrotechnic team receives the Vestale d'Or prize at the end of the fireworks competition. The audience can vote during the competition for their favorite fireworks, and winners are awarded the Prix du Public (Public Prize) along with prizes to stay at luxury hotels. Fireworks programs begin at 11pm and are open to the public for free viewing.

Official site: http://www.festival-pyrotechnique-cannes.com/en

Les Nuits Musicales du Suquet is an annual classical music festival that runs for one week in July. Taking advantage of the balmy Côte d'Azur weather, the open-air event is held outside in the courtyard of the Eglise Notre-Dame d'Espérance .

This world-class festival stages large symphonic concerts, as well as solo performances by violinists, pianists, and vocalists. The festival presents a varied program of classical music, with performances ranging from Chopin piano concertos to Mozart orchestra pieces.

Address: Parvis de L'Eglise Notre-Dame d'Espérance & 1 Place de la Castre (courtyard of the Musée de la Castre), Le Suquet, Cannes

Belle Epoque hotels and villas line the beachfront Boulevard de la Croisette, and smaller hotels dot the streets on the hillside above, off the fashionable shopping street of Rue d'Antibes. Larger hotels have their own sections of the beach, but there is plenty of public sand and sea within an easy walk of any of these highly rated hotels in Cannes:

Luxury Hotels :

• The five-star Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes , opposite the Palais des Festivals, boasts Belle Epoque elegance and top-notch service. Amenities include a concierge, fitness center, spa, sauna, and private beach. This high-end resort hotel also has two fine-dining restaurants and two stylish yet casual restaurants. A breakfast buffet is available.
• One block off Boulevard de la Croisette, the boutique Five Seas Hotel Cannes features beautifully furnished rooms and a rooftop infinity pool. This five-star resort hotel also provides concierge services; an upscale spa with sauna and hammam; fitness center; private beach; and a breakfast buffet. Dining options are available on the rooftop terrace.
• Currently under renovation and set to reopen in 2023, the five-star Carlton Cannes , overlooks the beach on Boulevard de la Croisette. This historic hotel dates back to 1913 and is known as the " Grande Dame ."

Mid-Range Hotels:

• About 300 meters from the beachfront Boulevard de la Croisette, the three-star Hôtel de Provence has balconies, a garden, and a rooftop terrace.
• The boutique four-star Hôtel America is one block off Boulevard de la Croisette and less than five minutes from the Palais des Festival and Rue d'Antibes shops.

Budget Hotels:

• On the hill above the old town, a 15-minute walk to the center shops, restaurants, and beaches, the three-star Idéal Séjour hotel offers a beautiful garden; fresh baked croissants every morning; and creative, well-designed rooms with literary themes.
• With small rooms and excellent service, the three-star Hotel des Congres et Festivals is a short block off Rue d'Antibes, close to both the beach and train station.
• Also a short walk to the beach and train station, the three-star ibis Cannes Centre hotel offers contemporary-style accommodations a block off Rue d'Antibes.

An organized day trip tour is a great way to see the highlights around Cannes without the hassle of driving and navigating along the narrow streets. Instead, you can soak up the spectacular scenery while you listen to interesting tips and stories from your experienced guide. These tours include convenient pickup and drop-off at centrally located Cannes hotels. Below are some fun day trip tours that guarantee the lowest price:

• Monaco and Eze Day Trip: The Monaco and Eze Small Group Day Trip from Cannes covers the highlights of the French Riviera. You will visit the medieval hilltop village of Eze, where you can tour a perfumery. After strolling around this delightful village, you head to Monte Carlo for a spin on the Formula One Grand Prix circuit and a palace visit. This full-day tour is limited to eight people.
• Provence Countryside Day Trip: If you want to focus on the quaint villages of Provence, the Provence Countryside Small-Group Day Trip from Cannes is an excellent choice. Highlights of this tour include a visit to the medieval perched hilltop village of Saint-Paul de Vence; the hilltop town of Gourdon; a perfumery tour in Grasse; and a drive along the scenic Loup Gorges, past other quaint villages. This full-day tour is also limited to small groups to maximize personal attention.

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Cultured Cities and Charming Towns : The stylish city of Nice is about 30 minutes by train or 45 minutes by car. The regal city-state of Monaco is one hour away by train or car. To further discover the beauty and charm of the Côte d'Azur, travelers can take day trips from Cannes to see smaller seaside villages like Eze, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël.

The Picturesque Provence Region : For those interested in experiencing the unspoiled nature and pastoral ambience of Provence , it's worth taking a trip to the dramatic Estérel Mountains (a 45-minute drive) for breathtaking views. There are also many attractions around Nice , including the traditional Provençal town of Grasse (the perfume capital of France) an hour drive north of Cannes.

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Courtesy of Henryk Sadura | Getty Images

10 Best Things To Do in Cannes

Updated Feb. 12, 2021

Though it's known internationally for its film festival, there's much more to do in Cannes than gaze at the silver screen. Indulge in the glamour of Cannes by window-shopping along Rue d'Antibes or testing Lady Luck at Casino Barrière Les Princes .

• All Things To Do

La Croisette La Croisette free

You won't want to miss La Croisette on a visit to Cannes. This famous promenade bursts with upscale shops and hotels like the InterContinental Carlton Cannes and the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic , as well as beaches from end to end. Once a dirt road surrounded by sand dunes, La Croisette was transformed into a promenade at the end of the 19th century, slowly turning into the elegant destination that it is today.

Recent visitors say it's a great place to take a walk thanks to the fantastic views, high-end shopping and great people-watching. However, others warned that the beach can get quite crowded.

Marché Forville Marché Forville free

Forville Market, located near Rue Meynadier, is the oldest market in Cannes. You can purchase everything from fresh vegetables and flowers to Mediterranean fish, and you just may stumble upon one of the area's top chefs also doing his or her weekly shopping.

Past visitors said the food is top quality and that there are a variety of options to suit any taste. Others recommended stopping by if you're on the hunt for a unique souvenir, such as jarred sauces. Reviewers also noted that the market is a great place to find provisions for a picnic.

Casino Barrière Les Princes Casino Barrière Les Princes free

Along with its annual film festival, Cannes is also famous for its casinos. What's more, it's the only place in France with three casinos. If you're in the mood to test Lady Luck during your trip, consider paying a visit to Casino Barrière Les Princes. In addition to its 21 tables games, the Casino Barrière Les Princes is a one-stop shop with a restaurant and two bars, but remember to dress the part; no shorts, tank tops or swimsuits are allowed.

Recent visitors said the casino is small but has a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff.

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Les Murs Peints (Painted Walls) Les Murs Peints (Painted Walls) free

If you're a fan of film, take some time to admire the Painted Walls of Cannes. Found throughout the city, these walls pay a tribute to cinema with depictions of famous actors, actresses and movie scenes. Among the walls, you'll find paintings of Marilyn Monroe, Buster Keaton, James Dean and many others. For help locating the various murals, download this brochure from the Cannes Tourist Office for a full list with addresses.

According to recent visitors, the murals are a fun and interesting addition to the city (they've been around since 2004).

Fort Royal Fort Royal

Cruise over to Fort Royal on Île Sainte-Marguerite (part of the Lérins Islands) to see this historic structure. Built in the early 17th century to defend the entrance to Cannes, the fort later became a state prison in 1685 and housed the mysterious "man in the iron mask" – a famous prisoner whose face was always hidden and whose true identity is still debated among historians to this day. But before the island sheltered the fort, it was occupied by the Romans.

Reviewers said the fort has an interesting history and offers great views of Cannes. Others recommended perusing the Museum of the Sea, which displays a variety of exhibits detailing ship wrecks that were discovered off the shores of the Islands of Lérins, as well as a model of the ancient Roman water reservoir system.

Musée de la Castre Musée de la Castre

Set inside a medieval chateau – once the home of Lérins monks – the museum features artifacts hailing from five continents. Among the items on display are musical instruments, artwork, masks and antiques. Aside from the artifacts, perhaps the museum's biggest draw is its location in a medieval tower that offers spectacular views overlooking the Bay of Cannes.

Visitors say views from the museum are spectacular and that the collections are interesting. Though you'll have to climb more than 100 steps to reach the panoramic views, you'll be happy to hear reviewers say it doesn't require much effort.

Rue d'Antibes Rue d'Antibes free

For retail therapy, you'll want to head to Rue d'Antibes, a road that runs parallel to La Croisette but lies a few blocks inland. Once a road that linked Toulon to Antibes, the Rue d'Antibes is a close competitor to La Croisette. Today, it's home to stores for moderately priced brands, such as Zara and Mango, as well as the former Cannes theater. Even if you're not interested in shopping, reviewers say Rue d'Antibes is worth a stroll to admire the architecture – many of the buildings date to the 19th century with ironwork and sculptures by Pellegrini.

According to recent visitors, the Rue d'Antibes offers great shopping and even better people-watching. Visit this shopping district anytime the mood strikes; stores operate their own hours.

Palais des Festivals et des Congrès Palais des Festivals et des Congrès free

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La Croix des Gardes La Croix des Gardes free

Abbaye De Lérins Abbaye De Lérins

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Home » Travel Guides » France » 15 Best Things to Do in Cannes (France)

15 Best Things to Do in Cannes (France)

Life in Cannes is turned on its head during those two weeks in May, when scores of paparazzi, industry bigwigs and the world’s biggest stars are in town for the famous film festival. The remainder of the year it’s a sleek pleasure garden for the world’s wealthiest people, and a honeypot for people seduced by the glamour.

Check the prices on Boulevard de la Croisette, sashay up the red carpet at the Palais des Festivales and see if you can get in touch with the real Cannes, at the Marché Forville and the old quarter around Le Suquet.

Lets explore the best things to do in Cannes :

1. Le Suquet

West of the harbour is Cannes’ original hillside settlement, where the pattern of the scurrying little streets hasn’t changed in hundreds of years.

If you’re out to dinner in the evening chances are you’ll spend at least some time on Rue Sainte-Antoine, which twists its way up the hill between old fisherman’s houses.

You can let your curiosity take over and climb the stairways, slowly making your way up past ochre-painted walls and bougainvillea blossoms, until you get to Place de la Castre.

There you can stand at the terraced garden next to Notre-Dame d’Espérance and see the harbour, the Palais des Festivals and the arc of La Croisette all below.

2. La Croisette

Call it a cliché but this beach and promenade is the place to see and be seen.

It’s about as posh as it gets; across the Boulevard de la Croisette the luxury fashion houses line up to be counted, and on the shore is a chain of private beaches with fine golden sands.

The public beach is furthest to the west, near the Palais des Festivals, and like all of the shore can be heaving with people in mid-summer.

But it’s a small price to pay (or a big one, if you’re on a private beach!) for an unadulterated dose or Riviera glamour.

3. Palais des Festivales

The venue of the Cannes Film Festival has been photographed so many times that it’s taken on a kind of universal recognition.

You can go on a tour around the Grand Auditorium, following in the footsteps of the world’s most famous personalities and where some landmarks in recent movie history have taken place.

Naturally you’ll have the chance to walk the red carpet on the stairs that lead up to the Gran Auditorium by the Promenande de la Croisette.

There won’t be any paparazzi around but maybe you can ask a loved one, or even a passer-by to take your photo on these famous steps.

4. Film Festival

In mid-May the world’s most famous film festival transforms Cannes and brings the great and the good to the city, as upcoming releases are judged and the famous Palme d’Or awarded to the best.

It runs at the same time as the Marché du Film, described as the world’s largest film market, where thousands of filmmakers, distributors and other industry professionals rub shoulders and make contacts.

What does it mean for us mere mortals if we don’t have accreditation? Well, for two weeks there’s a special buzz around the place, and you’ve got a great chance of spotting celebrities.

If you’re all about the movies then there are also fee screenings of former Palme d’Or Winners on La Croisette in the evenings.

5. Marché Forville

Every morning you can go on a journey through Provence without ever leaving Cannes.

All you have to do is visit this covered market, where seasonal produce and regional flavours are sourced from around the south of France.

It’s also favoured by locals, which is grand because glimpses of real everyday life can be rare in this ritzy city.

What’s on offer can range from fruit, veg, flowers and fragrant herbs right up to exquisite hand-crafted confectionery, truffles and gourmet olive oils.

And you can round it off with a glass of wine from one of the bars just outside, while there’s also live music on Saturdays and Sundays.

The food market sets up daily, except on Mondays when there’s a flea market instead.

6. Île Sainte-Marguerite

Just 15 minutes by ferry from Cannes’ old port, Île Sainte-Marguerite is the closest of the two Lérins Islands to the mainland.

It’s the perfect option if the beaches and streets of Cannes get a bit much: The island has deep, aromatic forest with stone pines and eucalyptus trees, and even on busy days you can get a little solitude.

There’s historical interest here too: On the north coast is the star-shaped 17th-century Fort Royal, which kept prisoners like the mystery Man in the Iron Mask.

These days it’s a diverting maritime museum with items retrieved from local Roman and Moorish shipwrecks.

7. Île Saint-Honorat

Île Sainte-Marguerite’s neighbour has a different flavour, and has been a pilgrimage site for 1,600 years.

A monastery was founded on the island in 410 by St.

Honoratus, and a monastic community soon formed around him.

There have been deadly raids and expulsions since then, but today there’s still a significant Cistercian community, making a living selling homemade honey and wine.

On a walking tour you can see the picturesque ruins of various abandoned chapels, as well as the ruins of a cannonball oven from the Napoleonic period.

If you have time, nip inside Lérins Abbey and the dramatic 15th-century fortified monastery on the south coast.

8. Musée de la Castre

After struggling up the hill in Le Suquet you can step inside this museum, which is in one of Cannes’ few medieval buildings, a fort built in the 11th century to defend the bay.

On display are the city’s public collections, and they’re as diverse as you can imagine, with primitive art from pre-Colombian America, Oceania the Himalayas and the Arctic; ancient artefacts from the Mediterranean, musical instruments from around the world and three rooms dealing with 19th-century French landscape paintings around Cannes and the Riviera.

At the end of the tour you can climb 109 steps the to the top of the square tower to improve on that view of the bay from the terrace.

9. Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Espérance

Next to the old fortress you can also beat the heat for a few minutes in this solemn gothic and renaissance church, constructed in the 1500s.

It’s an austere-looking building from the outside, but there are some things to pique your interest inside.

In the Chapelle des Baptêmes there’s a 16th-century sculpture from Burgundy depicting St.

Anne, the Virgin and child.

And above the entrance is a cute Pavia organ added in the 19th century.

Time your visit for Christmas and you can bring the little guys to see the musical nativity scene, which was crafted in the 1920s and has some 200 figures, some of which are mechanical.

10. Villa Domergue

In the quiet hills behind Cannes is an art deco mansion that does the neat trick of looking modern and ancient all at once.

That’s because it was inspired by Venetian palaces, but was built by the painter Jean-Gabriel Domergue in 1934. His sculptor wife, Odette Maugendre designed the beautiful Mediterranean-style terraced gardens, and the whole property was the venue for some legendary Riviera parties.

It was bequeathed to the city in the 70s and is now a sophisticated location for music events like Jazz à Domergue, and where the Cannes Festival jury retires for its deliberations.

Take a tour of the villa and see the Bay of Cannes from the exquisite balustrades on the terraces.

11. Luxury Shopping

Beginning at La Croisette is a shopping area that has pretty much every high-end brand you can name.

It’s impossible not to feel a little underdressed as you shuffle by branches of Dior, Chanel, Gucci , Miu Miu, Bulgari and Prada.

In fact you could walk for an hour or so and pass nothing but luxury boutiques.

Unless you have expensive habits or happen to be extremely wealthy you’ll mostly be doing window shopping in this part of Cannes, but it’s an education to see how the other half lives.

This is especially true of the Carré d’Or, between La Croisette and Rue d’Antibes, where glitzy jewellery shops rub shoulders with the most select bars in the city.

12. Rue d’Antibes

A few streets in from the La Croisette and parallel to the bay, Rue d’Antibes is a lengthy shopping artery with international high-street brands like Desigual , Lacoste, Mango and Sephora, alongside all the French favourites such as Fnac and Devernois.

So you can go on that Cannes shopping trip without breaking the bank or being turned away before you can even step inside the shop! The incomparably chic location will make your outing feel that little more special too.

And interspersing the stores are luxury bakers and chocolatiers, for a bit of extra indulgence.

13. Painted Walls

Since 2002 the city has started embracing its position in world cinema by putting up large murals showing iconic actors, characters and scenes from cherished movies.

So on Boulevard Vallombrossa there’s a painting of Charlie Chaplin and “The Kid” on a strip of celluloid.

There’s a touch of trompe-l’oeil to many of these, like the painting of Harold Lloyd on Louis Braille, which shows the silent star hanging from the clock hands, as in Safety Last from 1923. If you know your movie cars, you’ll appreciate the fresco at the Berthelot-ex Diabolika car park where there’s the Batmobile, Travis Bickle’s Taxi and Starsky and Hutch’s Gran Torino.

14. Cap d’Antibes Sentier du Littoral

Here’s another way to retreat from the commotion of Cannes for blissful privacy, in a wonderful natural setting.

The coastal walk on the lower reaches of Cap d’Antibes hugs the steep and rocky shoreline.

In places the walk is so open to the elements that the path is occasionally closed off when the winds are up, but towards the east side of the cape things are calmer, and you’ll find spots where you can sunbathe on the rocks and take a dip in gleaming waters.

So in the summer two things are essential: Good walking shoes, and swimwear, because the sea will be very enticing on a hot day.

15. Le Nomade and Port Vauban

The wealth on show at the port in Antibes will take your breath away.

This is one of the most expensive places in the world to moor your boat, with rates exceeding a million Euros.

And some of the vessels will have you rubbing your eyes; they look more like ocean liners than private yachts and are owned by the very richest people in the world.

The best view is from the aptly-named Quai des Milliardaires, but there’s also an enthralling piece of public art to investigate.

Le Nomade is the giant figure of a person looking out at the Mediterranean, and consisting of hundreds of white letters.

It ‘s the work of the Catalan artist Jaume Plensa, and is magical at night when lit up from within.

15 Best Things to Do in Cannes (France):

• La Croisette
• Palais des Festivales
• Film Festival
• Marché Forville
• Île Sainte-Marguerite
• Île Saint-Honorat
• Musée de la Castre
• Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Espérance
• Villa Domergue
• Luxury Shopping
• Rue d'Antibes
• Painted Walls
• Cap d'Antibes Sentier du Littoral
• Le Nomade and Port Vauban

Visit Cannes: Top 20 Things To Do and Must-See Attractions

Things to do in cannes: the 20 best places to visit and highlights.

You’re planning to visit Cannes during your stay on the French Riviera ?

Great idea!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have written this guide of the 20 best things to do in Cannes , with all must-see attractions and points of interest.

In this article, you will find all the best places to visit such as La Croisette or the Palais des Festivals, as well as lesser known attractions known only by locals.

And at the end of the article, you will also find itineraries to visit Cannes in 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days (or more!) as well as my selection of the best hotels depending on your budget.

So, what are the best things to do in Cannes? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

1. Croisette

2. the palais des festivals of cannes, 3. the legendary luxury hotels in cannes, 4. le suquet, 5. forville market, 6. the painted walls of cannes, 7. the old port, 8. the lérins islands, 9. cruise from cannes, 10. shopping in cannes, 11. la croix-des-gardes, 12. flight over cannes, 13. take a private boat trip from cannes, 14. the beaches of cannes, 15. les allées de la liberté, 16. antibes, 20. saint-tropez, 21. other organised trips from cannes, how many days to visit cannes, visit cannes in 1 day, visit cannes in 2 days, visit cannes in 3 days, where to stay in cannes, where to stay in nice, where to eat in cannes, how to get to cannes, rent a boat in cannes, tourist map of cannes, when to go to cannes, what are the things to do in cannes when it rains, what are the things to do in cannes with your family, what are the things to do in cannes in the evening, you’re traveling in france these articles will help you, visit cannes: 20 must-see attractions.

