Cannes is city situated in the French Riviera in France. It is best known as the host for Cannes Film Festival and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Some of the best things to do in Cannes, France include exploring art, architecture, regional history, enjoying beaches, experiencing events or performances and just chilling. It is a city well known for its association with arts and artists. Some of the best places to visit in Cannes have been homes, studios or places of inspiration for several renowned artists.
The city started its life as a small fishing village which was used as a port between Lerins Islands. These days, it is one of the most glamorous cities in Europe. Cannes tourist attractions have been graced with presence of several celebrities from the world of cinema, entertainment, music, sports and arts. The two major festivals of the city have brought it attention from around the world, inspiring numerous people to embark on Cannes vacation. Even besides these festivals, the city is frequented by many popularly known people from different walks of life. This is another major reason that people visit Cannes in hopes to run into a celebrity.
The city is also blessed with some of the best beaches in the French Riviera. These have become Cannes top attractions not only for their scenic beauty, but also for the various activities, events, venues and vibes. The city is equally famous for its culinary culture with several venues including Michelin Star restaurants, bakeries, cafes, experimental food joints, street foods and so on. This just adds to the delight of Cannes sightseeing.
All the glitz and glamour should not mitigate the fact the this city also boasts a rich history, intricate culture and beautiful architecture. The old town area offers some of the top things to see in Cannes, France. There are wonderful historical buildings, houses, chateaus, villas, churches and city landmarks to explore for their marvelous architecture and design elements.
If you don’t have much time, you can also make Cannes day trip from Nice to explore only the top attractions and have a little bit of fun in the ever vibrant atmosphere of this city.
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The Top 7 Tourist Places to Visit in Cannes in 1 Day (Trip Itinerary)
1. Museum of the Sea (Musée de la Mer)
The Museum of the Sea exhibits archeological finding from ocean and land excavations. The museum is housed in the old fort which is one of the most important historical Cannes attractions. The fort complex also has a church and a prison, each with a unique history of their own. You will need about 2 hours to tour this complex when you visit Cannes.
2. Villa Rothschild
This villa was built in 1880 by Thomas Woolfield and later purchased and reconstructed by Baroness Dowager Betty de Rothschild. The villas was later used by several members of the Rothschild family. It is one of the best places to visit in Cannes France to take peak into the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy family. You will need about an hour to tour this villa.
3. Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Espérance
This church has had a long construction stretching from 1521 to 1627. The church is renowned for blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles of architecture. Though the bell tower exhibits a Romanesque style of design. It is one of the top things to see in Cannes France and will require an hour or so to explore.
4. Musée de la Castre
This museum is housed in the remains of the medieval castle of the monks of Lerins on Suquet Hill. It is among the most popular Cannes tourist attractions known for its vast collection of art works and historical artifacts brought in from Asia, Africa, Oceania and Americas. You will need 2 hours to tour this museum during Cannes sightseeing.
5. Palace of Festivals and Congresses of Cannes (Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes)
The Palace of Festivals and Congresses is best known as the venue for renowned Cannes Film Festival and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Cultural events are an integral part of Cannes vacation and this venue is best experienced as a host of an event. You would need about an hour to explore it.
6. Plage de la Croisette
This oceanside promenade is known for some of the best things to do in Cannes France including shopping, dining, fashion, events, leisure and entertainment. The road has opulent buildings on side and the beach on the other. It is one of the most lively and happening places to see in Cannes. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring this route.
7. Musée Bonnard
This museum is dedicated to the life and work of prominent 20th century artist Pierre Bonnard. The museum exhibits his works and also gives great insight into his life as a person and as an artist. It is one of Cannes top attractions for admirers of art and will require about an hour to explore.
If you are looking for more places to go in Cannes day trip, check out the sections below. The exhaustive list covers almost all the attractions and activities to be enjoyed in and around the city.
