All about Cannes Old Town

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Cannes Old Town

From a small fishing village in 1834 to one of Europe’s fashionable cities, Cannes Old Town has become a meeting place for culture, history, the jet set and tourists from all over the world.

The oldest part of Cannes - Le Suquet - raising high above the rest of the city
The oldest part of Cannes – Le Suquet – raising high above the rest of the city

If you ask the mayor, Cannes is a brand! And you have to agree with him.

Who does not know Cannes, the Croisette and the Film Festival, which has been held since 1939?

But Cannes is so much more than that, even though there are not quite the big museums or monuments like in Nice, Antibes and Monaco.

The city’s vibrating life, all year round, is living proof that it’s a city that lives with its people.

The areas of Cannes

Cannes consists of 9 areas in total. Here we will concentrate on 5 of the most popular places / areas with relatively small distances between them, so it gives courage to use your good walking shoes to explore the city.

La Croisette – Center Ville

This is one of the city’s most popular areas, which stretches along the Gulf of Cannes. It is a 3 km long seafront promenade surrounded by palm trees and fashionable hotels and luxury shops. This is where, among other things, you will find Dior, Channel and Yves-Saint Laurent, as well as the hotels Carlton, Le Grand Hotel and Grand Hyatt Martinez.

Boulevard de la Croisette is without a doubt synonymous with elegance, luxury and glamor – here it is allowed to dream BIG!

Here is also a nice view of La Napoule bay and the Esterel mountains to the west.

On the opposite side of La Croisette, you will find the pedestrian streets filled with shops for all tastes.

The old port

At the foot of the Le Suquet area (Cannes Old Town), and just across the Palais des Festivals, lies Cannes’ cozy old port. It is a great experience to just stroll around the harbor and look at the many impressive boats.

Old city and harbor in Cannes – ©AdopePhoto

It is also from this port that the big annual sailing event – the Royal Regatta – starts in September.

Le Suquet – the old town

This is one of the great experiences in Cannes. Here you will find the authentic Cannes Old Town, here the charm, art and history unfold and impress in a way that few can.

There are several roads up to the old town, but be sure not to miss rue Meynadier on the way up or down. Here you will find a myriad of small charming shops with everything from food to applied art.

 Beautiful streets and houses in "Le Suquet" - Cannes old town
 Beautiful streets and houses in “Le Suquet” – Cannes old town -©AdopePhoto

Standing on top of Le Suquet, the rewards are great with breathtaking views of Cannes, the old port, La Croisette and the Lérins islands.

At the top of the Place de la Castre are two fine sights: the Notre Dame de l’Espérance and the La Castre Museum, housed in the ancient medieval castle. And finally, one must not miss Le Suquet des Artistes, where the creative artists exhibit their works.

Pointe Croisette – Port Canto & Palm Beach

At the end of the Boulevard de la Croisette, you will find Port Canto, one of Europe’s largest marinas, and the Palm Beach Hotel.

During the film festival, this area is filled to the brim with impressive boats and world-famous and lesser-known stars.

Luxury yacht in Port Canto
Luxury yacht in Port Canto – ©AdopePhoto

Here you can discover all kinds of water activities and enjoy the beaches along the Pointe Croisette

California

A quiet residential area where you will find large beautiful villas and admirable views of the Mediterranean.

The area has also attracted artists. Pablo Picasso lived in this area for part of his life in the 50’s and the place is named after its landscape, similar to the US state of California.

Here you will also find the special chapel Bellini, which totally surprises when you step inside.

By Tommy Sverre – 2022

Facts about Cannes
Inhabitants : ca. 75.000
Altitude :  10 m
Airport :  27 km
Beach: 0 km
Nice:  34 km

Cities close by
Mougins 7,5 km
Golf-Juan 7,5 km
Antibes 12 km
Biot 17 km
Saint-Paul de Vence 27km

Experiences in Cannes Old Town
  • All
  • Art
  • Boat trips
  • Churches & chapels
  • Events
  • Excursions
  • Markets
  • Monuments
  • Museums
  • Ports & Islands
  • Squares & Promenades
fyrværkeri festival i Cannes Events

Cannes Fireworks Festival

Every summer in Cannes, in July and August, 6 days are held with a world-class musical fireworks display.
Monuments

Statue of Lord Brougham – Cannes’ “father”

Few have meant as much to Cannes as the English aristocrat and politician Lord Henry Brougham, whose statue adorns the basin of the avenue de ...
Events

The International Film Festival in Cannes

The Cannes Film Festival is known worldwide and one of the most important film awards in the film industry. Was founded in 1939 and can ...
Underwater Museum Art

Cannes Underwater Museum

Cannes has got France's first underwater museum, which is wildly fascinating in every way. 6 great sculptures below the sea surface connect...
Old Town Cannes Squares & Promenades

Le Suquet – The old town

Here in the heart of old Cannes, the city shows its true soul. Here you find Le Suquet - the old town - a medieval ...
Boat trips

Boat trips to Lérins Islands

If you want to visit the fantastic islands of Lérins, Saint-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, you can sail there from Nice, Cannes and Golfe-Juan respectively.
Castles and palaces

Fort Royal & “The Man with the Iron Mask”

At Fort Royal, the legendary Man with the Iron Mask was imprisoned for 11 years. Today, the fort houses the Cannes Sea Museum and is ...
Squares & Promenades

La Croisette Promenade

The promenade at La Croisette is one of the most valued experiences in Cannes – it is the gathering point for mythical hotels, the casino, ...
Art

La Malmaison Art Center

Great art welcomes you in historic premises that used to be part of the Grand Hotel. In 1863, when the hotel was built, this building ...
Excursions

Excursions Cannes

Cannes is much more than the Croisette and the International Film Festival. With Cannes excursions you can experience Cannes from the Mediterranean
Art

Bellini Chapel

This beautiful chapel completely surprises, filled with art and dedicated to one of Cannes’ beloved artists, Emmanuel Bellini.
Markets

Forville Market

With its 3000 m2 and approx. 50 stalls, the market invites you inside to some of the best the Riviera has to offer in Provencal ...
Museums

Cannes Sea Museum

Cannes Sea Museum, Musée de la Mer, is located on the small island of Sainte-Marguerite. It is located in a unique historic setting in the ...
Boat trips

Lérins Islands

Just a stone's throw from La Croisette, on the opposite side of the Bay of Cannes, are the islands of Lérins. They consist of 4 ...
Art

Musée de la Castre

Located high on top of Le Suquet, in the medieval castle originally inhabited by the monks of Lérins, the Museum of World Discovery overlooks the ...
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