Children’s Activities
 Cannes has something to appeal to holidaymakers of all ages. Family visitors will find a great variety of attractions to fill their days, including natural features and purpose-built manmade highlights. The beach is the city’s fail-safe for families, and whether you benefit from the use of a private stretch or join the masses in the public areas, you can be sure that the golden sands and blue Mediterranean waters will provide long hours of entertainment.
 Beaches
There are private beaches owned by hotels that charge exorbitant amounts to use them if you are not a guest. However, the public beaches, which are given a three-sun rating by Michelin, are more than adequate for family visitors and ideal locations for little ones to enjoy long days of sun, sand and sea. Boulevard de la Croisette’s beaches are the busiest, but quieter strips can be found on the west side of the city.
 Adventure Golf
Belonging to the Espace Marineland complex, this crazy golf centre is a firm favourite with family visitors, offering not one but three 18-hole courses, each with a theme based on the mysterious worlds of Jules Verne. The Mysterious Island, Five Weeks in a Balloon and Journey to the Centre of the Earth courses offer a blend of natural scenery and manmade course obstacles. Phone: +39 892 30 06 06.
 Parc Zoologique de Frejus
Covering 20 hectares, this safari park style zoo is noted for providing its animal residents with a living environment that comes as close to their natural habitats as possible. The park is located just outside of the city of Cannes and easily reached by hire car or public transport. Among the park’s highlights, the sea lion and tiger training sessions are especially popular with children. Phone: +33 4 9811 3737; website: www.zoo-frejus.com.
 La Ferme du Far West (Wild West Park)
A part of the Espace Marineland complex, La Ferme du Far West is a small zoo with Wild West themed attractions. The zoo is home to a variety of farm animals including donkeys, sheep, chickens, ducks, pheasants and geese. Aside from the animals, highlights include the Mississippi River, Funambulo, Galloping Horses and the Labyrinth attractions. Phone: +33 892 30 06 06.
 Marineland
The main highlight of the Espace Marineland complex is this sea adventure park at which visitors can enjoy close-up views of magnificent creatures such as killer whales, seals and dolphins at the park’s impressive shows. A pool dedicated to various types of rays permits visitors to touch its occupants, while visitors wanting to swim with dolphins can do so by special arrangement. Phone: +33 892 30 06 06; website: www.marineland.fr.
 Pirate’s Island
The last of the themed centres of the Espace Marineland complex is a fun-packed water park offering all manner of watery thrills and spills. The giant slides, or toboggans as they are known, are perhaps the highlight, giving visitors the chance to climb into a small inflatable vessel, rocket down steep slopes and around numerous twists and turns before landing in the safety of a pool. The park has 13 different toboggan slides as well as a wave pool, a lazy river and a heated swimming pool. Phone: +33 0892 30 06 06; website: www.aquasplash.fr.
 Pony Rides
All the family can enjoy a jolly jaunt on the back of a pony across the picturesque Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur countryside. The Centre Hippique de Mougins is the best known provider of pony riding facilities in the area. Phone: +33 4 93 45 75 81.
Cultural Activities
Cannes might not be the first place you’d think of visiting if you are looking for a holiday based around sightseeing and cultural activities. However, the city is as geared towards catering for visitors with these tastes as it is for beach lovers and party-goers. Museums are plentiful, with two venues celebrating the city’s relationship with the sea and others looking at local history and art. There’s also a good selection of scenic gardens for nature lovers.
 La Malmaison
Modern and contemporary art is promoted by the reputable Malmaison gallery, a facility that focuses primarily on presenting temporary exhibitions although it does feature some permanent collections also. Over the years, exhibitions have been dedicated to the work of big names such as César, Miró and Picasso. If you have an interest in art, you’ll appreciate the fine works on display at what is one of Cannes’ finest gallery spaces. Phone: +33 4 9706 4490.
 Musée de la Castre
Housed inside a castle that the monks of Lérins built to protect Cannes, the Musée de la Castre is home to an impressive collection of artefacts including archaeological discoveries, antiques and old-fashioned musical instruments. The castle itself is fascinating in its own right and the views it offers across the city are spectacular. Phone: +33 4 93 38 55 26.
 Musée de la Marine
This museum is dedicated to François Joseph Paul de Grasse, the man famous for his role in the American War of Independence against Great Britain. On display in the facility are some 30 model ships covering everything from 18th century ships to modern vessels. Phone: +33 4 93 40 11 11
 Musée de la Mer
Situated on the Isle de Sainte-Marguerite, the Musée de la Mer, or ‘Museum of the Sea’, is a maritime themed museum featuring a wide variety of sea-related exhibits, among which are items recovered from both Saracen and Roman shipwrecks. The fortress that houses the museum contains the prison cells that once held the infamous ‘Man in the Iron Mask’. A photo exhibition room has a terrace from where you can enjoy great views across the bay. Phone: +33 4 93 43 18 17.
