The city of Cannes is mainly known for its famous Film Festival, which takes place every year in May (by the way, I have several articles on the topic of the Cannes Film Festival, if you’re interested). But whether you’re coming to Cannes for the Festival (as I’ve done for several editions) or visiting on other occasions, in this article I’m sharing a little city guide of things to do in this town in the Alpes-Maritimes, located on the Côte d’Azur in the PACA region (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur). And as usual, I’m also sharing a selection of great foodie spots that I’ve had the chance to test out during my various trips to Cannes.
Table of Contents
What to see and do in Cannes?
The city of Cannes is quite easy to get around on foot, even if walking the entire length of the Croisette will take you a little while… Below, I’ve put together several ideas for places to visit in Cannes, which I’ve experienced during my various stays in the city.
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Explore the Suquet district
If you come to Cannes, I highly recommend taking a stroll through old Cannes in the neighborhood known as Le Suquet, which has a truly charming atmosphere. At the top of this district, you’ll discover the old Notre-Dame-de-l’Espérance church and the Museum of World Explorations, formerly the Musée de la Castre (which I talk about just below). In any case, the walk as well as the magnificent view over the Croisette are well worth a look.
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Visit the Museum of World Explorations
This very lovely ethnography museum located in Le Suquet, on the heights of Cannes’ historic district within the remains of the medieval castle of the Lérins monks (classified as a historical monument), features collections from around the world. Formerly the Musée de la Castre, it is now the Museum of World Explorations, reflecting the journey invited by its collections. The museum offers a wonderful permanent exhibition featuring art and artifact collections from Oceania, the Himalayas, and the Arctic, as well as a rich collection of Mediterranean antiquities and pre-Columbian ceramics.
During your visit, you can also climb to the top of the 12th-century square tower located at its center, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the city—undoubtedly the best view in Cannes.
Museum of World Explorations
6 Rue de la Castre, 06400 Cannes
Prices: €6.50 / €3.50 reduced / free for everyone on the 1st Sunday of every month from November to March inclusive + for under-18s, students under 26, job seekers
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Tour Cannes by e-bike
During our stay in Cannes in October 2022 with the favorite photographer, we went on a lovely guided e-bike tour with YouRent Cannes. This shop, which offers bike, Vespa, and scooter rentals, also provides a quite enjoyable guided bike tour service. Indeed, YouRent’s very comfortable electric bikes make it easy to get a little away from the city center and, above all, to ride up into lesser-known neighborhoods like La Californie and gain a bit of elevation for a gorgeous view of Cannes.
YouRent Cannes
22 Quai Saint-Pierre, 06400 Cannes
Duration of the guided e-bike tour: 2h30
Price: €59 per person
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Visit Saint-Honorat Island
This island is part of the Lérins Islands, located just a short distance from the Cannes coastline and easily accessible by boat from the port of Cannes. It is the smaller of the two islands (the larger being Sainte-Marguerite). On-site, a monastery remains active with Cistercian monks who make a living from their production and tourism activities. Indeed, the monks are excellent producers of wine as well as olive oil. It is also possible to visit the island to go on a spiritual retreat.
The iconic building is the Lérins Abbey, majestic yet sober. The first monastery dates back to the early 5th century when Saint Honoratus founded a monastery that became a major pilgrimage site in the centuries that followed. Numerous religious figures have stayed there over the centuries, giving it an aura of prestige.
I recommend going with a guide or, as I did, with a “greeter” (a concept I’ve already told you about in several articles), those locals who introduce you to the hidden gems of their hometown for free (you can check out the Cannes Greeters website, which offers numerous free tours). Besides what you learn about the abbey and its history, you get the chance to meet the monks in the company of someone who knows them well.
Saint-Honorat Island
Boat ticket price: €18 round trip
My favorite addresses in Cannes
As usual, below you’ll find my selection of great spots in Cannes that we had the chance to test out during our various stays with the favorite photographer. These addresses often offer a chance to discover local produce and a few regional specialties to try if you visit the Côte d’Azur. Be careful, though: like many cities on the Côte d’Azur—and this is especially true for Cannes—restaurants are very expensive, with prices equivalent to (or even higher than) Parisian prices, for example.
If you want to grab a cheaper bite on the go and/or buy good southern produce, I advise you to take a wander through the Forville market, which is held every day (except Monday) from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM. It is located a few streets behind the western side of the old port basin and also offers plenty of local products.