This is the emblematic landmark in Cannes: la Croisette.

This long seafront promenade is lined with pine and palm trees, luxury shops and legendary hotels. It’s, with the Promenade des Anglais in Nice , one of the most famous boulevards of the French Riviera and the world.

Well developed and maintained, you will also find beautiful sandy beaches, ideal for sunbathing, swimming and having a drink on the terrace of one of the trendy establishments located there.

And if you want to try out some water activities during your stay in Cannes , you can choose between (click on the links to book):

• A wakeboard session 
• Wakesurfing, a new trendy activity involving surfing on a wave created by a boat
• Flyboarding to try some acrobatics above the water
• A jet ski ride lasting 30 minutes to 2 hours to discover the Lérins islands for example.

Before going to Cannes , you must book your “Côte d’Azur France Pass”. It offers access to 3 or 5 activities from a list of more than 100 attractions in the entire region (Nice, Monaco, Antibes…).

In Cannes, the interesting thing is that the pass includes the boat crossing to the Lérins islands or the small train tour that leaves from la Croisette.

Book your pass to visit Cannes and the French Riviera by clicking on the green button below:

A visit to the Palais des Festivals is unmissable experience in Cannes. 

This is where the Cannes Festival, the world’s largest film festival, takes place every May. . It awards the best films with the prestigious Palme d’Or trophy .

The event is a meeting place for the biggest international stars and celebrities , for whom the climb up the steps under the flashes of the photographers, is considered a consecration. Designer dresses and jewellery made by the greatest jewellers are of course on full display!

These steps have become a myth in Cannes , and you will certainly think of yourself as Angelina Jolie or Leonardo di Caprio by posing for a quick souvenir photo at the top of the steps.

Just like the “Walk of Fame” in Los Angeles , Cannes has its “Chemin des Etoiles.”

The greatest filmmakers, actors and celebrities have left their hand-prints on slabs placed on the ground. They are located on the forecourt of the Palais des Festivals and along the Georges Pompidou esplanade.

Have fun looking for those of Nicole Kidman, Quentin Tarantino or Johnny Hallyday.

The Cannes tourism office is also located in the Palais des Festivals, so take the opportunity to get a map of the city.

On your walk along la Croisette , be sure to admire the magnificent façades of the emblematic 5-star hotels in Cannes.

Who knows, you might catch a glimpse of one of your favourite actors or singers having breakfast on the balcony!

The most famous luxury hotels in Cannes include:

• The Majestic Barrière Hotel, which has a style characteristic to the 1920s, has a heated swimming pool, a spa, restaurants and luxury boutiques. You can book a night at the Majestic in Cannes by clicking here.
• The Martinez hotel was built in the 1930s and was the largest hotel in the region. If you want to spend a night in this beautiful hotel during your trip to Cannes, book here!
• The Intercontinental Carlton Cannes , built in 1909, is one of the most renowned hotels in France. To stay in this mythical luxury hotel, click here!

To explore la Croisette and discover the other districts of Cannes , you can also choose a very nice and trendy activity: a segway ride.

For 1 or 2 hours you can explore Cannes with your guide. He’s very nice and knows every corner of the city!

Book your Cannes Segway tour by clicking on the button below:

You must continue this guide to Cannes by visiting the Le Suquet district.

Le Suquet is the oldest district in Cannes . Built on a hill, the old town of Cannes offers a nice view of the bay and la Croisette .

You can also stroll through the steep medieval streets and enjoy the authentic atmosphere, shops and restaurants.

Things worth seeing le Suquet during your tour in Cannes:

• The Castre museum, which is located in the ancient castle built by the monks of the Abbaye Saint-Honorat. The site, listed as a Historical Monument, has collections of Provencal paintings, Mediterranean antiquities, primitive art and musical instruments from all over the world.
•  The square tower, where you can climb to the top to admire the 360° panorama
• The Notre-Dame de l’Espérance (Church of Our Lady of Hope) , at Castre Square, a 17th century Gothic building
• The tour du masque de fer (iron mask tower), where, according to legend, the man in the iron mask took refuge after his escape from Sainte-Marguerite island
• Rue Saint-Antoine, with its shops and restaurants

To visit le Suquet without tiring yourself out, and also la Croisette during your holidays in Cannes, you must do this tour on an electric bicycle .

Your local guide will take you to all the tourist sites of Cannes and show you the places where you can click the most beautiful photos. Tour available in English or French, click here to book:

And if you don’t feel like taking a guided tour, you can simply rent a bike in Cannes by clicking here!

The Forville market has now become a real tourist attraction in Cannes.

Every morning, from Tuesday to Sunday, you can walk the paths of this covered market and discover the stalls of market gardeners, cheese makers and fishmongers . High quality local products are on offer!

The Forville Market is located at the foot of le Suquet Hill, behind the Cannes Town Hall, not far from the Old Port.

Need a small respite? You must try the socca sold at one of the market stands.

Being from Nice, I have to recommend this speciality of Nice : a very fine pancake made from chickpea flour, which is eaten just sprinkled with pepper.

The painted walls tour of Cannes depicts the city’s cinematic history.

Several facades and walls display beautiful frescoes dedicated to the seventh art. There are 16 of them spread throughout all the districts of Cannes.

You can admire:

• “Hotel de la Plage” , at 7 rue Saint-Dizier
• “Charlie Chaplin” , 10 Boulevard Vallombrosa
• “Cinéma Cannes” , at the Cornut Gentile Square
• “Plein Soleil Alain Delon” , Avenue Francis Tonner
• “Marylin Monroe” , at 16 Boulevard d’Alsace.

All the painted walls and their location can be found here.

You’re going to Cannes?

You probably know it: the hardest part of planning your trip is to find an hotel offering a good value for money!

The closer you get to your travel dates, the harder it will be to get a good deal. Lots of people will be visiting Cannes on the same dates as you , so you can be sure that the best deals are booked extremely quickly!

Hopefully, there is a pretty simple solution to this problem: do like me and book your hotel as early as possible!

So, my best advice is to take 5 minutes (now) to have a look at the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Cannes.

And if you see a good offer, book it!

Most hotels offer free cancellation, so it’s quick, easy, and you will avoid the the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the current best deals for your hotel in Cannes, simply click on the green button below 😎:

Once you’ve booked your hotel, it will be time to continue reading this guide and find out more about the best things to do in Cannes!

To continue with this list of things to do in Cannes, you must go on a short trip to the Old Port and the Quai Saint-Pierre.

Here you can admire some of the moored luxury yachts . The Old Port area also has good fish and seafood restaurants.

Throughout the year, the Old Port comes alive through festivals such as the famous “Régates Royales” where exceptional sailboats compete in a race in the Bay of Cannes.

Just before the regattas, there is also the International Pleasure Festival where the curious crowd comes to admire hundreds of boats.

One of the most beautiful rooftop spots in Cannes is located at the end of the Quai Saint-Pierre .

The terrace of the Radisson Blu Hotel Thalasso is the ideal place to have a drink in Cannes at the end of the day. Sit back in the comfortable armchairs and enjoy a moment of relaxation watching the sun set over the Old Port, the Lérins Islands and la Croisette. 

The Radisson is also a very good choice of hotel to stay in Cannes . You can check the rates and make your reservation by clicking here.

If you are out of things to do in Cannes , you must visit the Lérins islands.

Reachable in just 15 to 20 minutes by boat from Cannes, the Lérins Islands are the ideal destination for enjoying nature and swimming close to the city.

They are also very popular with families, as they are well equipped for picnicking and cars are not allowed. You can therefore walk safely and quietly .

The Lérins Islands archipelago is made up of 2 islands:

1) Sainte-Marguerite Island is the largest of the 2.

An 8 km path, on the seafront and under the pine forest, allows you to walk all around the island. There are also spots for swimming in several places . It takes about 3 hours to go round the whole island on foot and more if you count picnics and photo breaks.

On the island, you can also visit the Royal Fort for €6 . This former prison where the intriguing man with the iron mask was imprisoned, now houses the Sea Museum. 

Finally, the island has a mini village with a few restaurants.

2) Saint-Honorat Island is the smallest of the Lérins Islands.

There is an abbey founded by Cistercian monks in the 5th century and still occupied by the community. You can visit the chapels, the abbey, the abbey church or the Monastery Tower.

The monks also have an ancestral vineyard, producing excellent wine . You can get it at the shop next to the pier.

You must explore the island on foot , as it can be done in just an hour.

There is also a restaurant and snack bar on the island.

To go all around Lérins islands during the day, you can also rent a kayak. You will be able to walk peacefully near the water and stop to swim whenever you want.

To rent a kayak, just click on the following button:

To go to the Lérins Islands from Cannes , the boat can be taken at the very end of the Saint-Pierre quay (follow the clearly marked signs). There is a shuttle to Sainte-Marguerite Island and a shuttle to Saint-Honorat Island.

There’s no means of transport between the 2 islands .

If you want to visit the both islands, you will have to return to Cannes after the first island and take the boat for the second. This isn’ t really feasible during the day as the boats only make the crossing every hour.

So you must decide beforehand which island you want to go to. In any case, for me, the most interesting of the 2 islands to visit is Sainte-Marguerite .

As there are always a lot of people at the ticket office, you must absolutely buy your tickets in advance here (it’s the same price as on site). At least you’ll be sure to have a seat at the time you want!

The crossing is included with the Côte d’Azur France Pass .

Another nice activity to do during your stay in Cannes: a mini-cruise.

From Cannes, you can choose between (click on the orange links or the green button to book):

1) A guided cruise of La Corniche d’Or to discover the red rocks of the Massif de l’Esterel plunging directly into the sea.

Information and reservations on the official website.

2) A combined cruise on Sainte-Marguerite Island (with stopover) + exploring the Corniche d’Or

3) A return cruise to Monaco with a stopover time of 5 hours to visit the city

4) A sea shuttle to Saint-Tropez (Book here!) and take a stroll for a few hours around the city before returning to Cannes.

You can also opt for a zodiac shuttle to go faster. 

5) A catamaran cruise with lunch and a swimming break around the Lérins islands.

You will find all the information about this cruise and you can book it by clicking on the button below:

The catamaran cruise is also available without lunch, click here to book! 

6) A trip in a zodiac boat in the calanques de l’Esterel + swimming stop.

7) A zodiac boat trip at sunset with snorkelling at the Lérins island ecomuseum which consists of 6 submerged statues between 3 to 5 metres underwater.

It’s really a great idea for an unusual activity at Cannes.

To book, click the green button below:

If you want to enjoy your trip to Cannes by whipping out your bank card, here are the best places to shop:

• Along la Croisette and rue des Etats-Unis, if you’re more of a luxury boutique person and haute couture house person like Chanel and Dior
• Rue d’ Antibes for more affordable fashion boutiques such as Zara or designer brands
• Le Carré d’Or (between la Croisette and rue d’Antibes), rue du Commandant André, for jewellery shops
• Meynadier street, a pedestrian street with numerous shops and souvenir shops.

During your visit to Cannes , you must take a little climb and go to the Croix-des-Gardes.

This 80-hectare natural park has a path fitted out with gazebos where you can walk peacefully with beautiful views of Cannes, the Lérins Islands and the Esterel massif. 

To discover Cannes, you can also opt for a flight over the city on a small private plane.

This unique experience allows you to enjoy panoramic views of the whole city and the surroundings. The pilot is ultra-professional and will even explain the different controls of the aircraft in addition to giving you explanations about the places you see.

To book your Cannes flight, just click on the button below:

These flights over Cannes are also available in a helicopter. You will have several options. Just click on the links to get details and book:

• A shared panoramic flight in a helicopter. Several circuits are available: flight over la Croisette, over the Esterel massif, flight to Monaco or flight over Saint-Tropez.
• A private helicopter flight . Here too, you can choose your tour.
• An introductory flight where you will have a theoretical course to learn how the aircraft works and then fly the helicopter in tandem with your instructor!

In the surroundings of Cannes, you can also go on a paragliding experience, allowing you to fly over the regional park of the French Riviera and admire the coast from the sky.

You can choose the duration of your flight and there is even a special flight for children under 12 years. 

Book your paragliding experience in Cannes right here:

In addition to the various boat trips I mentioned above, there are 2 other options that will allow you to discover the surroundings of Cannes by boat, away from other tourists.

To enjoy a VIP experience, you can:

1) Book a private boat trip from Cannes

I think this is the best way to make the most of your day at sea in Cannes!

You rent a boat with a captain , and he will take you to the most beautiful corners of the French Riviera .

Motor boat, sail boat, catamaran or even a yacht : you can choose the right boat for a dream day!

You must rent your boat with captain as early as possible , as you can imagine that this type of VIP day at sea is very much in demand, and it would be a shame if none are available!

You will find all the boats with captain in Cannes by clicking on the button below:

2) Rent a boat to discover the surroundings of Cannes

If you have a boat licence, the 2nd solution for a great day at sea is simply to rent a boat!

Simply click on the button below and book your boat immediately:

It’s impossible to visit Cannes without going for a walk on the beach!

Cannes and its coastline is home to nearly 8 km of beaches, so you have a wide variety of choices.

There are many private beaches in Cannes , most of which are located between the Cannes Palais des Festivals and the Cap de la Croisette (Palm Beach).

All of the most beautiful luxury hotels in Cannes , such as the Martinez or the Carlton , have chic and trendy Beach Club hotels. However, it costs at least €80 a day just for a deckchair.

If you just want to lay down your towel and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere, you must go to one of Cannes’ public beaches. There are only 2 public beaches on la Croisette (the beach of the Palais des Festivals and that of la Croisette Est).

The others are located after the Cap de la Croisette (towards Juan-les-Pins) or after the port of Cannes, towards Boulevard du Midi and towards Mandelieu.

To finish this tour of Cannes, you must take a walk along the Allées de la Liberté , a shaded and pedestrian square where the people of Cannes engage in ultra-competitive boules games.

Several markets are held there:

• The Cannes flower market: every morning of the year except Mondays
• The crafts market, which is organised every weekend and where you will find local artisans: jewels, paintings, sculptures…
• The second-hand goods market: every Saturday / the first Sunday and the third Sunday of the month.

What are the things to do around Cannes?

If you have decided to visit Cannes for a few days , in addition to your visit to the city, you will have time to go and discover the surroundings.

Here is my list of the best places to visit in the vicinity of Cannes . I’ve selected 5 of them, all easily accessible by train, car or during organised day trips.

Antibes is an excellent choice for a day around Cannes.

The city can be reached in 25 minutes by car or in 15 minutes by train for a round-trip costing less than €10 ( information and reservations here ).

What are the things to do in Antibes?

• A walk in the old town , excellent experience with lots of restaurants and small shops
• Abundant local products at the Provencal market
• Visit the city’s museums: the Peynet museum, the Picasso museum or the archaeology museum
• Enjoy the beaches
• Walk around the Cap d’Antibes
• Go to Marineland in Antibes.

To visit Antibes, you must read my dedicated article right here: The 20 Best Things to Do in Antibes .

Among the cities to see absolutely around Cannes , there is of course, Nice!

These two emblematic towns of the French Riviera are just 45 minutes away by car or 35 minutes away by train .

In Nice, you must absolutely see:

• The Promenade des Anglais for a walk on the legendary avenue
• Old Nice with its colourful façades and numerous shops/restaurants
• The castle hill for a beautiful view of the city.

And as there are many other things to do in Nice, read my dedicated article: The 17 best things to do in Nice .

If you would like to organise a short stay to visit several towns on the French Riviera (Nice, Antibes, Cannes, etc.), you must also read my article: One-week itinerary on the French Riviera.

Still near Cannes , you must visit another unmissable city of the French Riviera: Monaco.

You can reach it in 1 hour by car or train.

Places of interest to see in Monaco:

• Le Rocher and the Prince’s Palace
• The Oceanographic Museum – Ticket for sale here!
• The Monte-Carlo district and its famous Casino
• Monaco’s exotic garden

Want to know more about Monaco? I’ve written a detailed article: Monaco: the definitive guide.

Do you want to take a guided tour of Monaco ? You don’t want to bother with organisational matters?

You must book a day trip from Cannes. Transportation , guide and pick- up from your hotel in Cannes are included.

There are 2 types of trips:

• Half a day in Monaco + a visit to the charming village of Eze
• An evening in Monaco in small groups to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the place du Casino where you can try your luck with the slot machines.

Towards Cannes , about 35 minutes away by car, lies the town of Grasse.

Grasse is considered to be the global perfume capital and has several renowned perfumeries such as Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard . Most of them are open to the public where you can learn all about the manufacturing of perfumes and even create your own and take it with you.

And to learn more about the history of this very specific industry, you can also visit the International Perfume Museum.

If you don’t have a car, you must take a day trip from Cannes with transport and guide included.

The trip includes not only the visit to Grasse and the Fragornard perfumery factory, but also a visit to the mediaeval village of Valbonne and the fortress of Gourdon . All this will end with a small wine tasting!

Book your trip to Grasse now right here:

Let’s conclude my selection of unmissable places near Cannes with the mythical city of Saint-Tropez.

It is located an hour and a half’s drive from Cannes and is therefore the ideal place to visit for a weekend in PACA , for example.

A small coastal town on the French Riviera, Saint-Tropez is known for attracting the international jet set and for its lively nightlife.

As you go on your stroll, you’ll be able to explore its citadel and its museum and then stop off to swim on the city’s trendiest beach: Pampelonne beach.

If you don’t have a car, you can easily get to Saint-Tropez from Cannes by taking the sea shuttle. This will allow you to enjoy a small, pleasant cruise.

The round trip can be booked here:

In addition to these very famous cities to see around Cannes, I have selected 2 really nice organised trips:

1) A day to visit the wine estates around Cannes.

You can discover the best wines of Provence by visiting the cellars of the Château Saint-Martin, the Château Font du Broc that produces the famous Côtes de Provence and finally the Château Sainte-Roselyne.

And of course wine tasting is included in the schedule!

Book this trip in Provence by clicking on the green button below:

2) A trip to discover the Italian Riviera.

Your guide will take you to Sanremo and Bordighera , with their famous markets, and to the charming village of Dolceacqua.

Click here to book:

One day is enough to visit Cannes and walk around the city.

On a weekend in Cannes , you can enjoy day trips to nearby towns.

Here’s the itinerary to visit Cannes in 1 or 2 days :

Here is the itinerary you must follow if you have chosen to spend a day in Cannes:

• A walk along la Croisette where you can enjoy the seafront and admire the luxury hotels
• Picture at the top of the red carpet of the Palais des Festivals
• Visit to the Old Port
• Lunch at Forville or the Old Port
• See the “Cinema Cannes” painted wall
• Explore the Suquet district
• Climb to the Croix-des-Gardes or shopping

For a 2-day stay in Cannes , continue from the day 1 itinerary.

On day 2, you have several choices:

• Trip to one of the Lérins islands to walk, have a picnic and swim
• A mini-cruise
• A visit to the surrounding towns: Antibes, Nice, Monaco, Grasse or Saint-Tropez.

If you have decided to go 3 days or more to Cannes , you won’t even have to choose. All you need to do is spend a day on each trip I’ve discussed in this guide.

Here is my list of the best hotels to stay in Cannes according to your budget. Just below, I’ll also give you the best hotels in Nice if you would prefer to stay in the city and visit Cannes from there.

• Hôtel La Villa Tosca: located 5 minutes on foot from la Croisette. Recently renovated double room from €70, breakfast at €13. Strong points: location in the city centre, proximity to the train station, warm welcome.
• Best Western Premier Mondial: located on Rue d’Antibes. Warm and comfortable double room from €110, breakfast €20. Strong points: excellent breakfast, comfortable beds. It’s my favorite for its excellent value for money in Cannes!
• Hôtel Le Canberra: located on Rue d’Antibes, 5 minutes from the beach. Bright and spacious double room with garden view from €160, breakfast at €22. Strong points: swimming pool, comfort, location.
• Radisson Blu 1835 Hotel & Thalasso, Cannes: located in the Old Port, on the edge of the pier. Double room with elegant decor overlooking the old town or the sea and free access to the Spa, from €170, breakfast €35. Strong points: the rooftop with a magnificent view, spa, swimming pool. One of the best places to stay in Cannes.