 Musée de la Photographie
Dedicated to displaying the work of famous French photographers, the Musée de la Photographie is situated close to the Saint-Jacques Majeur Church. There are both colour and black and white works on display, and included in the collection are a number of pieces by Robert Doisneau, one of the country’s most celebrated photographic artists. Phone: +33 4 93 75 85 67
 Parc Phoenix
Also referred to as the Phoenix Botanical Gardens, this spacious area of scenic greenery is well cared for by human hands and features an excellent collection of eye-catching flowers and plants, among which are both indigenous and foreign specimens. The greenhouse is particularly interesting, and where you will find the most exotic plant species.
Park Residences Champfleuri
The original park was landscaped in the 19th century and numerous alterations and additions have been made to it over the years. Within the park are a number of different themed gardens including a Dutch garden, Japanese garden and Provencal garden. The Andalousian patio is particularly attractive, and the large collection of botanical specimens across the park includes some fascinating specimens.
 Villa Rothschild and Gardens
Those visitors who appreciate natural beauty will not want to miss out on this lovely greenbelt area in which palm trees and agave plants abound and pretty open spaces are punctuated by equally beautiful ornamental ponds. The rose garden is a highlight with its near 100 different rose varieties, while also notable are the Japanese garden, Florentine garden and exotic garden. The stone garden with its collection of sculptures is also well worth checking out.
Dining & Shopping
 With such a thriving tourist scene, it naturally follows that Cannes’ dining scene is vibrant. Based on excellence and variety of choice, Cannes culinary options include a vast menu of locally caught fish and seafood, thanks to the city’s proximity to the ocean. Sea bass in lime, or escalope de mérou au citron as it’s known locally, is one of the signature dishes to look out for, while dishes such as cod in garlic sauce with steamed vegetables and the ever popular seafood platter known as fruits de mer are also well worth sampling.
The city offers a plethora of dining establishments, and prices vary across the board. Generally, eating out is not cheap, especially if you have a penchant for upmarket establishments. Remember that this is a place that caters to the rich and famous so restaurants can easily charge a few hundred euros for a meal without raising any eyebrows among their clientele.
 For mid-range restaurants, you can expect prices to be on a par with those in the UK. While dining isn’t especially cheap in Cannes, it is possible to holiday and dine in style without breaking the bank so long as you choose you dining venues with care.
Besides the local cuisine, visitors can dine on international fare such as Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Thai and Mexican food. There’s also the usual selection of fast food franchises on hand for anyone wanting a quick bite of something familiar.
Cannes has some great shopping locations. This is one place at which you really can empty your purse or wallet or max out your credit card in a big way if you so desire, such is the selection of retail outlets on offer. Head for the waterfront for nice boutiques, clothing shops and chic little cafés where you can have a coffee and a break from the retail therapy.
 La Croisette and Rue d’Antibes are the city’s most exclusive shopping streets and where, if you earn a salary that comes in five or six figures, you can probably afford to shop. These streets are home to many of the world’s top designer labels including Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Lacroix, Chanel and Valentino.
 For something a bit more down to earth, head for Rue Meynadier, where prices are considerably cheaper and the atmosphere in more akin to a local market than a rich man’s emporium. For an authentic Provencal market experience, head for Marché Forville, where you can find fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, flowers and organic produce.
Outdoor Activities
Cannes has many outdoor activity options, and holidaymakers with lively streaks can easily indulge their passions for sporting and outdoor leisure pursuits at both natural and manmade locations. The beach is one of the most popular spots for sports, but if it’s genuine adrenalin-charged action that you desire then the Buggy Cross Go-Kart centre is the place to head for.
 Beach Activities
Cannes’ beaches are the ideal locations at which to enjoy a wide variety of sports and activities. Younger visitors can take advantage of the sea breezes by kite flying, while holidaymakers of all ages can enjoy a lively game or two of Frisbee. If you’ve a good sized group assembled, you can get a game of beach volleyball going. Otherwise, couples can enjoy the classic French game known as boules.
 Climbing
Proficient climbers with their own equipment can take off unassisted to the countryside around the city, where they’ll find numerous tried and tested climbing spots. Visitors wanting to try climbing for the first time in a safe environment can do so at the indoor centre known as Mur d'Escalade. The centre has experienced teachers who can show you the basics and advise on good locations for outdoor climbing. Phone +33 4 9347 0633.
 Go-karting
The Buggy Cross go-karting complex is located about five kilometres (three miles) from Cannes and offers racing fun for visitors of all ages. Try your hand not only at go-karting, but also at mini-motor racing and quad biking. No driving license is necessary, and there are even facilities for kids upwards of four years old. Phone: +33 4 9369 0274.
 Golf
Cannes’ Mediterranean climate is ideally suited to the creation of golf courses, with the city’s lush green fairways and thickly carpeted putting greens making for some great playing conditions for enthusiasts of the ever popular game. The 18-hole Golf de la Grande Bastide is located just 15kms (nine miles) from the city centre and includes a shop, restaurant and clubhouse. Also offering 18 holes but requiring a handicap of 28 for men and 24 for women is the Golf de Cannes-Mougins course.
 Water Sports
Enjoy a variety of water based activities at the city’s public and private beaches including waterskiing, snorkelling, sailing, surfing and windsurfing. The private beaches tend to have better facilities, but these come at a cost.
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