Cannes

Cannes

Cannes is a beautiful enclave located on the French Riveria. In addition to the famous film festival, Cannes boasts pristine beaches, luxurious hotels, designer shopping and grandiose yachts dotting the shoreline. It is easy to see why Cannes is synonymous with luxury.

There is much to see and do in Cannes proper, but it is also a perfect spot to launch day trips to surrounding sites. Of course, the first thing that most people think of is the Festival de Cannes, the international film festival.

Festival De Cannes - The Festival de Cannes takes place annually in May. While tickets to festival events are difficult to come by, they are not impossible to get. I, myself, attended the festival once and even walked the red carpet. Most of the films have 24 hour showings during the festival and if you are flexible you have a better chance of obtaining tickets to showings during off peak hours.

Second to the films, people-watching during the festival is a must. If you find yourself in Cannes at the end of May, you simply must join the throngs who line up in front of the Palais des Festivals, where the premieres are held. Or you can wait outside the Intercontinental Carlton Hotel, the heart and soul of the festival as it is home to many of the festival guests.

In the afternoon plan a visit to the Carlton patio for cocktails and you will feel as if you stepped into a party for the Oscars – there are more celebrities per capita than Hollywood. Even a simple visit to a beach front restaurant during the festival will generally result in a celebrity sighting. For information contact www.festival-cannes.org.

The Petit Train - One of the best ways to get your bearings in Cannes is to board a white-sided Petit Train touristique de Cannes. The diesel-powered vehicles roll through the streets on rubber tires each day between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. The train offers a relaxing way to see the city and get your bearings. You can choose from two itineraries – the old and new neighborhoods. Tours depart hourly from clearly marked spots in front of the casinos and the seaward side of Boulevard Croisette. Tours run about an hour and are reasonably priced. You can also purchase a combination ticket for both neighborhoods which is valid on separate days. For more information, call 04-93-38-39-18.

Lodgings – If your budget can handle the expense, there are two hotels that are not to be missed. The five star InterContinental Carlton Cannes and the Hotel-du-cap-Eden-Roc.

The Intercontinental Carlton Hotel is an institution in Cannes. Like a Grand Dame overlooking the Cote d’Azur, the location is second to none. The common areas are gorgeous and the staff is helpful, courteous and most speak English. The rooms vary in size and are European to the core complete with high ceilings reminiscent of castles, European hand held showers and L'Occitane toiletries. True to European ideals, the property is meant to provide an atmosphere of relaxation and as a result there is no wi-fi in the rooms, although there is free use of computers in the lobby.

Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc. By far my favorite property on the Riviera, the Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc sits on the southern tip of a peninsula just south of Antibes overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel exudes old world elegance and sophistication. Given its stellar location and impeccable grounds it definitely is a great place for people who want to relax in peace and quiet. The grounds of Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc are, in a word, breathtaking. The staff is exceptional and gracious. The rooms are spacious and the sunsets, glorious. The spa is a little oasis unto itself and the treatments luscious. Waking up to the sounds of the Cote d’Azur and the beautiful gardens is like waking up in heaven.

Hotels and resorts are plentiful along the Riviera, but in addition to the many hotels, vacationers can take advantage the many luxurious rental homes available. Included here are some vacation rental sites.*

www.exclusivevillascannes.com
www.cannes-accommodation.com
www.villalabri.com
cannes-properties-rentals.com

Shopping - Cannes is home to many designer label boutiques. The Boulevard de la Croisette is home to Doir, Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Cartier. The Rue d'Antibes and the Rue Meynadier are also shopping meccas and one can find Marche Forville, a street market with designer knock offs.

Beaches – Cannes caters to the international jet set, thus, the best beaches are expensive and offer privacy to well heeled clientele. Most are reserved for guests of the hotels that run along the beachfront on Boulevard de la Croisette. There are beaches, however that are accessible to the public for a fee. And, if you're saving your money for shopping, there are free public beaches. The Plages du Midi and the Plages de la Bocca are two of the best free beaches.

Bicycling & Motor Scootering – Bicycles and scooters are another fantastic way to explore Cannes and its surrounding areas. There are a multitude of rental companies in Cannes,. If you are planning on renting a scooter make sure to bring an international driver’s license. Bicycles range from $17 - $25 per day. Motorized bikes and scooters run in the range of $30 - $50 per day and provide the added bonus of making one feel tres chic and European.

Boating - Several companies rent boats of all sizes, with or without crews, for any length of time you are interested in. Rental companies are located all along the Crosiette. Rates depend on the type of boat, whether there is a crew and the length of time you’re renting. Your hotel concierge should be able to recommend a reputable company, but a simple stroll down the Crosiette collecting information will also do the trick.

Golf – The Country-Club de Cannes-Mougins is located 4 miles north of Cannes. Dotted with olive and cypress trees, this is a technical and difficult course. Since 1981, the par-72 course has played host to the Cannes-Mougins Open, a stop on the PGA European Tour. The course is open to the public who is willing to pay greens fees of $130 per person. You can also rent an electric golf cart ($59) and golf clubs ($46). Reservations are recommended.

Swimming – The beautiful clear turquoise sea will invite you to swim every day. If, however, you need a pool to feel comfortable and your hotel does not have a pool, consider visiting the Piscine Pierre de Coubertin, at Avenue P. de Coubertin, tel. 04-93-47-12-94. Note that this is a public pool and in use year round, thus hours are limited, so call ahead. Entrance costs $3.00 for adults and $1.65 for children.

