Cannes Travel Tips

Cannes is a safe place to holiday and does not present a great deal in the way of danger to visitors. Crime is not immediately apparent, and what does exist is largely of the petty variety. As this is a city with plenty of wealthy characters walking around, there are opportunist thieves operating in popular tourist areas.

Visitors can protect themselves against the antics of pickpockets and bag snatchers by using common sense while out and about. Keeping cash and personal effects hidden and in a secure place about your person can reduce your chances of being targeted, while wearing bags across the body and never leaving them unattended in bars or restaurants can go a long way to ensuring that you are not parted from them.

Avoid hawkers and timeshare touts as they may not be legitimate operators. Pickpockets sometimes work in pairs; one distracts you while the accomplice relieves you of your valuables.

220V, 50HZ, European style plugs with 2 round pins

As a highly developed city, Cannes present little in the way of threats to health, and visitors from Europe or North America are no more likely to take ill here than they are at home. Hygiene standards in public eateries, bars and pubs are very high and rigorously maintained. Tap water is safe to drink although many visitors prefer the bottled variety.

Temperatures can get very hot in the height of summer in Cannes so do consider the effects of the sun and limit your direct exposure between the hours of 11:00 and 15:00. Any time you are out in the sun, be sure to apply a sunscreen with an appropriate SPF to any uncovered areas of the body.

Visitors unfortunate enough to take ill during their stay in Cannes will find a high standard of medical care available at both public and private hospitals. EU visitors with a European Health Insurance Card are eligible for free emergency treatment; all other visitors will need to ensure that their holiday insurance provides medical cover.

Cannes Hospital: +33 4 93 69 70 00 
Emergency services: 17/18/15 (police/fire/ambulance)

Banks offer the best exchange rates on both cash and traveller’s cheques, and the vast majority provide exchange services. Bureaux de change can be found at the airport, at exchange desks in busy tourist areas and at some of the larger hotels. ATMs are ubiquitous and generally accept foreign bank cards although those with endorsement by Visa, Access, AMEX, Diner’s Club and other major credit firms are the most readily accepted.

EU visitors over the age of 17 may import or export an unlimited amount of alcohol, tobacco and other items provided they are for personal consumption or use only and not for resale. Excessively large volumes of any item will attract attention and individuals may be required to prove that goods are not intended to be sold.

The French may come across as formal and reserved characters at first, but barriers are soon dropped after initial meetings. Cannes, with its presiding holiday atmosphere, sees the locals more accustomed to dealing with foreigners and consequently formalities and reservations are less apparent.

If meeting a local for the first time, a handshake is an appropriate form of greeting. In less formal circumstances kissing cheeks is considered a more suitable form of greeting. Titles are generally used until individuals suggest that it’s appropriate to drop them and use first names only.

Aberrant and outlandish behaviour are not likely to go down well in Cannes, especially if it’s alcohol-fuelled. Visitors are advised to maintain a sensible attitude towards drinking during their stay and to avoid loud or uncivilised displays of behaviour.

You should not start eating until the host or hostess indicates its time; this is generally marked by ‘bon appétit’, meaning ‘good appetite’. Eating everything on your plate is the polite way to suggest that you were given enough food and that it was of a good standard.

Cannes’ main tourist office is located at the famous Palais des Festivals et des Congrès building and is open daily from 09:00 to 20:00 during the summer season and from 09:00 to 19:00 during the winter season. Phone: +33 4 92 99 84 22.