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Where to buy Italian products in Cannes? Aux Bons Raviolis
This little spot located on a pedestrian street in Cannes offers great Italian products (fresh pasta, cheeses, cold cuts, quiches, and cakes…) which we tested during our trip to the city in 2022.
Aux bons Raviolis
31 rue Meynadier 06400 Cannes
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Where to buy cheese in Cannes? Ceneri Fromager
This family of cheesemonger- ripeners for 3 generations owns a lovely shop right in the heart of the pedestrian zone in Cannes and offers over 350 varieties of cheeses matured in their cellars.
Ceneri Fromager
22 Rue Meynadier, 06400 Cannes
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A nice coffee shop in Cannes? The Copenhagen Coffee Lab
This pleasant little coffee shop overlooks the Forville market. You can enjoy sandwiches and pastries there, paired with a good cappuccino, for example. The place has a few indoor tables as well as outdoor terrace seating with a view of the market.
To try: the Côte d’Azur cinnamon brioche (€2.60); the special milk bread sandwich (€4.50); cappuccino (€4.20).
Copenhagen Coffee Lab
5 marché Forville 06400 Cannes
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Where to grab a bite on the go in Cannes? La Malle (closed)
This stall that we discovered by chance at the Forville market is run by a young couple who offer quality sandwiches and sweet treats as well (special favorite for their cookies). At lunchtime, they offer a set menu for €13.50 including a sandwich + a cookie + a homemade drink. If you want a quick bite made with great products, I highly recommend checking it out!
La Malle Cannes
5 days a week at the Forville market in Cannes
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Where to have brunch in Cannes? At the Hôtel Martinez
The legendary Hôtel Martinez on the Croisette in Cannes, an emblem of Cannes chic, offers a Family Brunch every weekend during the summer season. Depending on the weather, the brunch is served at La Plage du Martinez restaurant facing the Mediterranean Sea, or at Le Jardin du Martinez restaurant when the weather is less cooperative. During our brunch, we were lucky enough to have magnificent weather, even in October, and were able to enjoy our brunch right on the hotel’s beach.
The culinary show is put on by the palace brigade to offer a gargantuan brunch featuring a colorful vegetable salad bar, a raw seafood bar, various live cooking stations such as risotto served straight from a parmesan wheel, a selection of cured meats and artisanal cheeses, and for the sweet touch, a variety of desserts.
Hôtel Martinez
The Family Brunch is served every Saturday and Sunday during the summer season and only on Sundays the rest of the year, from 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM at La Plage du Martinez restaurant (or Le Jardin du Martinez restaurant depending on weather conditions)
Family Brunch Price: 95€ / person including a glass of Champagne, natural fruit juices, mineral water & hot drink included
The good deal: -50% for children aged 6 to 12 – free for children under 6 with free access to the kid’s club
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Where to have a cocktail in Cannes? Harry’s Bar
The iconic Harry’s Bar in Paris, Europe’s first cocktail bar (since 1911), is celebrating Cuban cocktail culture with a chic second address in Cannes. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover iconic cocktails created by this institution over a century ago, as well as brand new creations imagined by bartender David Palanque, Meilleur Ouvrier de France. Behind this second address is Franz-Arthur MacElhone, great-grandson of founder Harry MacElhone.
This Cannes venue was conceived as a celebration of South American cocktail culture, and in
particular Cuba. It offers a wide selection of Cuban recipes (Daiquiris, Frozens, Juleps, etc.) as well as creations based on rum, Tequila, and Mezcal. For Harry’s Bar Cannes, David Palanque has crafted a sharp, inventive menu of South American cocktails, bathed in the sunshine of the Côte d’Azur.
Harry’s Bar Cannes
Port Canto, Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes
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I hope all this has made you want to visit Cannes, and if you too have your favorite spots and tips for this destination, feel free to share them in the comments below!
Find all my articles about Cannes and the Film Festival below:
⇒ All my articles about Cannes
⇒ All my articles about the PACA region
MY ARTICLES ABOUT CANNES AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
⇒ The Cannes Film Festival
⇒ Visiting the city of Cannes
⇒ Getaway to Mandelieu-la-Napoule
Photo credits: Melle Bon Plan and Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization required prior to any use
