CANNES
Capital of the Cinema

Cannes is world famous for its film festival, which attracts celebrities from all over the world every year.
But Cannes is much more than just a festival venue.

The city is also famous for its fine sandy beaches, its sunny climate, its palaces, its luxury boutiques and its marina where you can admire sumptuous yachts.
The city has a rich historical heritage, with sites such as the Castre museum, the Suquet tower...
Explore the old town, its shopping district and the Forville market.
Attend festivals and events: the Fireworks Festival, the electro beaches, the bal des fous...

The Castre Museum

Among the most popular museums of Cannes, we can quote the Museum of the Castre.
Located in the old village, it offers a collection of artifacts from international cultures.

Sculptures of the Museum of Castres

The museum is housed in the medieval Château de la Castre, which offers a breathtaking view of the city of Cannes and its bay.
Admire arts from Africa, Oceania, Asia and the Americas.

Visit this museum to discover sculptures, paintings, tapestries, musical instruments, weapons, objects of daily life...
Highlights of the collection include works by Paul Gauguin and Henri Matisse.

In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the Castre Museum also offers temporary exhibitions, cultural events, concerts, film screenings...

Castra Museum

To learn more about the museum and its exhibitions, click here !

The Museum of the Sea

The museum of the sea of Cannes is a maritime museum which was created in 1976, on the island Sainte Marguerite.

Discover the history of navigation in the Mediterranean, with exhibits on ships and navigation instruments used in the region from ancient times to the present.

Sainte Marguerite Island and the Royal Fort

Excursion to Sainte Marguerite Island with Compagnie Horizon

The museum of the sea houses a large aquarium, where you can observe fish, crustaceans, mollusks and cephalopods of the Mediterranean.

In addition to permanent exhibits, the Sea Museum also offers temporary exhibits on a variety of maritime topics, as well as educational activities for children and adults.

Museum of the Sea

For more information about the museum, its history and useful information, click here !

 

The Underwater Ecomuseum

Ecomuseum to visit with the Horizon Company

Ecomuseum - Face sculpture

The museum was created in 1989 by the British artist Jason de Caires Taylor, 100 meters from the Iles de Lérins.
Discover more than 20 underwater concrete sculptures installed at depths ranging from 3 to 20 meters.
The sculptures represent the inhabitants of Cannes, and are designed to attract marine life and promote biodiversity.

Follow a 200 meter long marked out underwater route, with a depth of about 4 meters.

The route is composed of 16 information panels that present the underwater fauna and flora of the region, as well as the maritime history of Cannes.

Observe the different marine habitats such as posidonia meadows, corals, sponges and algae.
It is also possible to see a wide variety of fish and other marine animals: groupers, moray eels, cuttlefish...

Underwater Ecomuseum

To learn more about the museum and book your ticket, click here !

Historical heritage

The Suquet Tower

The Suquet Tower is one of the emblematic monuments of the city of Cannes.
This historical tower was built in the 11th century by the monks of the Lérins abbey to protect the city against invasions.
Restored several times over the centuries, it was used as a watchtower and prison.

Discover more about the history of Provence in this ancient defensive building. Visit the Tour du Suquet for art and history exhibitions and cultural events.

Our Lady of Hope Church

The Church of Our Lady of Hope, built in the 19th century, is one of the most emblematic monuments of the city.

Notre-Dame d'Espérance church has a neo-Gothic architectural style with its buttresses, spires and colorful stained glass windows.
The interior of the church is decorated with slender columns and pointed vaults.
You can admire many sculptures and paintings of the period.

Discover works of art and contemplate a Madonna and Child by Italian artist Andrea della Robbia and a 17th century altarpiece depicting the Virgin and Child surrounded by angels.

The church has one of the largest carillons in France, with 16 bells.

The square in front of Our Lady of Hope Church is also a popular venue for concerts and cultural events.