Things to do in Cannes
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Cannes
- Musee des Explorations du Monde
- Monasterio de Lerins
- Eglise Notre Dame d’Esprance
- La Malmaison
- Mediatheque Noailles
- Royal Fort
- Villa Domergue
- Musee Bonnard
- Church of Our Lady of Good Voyage
- Musee du Masque de fer et du Fort Royal
- Musee Chapelle Bellini
- Musee d’Art Classique de Mougins
- Suquet des Artistes
- St. Michael the Archangel Church
- Chateau de la Napoule
- Chateau de la Croix des Gardes
- Chateau de la Castre
- Monument aux Morts
- Galerie Vieceli
- Movie Car Museum
- Chapelle Notre Dame de Vie
- Espace de I’art Concert
- Chateau de I’Horizon
- Jardins du Musee International de la Parfumerie
- Our Lady of Africa Church
- Chateau Musee Grimaldi
- Antibes Cathedral
- Chateau de Mouans
- Memorial Notre Dame d’Afrique
- Abbaye de Valbonne
- Chateau Paquette
- Musee des Beaux – Arts de Nice
- Greek Villa Kerylos
- Chateau du Rouet
- Castle of Saint Martin
- Chateau de Palayson
- Musee Renoir
- Chateau des Demoiselles
- Foundation Maeght
- Matisse Museum
- Modern and Contemporary Art Museum – MAMAC
- Marc Chagall National Museum
- Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
- Le Cannet Museum
- Musee d’Art Classique de Mougins – MACM
- The Rosary Chapel
- Musee Picasso
- Musee National Fernand Leger
- Jean Cocteau Museum
- The Provence Art and History Museum
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Cannes
- Parc Natural Forestier de la Croix des Gardes
- Parc Natural Regional des Prealpes d’Azur
- Bay of Cannes
- Pointe du Dragon
- Valmasque Forest
- San Peyre Volcano
- Rando d’Azur
- Col de Theoule
- Le Grand Duc
- Brague River
- Rocher des Monges
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Cannes
- Palace of Festivals and Congresses
- Casino Barriere
- Fun City Cannes
- Casino Les Princes
- Le Bar a Vin
- Le Mediterranoscope Aquarium
- Casino de la Pointe
- Parc du Pardou
- Golf de Saint Donat
- Parc Natural de la Valmasque
- Victoria Golf Club
- Les Mimosas Garden
Shopping in Cannes
- Marche Forville
- Rue Hoche
- Plage de la Croisette
- Rue Meynadier
- Marche Gambetta
- Galleires Lafayette
- Marche de la Bronca
- Rue d’Antibes
- La Bocca
- Rue des Etats Unis
Beaches & Islands in Cannes
- Lerins Islands
- Ile Sainte Marguerite
- Plage Gazagnaire
- Ile Sainte Honorat
- Plage du Midi
- Croisette Beach
- Plage du Festival
- Handiplage
- Plage de la Bocca
- Ilot Saint Ferreol
- Plage Naturiste de la Batterie
- La Plage du Chateau
- Plage des Pierres Hautes
- Calanque de Maupas
- Plage du Soleil
- Raguette Beach
- Plage de la Gravette
- La Garoupe
- Plage des Ondes
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure Activities to Do in Cannes
- Boat Cruises
- Hiking
- Sailing
- Fishing
- Scuba Diving
- Snorkelling
- Water Sports
- Bicycle Tours
- French Riviera Cruise
- Water Skiing
- Walking Tours
- Yacht Cruise
- Swimming with Dolphins
- Island Cruise
- Kite Surfing
Sightseeing in Cannes
- Boulevard de la Croisette
- Lerins Islands
- Vieux Port de Cannes
- Rue Mayadier
- Le Palais Miramar
- Port Frejus
- Hotel de Ville
- Le Murs Peints – Marilyn Monroe
- Port du Moure Rouge
- Cannes Walk of Fame
- Le Murs Peints – Cannes Cinema
- Port la Napoule
- Anse de I’argent Faux
- Le Murs Peints – Movie Cars
- Port Pierre Canto
- Esplanade Georges Pompidau
- Port de Pointe Croisettte
- Avenue Francis Tonner
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Cannes
- Morrisons Irish Pub
- Le Bistrot
- Le Park 45
- La Toque d’Or
- Le Roof
- Fromagerie Ceneri
- La Table du Chef
- Boulangerie Jean Luc Pele
- La Palme d’Or
- Da Laura
- La Petite Maison de Nicole
- Table 22
- Le Grain de Sel
- B Fire
- Bistrot Saint Saueur
- Fouquet’s
- La Casa di Nonna
- L’Affable
- Au Pot de Vin
- Lucky You
- Tredici
- La Mome Plage
Where to Stay in Cannes?
Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Cannes. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Cannes.
Luxurious Hotels
- Hotel Martinez
- Hotel Barriere Le Gray d’Albion
- Hotel Le Cavendish
- La Bastide De L’Oliveraie
- Radisson Blu 1835 Hotel Cannes
- JW Marriott Cannes
- Le Grand Hotel
- Hotel Barriere Le Majestic Cannes
- Hotel de Provence
- Hotel Victoria
- Hotel Splendid
- Neho Suites Cannes Croisette
Mid-Range Hotels
- Eden Hotel & Spa
- Okko Hotel Cannes Centre
- Hotel Colette Cannes Centre
- Ideal Sejour Hotel
- Hotel La Villa Tosca
- CRISTAL HOTEL & SPA
- Hotel Cannes Montfleury
- Citadines Croisette Cannes
- Juliana Hotel Cannes
- Hotel Cannes Centre Univers
- Hotel des Congres et Festivals
- Mercure Cannes Mandelieu Hotel
Budget Hotels
- B&B Hotel Cannes La Bocca Plage
- Hotel L’Esterel
- Ibis Budget Cannes Centre Ville
- Hotel ibis Cannes Centre
- Hotel Esperanto
- Chanteclair
- Hotel Carolina
- ResidHotel Les Coralynes
- Kyriad Cannes Ouest – Mandelieu
- ResidHotel Villa Maupassant
- Campanile Cannes Ouest – Mandelieu
- Hotel Brimer
Custom Tours Package in Cannes
How to Reach Cannes?
By Air
The closest airport for Cannes travel is Nice’s Côte d’Azur International Airport, situated about 26 kms away from the city by land. The airport receives direct flights from cities in Europe, Asia, Middle East, North America and Iceland. The airport is connected for Cannes travel by express coach, trains, buses and cabs. You can also get a high speed powerboat or a helicopter ride to reach Cannes from the airport. But these are obviously costly affairs, if you are looking for affordable travel options you should stick to buses and trains. You can directly embark on a Cannes day trip from this airport.
By Road
You can get direct trains to visit Cannes from several cities in France and in Europe. Some of the top destinations connected to this city by train include Nice, Monaco, Marseille, Antibes, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Florence and so on.
The bus network of France connects Cannes to several cities in the country as well as to several cities in neighbouring countries. For distances greater than these train travel is more advisable. You can also take a short Cannes vacation with buses running along the French Riviera connecting cities from Marseille to Nice.
If you are looking to travel by road, you should head for routes A8 and turn to N85 to reach Cannes. You can also go along the coastal route D135 which branches from N7 and connects to the city.
By Water
You can get a variety of boat trips to and from several islands in the Bay of Cannes including Lerins Islands. These cruises are rated among the most fun things to do in Cannes with family or friends. You can partake in a passenger boat or a hire a boat for yourself or your group. There are also a wide variety of options to choose from including sailing boats, speedboats, yachts, cruise boats and so on.
Image Reference
- Museum of the Sea (Musée de la Mer) – Bernard DUPONT / Flickr
- Villa Rothschild – Jérôme Briot / Flickr
- Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Espérance – Jorge Láscar / Flickr
- Musée de la Castre – M.Strīķis / Wikimedia Commons
- Palace of Festivals and Congresses of Cannes (Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes) – Marco Bernardini / Flickr
- Plage de la Croisette – M.Strīķis / Wikimedia Commons
- Musée Bonnard – MOSSOT / Wikimedia Commons
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