Far and away, Cannes’ most famous street is the promenade de la Croisette—or simply La Croisette—which curves along the coast. It’s lined by grand hotels (some dating from the 19th century), boutiques, and exclusive beach clubs. It’s also home to temporary exhibition space La Malmaison, 47 La Croisette (tel. 04-97-06-44-90), but check that it's open before heading over. Above the harbor, the Old Town of Cannes sits on Suquet Hill, where visitors can climb the 14th-century Tour de Suquet.
The best new cultural space? Snorkel offshore to the Iles de Lérins. Here British underwater artist Jason deCaires Taylor has deposited six subsea monoliths. His subaquatic museum is made from marine-friendly materials, which will become host to algae and corals, thereby creating living sculptures. Rent a kayak or solar boat (see below) then jump right in.
Organized Tours
One of the best ways to get your bearings in Cannes is to climb aboard the Petit Train touristique de Cannes (www.cannes-petit-train.com; tel. 06-22-61-25-76). The vehicles operate daily from 10am to 8pm,. The three itineraries offered are: Modern Cannes, with a ride along La Croisette and its side streets (35 min.); Historical Cannes, which weaves through the narrow streets of Le Suquet (35 min.); or the Big Tour, a combination of the two (1 hr.). All trains depart from the Palais des Festivals every 30 to 60 min. Shorter tours cost 9€ for adults and 5€ for children 3 to 10; the Big Tour costs 14€ for adults and 8€ for children 3 to 10.
Day Trips
Grasse, Golfe-Juan & Vallauris, and Mougins all make excellent day trips from Cannes.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
