Active Pursuits

Bicycling & Motor Scootering -- Despite the roaring traffic, the flat landscapes between Cannes and satellite resorts such as La Napoule are well suited for riding a bike or motor scooter. At Cycles Daniel, 2 rue du Pont Romain (tel. 04-93-99-90-30), vélos tout terrain (mountain bikes) cost 16€ a day. Motorized bikes and scooters cost 36€ per day; renters must be at least 14 years old. For larger scooters, you must present a valid driver's license. Another purveyor of bikes is Mistral Location, 4 rue Georges Clemenceau (tel. 04-93-39-08-53; www.mistral-location.com), which charges 14€ per day.

Boating -- Several companies rent boats of any size, with or without a crew, for a day, a week, or a month. An outfit known for short-term rentals of small craft, including motorboats, sailboats, and canoes, is Elco Marine, 110 bd. du Midi (tel. 04-93-47-12-62). For larger boats, including motor-driven and sailing yachts and craft suitable for deep-sea fishing, try International Yacht Charter, 45 La Croisette (tel. 04-93-34-27-77; www.elcomarine.re.fr).

Golf -- One of the region's most challenging courses, Country-Club de Cannes-Mougins, 175 av. du Golf, route d'Antibes, Mougins (tel. 04-93-75-79-13; www.golf-cannes-mougins.com), 6.5km (4 miles) north of Cannes, is a 1976 reconfiguration by Dye & Ellis of a 1920s-era course. Noted for the olive trees and cypresses that adorn the flat terrain, it has many water hazards and technical challenges. 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 anyone (with proof of handicap) willing to pay greens fees of 150€ per person. An electric golf cart rents for 45€, golf clubs for 35€. Reservations are recommended.

Swimming -- Cannes probably has more privately owned swimming pools per capita than anywhere else in France. If your hotel doesn't have one, consider an excursion to the Piscine Pierre de Coubertin, avenue P. de Coubertin (tel. 04-93-47-12-94). Its length of almost 23m (75 ft.) makes this outdoor pool ideal for swimming laps. Because it's used for a variety of civic functions, including practices for local swim teams, hours are limited, so call ahead. Entrance costs 3€ for adults, 1.50€ for children 3 to 15.

Tennis -- Some resorts have their own courts. The city of Cannes also maintains a half-dozen courts (one made from synthetic resins, five clay-topped); you'll pay 10€ to 15€ per hour, depending on the court and the time you want to play, plus 3.25€ per hour for lighting. They're at ASLM Tennis Municipal de la Bastide, 220 av. Francis Tonner, 06400 Cannes (tel. 04-93-47-29-33). If those courts are already taken, ASLM Tennis Municipal Aérodrome, Aérodrome de Cannes Mandelieu, 06400 Cannes (tel. 04-93-47-29-33), also maintained by the municipality, charges the same rates for its five clay-topped courts.