Home to the world's most famous film festival, Cannes acts as a mecca for cinephiles everywhere. However, even if you visit outside of that key season, there's ample things to see and do throughout the year. From soaking up local history to sampling the finest food, Cannes offers an all-round cultural experience whether you like to get your thrills from the screen or out on the streets.
It's therefore not surprising that Cannes is the destination of choice for Hollywood's elite, with yachts regularly moored in the harbour and celeb spotting a commonplace activity. Ready to live the high life alongside them? Our luxury villas, apartments and homes in Cannes are prepped to welcome you.
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Balmy summers, beautiful architecture, and a reputation for attracting celebrities even beyond the month of May, Cannes is a must-visit destination at least once in your life. However, there's a lot more to this city than just its associations with the film industry.
Take a few deliberate turns away from the main promenade and you'll find yourself ambling down cobblestone streets, hopping in and out of medieval buildings, and lining your stomach with local fare from little bistros.
With our luxury Cannes apartments and villas, you'll be at the heart of it all. But if you're hoping to explore more of the South of France, we've got holiday homes across the French Riviera, Provence-Alpes and Corsica too.
Of course, one of the most popular things to do in Cannes is go celeb-spotting at the film festival. However, when you're not craning your necks to see the beautiful people, head to the beautiful beaches to unwind on soft golden sands. Ready to rub shoulders with Hollywood's elite again? La Croisette boasts many designer boutiques and 5-star bistros - a nighttime visit will prove particularly enchanting as the lights come on.
Even beyond May, there's plenty to keep film fans entertained here. Les Fresques Murales de Cannes act as a brilliant showcase of some of the screen's most iconic characters. They see everyone from Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin to Jessica Rabbit and Mickey Mouse depicted on city walls.
There's a wealth of history and culture to uncover in Cannes too, including the maze-like Old Town. Chateau Thorenc is one of our favourite gardens for an afternoon wander, originally designed in the 1870s for the Duchess of Bedford. Cannes also has its very own national park, La Croix des Gardes; a perfect spot to take a picnic or some fresh market produce, it spans an impressive 200 acres.
When holidaying in Cannes, you'll be inundated with 5-star eateries and French delicacies to try. Due to its proximity to the ocean, it's unsurprising that seafood dominates many menus. Bouillabaisse, a traditional Provencal fish stew, is found all along the French Riviera and typically served with bread.
For vegetarians, fried courgette flowers will become an instant favourite - sometimes they even come stuffed with cream cheese. Despite its humble beginnings, ratatouille is also widely served, simply made up of Mediterranean vegetables.
For those on a budget, there are also various street-food favourites on offer. Creperies and kebab shops are found across the city, while indoor market Marché Forville allows you to sample a buffet of delights on the move. Don't miss a slice of pissaladière - a thicker pizza cousin that's covered with tomatoes, anchovies, black olives and various fresh herbs.
Equally popular, chickpea-based socca pancakes are made with olives before being loaded with spices. Then, to end your day on a sugary note, sample calisson - a classic French sweet that combines candied fruit with ground almonds before wrapping the paste in royal icing.
Great for kids: The Musée des Explorations du Monde is sure to send young imaginations running wild - the fort, dungeon and courtyard allow for endless roleplay.
Great for teens: Simply by taking them to Cannes they'll be the envy of all their friends. Throw in some dockside dining and no teen could be anything but ecstatic!
Free beaches: Some of the sandy stretches belong to private hotels, while others are open to the public with free facilities too. Look up which is which ahead of time to avoid a nasty surprise.
Cannes is one of those places you have to visit at least once - even when simply wandering the streets, you'll feel that certain sense of magic in the air.
There's plenty to do in Cannes to keep you busy, but if you want a break from the polished and pristine city, there are several day trip options available. Covering hilltop villages, quaint little towns and and even a royal principality, there's something for everyone here to enjoy exploring.
Want to extend your trip further? We've got holiday homes to rent across the South of France, covering Provence-Alpes, Languedoc and much more.
Tucked between the Esterel Mountains and Mediterranean, Théoule-sur-Mer is a hidden gem in more ways than one! Once a fishing village, it now welcomes tourists to explore the sandy beach, quiet coves and cliffs.
