This short break guide about Cannes, France will help you to make the most of your trip. Lists of what's on in Cannes and recommended hotels will save you time when planning your city break.
About Cannes, France
Cannes revels in one of the most coveted locations in the entire world. At the southernmost tip of Europe, it has easy access to the Alps, Provence, Monaco and Italy, as well as troves of pristine beaches. It also enjoys Mediterranean climates that feature nearly 12 hours of good sunshine each summer day, accompanied by a cooling summer breeze in the evenings. Because of its generous setting, Cannes is widely known as a playground of the rich and famous.
People have been living on this pleasurable French Riviera site since 2BC, meaning that Cannes is steeped in history. Locals have a very distinct cultural pride and many sites like the La Croisette waterfront area and La Suquet old town region are as intriguing as the well-heeled celebrities who roam here too.
Cannes is a beach town by day that has plenty of events and historic sites to keep you busy until the sun goes down. After dusk, the town comes alive when its legendary casinos and a smattering of waterfront clubs and bars keep their lights on well into dawn. As the motto "Life is a festival" attests, there is no better place than Cannes to live the highlife.
What is on in Cannes in 2008
Our mini-guide to what's on in Cannes lists the top events and attractions in 2008 in a handy Cannes Calendar format. If you take your short break in Cannes, France when these events are taking place, add them to your list of things to do in Cannes.
1. Alles de la Liberte: If you want to do as the Cannes locals do, come to Alles de la Liberte. This square is a quiet retreat from the more bustling regions of the city. Small cafes and boutiques line the square and musicians play soft music here nearly every day so that the square still keeps its Cannes-ness, but in a moderate way. There is also a fresh flower market on Monday's that brings in shiploads of stunning exotics to fill your hotel room with.
2. Games Festival: Each February people come to play games at the Games Fest in Cannes. But these are no average Joe's. The best bridge, Scrabble, Backgammon, burraco, Go, Othello, Crossword, card and video game junkies from around the world come to test their skills and buy new product. Playing and pursuing is free aside from what you buy. The fest is held at the Palais des Festivals.
3. Bellini Chapel: For three decades famed self taught painter Emmanuel Bellini worked his magic in this charming baroque chapel. The chapel is now a museum that holds a beautiful collection of Bellini's work and also has a park perfect for resting your arches after a long day of seeing the Cannes sites. The chapel is open on weekdays from 2:00pm - 5:00pm. There is no admission fee.
4. Cannes Shopping Festival: Once again the citizens of Cannes dust off their friend, the red carpet, for ten schmooze filled days. This festival includes highly entertaining runway shows from top designers, A-list celebs, the richest of the rich and enough champagne fueled nights on the town to last the rest of the year! The Cannes power house, Palais des Festivals, hosts the event each January. Shopping hours often run from 3:00pm through 8:00pm.
5. Sony Photograph Festival: Electronics giant, Sony, supports the very best in international photography at this annual fest each April. The leading photographers, directors, gallery owners, experts and photo lovers converge on Palais des Festivals to honor all genres and applaud prize winners. There is no charge to view the exhibition.
6. Firework Festival: For six nights each sticky July, the sky's of Cannes fill with exploding light from 10:00pm onward. Firework teams from all over the world come to outdo one another with festive displays that are often in synch with music. There is no charge to view the fireworks, although finding a good seat might be tough!
7. Le Suquet: Perched on the hills of Cannes, old town peers down over the rest of the city, like an old mother lovingly keeping a watchful eye on her rambunctious children. There is an air of history here among the winding alleyways, sweeping views and the medieval Castre Castle. The castle is open from 10:00am - 1:00pm and 2:00pm - 5:00pm. Once the home of Lerins monks, the castle is now host to a variety of ancient relics from the other international gems like the Himalayas, South America and Pacific islands. Admission is 3EUR for the castle. There is no admission or hours for the Old Town.
8. Cannes International Boat and Yacht Show: Some of the world's most beautiful boats call Cannes home. During the boat show each September, it seems all of these boats invite their most showy friends to town for a sensational showcase of nearly 1,000 watercrafts. The majority of the festival takes place in Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto. For 15EUR you can entire both ports and ride the shuttle bus that goes between them. The ports are open from 10:00am - 7:00pm.
9. The Islands: St. Marguerite Island is the largest island off of the coast of Cannes. It is a pedestrian only island that is full of thick forest, carved out with hiking trails. There is also the Royal Roman Fort on the northern most point that is the home of the Museum of the Sea. The museum is open from 10:30am - 1:15pm and 2:15pm - 4:45pm. Boats shuttle back and forth from Cannes every hour. Admission is 3EUR. St. Honorat Island is home to a 4th century monastery that is still active today. Visitors can browse the fort, chapel, cloisters and leave with a peaceful feeling. The boat from Cannes leaves approximately once an hour and costs 11EUR.
10. Cannes Film Festival: The most glittering and glamorous event in the film world, this spectacular festival brings A-lister's from every country in the world. Starlets swarm the beaches and yachts, vying for the most attention to see who is the fairest of them all. Notorious bunfights take place at the most controversial screenings. And at least one moment that will make history is born each year, like the iconic image Brigitte Bardot strolling the red carpet in her swimsuit or the 1975 bombing attempt by the People's Struggle Against the Perversion of Humanity. The festival takes place each May with the best events at Palais des Festivals, although venues all over Cannes participate. Hours and admissions vary.
Recommended Cannes Hotels
Hotel review website TripAdvisor allows travelers to thoroughly assess Cannes hotels that they have visited. The unbiased evaluations really help to find the best hotels and avoid the worst. The top 10 Cannes hotels recommended by review are:
1. Renoir Hotel
2. Hotel America
3. Azurene Royal Hotel
4. Residence Rachel
5. InterContinental Carlton Cannes
6. Riviera Hotel
7. Suitehotel Cannes Centre
8. California's Hotel
9. Hotel Martinez Cannes & Spa Givenchy
10. Hotel de Provence
Cannes Airport
Cannes is supported by the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport. This airport sees nearly 10 million visitors each year and is nearly always packed to its max.
Fun Fact: This airport sees the highest number of private jets land annually than any other airport in the world.
A closer option is the Cannes - Mandelieu Airport, which is only 5 kilos from Cannes, but has smaller capacity and fewer flights than its larger counterpart.
Regardless of which airport you choose, in high traffic times of the year, traveling to Cannes by car can mean an hour's journey to travel 10 minutes. Therefore it is highly recommended that visitors come into Cannes by train, as there are really no other routes inland but the crowded main road. Both airports provide train and car access to Cannes.
Cannes Hotels
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