Cannes Apartment Types

Cannes – the glitteringly glamorous gem of the Côte d’Azur – is a cosmopolitan, modern city with a stunning Mediterranean backdrop, popular all year round with tourists and business travellers alike.

History

By the end of the 2nd century BC the area of Cannes was inhabited by a Ligurian Oxybii settlement known as Aegitna. By the 10th century the town was known as Canua and is believed to have been a small Liguriam port before becoming the site of a Roman outpost. During the 11th century the monks controlling the town built a tower on Le Suquet for defence against Saracen pirates. By 1530 Cannes detached itself from the monks and became independent. Between 1687 and 1698 the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned in the Fort Prison on the Île Sainte Marguerite. In 1834 the British chancellor, Lord Henry Brougham, discovered Cannes and began the trend for winter tourism to the area. Between 1910 and 1930 major hotel and casino construction began in the city before Cannes became a leading centre for business tourism in the 1960s. 1946 saw the first annual film festival to be held in the city, an event that today is bigger and better than ever.

Getting In & Getting Around

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is the closest international airport to Cannes located just 24km (15 miles) away. Express coach and bus services link the airport with the centre of Cannes. TGV services operate between Cannes and other major French cities and rail services link can with major European destinations including Brussels, Milan and Rome. Within Cannes itself the quickest and easiest way to get around is on foot – the city is fairly compact and is very walkable. Alternatively, Cannes boasts an efficient and well equipped bus network.

Culture, Sights & Attractions
 
You’ll be spoilt for things to see and do in Cannes. La Croisette is the main thoroughfare in Cannes, a waterfront boulevard full of shops, restaurants, cafés, bars and palm trees. The Vieux Port (Old Port) is a popular spot for a leisurely stroll to admire the stunning scenery and the luxury cruise boasts. Le Suquet, the historic heart of the city, is a maze of narrow cobbled streets lined with boutiques, outdoor restaurants and souvenir shops. Climb to the top of the hill for unrivalled views over Cannes. The Palais des Festivals, the venue for the annual film festival, is worth a walk around to look at the many stars’ handprints outside. The Îles des Lérins, the two islands of Sainte Honorat and Sainte Marguerite, are some of the best sights in Cannes. If you want to relax Cannes boasts some of the best beaches and golf courses in the French Riviera.

Eating Out

A wide range of cuisine is available in Cannes, from authentic French to Japanese, African and Indian. Some of the more popular and prestigious restaurants are located along the waterfront on La Croisette. The Le Suquet area, particularly the rue Meynadier, offers a taste of authentic French dining with an abundance of outdoor eateries with impressive views of the city below. If you want a more romantic setting for dining in Cannes then the Le Cannet suburb, located just 2km from the centre, will not disappoint. The Place Bellvue is a particular highlight – a tree lined square offering alfresco dining in a picturesque setting.

Outside The City

Cannes is in a prime location for a number of daytrips. Nice is just 32km (20 miles) away offering countless museums, stunning architecture and some of the best cuisine in the Côte d’Azur. Saint Tropez, another gem of the French Riviera, is easily reached from Cannes. Here you can admire the beautiful scenery, beautiful people and beautiful shops. The world’s capital of perfume, Grasse, is located just 16km (10 miles) from Cannes. Four of the 300 factories are open to the public and the Musée International de la Parfumerie (International Museum of Perfume) and the annual Fête du Jasmin (Jasmine Festival) are definite must-sees.

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