The population of Saint-Tropez is said to increase by ten times come summer as visitors flock to the iconic beach resort. Once an inspiration for impressionist painters, today it's more the home of influencers and celebrities, with all the designer boutiques, gourmet restaurants and golden sand they could ever dream of. Come here to capture the most envy-inducing snaps!
A bustling town complete with its own historic Old Town, Antibes is somewhere you'll likely want to stay for more than a day. When you're not wandering its cobblestone streets, hopping from cafe to cafe or uncovering the Picasso museum, be sure to take some time to simply lie out on the sand - it's a holiday after all!
While it may be classified as the second smallest country in the world, this royal principality has built up quite the reputation among the rich and famous. Used for many car-chasing scenes - a particular favourite of the James Bond franchise - plus the Formula 1 Grand Prix, it has a certain energy that's palpable from the moment you arrive. Casino, harbour or palace? You pick.
Sat 400m above the Mediterranean Sea on a picture-perfect hilltop, the medieval village of Eze invites you to step back in time and embrace a slower pace of life. Offering you panoramic views, romantic winding roads and locally owned boutiques, it's a treat for all the senses. Want to get your steps in? Try the steep Nietzsche Path down to the beach.
One for the history buffs, Fréjus was built on the remains of a Roman city that dates back to 49BC. Its cathedral still boasts ancient Roman features, serving as one of the oldest in France, while the archaeology museum allows you to dig further into the past - expect carefully preserved objects, statues and models. Once you've suffered information overload, there's also a beautiful beach to recover on!
There's no doubt about it - Grasse is the perfume capital of the world. Inviting you to explore that title at the International Perfume Museum, Grasse is also home to fields upon fields of orange blossom, roses, lavender, and other favourite flowers. Don't miss the 12th century cathedral on your visit - it's filled with many religious works of art, including three Rubens paintings.
The closest airport to Cannes is in Nice, around a 30 minute drive from the city. Airlines including British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair all fly there regularly from across the UK.
You'll then have to source transport to Cannes, with Uber charging around €60 for a lift, while the 210 airport bus costs €22 per person.
The best option for getting around Cannes is by foot, so be sure to pack some suitable footwear - along with your best dancing shoes come nightfall! Many of its most popular areas are extremely walkable, including the Old Town, but exploring this way also allows you to discover your very own hidden gems.
If you prefer to hire your own wheels to get around, Hertz and Avis France both offer ample options. However, keep in mind that Cannes can be tricky to navigate by car due to the one-way road system. Many of the historic areas are also blocked off for cars, so you'll end up parking and walking to them anyway.
Looking to get from A to B in the fastest way possible? Taxis are widely available in Cannes, and can be hailed on the street, by phone or app - Uber also operates here. Keep in mind that this is definitely the most expensive method of getting around, and fares aren't fixed, so will fluctuate with the traffic.
Various bus services operate across the city, with tickets available to purchase on board or from bus stations. You'll find the central bus station next to the town hall.
The top tourist route is the City Palm shuttle, which passes by all of Cannes' top sights. It runs every 10-15 minutes, starting from 9am and continuing to 7:15pm.
Want to truly live the high life? A range of boats are available to hire, spanning speed boats and super yachts. There's also some more commercial options for getting to nearby destinations, operated through companies including Horizon and Riviera Lines. You won't find any better way to start a day trip!
Cannes is famous for its annual international film festival, which is one of the most prestigious and glamorous film festivals in the world. It is also known for its beautiful beaches, luxury hotels, high-end shopping, and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.
The length of your stay in Cannes depends on your interests. If you're attending the Cannes Film Festival, plan to be there for the full 10-12 days. For sightseeing and beach activities, 2-3 days will suffice, but why rush your stay? if you want to relax, explore the surrounding areas and take in the local cuisine and culture, stay for 7 days.
The best time to visit Cannes is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April-June) and fall (September-November). The summer months of July and August are peak tourist season and the city can be very crowded and expensive.
Cannes can be an expensive destination to visit, especially during the peak tourist season of July and August and during the Cannes Film Festival in May. But if you travel during the outside of the peak season it is possible to find more affordable options for accommodations, dining, and activities and on top of that you'll be dodging all the crowds.
Cannes has many beautiful areas to explore including Le Suquet, La Croisette, Île Sainte-Marguerite, Le Cannet, and Cap d'Antibes. These areas offer stunning views, picturesque villages, luxurious hotels and restaurants, and unspoiled nature.