For a higher budget, here are the most beautiful 5* hotels in Cannes:

• Five Seas Hotel: located 100 metres from the Palais des Festivals. Double room and suites with contemporary decor from €235, breakfast included. Strong points: roof-top swimming pool, spa, extremely friendly staff.
• Hotel Martinez – in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt: located on the Boulevard de la Croisette, this emblematic luxury hotel offers contemporary Art Deco-style rooms with a lounge area from €270, breakfast €42. Strong points: private beach, the gourmet restaurant (2* in the Michelin Guide), calm atmosphere, professionalism of the staff. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Cannes.
• InterContinental Carlton Cannes: also located on la Croisette, this legendary 5* hotel in Cannes offers elegant and bright rooms starting at €275, including breakfast. Strong points: private beach, breakfast on the terrace, comfortable beds.
• Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes: this splendid luxury hotel is located on la Croisette. Spacious double room with panoramic view of Cannes or the sea from €350, breakfast included. Strong points: free private beach, wellness centre, delicious breakfast. One of the most beautiful palaces to stay in Cannes.

• Hôtel Ozz by Happyculture : Located about 15 minutes from the beach on foot. Nice place, very friendly staff, great location and comfortable beds. Only 20€ per night in dormitory. Double room at 55€. This is the best hostel for a budget stay in Nice!
• Hôtel Brice Garden : Located in the hear of Nice, 5 minutes walk from the beach and Promenade des Anglais. Very well furnished and clean room from 80€ per night. Excellent value for money. Friendly and welcoming staff. The best value hotel if you want to stay in the city center! Needs to be booked as soon as possible, lots of demand.
• Hôtel le Saint Paul : Located 50 meters from the Nice harbor, in a quiet area, with an amazing sea view. Large bright room from 95€ per night, buffet breakfast for 12€. Plus: free private parking. My favorite in Nice!
• Hôtel Le Royal Promenade des Anglais : Located right on the Promenade des Anglais in a historic building. Prestigious room decorated in a classic style, very bright, from 135€ per night, breakfast at 15€.
• Hôtel Negresco: Located on the Promenade des Anglais, this exceptional hotel is simply the best in Nice. The rooms are magnificent, the view is stunning, the staff is amazing and the restaurant is one of the best in town. It’s the best choice for a luxury stay in Nice!
• The restaurant “La Palme d’Or”: the restaurant of the hôtel Martinez has been awarded 2 Michelin stars, it is considered the most prestigious places in Cannes.
• Le troquet à Soupes: located at Rue Meynadier. This tiny restaurant offers excellent homemade dishes made with quality products. Special items include homemade soups in winter and gaspacho/salads in summer.
• La brouette de Grand-Mère: the place to go if you want to enjoy authentic homemade local cuisine. €49 flat rate with all-you-can-eat appetisers, main course + dessert + water + 1/2 bottle of wine. Reservation recommended.

Cannes has an airport but is more focused towards business aviation, so you will have to land at Nice airport.

Since flight prices for Nice vary greatly, it is a good idea to compare them as soon as possible. To do this, you can use our flight comparison tool, in partnership with Skyscanner. You can rest assured that you will get the best rates.

  Here are the options to go to Cannes from Nice:

1) Private transport from Nice airport. Reservations must be made in advance by clicking here:

2) Bus: take the 200 line which goes directly to Nice airport.

3) Train: it takes only 35 minutes to get from the Nice station to Cannes.

You must check the train schedules and fares and can book your tickets here:

It might be worth renting a car when you arrive in Nice and keeping it for the duration of your stay on the French Riviera. 

The most reliable way to compare prices and see all available offers is through Booking.com Cars .

Compare car rental prices in Nice and Cannes now:

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your stay in Cannes, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental!

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Cannes? 😊

To help you visualise the city a bit better, I have created this tourist map of Cannes , with all the best places to visit and things to do in Cannes and its surroundings.

You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button, the one with a small arrow on it.

FAQ – I’ll answer your questions about Cannes

You can visit Cannes all year round. 

All things to see, activities (except water sports) and even boats for the Lérins islands are available at any time.

If you want to go to Cannes to enjoy the beaches, the best option is to go there between June and September.

Here are some ideas for activities in case of rain during your stay in Cannes:

• Visit the Castre museum or the La Malmaison art centre
• An introduction to wine tasting
• A cinema session in one of the 3 cinemas halls of the city

If you are visiting Cannes with children, you must really visit the Lérins islands. The kids will be delighted to go for a walk , swim and have picnics.

You can also take them to Fun City , a huge indoor playground with a ball pool, slides, zip line, trampoline and even a mini-karting track.

If you feel like partying during your stay, there are many bars, nightclubs and even casinos.

The places to go in Cannes:

• The Radisson Blu Hotel’s “360” lounge-bar restaurant, which I mentioned in my article
• The Fouquet’s gallery bar for its excellent cocktails
• The Martinez bar, considered a real institution of the city
• The Gotha Club , which hosts some of the world’s biggest DJs and is a place where you may come across international stars
• The Bâoli , to party with the glitterati
• The Casino Barrière Les Princes or the Casino Barrière Croisette.

If you need help planning your stay in Cannes, don’t hesitate to ask me your questions in the comments section below.

France travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

Discover all our articles about France: All Voyage Tips articles about France are listed here.

French Riviera

• French Riviera: Top 25 best places to visit and activities
• Itinerary: 1 Week in French Riviera – the definitive guide for your 7-8 days trip
• Antibes: Top 20 best places to visit
• Cannes: The 20 best things to do and activities
• Monaco: 25 Best places to visit
• Nice: 15 things you must do and see

Other French Cities

• Annecy: 12 things to do and see
• Honfleur: Top 15 things to discover
• La Rochelle: Top 15 things to do and must-see attractions
• Lyon: 21 Best things to do
• Marseille: Top 33 best things to do and see
• Nantes: The 15 best things to do
• Reims: Top 15 things to do and see
• Rennes: The 15 things you must do!
• Strasbourg: The 25 must-see attractions

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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17 Best Things to do in Cannes, France

By Spencer Leasca · Last updated on May 3, 2024

Cannes is undoubtedly one of France’s most alluring travel destinations. A picturesque gem nestled on the enchanting French Riviera, the city is renowned for its glamor and charm. With its sun-kissed beaches, opulent boutiques, and world-famous film festival, this coastal city embodies sophistication, elegance and luxury.

Cannes is best known for its iconic Cannes Film Festival, an annual event that transforms the city into a global hub for the film industry. Movie stars, directors, and cinephiles flock to its shores to witness the unveiling of cinematic masterpieces and partake in the electric atmosphere that envelops the city during this time.

Map of Cannes

Beyond the glitz of the festival, there are several other fun things to do in Cannes, which boast a rich history and captivating architecture. This is evident from the medieval Le Suquet quarter with its charming streets to the modern elegance of La Croisette Boulevard. The resort town also has a laid-back nature (outside of the festival) and a subtropical Mediterranean climate, which makes it a terrific destination to visit all year round.

17. Vieux Port

The Vieux Port (Old Port) is a captivating reflection of the city’s maritime heritage and charm. Steeped in history, this port has been a vital hub since ancient times, evolving from a small fishing village to a renowned Mediterranean tourist destination.

Filled with colorful fishing boats, yachts, and sailboats, it is an idyllic fusion of tradition and modernity. Historic buildings line the waterfront, where local fishermen haul their daily catch – like many have done for centuries, providing an authentic glimpse into Cannes’ maritime legacy.

Visitors can stroll along the promenade, capturing breathtaking views of the sea and the iconic Cannes skyline. You also have your choice of plenty of delicious traditional seafood dishes that are available at the bustling cafes dotted around the perimeter.

16. Musée Des Explorations Du Monde

Located on Rue de la Castre, The Musée des Explorations du Monde is a captivating museum that celebrates the spirit of adventure and exploration.

Founded in 1974, the museum showcases a diverse collection of rare artifacts, documents and interactive displays spanning various cultures, continents and historical periods.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the tales of explorers who ventured into uncharted territories, bringing their courage and curiosity to life. The collection includes maps, navigational instruments, ethnographic objects and multimedia installations, paying homage to the intrepid explorers and their remarkable voyages.

The museum aims to foster an appreciation for the world’s diverse societies and histories. So it is an engaging place to visit for those wanting to learn about other cultures and their way of life.

15. Walk of Fame

Like Hollywood, Cannes has its own ‘Walk of Fame’ or Chemin des Etoiles as it is known locally. Providing a prestigious tribute to international film icons who have graced the Cannes Film Festival with their presence, the homage lines the promenade along the Palais des Festivals.

Instead of stars, the Cannes Walk of Fame immortalizes the handprints of renowned actors, directors and industry figures on the pavement. Each imprinted plaque showcases the individual’s contribution to the world of cinema and their enduring connection to the Cannes Film Festival.

If you love films, strolling along the Walk of Fame allows you to connect with the legacies of your favorite actors and actresses. They include Penélope Cruz, Leonardo Dicaprio, Cameron Diaz, Sylvester Stallone, Angelina Jolie and Quentin Tarantino, who are all featured.

14. Casino Barrière Le Croisette

The Casino Barrière Le Croisette is the kind of elegant and sophisticated venue you could imagine James Bond going to.

Located on the famous Boulevard de la Croisette, the casino is a centerpiece of the city’s evening scene, seamlessly blending luxury with entertainment and gaming.

The casino’s modern interior exudes sophistication, complemented by stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Inside, it boasts diverse gaming options, including slot machines, poker tables, roulette and blackjack to satisfy all types of flutter preferences.

Beyond gaming, the establishment offers fine dining experiences at its restaurants, as well as live entertainment and shows. Overall, if you want a taste of the high life, the glamorous setting and bustling ambiance of the Casino Barrière Le Croisette will provide you with a healthy slice.

13. La Croix-des-Gardes

La Croix-des-Gardes is an enchanting natural sanctuary that offers a serene contrast from the bustling city. This scenic hilltop area is steeped in history and boasts breathtaking vistas. It was once a refuge for monks and later a vantage point for military observation but has now transformed into an attractive public recreational space.

The area’s most prominent feature is the Croix des Gardes, a cross erected in 1860 to commemorate the visit of Queen Victoria. The cross symbolizes historical significance and offers panoramic views of Cannes, the Mediterranean Sea, and the surrounding landscapes.

The park is popular with hikers and joggers who use its well-maintained trails for exercise. Its diverse flora and fauna, including stunning umbrella pines and Aleppo pines, provide a beautiful backdrop for picnics and photography.

12. Notre-Dame d’Espérance

Notre-Dame d’Esperance is a magnificent church that dates back to the 17th century.

A beautiful blend of three different architectural styles – Gothic, Romanesque, and Baroque – the church sits majestically atop a hill, providing stunning views of the Le Suquet district.

Also known as Our Lady of Hope, it is renowned for its striking façade adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. Its bell tower, crowned with a wrought-iron campanile, is a significant landmark on the Cannes skyline.

As you step inside, the church’s exquisite stained glass windows and delicate frescoes will captivate your senses, creating a serene ambiance that invites contemplation and reflection.

In addition to regular services, the church holds a notable annual, week-long festival called the Musical Nights of Le Suquet in July.

11. Iles de Lerins

The Iles de Lerins near Cannes are a pair of stunning inhabited islands renowned for their natural beauty and historical intrigue.

Inhabited since ancient times, they comprise Saint-Honorat and Sainte-Marguerite, offering distinct experiences.

Saint-Honorat is home to a monastery where Cistercian monks have resided since the 5th century. Its lush vineyards produce renowned wines, which visitors can explore along with the rest of the monastery’s peaceful surroundings.

Sainte-Marguerite is the larger island of the two and hosts the iconic Fort Royal, which famously housed the enigmatic ‘Man in the Iron Mask.’ Fragrant pine forests, coves and pristine beaches define the island, accentuating its natural beauty.

There are several sail and boat tours available. Alternatively ferries depart every hour from Cannes to the islands.

10. Palais des Festivals et des Congrès

The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès is a modernist building established in 1949. It is best known as the iconic venue that hosts the Cannes Film Festival’s prestigious red-carpet events.

However, it also holds the NRJ Music Awards, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, international conferences, trade shows, and other cultural events. In the past, it has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest twice as well.

The Palais is located on the Boulevard de la Croisette, providing stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. It features state-of-the-art facilities, including theaters, exhibition spaces and conference rooms, which you can see on guided tours or by attending a show or event.

A landmark structure, the Palais encapsulates Cannes’ cultural heritage while being a dynamic hub for creativity, entertainment, and international collaboration.

9. Rue Meynadier

Rue Meynadier is a lively thoroughfare dating back to Roman times that has evolved into a vibrant hub for shopping and local culture. It features various shops, boutiques, cafés, and eateries, selling everything from traditional Provençal products to modern fashion and cutting-edge gastronomy.

The street itself provides a captivating blend of old-world charm and contemporary allure. Wandering through it allows you to experience the vibe of everyday life in Cannes, away from the glamour of the film festival and high-end boutiques.

The street’s picturesque architecture, cobblestone paths, and charming ambiance make it a favorite among locals and tourists. Come here for a more authentic and down-to-earth perspective of the city’s character, which you won’t get in other parts of Cannes.

8. Les Murs Peints

If you love art, you’ll want to check out Les Murs Peints in Cannes. The project features a series of large-scale murals created by renowned international artists, bringing art to the public space while creatively enhancing the urban landscape.

These murals depict diverse themes, from historical events to whimsical scenes, and often reflect the cultural richness of Cannes and its surroundings.

One of the most notable is the depiction of 100 years of cinema stars. Located near City Hall, next to the bus station, it features cinematic greats like Alfred Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.

Wandering through the streets to discover these murals is an engaging and enriching experience. Each artwork adds a touch of color and narrative to the city’s fabric, turning everyday walks into immersive art tours.

7. Go to the Beach

Going to the beach is a quintessential experience while in Cannes.

The city’s beach culture has deep roots, dating back to the 19th century when Cannes began attracting aristocrats and celebrities seeking relaxation by the Mediterranean Sea.

The most famous beach, Plage de la Croisette, offers a stunning backdrop of the Palais des Festivals and luxurious hotels. Elsewhere, the Plage du Midi provides a quieter escape with golden sands and a more serene vibe.

Many Cannes beaches offer beach clubs where you can rent sunbeds, umbrellas and enjoy beachside dining. They can be expensive. However, they expose you to the essence of the French Riviera’s coastal lifestyle.

If you intend to visit the beach, remember the city has a subtropical Mediterranean climate, so wear a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.

6. Rue d’Antibes

Shopping is a big part of the Cannes experience, and one of the best places to do this is at Rue d’Antibes. With a history dating back to the 19th century, the street is now a premier shopping destination renowned for its high-end boutiques, fashion houses and exquisite finds.

Starting from the Palais des Festivals, the Rue d’Antibes extends to the Place Gambetta. The street offers diverse shopping experiences, from internationally recognized brands to local artisanal shops. Some of the most prestigious places to visit include Mes Demoiselles, sud express and the Tara Jarmon Cannes Boutique.

Beyond shopping, the street features several cafes, bistros and restaurants serving local specialities like Pissaladière, Daube provençale, Fougasse and Pistou soup. Plan to spend at least a complete day at Rue d’Antibes to immerse yourself in its experience fully.

5. Le Suquet

Le Suquet is a historic district that showcases the city’s medieval origins. Perched on a hill overlooking the city, this charming quarter dates back to the 11th century, serving as the original settlement of Cannes.

The district exudes Provençal charm, accommodating quaint houses with colorful shutters and flowering plants. Its cobblestone streets eventually lead to the picturesque Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Espérance, a church with stunning views from its bell tower.

The Marché Forville is a highlight of any visit to the area, offering a vibrant local market where fresh produce, artisanal products and local delicacies are readily available. Additionally, you will find several delightful cafes and eateries championing local delicacies. At the same time, Le Suquet is home to some fascinating art galleries, museums and boutiques showcasing an impressive cultural side.

4. Île Sainte-Marguerite

As previously mentioned, Ile Sainte-Marguerite is the larger of the two inhabited islands in the Iles de Lerins.

The island brims with historical intrigue, as it is most famous for hosting the enigmatic Fort Royal, where the mysterious ‘Man in the Iron Mask’ was held captive. Today, visitors can explore the fort’s remains, which give insights into its storied past.

In addition to its historical allure, Île Sainte-Marguerite offers a tranquil escape from the mainland’s glitz and glamor. The island’s natural beauty, featuring pine forests, coves, and crystalline waters, provides an idyllic setting for leisurely walks and picnics.

Photographers and nature lovers can revel in the island’s diverse flora and fauna while beachgoers enjoy its pristine, uncrowded shores.

3. Marché Forville

Established over a century ago, the Marché Forville is a vibrant market that embodies the city’s culinary and cultural richness.

Located near the historic district of Le Suquet, the market is a cherished local institution, offering an array of fresh produce, gourmet delights and artisanal crafts.

From colorful fruits and vegetables to aromatic cheeses, spices and flowers, Marché Forville tantalizes the senses with its fantastic offerings.

The market’s atmosphere is a delightful fusion of Provençal charm and cosmopolitan vibrancy, creating a space where locals and visitors harmoniously intermingle.

The market is a must-visit destination for those seeking an authentic taste of local produce. It is the perfect place to pick up some items for a picnic or a self-catered dinner at prices that should be manageable for most budgets.

2. Festival de Cannes

The Festival de Cannes is one of the most prestigious and iconic film festivals worldwide. The annual festival, founded in 1946, has evolved into a global cinematic extravaganza, showcasing groundbreaking films and celebrating artistic excellence.

The festival’s main event is at the Palais des Festivals, featuring red carpet premieres, press conferences and awards ceremonies. The coveted Palme d’Or is the festival’s highest honor, awarded to the best film in the competition.

Beyond film screenings, the Festival de Cannes brings together international filmmakers, industry professionals and celebrities, fostering networking and collaboration. It also includes parallel sections

like Directors’ Fortnight and Critics’ Week, providing platforms for diverse cinematic voices.

While this event is exclusive, if you are in Cannes during the time it is on, you have plenty of opportunity to spot a celebrity or two.

1. Boulevard de la Croisette

The Boulevard de la Croisette is one of the most famous roads in France.

Stretching along the Mediterranean shoreline, it has a storied history dating back to the 19th century when Cannes transformed into an aristocratic retreat.

Epitomizing luxury, glamour and coastal beauty, the road is lined with high-end boutiques, grand hotels, and palm-lined promenades. All of which contribute to its elegance and sophistication. Its wide walkways and pristine beaches offer breathtaking views of the sea and the Iles de Lerins islands.

The boulevard is synonymous with the Cannes Film Festival, as the Palais des Festivals is nestled along its length. It is the type of place you can traverse several times a day and always see something you had never previously noticed.

Where to Stay in Cannes

When it comes to finding accommodation, Cannes has several charming neighborhoods you can choose to stay in. But for a quintessential experience, consider the iconic La Croisette boulevard.

This bustling promenade is lined with luxury boutiques and exquisite restaurants and offers easy access to the city’s pristine beaches. Another excellent option is the Le Suquet quarter, known for its medieval charm, cobblestone streets and tremendous city views.

Two notable accommodations in Cannes are the Hotel Splendid and Hotel Molière. Hotel Splendid , near La Croisette, combines old-world elegance with modern comforts. Its rooftop pool and bar provide stunning vistas of the Mediterranean, while the refined interior exudes luxury.

On the other hand, Hotel Molière , nestled in the heart of Le Suquet, offers a more intimate experience. Its Provençal-style architecture and cozy rooms provide a charming place to base yourself. This hotel is also an excellent place for those wanting to self-cater, as it is near the Marché Forville.

How to get there

Cannes is accessible from many parts of Europe and beyond.

