Cannes
Red carpets and Riviera glamour
Synonymous with its film festival, Cannes is the French Riviera at full sparkle. You'll stroll the palm-lined Croisette past grand hotels and sandy beaches, climb the old town of Le Suquet for harbor views, and boat to the calm, monastery-dotted LĂ©rins Islands.
How long to stay?
Two days: walk La Croisette and Croisette Beach, find the handprints on the Walk of Fame at the festival palace, then climb cobbled Le Suquet for sunset over the yacht-filled Vieux-Port.
Glossy, sun-soaked and unashamedly glamorous. Superyachts, designer boutiques and beach clubs along the Croisette, balanced by the lived-in charm of the old town and a relaxed Mediterranean rhythm off-season.
La Croisette and the center put you on the beachfront amid the glamour (and the prices). Le Suquet, the old town, is more atmospheric and characterful. Le Cannet, just uphill, is quieter and better value.
Skip the pricey private beach clubs and take a short ferry to Île Saint-Honorat — a working monastery island with quiet trails, sea views, and wine made by the monks. A serene escape from the glitz.
May to September brings beach weather and buzz, but May's film festival sends prices soaring and crowds surging. June and September are the sweet spot: warm, swimmable and calmer than peak July-August.
Nice CĂ´te d'Azur Airport lies about 30km east, linked by bus and train to Cannes in around 40 minutes. Frequent coastal trains connect Nice, Antibes and Monaco, making car-free Riviera-hopping easy.
Currency is the euro. French is the language, though tourism staff speak English. It's expensive, especially during the festival. The center is walkable; trains beat driving along the congested coast in summer.