Sights in the French Riviera

For centuries Cannes was a small fishing village with a tower on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. That all changed in 1834 when Lord Henry Brougham (former Chancellor of England) arrived here to escape the English winter. He liked the surrounding area so much that he almost immediately bought land and started developing it. Over the next half of a century, Cannes became the winter getaway for much of Britain's royalty, including King Edward VII.

Today Cannes is still a hot spot for the rich and famous. Most notably is the famous Cannes Film Festival which takes place for two weeks each May and brings 70,000 extra visitors to the city. People come in the winter to avoid harsh winters in the north, but the true season is from mid-July until the end of August, when Europeans take vacations and head to the coast.

La Croisette- This famous boulevard along side the beach is lined with palm trees and beautiful flower beds. This street is so famous and important that the city has over a hundred gardeners who change the 400,000 flowers four times each year. Along the boulevard are the famous palace hotels which are referred to as the Grandes Dames. These include the Carlton Hotel, Hôtel Martinez, La Malmaison and the Hôtel Majestic.

The Beach- The beach in Cannes is likely the most famous on the Riviera. The sands are uniformly raked every morning and the chairs and umbrellas perfectly lined. During the high season the beach is filled with near naked bodies soaking up the hot sun. As with many beaches on the Riviera, there is a mandatory fee to rent a chair on the beach.

Palais des Festivals- Just next to the old port (where you can still see the fishing fleet) is the famous Palace of Festivals. This is the location of the famous Cannes Film Festival, which is for invited guests only. The city has used it's film festival fame to boost the city as an excellent location for conventions. The palace hosts up to 100 conventions each year.

Shopping and the Market- Each morning (except Mondays) the local fisherman bring in their catch and it is on sale at the local market. The Marché Forville is also the place to shop for fresh produce from local growers. Nearby on Rue Meynadier is where the local chefs shop for the best cheeses and home made pastas. For lunch consider a stop at one of the many restaurants on Rue Félix Faure. If your pocketbook allows, make a visit to Rue d'Antibes which is lined with the top designer boutiques.

Allées de la Liberté- Showing the importance the British had on this once sleepy village, you will find statues of Lord Henry Brougham and King Edward VII in the Allées de la Liberté. You can also watch the locals playing the Provençal game of boules everyday except on Saturdays when an antique market is held here.

Le Suquet- The old town of Cannes sits on a hill above the old port. You will find tiny cobblestone streets that are very steep but well worth the walk. In the main square, the Place de la Castre, you have wonderful views of the city and the coast line. On this square is the 19th century church, the Notre Dame d'Espérance. Just behind the church are the castle and tower which date to the 11th century. You will also find the Musée de la Castre, a museum featuring art of the area and Mediterranean archaeology.

The Rich and Famous- In the hills above the main streets of Cannes are enclaves of some of the richest people on the Riviera. These exclusive and private developments include Super-Cannes and La Californie.

The French deserves a minimum stay of 3 nights. But we realize that many people come as a day trip from cruise ships, so we offer Private Tours in the French Riviera to make the best of limited time.

Travels with Friends: Learn more about other European destinations and tips for traveling within Europe. www.TravelsWithFriends.com

Private Guides: See Europe and learn about its history with your own private guide. www.PrivateGuidesInEurope.com

Top Sights in Cannes

(The French Riviera)