If arriving internationally, the nearest major airport is Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, around 27 kilometers away. You can take a direct train from the airport to Cannes, which is around a 30 minute journey. Additionally, for those intending to drive, the A8 highway connects Cannes to other regions in the country.

The city is also well-connected by France’s efficient train system, making it easy to reach from major cities like Paris and Marseille . The main train station, Gare de Cannes is located on Place de la Gare in the heart of the city center. It is approximately a 10-minute walk to some of the best known tourist attractions in Cannes such as the Palais des Festivals and La Croisette.

Approximate travel times:

• Nice – 30 minutes by car, 20 minutes by train
• Monaco – 1 hour by car, 50 minutes by train
• Antibes – 15 minutes by car, 10 minutes by train
• St. Tropez – 1.5 hours by car, 2 hours by bus
• Marseille – 2 hours by car, 2 hours 30 minutes by train
• Aix-en-Provence – 1.5 hours by car, 2 hours by train
• Avignon – 2.5 hours by car, 2 hours 30 minutes by train
• Paris – 8 hours by car, 5 hours 30 minutes by train

Best Time to Visit Cannes

Cannes, like the rest of the French Riviera, attracts the most visitors in July and August. Average temperatures of 26 and 27°C (79 to 80°F) are ideal for sunbathing, swimming and strolling about its center.

Prices are at their highest during the summer months with most restaurants and hotels packed with holidaymakers. Countless concerts are held at Le Palais des Festivals with this period perfect for enjoying sightseeing cruises along the Cote d’Azur or watersports in the Med.

Either side of summer, the water is still warm enough to swim in with the crowds having dissipated slightly. Both sightseeing and outdoor activities are much more enjoyable due to the slightly cooler temperature.

From October to March, the city hibernates with not much going on. As it is warmer than many other places in winter, some people do still visit in December for the Christmas holidays.

One of the most popular times to visit is in April and May when the weather starts to warm up again. The latter also sees the renowned Cannes Film Festival take place and thousands of celebrities, movie stars and critics jet in from all around the world.

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Explore the Riviera

24 best things to do in cannes, france.

The stunning city of Cannes, located on the French Riviera, is a glamorous traveler’s paradise.

This international epicenter of glamour, elegance, and movie stars is perhaps best known for its annual Film Festival, which attracts droves of world-famous filmmakers and actors from around the globe.

Cannes is also gifted with a cosmopolitan atmosphere and breathtaking views of the Cote d’Azur coast. The town’s architecture ranges from elegant 19th-century mansions to designer boutiques and fashionable restaurants .

But that’s not everything: Cannes also has pristine beaches and picturesque fishing villages just a few miles from the city center.

Yes, as you can see, there are many wonderful reasons to fall in love with this city. Even though I live in Nice, I absolutely love heading to Cannes on the weekends and always end up finding new hidden gems and special places to explore.

Looking for the best things to do in Cannes? Here you will find a list of 24 unmissable activities and attractions during your visit , which are sure to make your stay all the more memorable.

Summary: Top 5 experiences to have in Cannes

Short on time? These are the top 5 experiences to have in Cannes:

• Stroll around La Croisette
• Go on a day trip from Cannes to Monaco and Eze
• Explore Le Suquet
• Have a classic yacht sailing experience
• Spend a day in Saint Tropez
• Taste fine wine on a private tour of Provence wineries
• Discover the Calanques of the Esterel

Keep reading for a more detailed list of things to do and places to visit.

If you are using Nice as your base for exploring the riviera, make sure to read our guide on How to Get to Cannes From Nice as well.

Best things to do in Cannes, France

1- wander around le suquet.

Le Suquet is Cannes’s oldest neighborhood and where the city was born.

From the sea-facing walkways and majestic bell tower, LaeSuquet’s combination of classic French charm and modern vibrancy makes it one of the best spots for visitors looking for an unforgettable experience in this picturesque port city.

You might also enjoy: Cannes or Antibes: Which one to choose

Exploring its narrow cobbled streets lined with colorful shops and eateries is like stepping back into the past; while admiring the invitingly blue Mediterranean Sea through its tall terraces is sure to provide a sense of peaceful tranquility.

Planning a trip to the South of France? Then make sure to join my Facebook group for the best tips, places, and hotels on the French Riviera.

2- Go for a walk in La Croisette

La Croisette is the iconic and elegant promenade that stretches along Cannes’s seafront. Here, you will find lush palm trees, velvet-smooth beaches, designer boutiques, trendy cafes, and bars, as well as luxury hotels and casinos.

Take a leisurely stroll down this glamorous boulevard to admire its breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea or rent a bike and explore further.

READ : 15 Best hotels in Cannes

3- Sail around the Bay of Cannes in a catamaran

Enjoy sailing on board a modern and fully equipped catamaran in the Bay of Cannes.

Admire the stunning scenery and swim, snorkel or just relax on board and soak up the sun with a glass of wine.

4- Visit Cannes’ wonderful museums

Cannes has several interesting museums worth visiting during your stay.

The Centre d’Art La Malmaison is housed in what used to be the Grand Hotel and is home to paintings by renowned 20th- and 21st-century artists such as Picasso and Chagall. 

READ: Nice Vs Cannes: Which Is Better To Visit?

Meanwhile, the Musée Des Explorations Du Monde is housed in a medieval castle and displays fascinating medical artifacts  Asian instruments, and 19th-century paintings. Also, it offers stunning views of La Croisette and the city!

Cost: 6 euros for adults

Website : Museums & expositions in Cannes

Guided tours: available at the museum

5- Try delicious fresh produce at Marché provençal Forville

Marché Provençal Forville is a wonderful and authentic market to explore.

With its abundance of vibrant colors, tasty smells, and the liveliness of the atmosphere, visitors can wander through an experience filled with culture, cult dishes, and traditional produce from the region.

✈️ Need help planning your trip to the French Riviera?

Not only is Marché Provençal Forville a great place to do grocery shopping but it is also an ideal spot for people-watching and taking memorable pictures.

From specialty cheeses to freshly made baguettes, there are multiple options available to choose from in this fantastic market.

Hours: From 7:30 am to 1 pm. Closed on Mondays.

6- Soak in the sun at Sainte Marguerite Island

St. Marguerite Island, located just off the coast of Cannes, is a beautiful nature reserve with miles of Mediterranean coastline along with unique birds, stunning landscapes, and plenty of peace and quiet.

→ Read: 22 Perfect Day Trips from Cannes, France

Take a boat ride over to this charming island for an invigorating swim in its crystal clear waters or spend your day exploring this enchanting destination on foot, taking in its breathtaking views and discovering some of its hidden secrets along the way.

11 Best Cannes Boat Trips & Tours [2023]

7- Shop designer fashion (or just window shop) at La Croisette

La Croisette is arguably the most luxurious shopping street in Cannes filled with world-renowned designers such as Prada, Gucci, Dior, and many more.

Here, you’ll find everything from luxurious designer fashion to exquisite jewelry stores.

The street is also lined with art galleries, antique dealers, and fashionable boutiques where you can pick up the perfect souvenir to remember your trip.

8- Admire the incredible Église Notre-Dame-d’Éspérance

Église Notre-Dame-d’Éspérance is a magnificent Roman Catholic church and one of the most important sights in Cannes.

Built at the end of the 19th century, this incredible structure features breathtaking stained glass windows, beautiful sculptures, intricate stonework, and impressive frescoes.

The interior of the church also houses a number of religious artifacts and artworks that are very interesting to see.

9- Discover the Calanques of the Esterel

The Calanques of the Esterel is one of the best-kept secrets on the French Riviera.

This stunning series of limestone cliffs and coves which are located on the western side of Cannes and offers incredible views and plenty of opportunities for exploration.

10- See the Cannes’ Palais des Festivals & Walk of Stars

Of course, not any trip to Cannes would be complete without taking a look at the Palais des Festivals and admiring the red carpet and iconic Walk of Stars.

Although there is admittedly not much else to do, it’s worth stopping by.

11- Explore the local food scene

Cannes, France is a truly great foodie destination.

The city has a broad range of eateries, ranging from the finest Michelin-starred restaurants to more casual bistros.

Freshly caught seafood is a local specialty and every day one will find something different on each menu, as most places rely heavily on seasonal produce and make use of only the freshest ingredients.

Moreover, Cannes is home to some of Europe’s best chefs who bring creative dishes to the table that satisfy all tastes – from those who appreciate bold flavors to those looking for a lighter bite.

Not only is one easily able to find exceptional fare in this French gem, but also an unparalleled atmosphere with many outdoor tables set up overlooking the bay or nestled into charming cobblestoned laneways.

Where to eat:

• L’Assiette Provencale
• La Table du Chef
• La Meissouniere

12 – Go on a private wine tour in the Provence region

A private Provence Wine Tour is an absolute must for those looking to explore the culinary delights of this region.

Visit some of the most famous wineries in France and sample world-renowned wines with a local guide.

Take a scenic drive through some of the country’s most beautiful countryside and learn all about French viticulture before enjoying a 3-course meal at one of the best wineries in Provence.

Read: Where is Provence ?

13- Take the ferry Ferry from Cannes to St Tropez

St Tropez is one of the most famous luxury destinations in the world, and taking the ferry from Cannes to St Tropez is a great way to explore the area for a day.

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Mediterranean as you sail toward this glamorous destination and spend your day wandering through the cobblestone streets and browsing all the high-end boutiques and galleries.

From lively nightlife to serene beaches, this beautiful town offers the perfect mix of experiences.

14- Have a bite to eat at Rue Meynadier

Rue Meynadier is a quaint cobblestone street filled with traditional bistros and cafes.

Here, you’ll find plenty of delicious eateries serving up some of the city’s best cuisine such as salade Niçoise, bouillabaisse, and ratatouille.

It’s also home to a number of specialty food stores offering up fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and local delicacies.

• La Farigoule
• La Perle Restaurant
• Chez Vincent et Nicolas
• Aux Bons Enfants

15- Go hiking at Croix-Des Gardes

Croix-Des Gardes is a great place to explore Cannes’ surrounding lush landscapes and stunning views.

Enjoy a leisurely hike through the luscious parklands, taking in all the sights of this Mediterranean paradise. This is also one of the best spots for birdwatching in Cannes, making it a must-visit spot for nature lovers!

16- Walk around the port

Cannes’ Port is a great spot for sun-seekers and people-watchers alike.

Take a stroll around the harbor, admiring all the luxurious yachts and boats moored in the water.

Stop off to watch the local fishermen at work or visit one of the vibrant restaurants for a bite to eat with panoramic views over the bay.

17- Visit the glorious Vila Domergue

Perched on the hillside above the bay, Vila Domergue is one of Cannes’ most beautiful mansions.

This historic building was built in the 1930s by renowned architect Jean-Gabriel Domergue and features art deco design throughout. Take a tour inside to admire all the exquisite details and get an insight into this luxurious lifestyle.

18- Go on a day trip

Cannes is a fantastic city to base yourself in when exploring the French Riviera.

Take the train and explore destinations like the Lerins Islands , Monaco , Menton , Nice , or Antibes . if you are short on time, you can also do a French Riviera full-day tour to see more than one place on the same day (which I highly recommend!).

Alternatively, take a trip out to Grasse and visit some of France’s best-known perfumeries.

19- Have a drink and enjoy the exclusivity of Cannes’s best beach clubs

Cannes is home to some of the most exclusive beach clubs in the world.

Enjoy a refreshing drink as you soak up the sun and take in the stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea.

Some of our favorites include Miramar Plage, La Plage du Martinez, and Riviera Beach,

20- See Cannes’s street art and murals

Cannes has a thriving street art scene and is home to some of the most impressive murals in the world.

Wander through the city streets and discover hidden gems, from vibrant graffiti to intricate 3D street art.

Make sure you take your camera along with you for some spectacular photoshoots!

21 – Go on a Ferrari tour of Cannes

If you are looking for a truly luxurious once-in-a-lifetime experience, why not take a Ferrari tour around Cannes ?

Take in the city’s landmarks and attractions from the comfort of your car with an experienced driver at the wheel. This is one of the best ways to explore Cannes in style!

For something less flashy, gyropod tours are also very fun and popular.

22 – Check out some local galleries

Cannes has an impressive array of art galleries that showcase amazing works by both local and international artists.

Visit these galleries to discover everything from charming landscape paintings to contemporary sculptures.

Some great galleries to visit are Galerie de Cannes, La Banane, and Francl Gallery.

23- Go for a swim at Plage du Midi

The Plage du Midi is one of the most popular spots for swimming in Cannes.

Take a dip in its crystal-clear waters or rent a paddleboard and explore the coastline.

24- Try your luck at Casino Barrière Le Croisette

For those looking for a bit of excitement and glamour during their visit to Cannes, head over to the glamorous Casino Barrière Le Croisette.

This vibrant casino offers up plenty of gaming options including poker, Blackjack, Roulette, and more. With its elegant decor and luxurious atmosphere, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Cannes Travel Guide & Frequently asked questions

How many days in cannes.

Most people recommend spending at least 1-3 days in Cannes to fully explore the city and its surroundings ( read: How Many Days in Cannes? ).

However, if time is limited, one day is enough to get a feel for the atmosphere of this beautiful location.

What are the best places to stay in Cannes?

The best place to stay in Cannes depends on your budget and preferences.

If you’re looking for luxury accommodation, then the chic hotels along La Croisette are a good choice.

For more affordable options, there are plenty of Airbnb and boutique hotels located in the city center.

Hotel reccomendations in Cannes:

• Hôtel Château de la Tour
• Hotel Alexandre III
• Villa Pruly Hotel Cannes Centre
• Hotel Splendid

What is the best time to visit Cannes?

The best time to visit Cannes is from late spring to early autumn when temperatures are milder and the area is less crowded.

In July and August, temperatures can reach up to 30°C (86°F), which makes it perfect for sunbathing or enjoying the beach clubs.

Is Cannes worth visiting?

Yes, Cannes is definitely worth visiting.

Overall, Cannes is an amazing destination for those looking to experience a unique and luxurious atmosphere.

From its stunning beaches to its vibrant nightlife scene, there are plenty of things to do in this beautiful city.

How to get from Cannes to Nice?

The easiest way to get from Cannes to Nice is by taking a train.

The journey takes about 25 minutes and the tickets cost around €14 for an adult one-way ticket.

Alternatively, you can take a bus or book a private transfer which usually costs between €50-100 depending on the transport company.

How far is Monaco from Cannes?

Monaco is located approximately 33km (20 miles) away from Cannes and can be reached in less than an hour by car or bus.

There are regular services running between the two cities, so it’s easy to explore both destinations during your stay in France.

Is there Uber in Cannes?

Yes, Uber operates in Cannes.

How is Cannes pronounced?

Cannes is pronounced “Kahns”. The final “s” is silent, so the pronunciation should sound like “Kahn”.

If you are ever unsure of how to say something in French, try saying it out loud and listening for the phonetic differences. You’ll soon be a pro!

What airport for Cannes?

The closest airport to Cannes is the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, which is located approximately 32km (20 miles) away.

There are direct flights available from a variety of cities around Europe and North America. Alternatively, you can take a train or bus from Paris or other major cities in France.

Is Cannes safe?

Cannes is considered a safe destination for visitors.

How expensive is Cannes?

Cannes is known for its luxurious lifestyle, so it’s no surprise that the city can be quite expensive, especially during summer and festival season.

Conclusion: The best things to do in Cannes

That’s a wrap! Now that you know exactly what to do on your trip to the beautiful city of Cannes, I hope you have a wonderful trip. Au revoir! 🙂

Oh! And if you are visiting the South of France soon, join my Facebook group for more hidden gems and travel tips. Happy travels!

Plan the perfect trip to the French Riviera

🗺️ Book guided tours through Get Your Guide and Viator .

🛏️ Find the perfect hotel on Booking.com .

Continue reading:

• Nice vs Cannes: Which is Better to Visit?
• 15 Best Hotels in Cannes, France for 2024
• 22 Perfect Day Trips from Cannes, France
• 11 Best Cannes Boat Trips & Tours [2024]
• 14 Reasons Why Cannes is Worth Visiting

Camila Neves

Nice to meet you! My name is Cami and I am a full-time traveler and foodie. I live in Nice in the South of France and this blog is where I share my impressions and travel secrets.

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Top 25 Best Things to Do in Cannes, France

By: Author Tiana Thompson

Posted on Last updated: November 16, 2023

Categories France , French Riviera , Travel Guides

Home » Top 25 Best Things to Do in Cannes, France

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If you’re thinking of spending some time in Cannes, you’re in for a real treat!

This gorgeous city on the French Riviera has so much to offer visitors, from gorgeous beaches and yachts to fantastic restaurants and nightlife – there’s plenty to do in this chic Mediterranean city!

Whether you want to spend your days exploring its ancient streets or lounging on its famous sandy beaches, if you’re visiting the French Riviera, you can’t miss out on spending some time in Cannes.

But, I know what you might be thinking…

Is Cannes worth visiting?

What is there to see in Cannes?

And more importantly… What are the best things to do in Cannes?!

I spent an amazing year living near Cannes and had the chance to explore all the ins and outs of the city. To help you make the most of your time here, I’ve put together a list of the top 25 best things to do during your time in Cannes .

In this post, you'll find...

About Cannes

Where is Cannes, anyway?

Cannes is a city located in the French Riviera, on the Mediterranean coast of France. It is known for its beautiful beaches, its luxury hotels and resorts, and its annual film festival. It’s also a popular destination for yachting and has some of the largest marinas in Europe.

The beaches in Cannes are some of the best in the country , and are perfect for lounging in the sun or enjoying some fresh air and a refreshing swim.

There are also plenty of water sports to try out if you’re feeling adventurous, such as jet skiing, windsurfing, or parasailing!

Cannes is also known for its excellent restaurants, which offer a wide variety of cuisines from all over the world. In addition to French and Mediterranean fare, you can find anything from sushi to steak in Cannes.

The city also has a lively nightlife scene, with plenty of bars, clubs, and casinos to keep you entertained into the early hours of the morning.

Cannes is divided into two parts – the old town (known as Le Suquet) and the newer part of town, where most of the hotels, restaurants, and shops are located. The old town is home to the city’s castle, churches, and museums, as well as some charming pedestrian streets lined with boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.

This city is home to many art galleries, museums, and designer boutiques, and is a popular destination for both tourists and business travelers – seeing about 4 million visitors each year!

What to see in Cannes

• The Old Town of Le Suqet
• Le Marché aux Fleurs
• Île Sainte-Marguerite
• Palais des Festivals
• Boulevard de la Croisette
• Notre-dame d’Espérance
• Cannes Yachting Festival
• Cannes Film Festival

Cannes is a resort town famous for its beautiful beaches, luxury hotels and resorts, annual film festival, and lively nightlife. It is also known as an important destination for yachting and has some of the largest marinas in Europe. The city’s old town (known as Le Suquet) is home to many historic monuments, museums, and art galleries, while the newer part of town is where you’ll find most of the shops, restaurants, and hotels.

The best neighborhood to stay in while in Cannes depends on what you’re looking to do during your visit. If you’re interested in exploring the city’s history and culture, then the old town is the perfect place for you. However, if you’re looking to be closer to the beach and nightlife, then staying in the newer part of town is a better option.

Some of the best things to do while visiting Cannes include visiting its most popular attractions, such as the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès (the site of the annual film festival), La Promenade de la Croisette (a promenade lined with palm trees and luxury hotels), the Lerins Islands (a group of four small islands off the coast of Cannes), and the Port of Cannes (one of the largest marinas in Europe).

Other popular activities in the city include exploring its art galleries and museums, enjoying the local cuisine, sunbathing on one of its famous beaches, or enjoying the nightlife at one of its many bars, clubs, and casinos.

Some of the best beaches in Cannes include La Croisette Beach, Palm Beach, Plage du Midi (Midi Beach), Banane Beach, and Majestic Beach.

The weather in Cannes is typically warm and sunny year-round, with average highs ranging from the mid-60s to mid-80s degrees Fahrenheit. The area does experience some rainfall throughout the year, but it’s usually light and short in duration. The best time of year to visit Cannes is during the summer months, when you can enjoy long, sunny days at one of the many beaches here.