Tennis – Most resorts have their own tennis courts. The city of Cannes also maintains six courts. Fees range from $13 - $20 per hour, depending on the location and the time you want to play. If you play at night you will also incur an additional fee of $4.25 per hour for lighting. Courts are found at ASLM Tennis Municipal de la Bastide, 220 av. Francis Tonner, 06400 Cannes tel. 04-93-47-29-33 and Aérodrome de Cannes Mandelieu, 06400 Cannes tel. 04-93-47-29-33.

Day Trips - When you’ve run out of sun tan lotion and are tired of people watching, you can take advantage of the many day trips readily available from Cannes.

Cruise to Island Ste Marguerite – Pack a picnic and head over to Island Saint Marguerite, the largest of the Lerins Islands. The voyage from Cannes takes approximately 15 minutes and you can choose to depart and return on one of the several crossings operated. Visitors can meander along the many paths canopied by the numerous pines and eucalyptus; visit the Vauban Fort, built in the 17th century; browse the maritime museum and the prison of the mysterious Iron Mask; and swim in the many creeks around the island.

Monte Carlo – Famed Monte Carlo is a hop, skip and a jump away. The drive between Cannes and Monte Caralo is a spectacular ocean front journey that will take you through tranquil beach villages and past the Citadel of Villefranche. In Monte Carlo see the changing of the guard at Monte Carlo's palace, visit a casino and do a lap of Monaco's Formula One Grand Prix circuit. Note, unlike American casinos, the casinos in Monte Carlo have a dress code, most have an entrance fee and you must bring your passport.

Nice – The Promenade des Anglais, the blue sea, the diverse shopping, the superb dining and magnificent art-deco façades make Nice a memorable day trip. The Cours Saleya Flower Market, the Matisse Museum, ancient Roman ruins, the Russian Cathedral are must see stops for visitors. Outside of Paris, Nice hosts the most museums and galleries in France. Best of all, there are plenty of enchanting seaside restaurants where one can splurge on a chaise lounge while waiters bring you cocktails and appetizers.

Provence – Pack a picnic and spend a day exploring the medieval hill towns of Provence. From Cannes, there is an easy loop packed with lots to see. Head northeast to the medieval village of Saint Paul de Vence and explore this former haunt of the Impressionist painters (Marc Chagall is buried here). Saint Paul de Vence is a charming hilltop fortified village filled with art galleries, boutiques and sidewalk cafes. It's hard to find something ugly about this quaint village. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and statues tucked into nooks in the walls. Even the streets are attractive. The cobblestones are laid in the shapes of flowers. A wide variety of Provencal art, fabrics, olive oils, wine and fruit liquors are all available for sale.

From St. Paul de Vence, head west to Tourrettes sur Loup, another beautiful, quaint medieval village perched atop rocky hills. Tourrettes is a fortified village complete with arched passages in three places in the center of the "vieux village."
As you continue your journey easy you’ll come upon breathtaking views of mountains, seas and the majestic Loup Gorges which cuts north-south through the hills at the foot of the village of Gourdon.

In Gourdon, visit the castle, with its imposing round and square towers, its arrow slits and Renaissance entrance gate, its cobbled inner courtyard and well, its gargoyles and vaulted hallways, not forgetting its monumental 14th century fireplace. Inside, take in the superb gardens laid out by Le Nôtre, landscape gardener to the famed Versailles. The gardens are a respite from the hustle and bustle of life with their calming terraces shaded by centuries' old limetrees, an Italian rock garden, and an apothecary garden emitting Provincal fragrances of angelicas, columbine, balsam and comfrey, lemon balm, old mints and roses, sage and tansy … medicinal plants used in the Middle Ages. Enjoy the traditional floral-scented candy at the Florian confectionery, a Riviera specialty.

Continue southeast to the town of Grasse. A guided tour of a perfumery in Grasse, world capital of the perfume industry and visit the old town.

St. Tropez – Heading due west from Cannes, is a scenic drive through the Maure Forest which takes you to the magnificent port city of St. Tropez. Known for its night life and hedonistic lifestyle, St. Tropez live up to its history as a bohemian enclave. Spend the day exploring the town by mounting the steps to the pretty medieval village, visiting the Annonciade Museum and touring the Citadel naval museum. You can also stop and visit the spectacular St. Maxime, St. Raphael, and Port Grimaud, known as "Little Venice", to admire its canals, bridges, boutiques and charming houses.

Italian Countryside - Just an hour's drive from Cannes, Italy awaits you. In a mere hour you can experience Italian food, markets, shopping and gelato. Famous for leather goods, accessories, luggage, fashion, and food, Italy has so much to offer. Stop at Guiseppe's in Ventigmiglia for some of the best Italian food your palate will ever have the joy of experiencing.

On your returning trip, stop in the charming village of Menton, known as the "pearl of France." After a brief stop to walk through the old town, continue to the spectacular High Corniche, for a photo opportunity of Monaco.

Le Suquet - An hour's drive through the French countryside and one arrives at the hamlet of Le Suquet. Here, visit L'Eglise de la Castre an ancient castle formerly inhabited by the monks of Lerins. The museum contains paintings, sculpture, and works of art from the Greeks, Romans, Cypriots and Egyptians as well as 19th-century paintings. Admission is $3.60, but free the first Sunday of every month. In addition to the works of art, the 14th century tower in the castle, provides stellar views of the countryside and the Chapelle de Sainte-Anne, a 12th century chapel, hosts musical instruments from around the world.

As you can see, while Cannes is best known for the international film festival, with regattas, galas, concours d'élégance, and festivals, there is always something going on in Cannes and it is a destination to put at the top of your vacation “to-do” list.

Find Your Niche In The World!
Shelley Jarvis
Niche Travel Design
Shelley@nichetravel.com
http://www.nichtravel.com
925.519.2619

* This information was current at the time of publication. Niche Travel Design in no way endorses any of these sites and offers them to its clients’ for informational purposes only.