La Croisette and the Town Centre

A few palatial hotels still reside along the Boulevard de la Croisette. The famous and lavishly decorated Carlton Hotel contains 338 rooms and apartments. Built in 1911 by Henri Ruhl, this fantastic hotel is a sight to behold. On passing, you can view the beautiful architecture with pretty windows and scattered balconies. The twin cupolas were modelled on the voluptuous breasts of the Belle Otéro, a famous courtesan. However, the true piece de resistance is found on entering the ornately decorated interior. Amongst many delights there is a sumptuous Rococo-style dining room with exquisite colonnades. This hotel has been classed by some, as one of the finest hotels in the world.

In addition, along the Boulevard de la Croisette, are many luxury boutiques, where one can spend many a lazy afternoon browsing and indulging in the stylish wares within.

Beaches

Free beaches are to the west of La Suquet on the Plages du Midi and at both ends of the Plages de la Croisette. The Plages du Midi boast some of the cleanest and broadest areas of beach and although the Plages de la Croisette is immaculately kept in high season, it is interspersed with private hotel-owned stretches of sand, which can sometimes be hard to avoid.

Casinos

At the far, east end of the Boulevard de la Croisette is the Pointe Croisette and the Palm Beach Casino, which is built on the remains of a medieval fort. The Casino is an exciting hive of activity and great nightlife, with a swimming pool, nightclub and restaurant. The other gaming venue of course is the Casino Croisette. Situated at the opposite end of the boulevard at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres, this casino is one of the places to be seen in Cannes and is open all year round. The casinos in Cannes are extremely popular and attract some of the biggest gamblers in the Riviera.

Le Palais des Festivals

The venue for the famous Cannes Film Festival, Le Palais des Festivals also houses a casino, nightclub and conference centre. Positioned at the west end of the promenade, adjacent to the Vieux port, you can view handprints of famous celebrities in the pavement of the allée des Stars.

La Malmaison

The city’s cultural affairs department, and the Espace Miramar both hold temporary art exhibitions. Contact the tourist office for further information and dates.

La Miséricorde Chapel
Situated in the Marché Forville, this Chapel was built in the 16th century, and has a beautiful glazed-tile bellcote. This lovely building is free of charge to enter during opening hours.

Notre-Dame des Pins Church
Built in 1865 by the architect Louis Vianey and positioned along the Boulevard Alexandre III, the church has been designed in an Eclectic style. Louis Vianey has integrated Romanesque, English Gothic and Italian styles to produce a fascinating piece of architecture. This church, as are many others, is free to enter during opening hours.

St. Georges Church

Another place of interest along the Boulevard Alexandre III is St. Georges Church. Built in 1887 by the English architect M. Blomfield, this church is one of the finest examples of English religious architecture. The church is beautifully built with a porch that rises into a bell tower and the interior has rich neo-Gothic decoration inside.

Bellini Chapel
This pretty, sweet chapel of superb Mediterranean colouring was built in 1894, by Comte Vitali, in an Italian Baroque style. Situated in the Fiorentina Park on the Avenue de Vallauris, the church is a little way from the centre of town but still worth a visit. Originally, the chapel was part of Villa Fiorentina built by Lord Julian Goldsmith a few years earlier. The chapel was later owned by Emmanuel Bellini (1904-1989) and used as a studio since 1953. Presently, it is now used as a museum dedicated to the painter’s work. Visits are only allowed at the times and on the days when the chapel is open. Further information can be gathered from the tourist office.

St. Michel Archange Church
Situated on the Boulevard Alexandre III, Impasse des Deux Eglises this church was built in 1894 by the architect Louis Nouveau. It is designed in the Russian style andhas a beautifully glazed tile roof and a typical onion style dome.

La Suquet (Old District)

This old and historical area of town is a real treat. The old town is named La Suquet after the hill on which it was built. It was the property of the Îles de Lerins Monks in 1088 and the town was created by local people building around the existing religious settlement. In contrast to its humble beginnings, La Suquet is now home to the most opulent and chic restaurants and bars that look over the harbour.

Musée de la Castre

This museum resides inside the ancient medieval L’eglise de la Castre, an 11th century castle built by the Lérins monks. The museum was set up in 1877 and contains an array of archealogical findings from all over the world. Exhibits include instruments, a fine art collection, weapons and masks from places such as the South Sea Islands, Asia and Africa.

Outside is a shaded calm and tranquil courtyard, perfect for those moments of reflection, and the 11th century Tour de la Castre (tower) is worth the climb for the outstanding view of the terracotta rooftops, bustling streets and glittering water of the Bay of Cannes and port below.

The castle has also retained its Chapelle de St-Anne, a 12th century white stone Romanesque chapel and cisterns. This former castle chapel became the parish church and is integrated into the castle walls. Also not to be missed within this complex of beautiful buildings is the Notre-Dame de l’Espérance church. Built in 1648, after two hundred years of dispute between the monks of La Suquet and the town people, this Gothic styled building was built alongside the Chapelle de St-Anne. This church has free access during opening hours.