Cannes offers something for every type of traveler, so it is definitely worth visiting. Whether you’re interested in its history and culture, its beaches and nightlife, or its shops and restaurants, you’re sure to find plenty to keep you entertained during your stay.

The amount of time you should spend in Cannes depends on your interests and itinerary. If you’re only interested in visiting the city’s most popular attractions, then you could probably get by with only a few days here. However, if you’re looking to explore everything the city has to offer, then you’ll need at least a week.

Cannes, like most of the cities on the French Riviera, is known for being expensive. Accommodations, food, and activities can be quite costly here, so you’ll need to budget accordingly if you’re planning a trip to Cannes. That said, there are some affordable options available if you know where to look. With a bit of research and planning, you can find ways to save money while still having an enjoyable and memorable visit here.

Cannes is generally a safe and friendly city, with low levels of crime and tourist scams. However, it’s always important to be aware of your surroundings when traveling and to avoid going out alone at night. With these simple precautions in place, you can have a safe and enjoyable visit in Cannes.

Cannes and Nice both offer different experiences depending on what you’re looking for, so it can be difficult to choose between the two. That said, if you’re looking for a more upscale and glamorous experience, then Cannes is probably the better option for you. If you’re interested in exploring a mix of both old and new culture, history, and nightlife, then Nice may be a better choice to fit you.

Top 25 Best Things to Do in Cannes

1. visit the marché aux fleurs.

When visiting Cannes, a trip to the Marché aux Fleurs is a must. In this charming flower market, you can find everything from roses to lilies to daisies!

Every morning, locals sell fresh flowers at the market, making it the perfect place to pick up a bouquet or two.

Marché aux Fleurs is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7am to 12:30 pm, and is located on Allées de la Liberté near Marché Forville, another popular market in Cannes. It’s the perfect spot for picking up some beautiful flowers or just people-watching the crowds nearby.

So whether you’re looking for some fresh flowers for your hotel room or simply want to take in the sights and smells of Cannes, definitely head to the Marché aux Fleurs!

2. Check out the Vieux Port

You simply can’t visit Cannes and not make a trip to the Old Port – it’s one of the essentials on the list of what to do in Cannes.

This is one of the most popular areas in Cannes, and for good reason. The Vieux Port (Old Port) is located in the heart of the city and is home to a number of restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops.

Built in the 1950s, this picturesque port is home to all of the yachts and boats of Cannes, and is a popular hangout spot for locals and tourists due to the picture-perfect views of the sea.

There are also a number of historic buildings around the old port, including Fort Royal and the Eglise Notre-Dame de Bon Port. Plenty of bars and restaurants are located near Vieux Port, where you can enjoy a meal while taking in the stunning views of the sea and surrounding area.

Whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or just want to relax with a drink, the Old Port is definitely worth exploring during your trip to Cannes.

3. Admire the architecture of Le Suquet Hill

Located at the top of La Croisette, Le Suquet is one of the​​ oldest parts of Cannes and is home to a number of historic buildings, including the Château de l’Île.

Perched on top of the hill with stunning views over the city, this picturesque area is popular among tourists and locals alike who enjoy its old world charm and character. It’s a great vantage point for people watching or enjoying direct views of La Croisette Boulevard below.

There are a number of restaurants, cafes, and shops in Le Suquet as well, making it a great place to wander around, explore the area, and take in all of its beauty.

Whether you prefer strolling along quaint streets or just taking in the breathtaking views from La Croisette, don’t miss a chance to explore Le Suquet while in Cannes! It’s a lovely place to spend the morning or early afternoon exploring the historic side of town.

4. See the sights from La Castre Museum

If you are a fan of art and history, then La Castre Museum should definitely be added to your list of Cannes things to do.

Located in the tower of an 18th-century castle on Le Suquet hill, this museum houses a collection of medieval paintings, sculptures, and archaeological artifacts from around the world. With its stunning views of Cannes and the Mediterranean Sea, the museum is also a great place to enjoy the scenery.

La Castre Museum is open every day except Monday from 10am to 5pm and is located near the top of La Croisette. Tickets are ​€6, or you can get a combined ticket with the Musée de la Castre​ and Fort Royal for €10.

So if you’re looking to explore art, history, and Mediterranean antiquities while in Cannes, make sure to check out this museum while you’re here.

5. Watch a movie at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès

Palais des Festivals des Congrès is one of the top attractions in Cannes, and it’s also the site of the annual Cannes Film Festival. This massive convention center is located on La Croisette and features a number of conference rooms, meeting rooms, and auditoriums.

Even if you’re not attending the film festival, you can still enjoy a movie at Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. There is a ​​Cinema Le Majestic​ located in the complex with three movie screens and seating for nearly 1,000 people.

This state-of-the-art theater shows both new releases as well as classic films, making it the perfect place to enjoy some quality cinema while in Cannes.

Movie buffs visiting Cannes can even take a guided tour by a professional screenwriter , and spend the day learning about the history, culture, and even some gossip about the movie industry in Cannes.

This is a great way to see one of the city’s most iconic buildings and get a behind-the-scenes look at the film festival that happens here every year.

If you’re lucky, you might even cross paths with some movie stars on the red carpet!

6. Explore Notre-Dame d’Espérance

This 16th-century Roman Catholic church located in central Cannes is worth a visit for its beauty, history, and interesting architecture. Though little is known about the exact history of Notre-Dame d’Espérance, it was most likely built during the 16th century by Venetian merchants as a way to memorialize their fallen comrades who died in a naval battle.

With its gold paint and intricate details on the façade, it’s easy to see why ​ Notre-Dame d’Espérance​ is one of the most fascinating churches in Cannes. You can tour the inside of the church and admire its paintings and sculptures, or just spend some time relaxing on the benches in the gardens surrounding it.

If you’re looking for a place to worship or just want to admire its beauty from the outside, be sure to visit this historic site – Whether you’re religious or not, this church is definitely worth a visit during your trip to Cannes!

7. Discover local art at the Centre d’Art La Malmaison

Art lovers, this one’s for you!

Cannes is home to a number of world-class museums and galleries, including ​the Centre d’Art La Malmaison ​. Located in the heart of downtown Cannes, this museum features two main buildings that showcase a variety of modern works from local artists.

The museum also hosts a number of special events throughout the year, such as art fairs, exhibitions, and lectures. Whether you’re an artist yourself or just want to learn more about the local art scene in Cannes, be sure to add ​Centre d’Art La Malmaison​​ to your list of Cannes things to do.

The museum is open from 10am to 6pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

8. Grab a bite at La Petite Maison

When it comes to what to do in Cannes France, eating should be at the top of your list.

After all, after a day of exploring all the things to do in Cannes, you’re going to need a good meal.

And there’s no better place to get one than at ​ La Petite Maison ​ – a Michelin-starred restaurant serving up some of the best French cuisine in town. Add this beauty to your list of what to see in Cannes!

Located in the Le Suquet district of Cannes, La Petite Maison is known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious food. The French Riviera is home to some of the most amazing foods in the world, and this restaurant definitely doesn’t disappoint.

Be sure to try their ​signature dish,​​​ Nicoise Salad – a traditional French salad made with fresh vegetables, tuna, eggs, and olives. Whether you want to stop by for a quick lunch or spend the evening dining on their amazing dishes, it’s worth checking out this restaurant if you’re looking for a taste of French culture in Cannes, France.

Delicious French food not your thing? No problem – there are plenty of other great restaurants to choose from in Cannes. No matter if you’re looking for a quick snack or a gourmet meal, this city has something to fit your tastes and budget.

Just be sure to make reservations in advance, especially if you’re planning on having dinner at one of the more popular restaurants like this one!

9. Kayak or paddleboard at Pointe Croisette Beach

Cannes is home to some of the best beaches in France, making it the perfect place to enjoy some watersports on the sea.

And one of the best places to do that is at Pointe Croisette Beach, located just next to the famous Palais des Festivals.

This public beach has everything you could want – plenty of sun, soft sand, and crystal-clear water. It’s also a great place for swimming, paddleboarding, or kayaking. If you’re looking to explore the coastline, there are a number of rental shops nearby where you can rent equipment for the day.

10. Sunbathe at Plage de la Bocca

If water sports aren’t your thing, there are still plenty of other Cannes France things to do.

There are tons of gorgeous beaches in Cannes to relax on, and one of the best places to go is Plage de la Bocca, a beautiful beach located right in the middle of downtown Cannes. This beach offers plenty of space for sunbathing, making it a great place to relax and unwind even if you’re just visiting for the day.

The public beach is also close to a number of shops, cafes, and restaurants – so if you get hungry or thirsty, it’s easy to go grab a bite and head back to the beach. This beach is always packed with both tourists and locals playing music, dancing in the sea, having a seaside picnic with friends, or playing volleyball in the sand.

Everyone at Plage de la Boca is always in a good mood and eager to have some fun, it’s definitely one of the most upbeat things to do in Cannes!

11. Take a day trip to Ile Sainte-Margeurite

When it comes to what to do in Cannes in summer, a boat trip to this stunning nearby island comes to mind.

Cannes is located nea​r some of the most beautiful islands in Europe, making it a great place to take a day trip. One of the most popular islands is Ile Sainte-Marguerite, located just a mile and a half off the coast of Cannes.

This picturesque island has plenty to see and do, so be sure to plan a whole day for exploring everything it has to offer.

One of the most popular things to do on Ile Sainte-Marguerite is visit Fort Royal, a historic fortress that offers incredible views of the island and surrounding sea. There are also plenty of sandy beaches and paths for hiking, making it the perfect place for a day trip in nature.

And if you’re looking to do some shopping, there are a number of local markets with great deals on souvenirs, jewelry, and other goods.

You can get to Ile Saint Margeurite by ferry in just about 20 minutes. This round-trip ferry ticket to Ile Saint Margeruite will pick you up in Cannes and drop you off right back in the city, so all you have to worry about is spending a relaxing day on the island!

12. Explore the Lérins Islands

The Lérins Islands are a group of four small islands located just off the coast of Cannes.

These islands are some of the most beautiful in all of Europe, and they’re definitely worth a visit if you’re looking to relax on a quiet beach away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The largest and most popular island is Ile Sainte-Marguerite, but there are many other popular islands in the Lerins group including Ile Saint-Honorat and Ile de Lérins.

Both of these islands offer plenty of great things to see and do, so be sure to add them to your itinerary if you have time. You can get to the Lérins Islands by ferry from Cannes, and there are a number of different companies that offer this service.

Once on the islands, you can spend your day hiking and exploring the beaches, or simply take in the beautiful views of the coast.

You can even go snorkeling while on the Lerins Islands – there are a number of reefs located just offshore, providing you with the perfect opportunity to see some of the amazing marine life that the French Riviera has to offer.

On this 3-hour snorkeling tour , you’ll spend the afternoon out at sea and discover the incredible underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea. You’ll get a chance to see the red rocks of the marine-protected area of Esterel-Theoule, and enjoy the charm of the Lerins islands.

Whatever you do on these islands, be sure to bring your camera – the stunning natural beauty of these small islands is not to be missed!

13. Take a food tour along La Croisette

When in France, do as the French do – and learn about (and taste) the history of some of their most iconic dishes!

There are a number of different food tours offered in Cannes that will take you along La Boulevard de la Croisette, the city’s most famous street. On these tours, you’ll learn about the origins of dishes like ratatouille and bouillabaisse, and get to taste some of the best food that Cannes has to offer.

You’ll also get to visit some of the city’s most popular restaurants and food shops, and learn about the history of some of Cannes’ most famous chefs. These tours typically last around 3 hours, but you’ll leave feeling like a real expert on French cuisine!

On this 3-hour food tour of Cannes , you’ll stroll down the Boulevard de la Croisette and explore the city’s vibrant food scene and learn about the history of some of its most iconic dishes. You’ll visit a variety of different restaurants and food shops, and get to taste some of the best food that Cannes has to offer.

This is a great way to experience the culture of Cannes and learn about the city’s culinary traditions!

14. Attend the Cannes Yacht Festival

What’s a trip to Cannes without a visit to the world-famous Cannes Yacht Festival?

This event is held each year in September, and it’s one of the most important events on the international yachting circuit. The festival draws some of the most luxurious and expensive boats from around Europe – and it’s a great way for you to see these amazing vessels up close!

If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, then you can also charter a yacht for the day and explore Cannes from the water. There are a number of different companies that offer this service, and it’s a great way to see the city from a different perspective.

You can even enjoy some of the amazing views of the coastline while you’re out on the water – it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Cannes Yacht Festival is a must for any traveler who wants to experience the best that this beautiful coastal city has to offer. Whether you’re looking for an amazing vacation rental or just want to charter your own private yacht, it’s definitely a must-do thing to do in Cannes.

15. Sail on a catamaran around the French Riviera

See Cannes from the water on a catamaran tour of the Cote d’Azur. This is a great way to see the city from a different perspective, and it’s also a great way to experience some of the amazing views of the coastline.

This private 3-hour boat tour from Cannes is fully customizable and is a great way to see all the major cities along the French Riviera and enjoy a luxury experience aboard a private catamaran. Your captain and crew will take you on a tour of the Bay of Cannes on this tour, stopping along the way for lots of opportunities to swim, snorkel, or just relax on the water.

You’ll get to see some of the most famous sights along the coast, and enjoy an optional lunch buffet. You can even stop at a private beach and enjoy exclusive access to a day in the sand!

You can choose between a half-day tour or a full-day tour, at daytime or at sunset. This is perfect for those looking for a luxury experience on the water – It’s a great way to see the beauty of the French Riviera without having to worry about driving or taking public transportation!

16. Rent a bicycle and explore Cannes

Cannes is a great city to explore by bicycle, as there are plenty of well-maintained bike paths and trails that wind throughout the city. Renting a bicycle is a great way to see the city on your own terms, and it’s also an exercise-friendly activity for those who want to stay active during their trip.

Renting a bicycle is a great way to see all the major sights of Cannes without having to worry about public transportation or driving. You can explore at your own pace, and there are plenty of different routes that you can take depending on your interests.

There are even E-Bike guided tours in Cannes that allow you to explore the city with a local on an electric bike!

Whether you want to see the front-line beaches or explore the city’s hidden alleyways, renting a bicycle and hitting the pavement is a unique and fun way to see the city.

17. Take a trip to Saint-Tropez

A visit to Saint-Tropez is a must when on a trip to the Cote d’Azur!

This charming seaside town is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches and amazing yachts. Located just 53 miles from Cannes, you can easily get to St Tropez by car in just about 2 hours.

On this full-day Saint Tropez shore excursion , you’ll get to cruise along the coast by car and experience the stunning scenery and vibrant culture in Saint Tropez. Soak up Mediterranean views as you drive along the coast and stop in the beautiful coastal town of Port Grimaud.

Once in Saint-Tropez, you’ll have the chance to admire luxury yachts docked on port waters, sample Provençal food at the local markets, browse through the boutique shops, and have a drink in one of many French cafés before heading back to Cannes.

If you want to see the best of Saint-Tropez, then you need to take a boat trip down the coast! There are many different boat companies near the Vieux Port that offer day trips from Cannes to Saint-Tropez, and it’s a great way to see the Côte d’Azur from the water.

P.S. There are a few different ways to get to St Tropez, depending on your schedule and budget. Check out my guide to the 5 Best Ways to get from Cannes to St Tropez !

18. Stroll along the Boulevard de La Croisette

For a chill day in Cannes, take a leisurely stroll along La Croisette. This world-famous promenade is located right on the water and is lined with palm trees, luxury hotels, and high-end shops.

During your walk, you’ll get to people watch, window shop, and enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery. Make sure to stop at one of the many cafes or restaurants along the Boulevard de La Croisette for a refreshment and to take in the stunning views of the water!

One of my personal favorites is the restaurant La Voile Rouge, which has an outdoor terrace overlooking the water.

La Croisette is generally pretty calm and slower-paced, so it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind during your trip to Cannes.

19. Sample local fresh produce at Marché Forville

If you’re looking for a great place to do some souvenir shopping while in Cannes, be sure to check out Marché Forville. This covered market is one of the best places in the city to find local produce, meats, cheeses, and more.

You’ll find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to artisanal breads and handmade chocolates. There are also a few cafes and restaurants located inside the market, so you can grab a bite to eat while you shop.

Even if you don’t end up purchasing anything, the Forville Market is worth a visit for the amazing food, atmosphere, and views.

20. Indulge in some luxury shopping on Rue d’Antibes

In need of some retail therapy while on the Côte d’Azur? Look no further than Rue d’Antibes. This bustling street is lined with some of the best luxury shops and boutiques in Cannes, so you’re sure to find something that piques your interest!

With everything from high-end fashion brands to jewelry stores and home decor shops, you’ll be able to take care of all your shopping needs on Rue d’Antibes. If you’re looking for a particular item, chances are you’ll be able to find it on this street.

And, if you get hungry from all the shopping, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants lined along Rue d’Antibes where you can grab a bite to eat.

21. Discover the Musee Picasso La Guerre et La Paix

The Picasso Museum, known as the Musee Picasso La Guerre et La Paix , is a must-visit attraction in Cannes. Located in an old castle, this museum features nearly 2,000 works by Pablo Picasso, including many of his most famous paintings and sculptures.

If you’re a fan of Picasso’s work or interested in learning more about his life and career, then this museum is definitely worth a visit.

Even if you’re not particularly interested in art, the Musee Picasso La Guerre et La Paix is still an impressive place to see. The museum is open from 10am to 5pm daily and is closed on Tuesdays.

22. Visit Provence and the perfume capital of Grasse

Cannes is close to so many other picturesque villages and towns on the Côte d’Azur, making it perfect for a short trip for the day.

One of my personal favorite places to visit is the town of Provence. This charming town is located in the heart of wine country and is known for its beautiful scenery and great wine! There are many different wineries located in Provence, so you can spend the day tasting different wines and enjoying the views.

If you’re not a fan of wine, there are also plenty of other activities to enjoy in Provence, such as hiking, shopping, and exploring the charming streets.

Another popular destination on the Riviera is Grasse, which is known as the perfume capital of the world. This town is home to many different perfume factories and stores, so you can learn about the history of perfume making and even create your own custom scent!

If you’re looking to take a break from the crowded beaches and resort town feel of Cannes, a trip to the surrounding regions is a great option.

This 8-hour group trip to Provence and Grasse will take you to some of the most beautiful and popular places on the Riviera. You’ll get to experience the charming town of Provence, visit a few wineries, explore the streets of Grasse, and more! This particular tour is targeted for groups of 8 or more, so it’s ideal if traveling to Cannes with friends or family.

However, you can always find another tour that is tailored to your needs and preferences, or just rent a car and explore Provence yourself!

23. Take a day trip to Nice or Monaco-Monte Carlo

Cannes may be lovely, but it’s not the only place worth visiting on the Côte d’Azur!

Nice is a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike. This city is known for its stunning coastline, amazing food, and vibrant nightlife. Whether you’re looking to relax on one of the many public or private beaches, explore different neighborhoods, or enjoy a nice dinner, you’ll find plenty to do in Nice.

There are tons of things to do in Nice , and you can easily spend a whole day (or even a few of them) exploring this scenic seaside city. You’ll want to bring your camera – there are tons of photo-ops and perfectly Instagrammable spots all over Nice !

Another nearby town worth visiting is Monaco-Monte Carlo. This glamorous city is home to some of the most famous casinos and luxury hotels on the Riviera, as well as beautiful parks and gardens. It has all the glitz and glam of Cannes, times ten.

You can spend a day exploring the streets of Monte Carlo, trying your luck at the famous casinos, or just enjoying a luxurious meal and shopping.

I recommend checking out the beautiful garden in Monaco, which is located on the grounds of the Royal Palace. This scenic garden is perfect for anyone looking to relax, as well as those who enjoy a good photo op!

If you’re interested in seeing all that the Côte d’Azur has to offer, I would highly recommend taking a day trip to either Nice or Monaco-Monte Carlo.