Address
1 Rue de la Castre, 06400 Cannes

Opening hours
Every day from 9am to 5pm
Guided tours on weekends

The Croisette

This two kilometer long seaside promenade is known for its luxury hotels, fashion boutiques and sandy beaches.

La croisette, credit photo : Edith ANDREOTTA

The Croisette was built in the mid-19th century, on the initiative of wealthy aristocrats who came to spend the winter in the region, to take advantage of the mild climate of the French Riviera.

Admire the view of the sea, stroll along the beach and shop in the luxury boutiques.
The hotels on the Croisette, such as the Carlton, the Majestic and the Martinez, are world famous for their standing and prestige.

Go for a jog or have a drink in one of the many cafés and restaurants along the promenade.
In summer, the Croisette beach is a meeting place for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts.

The Forville market

The Forville market is a historic covered market located in downtown Cannes, near the rue d'Antibes.

Discover a variety of fresh and local products: fruits, vegetables, aromatic herbs, fish, cheeses, wines...
You can also find stands of typical handicrafts of the region: honey, jams, olives and soaps.

Forville Market

The Forville market is a lively and popular place, all in a picturesque and authentic market atmosphere.
Taste local specialties: pissaladières, socca, pan bagnats, local wines...!

The square also comes alive with special events throughout the year, from food festivals to wine tastings.

The Little Train

Come aboard the Little Train of Cannes and visit the city and its sites in record time!
It is the ideal transport to go through the main streets of Cannes, in a fun and comfortable way, with your family.

The trip lasts one hour, choose between the different formulas proposed and discover the city during a multilingual guided tour.

Little Train Ride

For more information on the different tours and to book your visit, click here !

Islands of Lerins

Beach of the island Sainte Marguerite

The islands of Lerins are an archipelago located off the city of Cannes.
The archipelago consists of two main islands: the island of Sainte-Marguerite and the island of Saint-Honorat.

Stroll along the island's hiking trails, admire the local flora and fauna and swim in the crystal clear waters.

The island of Sainte-Marguerite is known for its unspoiled nature and its historical relics.
It is home to the 17th century Fort Royal, which served as a state prison and where the famous man in the iron mask was imprisoned.

Visit the island of Sainte Marguerite with the Horizon Company.
From Cannes, board the catamaran for 15 minutes to reach the island.
To book your excursion, click here !

Maritime excursion with Compagnie Horizon in the evening

View of the Royal Fort in the evening

The island of Saint-Honorat is known for its Cistercian abbey dating from the 5th century. It houses a community of Benedictine monks.
Visit the abbey, admire the gardens and vineyards, and taste the wines produced by the monks.

On the islands, many activities are offered to you:

Hiking: The islands offer many hiking trails for all levels, with breathtaking views of the sea and natural landscapes.

Swimming and scuba diving: The waters around the Lerins Islands are renowned for their clarity and richness in marine life, offering divers a unique experience.

Picnic: The islands are the perfect place for a peaceful picnic in the middle of nature, with developed picnic areas.

Water activities

Cannes is also famous for its water activities, including sailing, jet skiing and paragliding.
The beaches of Cannes are beautiful and offer a great place to relax and swim in the Mediterranean Sea.

Here is a selection of activities to do during your stay:

Compagnie Horizon, direction Iles de Lérins

Coastline and forest of Sainte Marguerite island

Jet-skiing

Rent a jet-ski for 30 minutes to several hours. Pilot the jet-ski yourself or opt for a tour with an experienced guide.

  • Cannes Jet Location
    110 Boulevard du Midi Louise Moreau
    06 23 33 98 98
    Open every day, from 9am to 7pm
  • Cannes Jet-Ride Evasion
    78 boulevard Gazagnaire Port Mouré Rouge
    07 72 50 20 45
    Open every day, from 9am to 8pm

Go scuba diving

Cannes is home to several diving centers that offer courses for all levels, from beginner to expert.
Explore the area's coral reefs, wrecks and colorful marine life, with or without an instructor.

