Whether you enjoy savouring a city’s aesthetic sights or are passionate about taking home good photographs in order to relive the experience at a later date, Cannes delivers the goods. The Lérin Islands are a highlight, with the two larger inhabited islands making for some interesting exploration and providing plenty of rich eye-candy. A wander along La Croisette, the city’s most exclusive shopping street, is an interesting experience, whether you are in a position to buy, window shop or just here to get a glimpse of rich and famous visitors.
Chapelle Bellini
With architecture illustrating Italian Baroque influences, the Chapelle Bellini is a small but interesting structure that formerly served as the private residence of the Princess of Serbia before becoming the studio of the famous Cannes artist, Emmanuel Bellini. The chapel, which is located in Fiorentina Park and is currently home to Bellini’s daughter, is not open to interior viewings, but visitors observing it from the outside will be able to see the subtle additions made by Bellini after he acquired the building.
Fragonard Perfume Museum
Fragonard is one of the country’s most established perfumeries, having been creating scents since 1926. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the working factory before entering the splendid 19th century mansion to view the museum and its collection of perfume related objects that span more than 3,000 years of perfume making history. Phone: +33 47 42 04 5; website: www.fragonard.com
Île Saint-Honorat
The smaller of the two habited Lérin Islands, Île Saint-Honorat was named after Honoratus, a French monk who built the first abbey here in the early 5th century. Among the most interesting sights on the island is the 17th century Notre Dame de Lérins, an abbey displaying fine period architecture both inside and out. There are other churches on the island of interest also, but Notre Dame is possibly the finest. The other obvious appeal of the island is the wonderful scenery it offers across the bay.
Île Sainte-Marguerite
The largest of the four Lérin Islands, Île Sainte-Marguerite is on a par with Île Saint-Honorat in terms of its views and scenery, and for many visitors this is the greatest appeal of a boat trip here. Other highlights include the Maritime Museum and the 17th century fort. The beaches are ideal places to take a leisurely stroll and soak up the gorgeous coastal sights before heading to one of three restaurants for lunch, an afternoon snack or dinner.
La Croisette
During the famous Cannes Film Festival, there’s more than a good chance that you’ll spot a famous face or two mooching around the exclusive shops at La Croisette. If you visit at any other time of the year, this extremely up market retail area is worth checking out just to get an idea of how the other half lives and what they have to spend in order to enjoy their lifestyle.
Palais des Festivals et des Congrès
The original palais was constructed in 1949 specifically to host the Cannes Film Festival, but the increasing popularity of the festival gave rise to a need for a larger exhibition space more in keeping with the increasing prestige of the event. The building of the new palais, therefore, began in 1979 and was completed in 1982; architects Bennett and Druet were responsible for its design. Additions were made in 1999, bringing the palace’s total area to an impressive 25,000 square metres. As well as the Cannes Film Festival, the palace hosts various major exhibitions and business events.
Tour du Masque
Dating back to the 12th century, this tower was allegedly home to the infamous ‘Man in the Iron Mask’ after he escaped incarceration and the authorities of the time. Legend holds that his ghost now haunts the tower, and while you may not see anything of a spooky or spectral nature while visiting, the tower is inherently interesting from both architectural and historical perspectives.
Hit the region's best theme park. Marineland is the most impressive facility of its kind in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The complex contains not only a sea-oriented section from which it takes its name, but also a water park, Pirate’s Island, Wild West Park and three crazy golf courses. The park is good for not one, but several fun days out.
Dine on finest Provencal cuisine. With the sea on its doorstep, Cannes benefits from daily hauls of fresh fish and seafood. Chefs of the city’s finest restaurants employ cooking techniques typical of the Provence region, and you can be sure that a meal out at one of the city’s better restaurants is going to be a winning experience.
Go celebrity spotting. Schedule your trip to Cannes to coincide with the famous Cannes Film Festival and not only can you enjoy the public movie screenings at Cinéma de la Plage on Mace Beach, but there’s also a good chance that you will see some famous faces. Hang out around the Carlton Hotel for the best chance of spotting celebrities going about their business or join the masses at the barricades of the red carpets before screenings are due to start.
Take a tour of the Lérin Islands. Boats leave from selected seaside locations, taking visitors to both Île Saint-Honorat and Île Sainte-Marguerite. The islands are scenic destinations in their own right, and trips to both of them promise some excellent views along the way.
Treat your nose to some of the world’s finest smells. The town of Grasse on Cannes’ doorstep is one of the most famous perfume centres in the world. Take a tour of a perfumery and get to see and smell many of the individual ingredients used to create famous scents before treating your nasal receptors to the aroma of the finished product.
Centrally located, very friendly staff, rooms were very clean with a modern European feel, we would definitly stay in this hotel again, Easy walking distance to beaches and harbour . Our cruise ship l...