Both of these cities are easily accessible from Cannes by train or bus, so you can plan an excursion with ease.

The most efficient way is by train – you can take an SNCF train from the Cannes train station to Nice for about 20 euros, and the trip takes about an hour. Monaco can also be reached by train for around the same price, and is about 20 minutes longer than the trip to Nice.

You could even take a guided tour from Cannes that stops in Nice and Monaco and includes a walking tour of both cities.

24. Catch a movie at the Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival is the most prestigious film festival in the world, and it takes place every year in May. If you’re a movie fan, this is definitely an event you won’t want to miss!

During the festival, celebrities from all over the world. flock to Cannes to attend the screenings of films from all genres and countries. With so many events taking place at once, you may need a whole day just to catch a glimpse of your favorite celebrities on the red carpet.

However, if you can’t make it for the entire festival, you can also check out one of the other popular events or attractions in Cannes.

Even if you’re not a big movie fan, the experience of attending the Cannes Film Festival is truly one of a kind. This event is definitely worth checking out, even if just for a day!

25. Spend a night at the Hotel Château de la Tour

This luxury hotel is located in the heart of Cannes, just a few minutes’ walk from the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. The Hotel Château de la Tour offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as a delicious Michelin-starred restaurant.

It features an outdoor swimming pool, garden, spa, and a state-of-the-art gym. Private massages can be arranged, and the hotel also offers a limousine service to help you get around town. This 33-room 4-star hotel is located just a 10-minute walk from Plage du Midi (Midi Beach), Vieux Port, and central Cannes, so a perfect starting and ending point to your days.

Whether you’re attending the Cannes Film Festival or just looking for an unforgettable place to stay on vacation, the Hotel Château de la Tour is sure to impress. You won’t regret spending a few nights at this luxurious and elegant hotel in a beautiful castle hotel! A double-room at this hotel starts at around 129 EUR ($130 USD) per night. You can check availability on Booking.com .

As you can see, there’s no shortage of things to do in Cannes, France! Whether you’re looking for culture, relaxation, or excitement, you can easily fill up your days (and nights) in this stunning seaside city.

From browsing through the flea market, gazing at ancient artifacts and musical instruments at Musée de la Castre, hiking up to the top of Le Suquet, sunbathing at Palm Beach or strutting down the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, there’s something for everyone in Cannes.

Where to stay in Cannes

You can browse through over 100 hotels, resorts, and vacation homes in Cannes here 👇

Thanks for reading!

I hope this guide has given you some good ideas for planning your days in Cannes. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment. I hope you enjoy your time here!

Related Reads

The French Riviera is home to many different towns and cities, each with their own unique attractions and things to do. If you’re visiting and looking for more ideas of what to do in the area, be sure to check out all my other blog posts about the South of France !

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Hi, I’m Tiana – founder of and author here at Where Tiana Travels. I’m a 20-something with a love for all things travel, photography, and food. I have been living abroad for the past 5 years and solo traveling the globe in my free time. I created this blog to share my travel stories and inspire other women to go out and see the world. Read more about me here!

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12 Top Things to Do in Cannes, France

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Cannes on the French Riviera is a delightful city to visit any time of the year. It is known for its glamour, particularly in May when the annual Cannes Film Festival attracts the greatest film stars in the world. A big seaside resort on the Mediterranean shore, Cannes has top hotels and also lots of good, sandy, and free public beaches. And Cannes is a perfect jumping-off point for other towns along this glitzy part of the Côte d'Azur, as well as day trips to two of the beautiful Iles de Lérins islands. Visitors will find interesting museums, a colorful covered market full of fresh local produce, nice parks with hiking trails, and some upscale shopping areas not to be missed.

Stroll in La Croisette

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Few spots better symbolize the glamour of Cannes than La Croisette, the stretch of sidewalk that runs for roughly 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) along the shoreline. La Croisette looks out to the Mediterranean on one side and is lined with historic hotels, casinos, restaurants, gardens, and more.

There are vendors selling souvenirs and upscale shops across the street. Best of all, there are wonderful cafés along the beach and, for a fee, you can rent a lounge chair and umbrella on one of the private beaches belonging to the hotels and sip a refreshing drink a few feet from the water. 

During the famous Cannes Film Festival, the stars stretch out on the private beaches, surrounded by the paparazzi. Before going, confirm the promenade's renovation is not going to affect your visit.

See the Stars at the Cannes Film Festival

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Every May, the stars, wannabes, and film groupies descend on the Palais des Festivals for the annual Cannes Film Festival, which turns the resort into a frenzy of activity for several days. Everybody tries to get a glimpse of the action; even if you aren't in the industry, there are ways you can participate. Arrive early each night of the festival to grab a beach chair and watch a different film on a large outdoor screen at Cinéma de la Plage on Cannes Beach.

Check out the guide to the Cannes Film Festival for more information on what (and who) to see where. 

Go Shopping in Cannes

Courtesy of Rue Meynadier

One of the major reasons to visit Cannes is to spend money. Besides the shops on La Croisette, there are numerous streets heading north from there and paralleling La Croisette. There's the shopping mall Cannes la Bocca and several upscale chain stores such as Gucci for clothes, plus local boutiques.

Rue d'Antibes in the city center is good for high-end shopping and people watching, and Rue Meynadier offers specialty food shops like bakeries and cheese stores along with places to find souvenirs and clothing, all on a pedestrian-friendly street.

Visit Palais des Festivals et des Congrès

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The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès , or convention center, is a modern building at the east end of La Croisette. But it's the venue for all the big events in Cannes, including, naturally, the Cannes Film Festival. Even when the film industry has long since rolled up the red carpet, you can get a taste of the glitz by looking at the handprints of celebrities embedded in the flagstones outside the building.

The convention center hosts many events throughout the year, from concerts with young European musicians and Chopin piano series to circus events. Also, France's second-biggest competitive run, the Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes, starts on the Promenade des Anglais and finishes on La Croisette close to the Palais des Festivals each November.

Learn About History at Musée de la Castre

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The Musée de la Castre is a museum housed in the remains of an 11th-century castle built by monks of Lérins, in the historic district Le Suquet, the old town. The museum displays musical instruments from around the world, and visitors enjoy the objects and art from the Himalayas, Oceania, and the Arctic, as well as Mediterranean antiques and pre-Columbian ceramics.

Go up the tower for a great view over Cannes itself and out to the Isles de Lérins on the horizon.

Tour the Iles de Lérins Islands

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Visitors are easily lured to the Iles de Lérins islands off the coast of Cannes, which offer peace and quiet along with rocky inlets to enjoy. The two biggest islands—the inhabited ones—are only about a 15-minute ferry ride, but they are a world away from the fancy resort.

Ile-Ste-Marguerite, the larger of the two, is dominated by its Fort. Walk through the cells and imagine the fate of the "Man in the Iron Mask," who was incarcerated here for 11 years in the late 1600s, according to the novelist Alexandre Dumas . The island also features tidal pools, secluded beaches, and nice walking trails and bird-watching spots.

Ile St-Honorat is quieter, and is the site of the Abbaye de Lérins, where over 20 Cistercian monks run acres of vineyards. There are some well-liked restaurants like the abbey's high-end La Tonnelle with Mediterranean vistas, and the island has accommodation for overnight stays.

Explore Musée de la Mer

This unique Musée de la Mer ( Museum of the Sea ) is on the Ile Ste-Marguerite and well worth a visit in its own right. Exhibits are devoted to various things from photography collections of Cannes to the prison system and underwater archaeology collections. A highlight is an exhibit devoted to the mysterious "Man in the Iron Mask."

Experience the Colorful Markets

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Marché Forville, one of France's great daily covered markets in the Le Suquet district of Cannes, is the place to be for seasonal, local fresh fruits and vegetables and a glimpse of how the locals live. You'll also find flowers, seafood, meats, spices, and specialties like olives. The market is open every morning of the week except for Mondays when the venue turns into a flea market (Marche Brocante).

Hike at La Croix-des-Gardes Nature Park and Forest

Courtesy of La Croix-des-Gardes Nature Park

La Croix-des-Gardes Nature Park and Forest is a 200-acre public space abundant with trails and is located in the center of Cannes—a great place to enjoy a hike and a picnic with your loved ones. The park features a huge cross at its peak, and visitors can catch panoramic views of the city as well as nearby bays and islands. The park's arboretum has more than 40 types of mimosa trees.

Lounge and Swim at a Public Beach

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Cannes' sandy public beaches offer locals and tourists a place to relax and enjoy recreational activities.

Palm Beach (also known as Point Croisette), located to the east of Cannes, is a quiet place with shallow waves that attract families, kiteboarders, windsurfers, and kayakers for a day of play. The beach has a beautiful view of the Ile-Ste-Marguerite.

Plage du Midi is Cannes' largest stretch of public beach, located on the city's west side not far from Le Suquet. This well-liked spot is good for lounging, swimming, grabbing an ice cream, or having a meal at a nearby restaurant.

Another nice public beach is Plage de la Bocca, a more relaxing place to soak up the sun than the La Croisette area to the east; families with children set up here to build sandcastles and swim.

Delve Into French Cooking

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France's cuisine, full of fresh-baked bread and pastries as well as delicious cheeses and wines, is said to be some of the best and most flavorful in the world. UNESCO even added French gastronomy to its list of the world's "intangible cultural heritage."

A fun way to learn about French fare firsthand is through La Serviette Blanche's cooking classes focused on the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur area, which has more Mediterranean-influenced cuisine than the rest of the country. You'll shop at the local market with the chef and learn to cook a three-course menu. Walking food tours are also available: A bilingual guide will lead you through 2.5 hours of stops at about 7-9 places for tastes of homemade tapenades, fresh olives, fruits, pastries, and more.

View Luxury Boats at the Cannes Yachting Festival

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Whether you are looking to buy a luxury yacht or just have fun glancing at numerous boats, visitors and locals enjoy the Cannes Yachting Festival, which has exhibited a diverse crop of more than 600 sailboats—including about 100 new models—to an international crowd of tourists since 1977. The event takes place every September for nearly a week at Cannes' two ports: the Vieux Port and the Port Pierre Canto.

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Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Cannes

By Caitlin Gunther

Well before Cannes became synonymous with red carpets, the Côte d'Azur city was a destination for refuge and recovery. The buzz began in the early 19th century. Legend has it that a British lord en route to Italy with his ailing daughter was derailed by a pandemic and stopped off in a sleepy fishing village. Captivated by the light and the landscape dotted with olive, orange, and fig trees, he decided to build a villa in the hills of Cannes and a wave of aristocrats followed suit.

Then, in the 1920s, an American literary celebrity decamped to the French Riviera to soak in the sunshine and finish penning The Great Gatsby : F. Scott Fitzgerald’s sejour in the “the hot sweet South'' (his words) would provide a backdrop for his later work, “Tender Is the Night.” From a vantage point of nearby Antibes, Fitzgerald wrote, “In the early morning the distant image of Cannes, the pink and cream of old fortifications, the purple Alp that bounded Italy, were cast across the water and lay quavering in the ripples and rings sent up by sea-plants through the clear shallows.” Today, sherbet-hued structures still shimmer on the sea. The sun shines bright as ever 300 days annually.

While the city is best known for its star-studded film Festival de Cannes and palatial hotels, like the art deco Martinez and the belle époque Intercontinental Carlton , newer arrivals are infusing the scene with fresh energy—like the revitalized 17th-century Château de Théoule and the California-cool Maison Carla Rosa , as well as revamped iconic landmarks like Palm Beach , a Jazz Age members’ club once frequented by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. It’s the new golden age of Cannes, and the options for staying and playing are better than ever.

Whether you’re after a restorative retreat, a raucous Riviera-style party, or a sun-soaked destination to compose the next great American novel, there are so many reasons to visit. Here are the best things to do in Cannes.

Speed boats and yachts dock alongside Ile Sainte-Marguerite for La Guérite Cannes.

The seaside restaurant has been an institution since 1902.

Where to eat

A rule of thumb when traveling: food markets tend to be flanked by simple, straightforward spots frequented by locals. In the heart of Cannes, just off the Marché Forville, you’ll find Poissonnerie Forville, where the Cannois crowd sips crisp whites or Provençal rosés and grazes on briny oysters and platters of fruits de mer . At nearby Da Laura , an Italian trattoria, the decor is eclectic (flamingo pink walls, verdant plant ceiling, mismatched chairs) and the housemade pasta is perfectly al dente. Swing by Il Labo next door to pick up a bag of dry pasta and recreate their trofie with pesto or spicy penne arrabbiata at home. For a simple, sublime Italian dessert, Niva gelateria is a five-minute stroll away. There, the expert gelato makers use milk sourced from Italian Alps pastures, enriched with artisanal ingredients like Piedmontese hazelnut or hand-crushed dark chocolate.

On the rooftop of Hotel Belle Plage, Bella serves Mediterranean dishes that vary with the season and the chef’s daily market finds. Plates like whole sea bream with roasted tomatoes and lemons, and beef carpaccio with pine nuts and crushed pepper are meant to be shared. France may not be known for brunch, but Bella makes a case for it—late Sunday morning, the rooftop restaurant becomes a hotspot. Diners come for the crepe station and the homemade pastries and linger for the stunning sea views.

At Fred l’Écailler , a seaside restaurant in the quieter Pointe Croisette neighborhood, owner Fred Garbellini (ever sporting his signature red beanie) is onsite to scale (or écailler , in French) and serve the daily catches, plus shellfish, oysters, crustaceans, scallops, langoustines, and more. The sun-splashed terrace is prime real estate for polishing off a plate of crispy calamari or buttery ray with fatted capers.

Just off the Croisette Beach, Le Fouquet’s , from Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire, serves reimagined brasserie classics like “terre et mer” (essentially, surf and turf) tartare—an umami-rich marriage of finely chopped raw steak, smoked herring, red tuna, and Beaufort cheese. It would be a sin to skip the profiteroles, the molten chocolate poured tableside, as it should be.

From April to October, speed boats and yachts dock alongside Ile Sainte-Marguerite for La Guerite , an institution since 1902. Surrounded by Aleppo pine and eucalyptus trees, with jasmine-line paths and blond wooden tables and coco net shades, you might think you’ve arrived at a sleepy, rustic restaurant—a bait-and-switch for the party that awaits. On Athens-born Chef Yiannis Kioroglou’s menu, carefully selected products shine, with starters like seared octopus topped with flaky salt from Camargue and Greek salad with hunks of spiced feta, and mains like spiny lobster dusted with chopped chives. The DJ spins dance tracks, from La Bamba to Like a Prayer, to accompany the family style feasts. By the end of a meal, you might find yourself dancing on banquettes and raising Ouzo shots with a neighboring table of Los Angelinos, while an excited 30-something whispers his plan to propose to the girl next to him. The vibe is decidedly celebratory.

Opening in May 2024, just in time for the film festival, Palm Beach is setting out to transform Cannes into a culinary destination. The sprawling 23,000 square meter members club underwent a four-year renovation helmed by French Riviera architect, Caprini Pellerin, who restored the property’s Côte d'Azur glamor and revived its Hispano-Mauresque origins, with sand-tinted facades, French Comblanchien stone, bronze-coated finishes, and plenty of marble. In addition to La Petite Maison Cannes , where Chef Kioroglou’s menu features bright Riviera specialties like grilled eggplants with pistou and roasted baby chicken with lemon confit, the roster will include France’s first Nammos Beach Club , a Mykonos-born restaurant group known for its exquisite seafood and delicious parties, and Zuma , a contemporary take on Japanese Izakaya style dining.

Spa Villa Belle Plage was designed by Paris-based, Jerusalem-born Raphael Navot

The sleek sauna at the spa, which offers everything from facials to Watsu water massages

The best things to do in Cannes

Hit the Forville Market, a bustling marché with local specialties like black olive tapenade and still-warm socca, the Niçoise crispy chickpea flatbread, and a technicolor flower market, open daily before 1pm. Then, get lost in the hilly, cobblestone streets of La Suquet, Cannes’ millennium-old old town, where you’ll find pocket-sized bars, boutiques, and family-owned restaurants serving typical Provençal dishes like foie gras maison and grilled lamb with thyme.

The Lerins Islands, named after the eponymous monks who took control of Cannes in the 4th century AD, are just a 15-minute boat ride from Cannes’ center. Visitors can explore the monastery on Saint-Honorat Island, where monks still live (and produce a Chartreuse-like liqueur called Lerina), or hike around the forest of eucalyptus and Aleppo pine trees on neighboring Sainte-Marguerite Island. Several companies provide transportation to the islands and boats depart in both directions regularly.

By María Casbas

By Paris Wilson

By Madison Flager

By CNT Editors

For hitting reset, Cannes has several spas to choose from. Opened in October of 2022, Spa Villa Belle Plage takes a holistic approach to wellness, offering tailored programs to deliver benefits that linger well beyond your visit. Designed by Paris-based, Jerusalem-born Raphael Navot (the eye behind Hôtel National des Arts et Métiers, Le 39V, and Silencio), the space feels serene and organic, with mineral materials inspired by natural caves. Spa experts offer everything from HydraFacials© to Watsu water massages to sports concierge services. “We take care of everything—energy, muscles, and mind,” Hôtel Belle Plage director Jad Aboukhater told CNT. Be sure to book a sweat session in the sauna, outfitted with a pink Himalayan salt wall to help purge the body’s toxins while restoring its naturally occurring minerals.

At the Spa Diane Barrière , guests have a lengthy menu of signature treatments from Paris-based brands Codage (like a gentle peeling treatment and a radiance boost facial) and THÉMAÉ (including an anti-age lift treatment, a purity and radiance facial). The spa also offers traditional body massages, gommages (scrubs), hydro-massage jacuzzi treatments, and more. In the same space you’ll also find a full fitness studio with personal training available by appointment.

The 45-room Hôtel Belle Plage opened June 2022 on the gentle slopes of the historic Suquet district

Designer Raphael Navot’s interiors feature terrazzo surfaces and pastel accents

Where to stay

In a city where grand hotels loom large in the visual landscape, smaller, independent properties are a welcome and much-needed addition, offering discerning travelers a stylish alternative. Opened in April of 2023, Maison Carla Rosa is a powder pink boutique hotel with a California-meets-Côte d’Azur aesthetic, set in the sleepier Californie neighborhood that was once home to Picasso. According to the owners, the warm color palette adheres to local building codes while capturing the breezy, west coast vibe they were after. The property features 12 one or two-bedroom apartments, each outfitted with a terrace and all but two with full kitchens. The owners chose artisans from around the world to handcraft the furniture and decor items, from the sleek rattan chairs to reclaimed wood side tables. Lined with tall cacti and shady palm trees and white midcentury loungers, the kidney shaped pool feels straight out of Palm Springs—ideal for escaping the heat and the high-season crowds on le plage.

A former 17th-century soap factory is home to one of 2024’s most anticipated openings on the French Riviera, Château de Théoule . Opened in March, the hotel features 34 rooms and 10 suites spread across a turreted castle, a modern Art Deco villa, and a charming fisherman’s villa. Just 20 minutes from Cannes by car or boat, guests will appreciate the chateau’s relatively remote location (a definite selling point when tourism swells in the warmer months), the private La Plage Blanche beach, and the boho-chic seaside spa with products from MyBlend by Clarins and KOS Paris. Rooms are decorated with a delicate touch, with velvet seating and custom linen curtains from Maison de Vacances, as well as unique antique furniture finds. At the hotel restaurant Mareluna, guests can dine en terrace overlooking the Bay of Cannes on dishes like wild turbot with palourde clams or Provençal escargot with fresh saltwort.

Hôtel Belle Plage has been drawing travelers to the gentle slopes of the historic Suquet district since its opening in June 2022. With sweeping views of the sea and the Esterel mountains, the cream-colored undulating building feels like a Greek island hideaway. The hotel has 45 rooms as well as eight apartments imagined as longer-term pied-à-terres (including a nearly 1200-square-foot penthouse) outfitted with fully equipped kitchens, coffee machines, and baby equipment (cots, highchairs, etc.) on request. Designer Raphael Navot’s interiors feature cool stone floors, terrazzo surfaces, smooth Scandinavian furniture, and pastel accents, like light matcha sofas and pale peach ottomans.

