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Things to see in Cannes

Attractions

La Croisette

Known locally as La Croisette, this glitzy promenade gently curves along the Cannes coastline for around 2km (1.2 miles). To one side, luxury hotels, art deco villas and high-end boutiques show off the greatest beauty humans can muster, while Mother Nature trumps their efforts on the other with golden sands and the sparkling Bay of Cannes.

Address: , Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes, 06414
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Ile Ste-Marguerite

It only takes a 15-minute boat ride from Cannes to get here, but it took the Man in the Iron Mask 11 years to leave this tiny, forested island. His cell can be visited in the Fort of Ste-Marguerite, now renamed the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea).

Address: , Ile Ste-Marguerite, Cannes,
Telephone: +33 4 9338 5525 (museum).
Opening times:

The first boat to Ile Ste-Marguerite departs Cannes at 0730. The last boat off the island leaves at 1900. The museum is open Tue-Sun 1030-1315 and 1415-1645 (Oct-Mar); Tue-Sun 1030-1315 and 1415-1745 (Apr-May); daily 1000-1745 (Jun-Sep).

Website:
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Le Suquet

Cannes' old quarter is a charming warren of cobbled streets and sharp stairways that wend their way up to the Church of Our Lady of Hope, a gothic-styled church completed in 1627. The views from here are among the best in the city. Hobble back down the Rue St Antoine cobblestones to lunch in one of its many restaurants.

Address: Le Suquet, Rue St Antoine, Cannes,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No.

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Palais des Festivals et des Congrès

There are only two ways to see inside this concrete blotch on the Cannes landscape: by becoming a film star or through a guided tour with the tourist office. This is where the Cannes Film Festival is held each year, so make like the good and the great of the silver screen by climbing its iconic 22 steps for a photo. Then it's inside for red carpets and cinematic history.

Address: , Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes, 06400
Telephone: +33 4 9299 8400.
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website: http://en.palaisdesfestivals.com
Admission Fees:

No.

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Murs Peints de Cannes (The Painted Walls of Cannes)

Since 2002, artists have been commissioned to paint vast, film-related murals on the sides of buildings. Around 20 are scattered across the city and the tourist office has a map detailing their locations. Arguably the best is that of the silent film star, Harold Lloyd, hanging from a clock at 9 rue Louis Braille.

Address: , , Cannes,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Musée de la Castre

The museum at the top of Le Suquet is housed in the 12th-century chapel of Ste-Anne and a former chateau that belonged to the monks of the Lérins Isles. Inside is a fascinating collection of 19th-century paintings of Cannes, plus 200 musical instruments and antiquities. Guided tours in English are available on request.

Address: , Le Suquet, Cannes,
Telephone: +33 4 9338 5526.
Opening times:

Tue-Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1700 (Oct-Mar); Tue-Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1800 (Apr-Jun and Sep; Wed until 2130 in Sep); daily 1000-1900 (Jul-Aug).

Website:
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Ile St-Honorat

Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants of peaceful St-Honorat Island. The Abbaye de Lérins is open to the public, as are the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the sea's edge. The monks divide their time between prayer and making wines, honey, lavender oil and Lérina, a herbal liqueur.

Address: , Ile St-Honorat, Cannes,
Telephone: +33 4 9298 7138.
Opening times:

Mon-Sat 0740-1700, Sun 0800-1700 (Oct-Apr); Mon-Sat 0740-1800, Sun 0800-1800 (May-Sep) (first boat from Cannes and last boat back).

Website: http://www.abbayedelerins.com
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Le Vieux Port

Get ready to go into full gawp mode under the sunshine of the Old Port. This is where the super famous moor their super yachts, but there is plenty of space for other bobbing beauties as well. Snooping and selfies are welcome, although you can't board any of the boats unless invited.

Address: , Promenade de la Pantiero, Cannes, 06400
Telephone: +33 4 9339 6177.
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No.

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Atlante the Mermaid

Standing on a rock at the entrance of Port Canto, the bronze statue of Atlante the Mermaid is either guarding the marina or luring in sailors like a siren. With a starfish in her hair, the life-size figurine by French sculptor Amaryllis was erected in 2000 and is said to be considering the losses of the 20th century.

Address: , Port Canto, Cannes,
Telephone: +33 4 9218 8484 (Port Canto).
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

The Villas of Cannes

19th-century Cannes can still be seen in its grand villas, such as Villa Domergue. Also known as the Quartier des Anglais, this is the oldest residential area in Cannes and perfect for a stroll. Although many villas are not open to the public, Villa Domergue may be visited by appointment.

Address: , , Cannes,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No.

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

Cannes Tourist Office

Address: La Croisette, 1 boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes,
Telephone: +33 4 9299 8422.
Opening times:

Daily 0900-1900 (Mar-Oct); daily 1000-1900 (Nov-Feb); daily 0900-2000 (Jul-Aug).

Website: http://www.cannes-destination.fr

The main branch of the tourist office is in the Palais des Festival. It supplies maps and information on attractions, walk, restaurants and hotels, as well as Cannes souvenirs. There is another branch that’s open from Tuesday to Sunday at 1 avenue Pierre Semard, Cannes La Bocca, west of the city towards Cannes-Mandelieu airport.

Tourist passes

The Cannes Côte d’Azur Card offers discounts on activities and attractions throughout the Côte d’Azur region. Available for three or six days, it includes access to more than 150 attractions. More details are on the Cannes tourism website (www.cannes-destination.fr).

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