Further Afield

Iles des Lérins

These beautiful islands are a must if you have the time to spare. Just a fifteen minute boat ride from Le Vieux Port in Cannes and you enter a completely different world. With close religious and architectural ties to Cannes, it was once one of the most powerful and influential religious centres of the region. The two islands, separated by a narrow strait, consist of stunning chapels and monasteries in a breathtaking setting of forests and gardens. An ideal place for pick-nicks and an afternoon stroll in the shade of the sweet smelling Eucalyptus and Aleppo Pines.

St Honorat

Although the smaller of the two islands, it is definitely the most peaceful. There are no cars or hotels and only one restaurant. There are picturesque, sweet smelling gardens with vines, herbs and lavender, alongside an almost heavenly wilderness of poppies and daisies. St Honorat was named after the noble Gallo-Roman, Honoratus, who visited the island and built a monastery in the 4th century. He was fascinated by its reputation of being haunted and full of serpants and subsequently the saint radically changed the setting to a more hospitable and serene environment by removing the snakes and divining a spring. Honoratus established an ever increasing monastic order that by the time of his death had monasteries all over France and was well known within the expansive Catholic community. St Patrick was one of the seminaries on the island for seven years before travelling to Ireland. The Abbayé de Lerins is a delightful 19th century building that has incorporated the old church and monks’ quarters, displaying a breathtaking icon of St Honorat himself. Other buildings to visit on the island include the impressive Monastére Fortifié, built in 1073, on a small peninsula, the Chapelle St-Caprais named after a disciple of St Honorat and the Eglise St-Michael.

Ste Marguerite

The larger and more touristy of the two islands was named after Honoratus’ sister, who set up a nunnery there. The most popular structure on the island is the fort (Forte Ste-Maguerite), built by Richelieu originally to protect the Lérins islands from the Spanish, this building is also well known for housing the 17th century Man in the Iron mask. The mythical character, brought to life by Alexandre Dumas was imprisoned here, in a particular cell, from 1687 to 1698 and was then moved to the Bastille where he eventually died in 1703. Other prisoners that this impressive, if not sombre building held, were Huguenots imprisioned by Louis XIV during his suppression of Protestantism. This Fort also houses a Maritime museum containing fascinating Roman finds.

There are plenty of opportunities to escape the visitors and find some seclusion. Walking eastwards from the fort, along woodland tracks, is an excavation site where archaeologists have discovered fascinating relics, such as mosaic flooring and ceramics, which date back to the 3rd century. There are many integrated pathways around the coastline of the island with fantastic views over to Ile St-Honorat on the south side and Cannes to the north, in addition to cool and beautiful tracks through the wooded interior. Excellent bathing is found on the rocky southern shore, accessed by the Chemins de la Casse track that passes through the woodland from the harbour. In addition to this is the Chemins de la Ceinture that follows the southern coast eastwards and links the path that carries you, on the northern side of the island, back to the harbour.

Vallauris

Famous for Picasso and its superb pottery, Vallauris is situated in the hills above Golfe-Juan, six kilometres to the east of Cannes. Not only can you meander through the streets viewing the potters wares, which make great souvenirs, but beautiful ancient pottery pieces are exhibited in the Musée Magnelli. The Madoura workshop was where Picasso spent two years working with its proprietor, George Ramié. This period of intrigue and obsession was a key step to rekindling the pottery industry in Vallauris. The Musée National Picasso is also another treat for all those who delight in his work.

La Californie

Situated two kilometres east of Cannes this suburb was popular with the Russian and British aristocracy. There is an Anglican church (Chapelle St Georges) on the Avenue du Roi Albert, a great example of Victorian architecture that was consecrated in 1887.

Le Cannet

Originally belonging to the monks of Iles de Lérins and used for orange groves, La Cannet lies to the north of Cannes and is accessible by bus. Although very suburban Le Cannet has a lovely old district along the rue St-Sauveur and a beautiful mural on Place Bellevue to comemerate its rich past. Another little treat is the little 15th century church (Chapelle de St-Sauveur) on rue St-Sauveur.

Mougins

Mougins lies eight kilometres to the north of Cannes and is a refined and elegant little village with extremely wealthy residents, charming streets and delectable restaurants. A fantastic photographic museum is found in close proximity to the Porte Sarrazine, the Le Lavoir (old wash house) at the top of the village exhibits superb art collections and the Musée Municipal on Place du Commandant Lamy hold more upmarket exhibitions of art and design. The Musée de l’Automobiliste will excite anyone with a passion for cars and is situated three kilometres southeast of Mougins.

Mouans-Sartoux

A bit further out still lies the little village of Mouans-Sartoux. Situated three kilometres north of Mougins, the main attraction is the Chateaux. Beautifully rebuilt to its original medieval design, it houses the stunning L’Espace de l’Art Concret, a gallery that exhibits a rationalist form of art.

All these places are accessible by bus from Cannes. The number 600 bus running between Cannes and Grasse, stops at both Mougins and Mouans-Sartoux.