When it opened in 1913, the Carlton helped usher in the era of lux tourism for the little city on the Riviera. In 2023, the famed hotel reopened its rosy-marble-column-framed doors after extensive renovations led by Cannes-born interior designer Tristan Auer, known for his restoration of the Hotel de Crillon in Paris . Auer maintained the property’s Belle Epoque soul and paid homage to its history, while enhancing the modern amenities. The fitness center even has a full-size boxing ring where a champion pugilist offers private lessons. Rooms and suites are cast in bright- and off-white, refracting the luminosity that pours through the tall French windows. All told, the Carlton is one of the chicest addresses along La Croisette beach, not to mention, a celebrity favorite during the annual film festival.

Opened in 1926, the Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes is perched between the Croisette Beach and the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. The lobby hints at the property’s history, with soaring ceilings and gilded sculptures and cascading art deco light fixtures. Rooms feel more modern, outfitted in shades of cream and taupe, with sweeping bay views. Le Majestic re-opened 60 of its rooms in early 2024 after total renovations. The hotel also offers ultra-luxe suites, each with a distinct design theme (like Riviera and Christian Dior), and a penthouse suite with a heated rooftop pool and 360-degree views of Cannes, from the hills to the sea stretching across the horizon. The bar at Fouquet’s is buzzy year-round, with a thoughtful drink menu from veteran mixologist Emanuele Balestra. Onsite restaurants include Fouquet’s and Paradiso, a Mediterranean brasserie that opens during the warmer seasons.

The inspiration for Gausse’s Hôtel des Étrangers in Fitzgerald’s “Tender Is the Night,” Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc has welcomed cultural and literary elite—and the fashionable set more generally—since 1870. Picasso, Chagall, Elizabeth Taylor, the Kennedys—they’ve all called this secluded retreat their temporary abode. For today’s traveler, hotel highlights include restaurants led by Executive Chef Sébastien Broda, the Dior Spa Eden Roc, and private villa rentals. Understandably, it remains a celebrity favorite when the droves descend on Cannes each May for the film festival. Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc holds a certain allure, hearkening back to another golden age of Cannes while staying relevant and ever-chic for its future.

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The best things to do in Cannes

From beachside strolls to secret islands, there's more attractions to discover than you think in this glamorous French city

There’s surprisingly little to do in Cannes itself – no vital gallery, outstanding historical monument or particularly vibrant memories of great former residents. How ideal. It releases the visitor to do what he or she really wants to do – which could be a stroll along a vast promenade, an exploration of the sinuous labyrinth of streets in town or a boat ride to two off-shore islands.

Here is Telegraph Travel's Cannes expert Anthony Peregrine's top picks for the best experiences in Cannes.

For further inspiration, see our guide to Cannes and the city's best hotels , restaurants  and  nightlife . For more inspiration read our guide to  spending a week on the French Riviera. 

Take a stroll along the bay of Cannes

The splendid La Croisette promenade curving around the bay is the stage for the spectacle that is Cannes. With a sparkling acreage of briny out front and exotic greenery, even ugly people look good. You’ll see beautiful youth, handsome families and over-tanned ladies with brush-head dogs still wearing furs in June (the ladies, that is, not the dogs – though…). Weaving in and out will be joggers, rollerbladers and clowns on stilts, all providing a performance for the people-watchers laid out under umbrellas or securely seated at the host of bars and restaurants stacked along the promenade.

Explore the cinema scene

Despite its red-carpet fame as HQ of the annual film thrash, the Palais des Festivals used to have the architectural eloquence of a nuclear power station. Now bright white, it is a far better backdrop for photos of chaps in tuxedos and ladies in shiny frocks. Talking of whom, down the side of the building, 150 of the most prominent movie figures have left their hand-prints set in the pavement. Once neglected, they have now renamed this stretch 'Chemin des Etoiles' and set the prints in stainless steel, giving the actors and actresses the dignity their hand-prints deserve.

Admire the view from Cannes' grand palace hotels

Amble along the seafront and revel in a prospect which has been enchanting elites for generations. The palace hotels line up like grandees on the other side of the road: the Majestic Hotel, and and, obviously, open to the public; the belle époque Carlton Hotel; the more modern Palais Stéphanie (now known as the JW Marriott), incorporating the façade of the former Palais des Festivals, and the art deco Hotel Martinez. Along here also is La Malmaison, a 19th-century mansion-cum-gallery full of contemporary art. It’s presently closed until the end of 2024, but still looks dignified from outside. In between are gardens, the odd playground and stretches of water where you may let loose a child (or husband) on the remote-controlled boats.

Get lost in labyrinthine streets

Before the great and filthy rich discovered it, Cannes was a small fishing village concentrated on Suquet hill. This rises sharply back from the port. Fishermen and associated folk lived doubtless tough lives in the labyrinth of sinuous streetlets and steep stairways. The labyrinth survives – now colonised by bars, restaurants and shops selling mainly inessentials. Le Suquet, however, retains a certain atmosphere. Go in the morning or very late at night and get a sense of the place and of the close-knittedness of lives lived there. Head in on Rue St Antoine and then wander the warren as you will. 

Discover treasures in a former monastery

At the top of Suquet Hill, the fine 11th-century Château de la Castre was once the land-based HQ of the monks of Lérins. Now it’s the Musée des Explorations du Monde full of a diverting cache of eclectic collections – from archaeo-material to musical instruments and a first-class assembly of ethnic art and artefacts from the five continents. It’s well worth a look, especially on the first Sunday of the month from November to March, when it’s free. Otherwise, it’s £5.50. And the views from the top of the tower are outstanding, if you can manage the 109 steps.

Contact:   cannes.com

Escape to nearby secret islands

Some 10 to 15 minutes offshore from Cannes lie the Iles de Lérins, two lovely islands, free from bling – Ile Ste-Marguérite, and Ile St-Honorat. For annoying reasons too complex to go into, you cannot take a round trip to both islands and must return to Cannes in between. Ile Ste-Marguérite, whose pine and eucalyptus aromas hit you the moment you step off the ferry, is the larger of the two islands, with a handful of small but pricey eateries. By far the best bet – pack a picnic and explore the small coves where you can settle when hunger strikes.

Contact : Riviera Lines ( riviera-lines.com ) and Trans Côte d’Azur ( trans-cote-azur.com ) run regular trips from Cannes to Ile Ste-Marguérite

Get immersed in the mystery of an erstwhile fort

Like so many French coastal forts, Fort Royal on the Ile Ste-Marguérite wasn’t much use for defence but proved an admirable prison – notably for the Man In The Iron Mask. He was banged up there for 10 years from 1687. Nobody yet is sure who he was. The adulterous brother of Louis XIV? A noble debtor? The child of an affair between a manservant and Louis XIV’s wife? The guesses go on. Whatever the truth, the Mask’s cell has been preserved, as have those of Protestant pastors imprisoned for their faith during France’s Religious wars. They are fascinating.

Explore what was formerly the most important monastery in Christendom

Go to Ile St-Honorat with modesty in mind. The island has been run by monks for the past 1500 years. The Cistercians allow visitors, as long as we are tranquil, modest and not topless. Visit the fortified medieval monastery at the tip of the island, once the most important in Christendom, patronised by Popes and pilgrims. After this, with a certain inevitability, you will end up at the modern monastery’s shop. As everywhere, monks on St Honorat do God's work of making wine and spirits, then knocking them out at prices accessible only to those who have made vows of wealth: wines at £30.

Contact: Ferries for St Honorat depart from the Planaria berth ( cannes-ilesdelerins.com ) in Cannes

Go shopping with the A-list

Cannes reckons to be the smallest of the world’s major cities (pop: 75000), and certainly crams in more than its share of the brand names which A-listers seek. The likes of Dior, Vuitton, Gucci and Chanel assemble on La Croisette, so celebs and the mega-rich in the palace hotels feel quite at home. You’ll bump into slightly more reasonable shopping one block back, on the Rue d’Antibes.

Older and a little further back again, Rue Meynardier is more accessible yet, full of fascinating shops – and especially those devoted to food and drink. At the end of the street, you’ll find the open-air Forville Market, an ideal spot to pick up the makings of a picnic.

The best hotels in Cannes

Hôtel Martinez

9 Telegraph expert rating

Carlton Cannes

Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic

• Cote D Azur,
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Must-see attractions in Cannes

La Croisette

The multi-starred hotels and couture shops lining the iconic bd de la Croisette (aka La Croisette) may be the preserve of the rich and famous, but anyone…

Musée Bonnard

Easily recognisable by their intense, vivacious colours, the works of neo-impressionist painter Pierre Bonnard (1867–1947) form the backbone of the…

Palais des Festivals et des Congrès

Posing for a selfie on the 22 steps leading up to the main entrance of this concrete bunker – unlikely host to the world’s most glamorous film festival –…

La Malmaison

On La Croisette, La Malmaison is a seaside pavilion in the former games and tea room of Cannes' grandest hotel of the 1860s, the Grand Hôtel (opened in…

Follow rue St-Antoine and snake your way up through the narrow streets of Le Suquet, Cannes' oldest district. Up top you'll find the site of Cannes'…

Expect to pay €60/45/70 in July and August (€40/30/50 in other months) for the blue sunloungers on the front row/other rows/pier of the super-stylish Z…

Plage du Midi

This urban beach just west of Vieux Port enjoys gorgeous sunset views across to the red rock formations of the Corniche de l'Esterel.

The celebrity yachts that line the port are here to remind you of Cannes' celebrity status, lest you forget it.

Plage Vegaluna

Family-friendly private beach.

Hôtel de Ville

Dating to 1876, Cannes' imposing four-storey town hall is one of the city's most prominent landmarks. Look for it along the waterfront between the Palais…

Plage de la Bocca

Cannes' westernmost beach is this narrow strip of sand about 5km outside the city centre.

More destinations you need to see

• 20 Unmissable Attractions In Cannes

The Top 30 Unmissable Things to Do in Cannes, France

A trip to the French Riviera wouldn’t be complete without visiting Cannes . While many visit for the annual Cannes Film Festival, there’s plenty to see in this Mediterranean town beyond A-list actors. Explore the quaint old quarter of Le Suquet, admire the view from the church of Notre-Dame d’Esperance or indulge in retail therapy on the Rue d’Antibes. Check out Culture Trip’s guide for the things to do in Cannes.

1. stroll along la croisette.

Building, Park

2. Spend a morning on Palm Beach

Natural Feature

3. Go sailing around the French Riviera

Cannes is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the Cote d’Azur by boat . There are a wide array of vessels to hire for the day – from small motorboats to glamorous 12m (40ft) catamarans – many of which come with a skipper to take charge of the helm. If you’d rather spend more time at sea than on the land, you could also book a multi-day sailing holiday. Check out the full range of Cannes sailing tours with Culture Trip.

4. Sample the finest local produce at Marché Forville

5. get lost in le suquet.

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6. Musée de la Castre

Building, Museum

7. Make a day trip to Île Sainte-Marguerite

8. Take a trip to the Musée Picasso

Visit the cannes yachting festival.

In September, the Cannes Yachting Festival provides a chance to admire the latest boats and luxury yachts on sale. If you can’t afford the down payment on a vessel, don’t worry – put on your least crumpled clothes and play out your tycoon fantasies by visiting all the sleekest sailing machines. This is the place for shipbuilders to show off their grands designs, so the festival attracts an international crowd, with about 50 percent of the attendees coming from overseas. It takes place in two locations: Le Vieux Port (Old Port) and Port Pierre Canto.

Walk around La Croix-des-Gardes

When the small village of Cannes was first becoming popular with British holidaymakers in the 19th century, one man built a sizeable château to the west of the village and laid out extensive gardens. These have now become a wide public space of trails and hikes – the Parc Naturel Forestier de la Croix-des-Gardes – which culminate in a giant polished-steel cross at the highest point. The park is a great place for a walk and a picnic.

Stay at the Hotel Barrière Le Majestic

While the Carlton Hotel might be the most well-known place to stay in Cannes among out-of-towners, the Hotel Barrière Le Majestic is just as iconic among the locals. The hotel is right on La Croisette and has its own private beach. It also hosts lots of events (particularly in the summer months), like funky club nights, and is a good place to watch the Bastille Day fireworks in July. Fans of Robert De Niro may recognise the hotel entrance from the 1998 thriller Ronin .

Admire La Mairie de Cannes (Town Hall)

Construction of the grand town hall, designed by Cannes architect Louis Hourlier, was completed in 1877 – it took just three years to build. A few years later, in 1880, Hourlier’s bandstand was erected just over the street in Allée de la Liberté Charles de Gaulle – the slanted shape improves its acoustics. Looking out over Le Vieux Port (Old Port), La Mairie de Cannes is a splendid example of early French Third Republic architecture, complete with an ornate clock face housed under a mansard roof. Later in life, Hourlier had time to enjoy his creations up close – he became a town councillor in 1895.

People-watch in Le Vieux Port

A picturesque mix of traditional charm and immense wealth, Le Vieux Port (Old Port) is where the stern medieval architecture of Le Suquet towers over (and perhaps looks down upon) the glamorous rows of yachts lined up in the port. Pick one of the cool bars that line the water’s edge to watch the huge ships glide in and out of town, and perhaps you’ll see the gilded few who get ferried to and from the biggest yachts. It’s an Instagram favourite at sunrise or sunset, when the magical colours of the portside buildings take on a new lease of life.

Enjoy the view from Notre-Dame d’Espérance

Built in the 14th and 15th centuries, this gothic church in Le Suquet, at the top of a hill above Cannes, offers wonderful views over the town. You just have to scale dozens of steps to get there. The bell tower is a nice complement to its neighbour, the Musée de la Castre , which was built a couple of centuries before. If you visit in July, keep an eye out for the Musical Nights of Le Suquet, a one-week festival that takes place every year.

Explore Île Saint-Honorat

Venture across to the second largest of the four Lérins Islands, just a short boat ride south from Cannes. It’s home to an abbey, founded by a hermit in 410CE, when monks owned most of Cannes. Today, the monks in residence still make wine under a vow of silence. Spend an afternoon exploring the abbey itself as well as the rest of the car-free island, including the pretty port and towering fortified monastery, which appears to rise straight out of the sea. It’s well worth a visit to see the quieter side of Cannes.

Peruse artwork at the Centre d’Art La Malmaison

The Centre d’Art La Malmaison is housed in what was once part of the 19th-century Grand Hotel on La Croisette. The hotel was demolished in 1958 – except for the games room, which now houses lots of artwork from the 20th and 21st centuries. With its grand, balconied facade and palm trees outside, it’s a brilliant modern art museum inside and out, with fantastic temporary exhibitions. La Malmaison is a must-see.

Shop along the Rue d’Antibes

Cannes is well known for its shopping and, along with some of the other towns on the French Riviera, or in the South of France ( Aix-en-Provence springs to mind), it has some of the chicest shops and boutiques in the country. Rue d’Antibes is a particularly wonderful place to window-shop and watch the super rich in action. Even if shopping isn’t your jam, the architecture is well worth admiring – many of the buildings are decorated with sculptures by Pellegrini.

Sunbathe on Plage du Midi

On the other side of town, away from La Croisette, is another unmissable and popular beach, Plage du Midi. There are no sunloungers for rent, though, so join the locals and pop down a towel wherever you can find a spot (as with all public beaches on the French Riviera, just watch your valuables). There are plenty of restaurants and ice-cream stalls around for refreshments.

Peace and quiet at the Lérins Abbey

The Lérins Abbey is well off the beaten track – in fact, you’ll have to take a boat out from Cannes’ port to reach it. The abbey is on the island of Saint-Honorat and was built in the 5th century. Monks have been here ever since, harvesting grapes, presiding over their wine exports and taking a vow of silence. There’s a restaurant here and you can even choose to stay on retreat, during which you can take time out to walk the calm coastline.

Discover cutting edge artworks at Galerie Neel

Established by Sabrina and Franck Neel in 1992, the small but well-known Galerie Neel plays host to a variety of artists, painters and sculptors. Having spent many years in New York, Los Angeles and Japan, the Neels returned to France to showcase the best in contemporary art. This intimate gallery has featured artists such as Cécile Desserle, who uses charcoal and make-up brushes to produce vibrant and sensual modern portraits. Galerie Neel has also recently begun using LED lighting for displays, for aesthetic and presentation purposes.

Play pétanque on La Croisette

La Croisette is Cannes’ most famous street and, like the Promenade des Anglais in Nice , it is rarely quiet and certainly not hidden. However, most people bypass the little space along the walk where people play pétanque , the French national past-time. Buy an ice cream and relax in the shade watching locals, who are often taking the game very seriously. It’s the perfect pit-stop.

Browse modern art at Galerie Hurtebize

The Hurtebize gallery in Cannes specialises in Post-Impressionist and Modern art. While purchasing one of these paintings might be out of reach for most, it shouldn’t stop you from admiring the wonderful work, which includes the likes of Renoir.

Admire the quirky design of the Palais Bulles

In neighbouring Théoule-sur-Mer, high in the hills overlooking the bay, is the quirky Palais Bulles (Bubble House) . It was designed for French fashion designer Pierre Cardin and, while it’s private property, it’s an amazing architectural sight to behold. Each building is circular, pink and linked to the next, surrounding two pools and a lush garden.

Wander the gardens of the Villa Domergue

If you are keen to venture a little out of the centre of Cannes, then you could choose to head to the Villa Domergue , designed by the man of the same name, who was a keen portrait painter of women. The villa was built in 1934 and the family left it to the city of Cannes in 1973. There is usually a little art in situ and statues in the gardens and, with its calm atmosphere, it’s a great place to relax before heading back out into the bustle of the city.

Eat truffles at the Marché de la Truffe, Bastide Saint-Antoine

Just outside of Cannes, in the nearby town of Grasse, is the Bastide Saint-Antoine. Housed in what was originally a 17th-century Provençal country home, there is now a restaurant and hotel led by the Michelin-starred chef, Jacques Chibois – there is even a truffle market here each January. It doesn’t come cheap but this is a very exclusive corner of the world, where you’ll feel wonderfully hidden away from it all.

Enjoy contemporary art at Galerie Vieceli

Located on the rue d’Antibes, this gallery forms an important part of Cannes’s cultural centre, situated around the Promenade de la Croisette. Permanent exhibitions feature artists such as Alain Geneau, whose work on flowers demonstrates an acute emotional control of shape, Yves Aubry, known for his use of vibrant colours and Christian Jequel, a painter inspired by the scenes of everyday life. It was founded in 2005 and another one opened on the same street in 2015.

Catch a movie at the Cannes Film Festival

Of course, Cannes is home to the world’s most illustrious international film festival – the Cannes Film Festival – which celebrates both art-house and mainstream cinema. Cannes comes alive every May when the most celebrated names in the film world descend on the city. Although the festival takes place all over town, in every theatre, cinema and hotel, the main concentration is on the city’s most swanky street, La Croisette. Look out for world-famous actors, ultra-rich yacht-owners and some excellent films.

Don your best outfit outside the Palais hoping to get in

If you’re attending the Cannes Film Festival, then the Palais is the place to be. This is where all the major screenings take place, with a total of 18 auditoriums. The classic images of stars photographed before their movie screenings during the film festival are taken on its famous red steps, outside the Lumière Theatre. The red carpet gets so dirty that it is changed three times a day (in contrast, the Debussy theatre has a blue carpet). Badge holders attending the festival get penalised for not turning up and leaving auditorium seats empty, so unused tickets will be brought back if they can’t be used, and re-offered to the public. It isn’t unheard of for particularly well-dressed visitors to be given one of these coveted tickets. For men, this means a tux. For women, a glamorous gown.