  • Plongée Club de Cannes
    Quai Saint-Pierre Vieux Port
    06 11 81 76 17
    Open every day from 8:30 am to 7 pm
  • Diving Center La Cigale
    Port, Avenue Henry Clews, Mandelieu-la-Napoule
    04 93 90 98 66
    Open every day from 8:30 am to 7 pm

Water skiing

Practice water skiing in the calm waters of the bay of Cannes.
Beginners can take lessons to learn the basics, and advanced skiers can rent their equipment.

  • SWZ TEAM CANNES
    62-64 Boulevard de la Croisette
    06 63 80 52 74
    Open every day from 8am to 8pm
  • Cannes Water World
    50 Boulevard de la Croisette
    06 48 47 46 24
    Open every day from 8am to 8pm

Go windsurfing

Cannes offers ideal conditions for windsurfing!
Rent a windsurfer on the Croisette beach or the Bocca beach, or book lessons with local windsurfing schools.

  • Club Nautique de la Croisette
    Square de Verdun, Bijou Plage
    04 93 43 09 40
    Open every day from 10am to 7pm
  • Cannes Jeunesse - Base nautique
    Port du Moure Rouge
    04 92 18 88 88
    Open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm

Paddle boarding

Rent a paddle in one of the many beaches of the city: plage du Midi, plage de la Croisette... Prices vary according to the duration of the rental.

  • Cannes Stand Up Paddle
    5 Place Franklin Roosevelt
    07 69 91 57 01
    Open every day from 8am to 9pm

Take a sailboat cruise

Rent a sailboat for a relaxing cruise along the coast.
Take a boat trip to explore the Mediterranean and visit the Lerins Islands for example.

  • Trans Côte d'Azur Cannes
    20 Quai Saint-Pierre
    04 92 98 71 30
    Open every day from 9am to 5pm
  • HORIZON, maritime transport
    2 Quai Max Laubeuf
    04 92 98 71 36
    Open every day from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

The Cannes Festival

The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious events in the world of cinema. It is held every year in May in Cannes.

The festival attracts many personalities from the film, media and entertainment industries.

It is also an opportunity for filmmakers from around the world to present their films and participate in debates and meetings.

The must-see events in Cannes

In July/August > The Pyrotechnic Art Festival

The Festival of Pyrotechnic Art offers unique and breathtaking pyrotechnic shows.

The fireworks are created by teams of pyrotechnicians from around the world.

The fireworks are synchronized with music to give you an unforgettable visual and auditory experience.

The Pyrotechnic Festival

To know more about the event, its program and useful information, click here !
fireworks in cannes

Photo Dervaux Cannes

In April > The Canneseries Festival

The Canneseries festival was created in 2018 in Cannes to celebrate television series.

It takes place every year in April and offers a selection of television series from around the world.

The episodes are shown on a large screen for industry professionals as well as the general public.

To learn more about the festival, click here!

The palace with the festival of the series

Photo credit Maëva Benaiche

In August > Les Plages Électro

Les Plages Électro is an electronic music festival that takes place every summer on the beaches of the French Riviera.

Discover a selection of internationally renowned DJs and electronic music bands in an idyllic seaside setting.

Electro Beach !

To know more about the electro beaches, its program and useful information, click here !

In July > Le Bal des Fous

With the Bal des Fousenter a fantastic, fairy-tale, incredible and unique universe on the French Riviera.

A phantasmagorical carnival in a colorful setting. If you are a fan of fancy dress parties, this is the ideal festival.

Ball of Fools

To know more about the festival and to book your tickets, click here !

 

Cote d'azur event to do

DJ HOUSE parties

In September > The Yachting Festival

The Yachting Festival is a boat show that takes place every year in Cannes.

It offers a selection of pleasure boats, luxury yachts, sailboats and powerboats, as well as state-of-the-art nautical accessories and equipment.

See the latest innovations in boating and discover the new trends in boating.

To learn more about the event, click here!

Yacht Cannes Cannes Yachting Festival

Yacht Cannes Cannes Yachting Festival