 Enjoying long sun-soaked summer days and a prime position on the French Riviera, Cannes is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the region. From package holidaymakers to affluent jet-setters, the city attracts visitors in their thousands from late spring right up to the autumn season.
 The annual Cannes Film Festival has helped to put Cannes on the tourist map, with the rich and famous arriving in droves each May to walk the red carpet and attend screenings of acclaimed movie productions from around the world. Regular visitors come for the party atmosphere that envelops the city during the festival, as well as for the chance to spot Hollywood’s biggest names.
 The festival is but a small part of the city’s attraction, however, and visitors arriving at any time of the year will be impressed by the collection of museums, art galleries, interesting buildings and outdoor activity opportunities. Children too will find plenty to occupy their time, making Cannes an ideal family holiday destination.
 The shopping and dining scenes are rich and varied, with many venues catering to the über-wealthy. La Croisette is the place to go to spend a small fortune on clothing and accessories, or you can simply look on in disbelief at the price tags.
 As a coastal city, Cannes has some lovely beaches, many of which are privately owned by hotels but there is a good selection of public locations also. With the Mediterranean climate bringing such great weather in the summer, it’s no surprise that the beaches here are so popular with holidaymakers.
 The city is well geared to receiving tourists and has a solid visitor infrastructure that includes numerous options for accommodation. Well-known international hotel franchises such as Novotel are represented, and there is also a good selection of independent establishments in various price brackets.
 The city is easily reached, with Nice Airport providing the main point of arrival for the majority of international visitors. Once in the city, getting around can be done by public bus, by taxi or by hire car. Of course, if you want to travel in style like the city’s rich and famous visitors do, limousines are available.
History
 The earliest settlers in Cannes are believed to have been of the Oxybian tribe from Liguria, who arrived in the 2nd century BC. Tribal members formed various settlements which were collectively known as Aegitna.
 Aegitna, a quiet fishing village, was peaceful until 69 AD, when the Roman emperors Autus Vitellius and Marcus Salvius Otho and their respective forces staged a bloody battle here against one another based on personal grievances. This battle marked the beginning of a period of conflict and instability in the area.
Aegitna’s name eventually evolved into ‘Cannes’, thought to be a derivative of the word canna, meaning ‘reed’. First used as a Ligurian port and secondly as a Roman outpost, Cannes and the nearby Lérin Islands were the scene of considerable activity.
 The Lérin Islands came under attack by the Saracens, who assumed control of the islands until the end of the 10th century, in 891 AD. This forced the monks of the islands to seek refuge on the mainland at Canua, where they built a protective castle at what is now known as the Suquet (one of the city’s oldest and most picturesque streets).
Canua met with catastrophe in the 14th century, firstly in the form of the plague, then later when it was subject to a number of invasions by pirates and similar lawless characters. Making good use of the castle, the monks successfully defended the town against these attacks and Canua emerged without major damage or casualties.
 Developmental progress continued and by the 17th century, the town featured around 600 houses. The Notre-Dame church was also erected in this century. It was in this period also that the Spanish launched an attack on the Lérin Islands, with Isle de Sainte-Marguerite chosen specifically as the site of invasion. After skirmishes between Spanish and French troops, the French prevailed.
Into the 18th century, Cannes fell upon troubled times again, with both the Spanish and English launching attacks on the Lérin Islands. The French successfully defended attacks on both occasions, however. Later in the same century, more trouble arose as the town’s residents launched a revolt against high food prices in the wake of the harsh winter of 1771.
 The arrival of the 19th century marked the beginning of the greatest era of prosperity for Cannes, with members of the French aristocracy and affluent overseas visitors choosing it as the place to build their holiday homes. Lord Henry Peter Brougham, a British bureaucrat, arrived in 1834 en route to Italy; liking what he saw, he began investing in the town and consequently sparked the interest of other investors and developers.
 The town’s railway station opened in 1863, followed by the tram system in 1899. Several decades into the 20th century, Cannes became synonymous with affluent holidaymakers. With the international film festival added to its repertoire in 1946, its reputation as a world-class resort was assured. This reputation has survived until today, hence Cannes continues to attract the rich and famous while it also draws its fair share of family holidaymakers.
Weather
 Cannes enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with gorgeous warm and long summer days and mild to cool shorter winter days. Spring and autumn are transitional, bringing cool nights and mornings and warm days. Rainfall is not especially heavy in any season, although October and November are the wettest months.
The summer is the ideal time to take a holiday in Cannes, especially if you plan on spending some time on the beach. From late May through September, daytime highs rarely drop below 25ºC and can easily climb into the high 20s (ºC) in the peak months of July and August. Visitors can expect up to 12 hours of sunshine per day during this season, providing ideal conditions for both sightseeing and relaxation.
 The only disadvantage of visiting Cannes in the summer is that is can be very busy at this time. Visitors wanting to enjoy a quiet break should consider visiting in late spring or early autumn, when the weather is still extremely pleasant but there are fewer crowds.
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