Take in the history at the Hotel Intercontinental Carlton

The film festival is a busy time for Cannes and you need to be prepared to deal with the crowds. The best way to do this is to embrace the hustle and bustle and see who you can spot around town doing their fruit shopping in the market or while having dinner on a terrace. Head to the Hotel Carlton, where Alfred Hitchcock filmed To Catch A Thief in the 1950s, and wander the lobby to take it all in. If you’re lucky you might be able to secure a table in the restaurant (but be prepared to spend a lot of cash) or try a cocktail at the bar. Dress to impress or you won’t stand a chance of getting in.

Get cultural at Espace Miramar

Espace Miramar is an exhibition space dedicated to photography and the visual arts. Located on the ground floor of an old hotel (the Palais Miramar Hotel, which was built in 1929), Miramar gets involved during the Cannes film festival , screening movies in its large auditorium. Six times a year, it holds major exhibitions centred around moving image throughout the ages.

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Best Things to Do in Cannes, France

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

Visit Cannes, French Riviera

Known for its luxurious accommodations, shopping, and world-famous film festival, Cannes is one of the most popular places to visit on the French Riviera and a dream destination for many travelers. With its stunning beaches, warm weather, and convenient location close to Nice , this is where the stars go for a holiday in Southern France.

Cannes is the kind of destination you visit when you want to relax and enjoy some luxury. The city is a must-stop on any French Riviera road trip , and its charm and beauty will make you eager to visit more than once!

If you’re ready to party, relax, eat, and shop like the stars, then here’s a list of the best things to do in Cannes, France. 

Are you planning a holiday to Cannes last minute?

Below are some of the best Cannes tours, hotels, and more!

• Trains to Cannes
• How to travel from Nice to Cannes
• How to go from Marseille to Cannes

Top Experiences and Tours in Cannes

• Cannes Sightseeing Tour by Vespa
• Round Trip Ferry Ticket to Ste Marguerite Island
• Half Day Catamaran Tour with Lunch

Top Cannes Accommodation and Lodging

Hotel Croisette Beach Cannes Mc Gallery  (top suggestion),  Hotel Martinez (luxury),  Hotel Verlaine  (mid-range),  Hotel Brimer Cannes   (budget), Residence Carlton Riviera (apartment).

Don’t leave for Cannes without travel insurance!

• SafetyWing , our trusted travel insurance policy for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days), covers COVID-19 for new policies purchased, and since April 2021, unplanned quarantine is covered, too. 

What to Do in Cannes

The list of things to see in Cannes is long! Here are our favorite Cannes attractions and things to do for your next holiday to Cannes.

1. Explore Le Suquet

Most of Cannes is sleek and modern, but Le Suquet is another story. Le Suquet is Cannes’ oldest neighborhood and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Cannes. Looming above the city, you can wander through the streets enjoying the pastel-colored buildings that have stood since the 18th and 19th centuries.

Originally a Roman settlement, Le Suquet is today a maze of narrow, ascending streets, underground bars, and family restaurants, so take the time to wander and explore this lovely neighborhood. Here, you will also find a medieval castle, one of Cannes’ tourist attractions, and home to the Musée de la Castre .

2. Take a Stroll along La Croisette

La Croisette Walkway is one of the most popular streets in the city and all of France. It runs along Cannes’ seafront, and a stroll along this iconic street is one of the best things to do in Cannes.

This walkway not only has all the charm and beauty of the beach close by, but it’s also filled with the best shops, restaurants, and casinos in the entire city. You could spend hours exploring the designer boutiques along this walkway, which would make for a delightful afternoon.

3. Visit the Old Port

The Old Port is an area that perfectly mixes the old and the new, making it one of the top Cannes attractions. It’s located at the foot of the Le Suquet neighborhood and overlooked by the charm of a medieval castle, which makes it a curious sight compared to the luxury yachts that crowd the port.

This is where the rich come to moor up and enjoy the charms of Cannes as it offers beautiful sunrise and sunset views. There are also a number of chic bars and restaurants along the Quai Saint-Pierre, so choose one and settle in to enjoy the atmosphere.

In September, the Old Port hosts the Cannes Yachting Festival , one of the largest boat shows in Europe and one of the best things to do in Cannes for boat lovers.

4. A Lazy Day on the Beach

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Cannes, why not just hang out on the beach? Cannes has some of the best beaches on the French Riviera , and they’re definitely the place to see and be seen, making them one of the top things to do in Cannes.

Cannes has both private and public beaches. The private ones are closer to the main street and can be expensive, while the public ones are more natural and have fewer amenities. Check out Carlton Beach for waiter service while you enjoy the sun, Long Beach for events, or Plage de la Bocca for a glimpse of everyday life in Cannes.

5. Admire the View from La Croix des Gardes

Located on a hill overlooking the city behind the Suquet neighborhood, La Croix des Gardes is a Sensitive Natural Space nicknamed the ‘green lung’ of Cannes. Indeed, the large forest park of the Croix des Gardes constitutes a unique reserve for the fauna and flora of Provence and a great place for short hikes or to enjoy the view.

6. Visit Villa Rothschild

Located in the La Croix-des-Gardes neighborhood, Villa Rothschild is a historic mansion built in 1881 for Betty Rothschild, the widow of James Mayer de Rothschild. This stately old building, designed in neo-classic style, is surrounded by stunning English-style gardens filled with exotic species like palm trees and blue cedars.

When you’re looking for things to see in Cannes, make sure you take a walking tour through the villa to enjoy the amazing architecture and the sheer luxury that went into every stone of its construction. Both the mansion and the surrounding gardens are listed as historical monuments.

7. Take a Catamaran Tour

Some of the best things to do in Cannes aren’t actually in the city itself. Cannes is located right on the coast of the Mediterranean, and it can also be explored from the sea. That’s why there are numerous catamaran tours on offer.

You can choose a full-day tour or a half-day tour. Top up your tan as you relax onboard, and enjoy some time to swim and snorkel in the gorgeous waters of the Mediterranean. You can also sail to the Calanques of the Esterel Natural Park or to Saint-Tropez from Cannes. Who could resist that?

Most popular catamaran tours from Cannes:

• Sunset boat tour (1.5 hrs)
• Half-day catamaran cruise (3 hrs)
• Half-day catamaran cruise with lunch (4 hrs)
• Discover the Calanques of the Esterel (2.5 hrs)
• Full day catamaran cruise with lunch
• Discover St. Tropez by boat (full day)

8. Taste Local Food at Marché Forville

When you visit Cannes, don’t miss the opportunity to taste the local food. The Marché Forville is one of the best places to visit in Cannes to taste Provencal specialties, including the famous socca. The socca is a Cannes staple which consists of a thin pancake made from chickpea flour, water, salt, and olive oil cooked over a wood fire and seasoned with pepper. The socca is eaten hot, right out of the oven.

This covered market has a great atmosphere and is a real invitation to a gourmet trip to Provence with seasonal products, local fishing, and flowers. You can also explore the many shops and terraces that surround it. The Marché Forville is held in the heart of Cannes and is open every morning, except Monday.

9. Cannes’ Palais des Festivals & Walk of Stars

The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès (the full name) is a cultural and congress center famous for hosting the world-famous Cannes Film Festival every May. Even if you visit Cannes outside of the festival dates, you can have your photo taken on the red-carpeted steps, which have become a hallmark of the festival. You can also attend one of the many cultural performances that take place there, whether it is concerts, plays, ballets or comedy shows.

Cannes’s Walk of Stars ( Chemin des Étoiles ) is a copy of the Hollywood Walk of Fame with a unique local twist. Instead of having stars with signatures, the Walk of Stars in Cannes has palm prints and signatures.

There are over 150 handprints in the Cannes Walk of Stars, and they’re located in front of the Palais des Festivals on Esplanade Pompidou and the surrounding parks. In this famous walk, some of the handprints you’ll see belong to Meryl Streep, Julie Andrews, and Sylvester Stallone.

10. Day Trip to the Lérins Islands

The Lérins Islands are a group of four islands located just 20 minutes across the bay from Cannes. The islands have been inhabited since Roman times, but only two larger islands are popular tourist spots today.

If you are wondering what to see in Cannes out of the beaten path, one of the Lérins Islands is always a good option. Île Sainte-Marguerite is the first of the larger islands. It’s easy to access by ferry and has amazing beaches and a quiet vibe that makes it a good choice if you want some peace away from Cannes. It’s also the location of the Fort of St. Marguerite, where the famous Man in the Iron Mask was once held prisoner – Click here to book your ferry tickets to Sainte-Marguerite Island

The second island, Île Saint-Honorat , is also accessible from Cannes by boat, run by the monks who live on the island. Here, the 11th-century monastery and the church on the island are worth visiting.

And there you have it, the best things to do in Cannes France, and our top recommendations on tours, hotels, and more for the perfect holiday to Cannes.

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Cannes travel guide

Visit Cannes (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France)

Cannes is an attractive coastal town and resort in the heart of the French Riviera, on the Mediterranean coast of south-east France.

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. This is in part due to the prestigious annual Cannes Film Festival and its celebrities photographed here in the sunshine with a palm tree backdrop. This image of the resort is not far wrong - Cannes does attract the jet-set and the rich and famous, and the city reflects it.

Explore Cannes

Start your visit in the main harbour area in the centre of Cannes. Situated along the sea edge the harbour glitters with the reflections of the sun from the many yachts harboured here. Walk a bit further along this coastal section and you are on the famous Boulevard de la Croisette .

The Boulevard de la Croisette, along the coast in the centre of Cannes and as far as the southern tip of the Cap de la Croisette, is the central promenade in the town and 3 kilometres long between the town and the beach. You will find the Cannes Tourist Office towards the western end of the boulevard.

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 you can see the tiles with the hand prints of famous stars such as Clint Eastwood and Bruce Willis and hundreds of others. Called the Chemin des Etoiles ('path of the stars') these can be seen near the Palais des Festivals and along the Esplanade Pompidou as well as in the gardens here.

Continue down the Boulevard de 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 road. All along the boulevard there are lots of designer shops interspersed amongst the hotels.

Just behind the Boulevard de la 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, or real shopping if you are richer than us. There are also a lot more affordable shops here as well.

Back beyond the old port and harbour walk steeply upwards and on to the hill known as Le Suquet , the oldest part of Cannes. This is a very picturesque part of the town with narow streets and steep staircases between the ancient houses.

On the summit of the hill are the remains of a priory and the Chapel Saint Ann which is now home to the Musée de la Castre. The views from here over Cannes, and the harbour and beaches are fantastic.

Behind the rear of the old port the Allées de la Liberté is an attractive open space where the Cannes flower market is held. Keep drifting west from here through the old town to the main market, the Marche Forville, and narrow streets lined with boutiques full of things you probably can't afford.

After exploring the centre of Cannes we suggest you visit the gardens of the Champfleuri Park on Roi Albert Avenue de la Favorite. These extensive and beautifully maintained gardens contain a very wide range of garden styles and water features and were inspired by various gardens around the world.

Attractions

From Cannes you can take a 15 minute ferry ride to the lovely Iles de Lerins . One of these, the Ile Sainte-Marguerite , once held a prison where the ‘Man in the Iron Mask’ was locked up.

Note: the 'man in the iron mask' was an unidentified prisoner detained for 30 years at the end of the 17th century. Forced to always wear a mask his true identity was never known, although he was said to be the illegitimate son or brother of King Louis XIV. He was immortalised in the Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

Also to visit near Cannes

There are various other Riviera resorts along the coast here, of which our favourite is Antibes to the north-east of Cannes and the chance to explore the Cap d'Antibes at the same time.

We also recommend you head north to explore the countryside. The pretty village of Mougins and the traditional Provençal town at Valbonne are both very enjoyable to visit.

See more seaside resorts in France . You can find more travel ideas in the Alpes-Maritimes guide and the Provence guide .

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Ile Sainte-Marguerite

The Ile Sainte-Marguerite is one of the Iles de Lérins on the Cote d'Azur and has a large fort with views of Cannes

Iles de Lérins

The Iles de Lérins is a peaceful group of islands to the south of Cannes

Ile Saint-Honorat

The Ile Saint-Honorat, one of the Iles de Lerins south of Cannes, is best known for its abbey and fortress

You will want to pause several times to admire the views across Cannes Bay as you explore the cobbled streets in the centre of Mougins

Valmasque Parc

Valmasque Parc is a tranquil park of trees and picnic areas

Mandelieu-la-Napoule

While lacking the attractions of the more important Riviera towns, Mandelieu-la-Napoule is well placed to explore the coast around Cannes

... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Alpes-Maritimes

Tourist classifications for Cannes

Cannes is classified as a village in bloom (ville fleurie) 4*

Address: Cannes, Grasse, Provence, 6400, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.5513, longitude 7.01275

Plan your visit to Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes

Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby.

• Abbaye de Lerins (Cannes): religious monument
• Parc du château de la Napoule: remarkable garden (6 km)
• Jardin botanique de la villa Thuret: remarkable garden (10 km)
• Marineland d'Antibes: aquarium (12 km)
• Grasse : secteur sauvegarde (14 km)
• Jardin de la Villa Fort de France: remarkable garden (15 km)
• Gourdon : most beautiful village (19 km)
• Grottes de Saint-Cezaire: site of natural beauty (20 km)
• Parc Phœnix: zoo or wildlife park (21 km)
• Parc zoologique de Fréjus: zoo or wildlife park (24 km)
• Eglise de St Raphaël (Saint-Raphael): religious monument (24 km)
• Baou de Saint-Jeannet: site of natural beauty (24 km)

Market days in Cannes, France

Regular market(s) are held in Cannes each every day except Monday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Cannes (Francais)

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Where to Stay in the South of France

Updated September 7, 2023

The South of France is known for its shimmering waters (which attract the most shimmering people). If you're looking for an epic party, this is the spot for you. But it’s more than that too. It is also secluded, pebbly beaches. It is also lavender fields and chateaus where the breeze can fix any type of sorrow. It is hillside medieval villages. It is also bridges and perfume and cheese and so much history and culture. So if you’re at a loss of where to stay while tackling this immensely enchanting region of France, here are 11 ideas to get you started.

The city of Toulon is both historically and currently a port city with a large French naval base. But it is also a fabulous city to visit and a total hidden gem along the bustling French Mediterranean coastline. While Toulon is not a huge beach destination itself, there are a few good spots nearby and there is certainly plenty of waterfront in town. So if you’re looking for something that is a bit more rough and ready, a bit more filled with locals than tourists, and slightly less glitzy than nearby towns and cities, Toulon may be perfect for you. Also, if you’re into rugby, Toulon has one of the best teams in Europe!

Check out the centrally located L'Eautel Toulon Centre Port . 

The glitz and glamor of St. Tropez has been attracting the upper echelons of society for more than a century now and it remains one of the nicest places to stay in France. There is no denying that this city is extremely upscale and won’t be easy for anyone on a tight budget, but if you’re looking to party in beach clubs with the rich, famous, and beautiful, or see which is the biggest yacht you can spot docked in the harbor, this is where you want to be. While St. Tropez undoubtedly rakes in the cool points, it should also be noted that it is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous spot on the map which was, unsurprisingly, discovered by a painter and is still one of the best places to visit in France. 

Check out the slightly more affordable Hôtel Les Lauriers.

Millau has some rather interesting facts about it, the first being that it was originally put on the map due to its production of gloves. And the second is that it has stayed on the map due to its production of Roquefort cheese. If you’re not sold on the idea of hanging out where some of the most expensive gloves in the world are made or stuffing yourself full of Roquefort, how about visiting the tallest bridge in the world? Or heading into the lush green otherworldly nature of the Tarn Gorges? If any of that sounds interesting to you, don’t sleep on Millau.

Check out the basic but sustainably run Hôtel du Commerce.

As the largest city in the French Riviera, Nice is lively, exciting, and not to be missed, making it also one of the best cities in France. As with so much of the south of France, Nice is about as picturesque as they come and it’s definitely one of the best places to stay across the whole of the country. Think of that orange, pink glow of a perfect sunset, and then imagine it filling every cobblestoned street, every vine-covered courtyard, every evening glass of wine, and now you’ve got Nice. In case that’s not enough, there are also huge expanses of coastline, easy access to the rest of the region, and phenomenal eating and drinking options. Of course, all of this comes at a price, and in peak season (July & August especially) prices across the city can absolutely skyrocket. 

Check out the beautifully appointed Résidence Lamartine - Nice.

You probably know about Cannes because of its famous annual film festival, and while that is one reason to visit the city, it is only one of many. With beautiful weather and low rainfall year round, you can explore the history and culture of Cannes comfortably no matter when you visit. As well as hundreds of years of history, celebrity sightings, sparkling waters, and long stretches of beaches, Cannes is also famous for its intense nightlife. So if you want to go party in the south of France, in one of the best places to stay in France, make sure to head to Cannes. 

Check out the sunny B&B Villa du Roc Fleuri.

Not far from Cannes is Grasse. But instead of that sparkling sea, here you’ll find a stunning hillside town. Narrow alleyways, dusty brown buildings shading small squares full of cafes, a thought that you could, perhaps, be on the set of Game of Thrones – this is Grasse. And it is totally worth visiting as it’s still just a stone’s throw from the coast but is in itself a hidden gem of the south of France. Plus, this small unassuming town is the perfume capital of the world. So stock up on scents while you’re there!

There aren’t loads of hotels in Grasse, so instead check out this beautifully appointed Airbnb . 

Luberon Valley

Have you ever wondered where Van Gogh’s landscapes could be found in the real world? Luberon Valley is that place. Rolling green hills, lavender fields stretching out before you, brilliant sunsets after splendid, warm, radiant golden hours, all of these things define the beauty of the Luberon Valley which stretches east of Cavaillon. Staying here you will probably want to have a car as it will make exploring the area a lot more straightforward. But if you’re looking for some peace and quiet, this is one of the best places to stay in France for that!

Check out the beautiful rooms at the B&B Hestia .

One of the spots in the Luberon Valley that shouldn’t be skipped is Gordes. This sunburnt village clings to the hillside and enjoys the warm, arid air coming in from the sea. This can be quite a fun spot to stay during off-season when there will barely be another tourist around. As well as peace, quiet, and some pretty epic, sweeping views, stay in Gordes to give yourself time to visit its historic castle, wander around the fresh market, and immerse yourself in the local art scene.

Just a touch outside of the village, check out the stunning Le Jas de Gordes .

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Just on the edge of Nice, but actually its own town, is Villefranche-sur-Mer. If you want to wander pastel-coated alleyways and wake up to the most perfect ocean views bringing in the most perfect ocean breeze, this just may be the most perfect spot for you. And if you’re thinking this sounds like a scene out of a movie, it is. Villefranche-sur-Mer has been the backdrop to many films including To Catch a Thief . If you stay out here you can have easy access to Nice but still be here when the day trippers who are doing the reverse clear out back to the big city. 

Check out the elegant and slightly vintage Hotel Provencal.

If you’re looking to wander southern France but want to get away from the ever-popular Med Coast, check out Toulouse. It’s a wonderful, slightly underrated, undiscovered city. If you choose to stay in Toulouse you’ll be encompassed by French life but on a slightly smaller city scale. Elegant buildings alongside perfect, quaint alleyways, scrumptious lunch menus of the day, a bottle of wine as you dangle your feet over the canal, Toulouse has a lot on offer and the best way not to miss any of it is to actually stay a few nights.

Check out the boutique Hôtel Soclo . 

Aix-en-Provence

Just north of Marseille, Aix-en-Provence is slightly off the coast and has its own vibrance apart from the vibes of the beach. It has a large university population that keeps the shimmer of its immense history of arts and culture alive. Wandering the streets you’ll encounter loads of stunning, imposing architecture and be tempted constantly by the plethora of cafes and restaurants offering up delicious dining experiences. While Aix-en-Provence is easy enough as a day trip from other nearby cities, it’s definitely worth staying in for a few nights as well. 

Check out the stunning yet still comfortable Maison Du Collectionneur .

As you can see, this region of France has it all. No doubt you’re overwhelmed with choices, so hopefully with these 11 ideas of places to stay you’ve been able to plan the bones of your trip before filling in all the details.

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