Cannes is a cinema set that people happen to live in. It is glitzy, manicured, and obsessed with status. The famous La Croisette boulevard is a runway where Ferraris crawl in traffic and women in ball gowns eat ice cream. During the Film Festival (May), it is the center of the universe. The rest of the year, it is a wealthy, quiet resort town with a surprisingly charming old quarter (Le Suquet) that watches over the yachts.
The contrast between the flashy waterfront and the calm Lérins Islands just 15 minutes offshore is striking. Cannes smells of expensive sunscreen, jasmine, and money. The sand here is real (unlike Nice), imported and raked daily by the private beach clubs.
It is a place to people-watch. You don’t come to Cannes for deep culture; you come to buy a €10 soda and watch the world’s vanity parade. But if you strip away the gold leaf, you find a Provençal market (Forville) that sings with local produce and a bay that is undeniably breathtaking.
The perfect plan for Cannes:
Day 1 Agenda
Theme: The Red Carpet
- Morning: Palais des Festivals. See the red carpet (it’s always there). Take a photo. Look at the handprints of stars on the pavement (Allée des Étoiles).
- Afternoon: La Croisette. Walk the promenade. Window shop at Dior and Chanel. Stop for a drink at the Carlton Hotel terrace (if you want to spend €25 on a cocktail) or just sit on the famous blue chairs.
- Evening: Le Suquet (Old Town). Walk up the hill. It’s a maze of restaurants. It’s touristy, but the view from the church at the top at night is magical.
Day 2 Agenda
Theme: The Monks’ Island
- Morning: Take the ferry to Île Saint-Honorat. It is owned by Cistercian monks. It is silent, green, and peaceful. No cars. Visit the fortified monastery.
- Afternoon: Wine tasting. The monks make incredible wine. Buy a bottle of Saint-Pierre (white) and have a picnic by the water.
- Evening: Back in Cannes. Dinner at Marché Forville area. Several bistros around the market serve fresh fish.
Day 3 Agenda
Theme: Market and Sand
- Morning: Marché Forville. The covered market. Buy tapenade, cheese, and olives. It’s loud and local.
- Afternoon: Beach time. Splurge on a sunbed at a beach club (e.g., La Plage 45) or go to the public beach at Palm Beach point for kitesurfing views.
- Evening: Sunset train ride to Antibes (10 mins) or simply enjoy a gelato on the Rue d’Antibes.
Weather
Spring (April-June): May is the Festival (CHAOS). Avoid unless you have a badge. June is perfect.
Summer (July-Aug): Packed, hot, expensive. Fireworks festivals are stunning.
Autumn (Sept-Oct): The “Regates Royales” (sailing). Good weather, fewer people.
Winter: Very quiet. Major conventions happen, but it feels sleepy.
Local Customs
Dress Code: In Cannes, people dress up. Shorts and flip-flops are for the sand only. You won’t get into clubs or nice restaurants looking scruffy.
Private Beaches: Most of the beach is private (pay for a lounger). There are public sections (Plage du Midi), but they are crowded.
History & Culture
Once a fishing village, it was “discovered” by Lord Brougham in 1834 when he was barred from entering Nice due to a cholera quarantine. He built a villa, his friends followed, and Cannes became the winter playground of the English and Russian aristocracy. The Film Festival started in 1946, cementing its status as the capital of glamour.
Getting Around & Safety
Walk: The center is tiny.
Bus: Good network (Palm Bus).
Ferry: Essential for visiting the islands.
Info for Nomads
Not ideal. It’s expensive and can feel superficial for long stays. Good for a weekend, but Nice is better for digital nomads.
Workation Vibe
Internet: Good.
Cafes:
1. Itinéraire Café: Specialty coffee, rare in Cannes.
2. Columbus Café: Chain, but reliable wifi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see celebrities? +
Only during the Festival (May). And even then, they are behind barriers. The rest of the year, you might see a C-lister, but don’t count on it.
Is it better than Nice? +
It is smaller and more exclusive. Nice is a real city; Cannes is a resort. Cannes has sand; Nice has pebbles. Cannes is better for luxury shopping; Nice is better for culture.
Is it expensive? +
Yes. Expect to pay a “Cannes premium” on everything near the water. Walk three blocks inland (Rue d’Antibes and beyond) for normal prices.