With its accurate reputation of being one of the Mediterranean's most chic cities, Cannes will enlighten you, on how "the other half live". Hosts of the World Famous Film Festival, Cannes glistens on the coast of France amid cool, azure seas and sumptuous menus to tempt the locals, the visitors and even the celebrities.
The Boulevard de la Croisette is an enchanting avenue ideal for a peek into the lives of those lucky enough to live in Cannes. Wander down the Boulevard taking in such sights as the palms and gardens of the Belle Epoque buildings. Cannes has a rich history, for a glimpse of what remains, a trip to the old town area of Le Suquet contains the remnants of the city wall, the 17th century church Notre Dame de l'Esperance, a little museum housed in the castle protects an 11th century watch tower.
The film industry and all other manner of business representing Cannes main source of income are an ever-multiplying calendar of festivals, conferences, tournaments and trade shows. Cannes is more than its film festival, a contrast reinforced by the sublime Îles de Lérins, a short boat ride offshore and one of the best reasons for coming here.
The old town, known as Le Suquet after the hill on which it stands, provides a great panorama of the twelve-kilometre beach, and has, on its summit, the remains of the fortified priory lived in by Cannes' eleventh-century monks and the beautiful twelfth-century chapel St-Anne. These house the Musée de la Castre, which has an extraordinary collection of musical instruments from all over the world, along with pictures and prints of old Cannes and an ethnology and archeology section.
Strolling on and off the main streets of Cannes – rue d'Antibes, rue Meynardier and the promenade de la Croisette – is like wading through a hundred current issues of Vogue. Now you can see where they bought the sunglasses and swimming suits, the moisturizers and creams, Cartier Watch and the Expensive Perfume.
