So you’re all set for a relaxing and exciting vacation in the most romantic country in the world: France. What’s more, you’ve decided to stay at the glamorous city of Cannes, home to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, which honors some of the best films in the world every year.
But there is so much more to Cannes than just being a venue for the popular festival and a place to see celebrities. Aside from playing host to a number of less sensational but equally high profile events such as yacht races, the Midem music market, and the Carnival on the Riviera, Cannes is bursting with historic and cultural attractions. Here are five things that you must see or do during your stay in the vibrant city.
1) Go on a day trip to Grasse. The southeastern French town is known as the perfume capital of the world, establishing its perfume industry way back in the 16th century. The scents found here are unique and not what you would easily find at mainstream beauty stores. If you’re an avid perfume lover, Grasse would be heaven for you. What’s more, Grasse is located along the French Riviera or Côte d’Azur, the Mediterranean coastline peppered with inviting beaches, resorts, and restaurants, among many other attractions. Some famous people that have called (and still call) the place home include Queen Victoria, King Edward VII (when he was still Prince of Wales), Pablo Picasso, Aldous Huxley, Elton John, and Brigitte Bardot.
2) Take a walk along the Promenade de la Croisette. Aside from being the home of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès where the Cannes Film Festival is held every year, this prominent French avenue is lined with expensive shops, restaurants, and hotels that you can splurge at. If you happen to be on a budget on your trip, however, and are looking for more affordable accommodations within the area for example, The Claremont Hotel Cannes is worthy of consideration. Located along Rue de 24 Août and proximate to most local attractions, this Cannes hotel offers comfortable, elegant guestrooms at low rates. Its 21 rooms can accommodate single travelers, couples, or even groups. Visit http://www.claremontcannes.com/ to make direct reservations online.
3) Get a taste of old-town charm by visiting La Suquet. Perched on the highest point in Cannes, this town provides breathtaking views of La Croisette and the Mediterranean Sea below. It is also the location of the 12th-century Chapel of St. Anne, which houses the Musée de la Castre. This museum showcases the works of 19th century local artists, an eclectic collection of around 200 musical instruments, sculptures, decorative arts, and an ethnography section with antiquities from Southeast Asia, South America, the Pacific Islands, and Mayan civilizations.
While you’re at it, get your complete French history and culture fix and visit all the other notable local museums such as the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Provence, the Musée de la Marine, Musée de la Mer, Musée de la Photographie, and Musée International de la Parfumerie.
4) Explore the nearby islands. Ile Saint-Marguerite is said to be where the “Man in the Iron Mask” was imprisoned for 11 years. Although his identity was never proven, he was believed to be of noble blood, as the movie of the same title implies. Visitors can see his cell at the Fort of St. Marguerite, which has been renamed the Musée de la Mer.
Île Saint-Honorat on the other hand, is perhaps less fraught with legend than the former, but no less fascinating. The island has been inhabited only by Cistercian monks ever since AD 410 to this day. Once having ruled over Cannes, Mougins, and Vallauris at the height of their influence, they are now known for producing some of the best French red and white wines.
5) Try your luck and visit the villas. Although they are not open to the public except for one, Cannes’ 19th-century grand villas are reflective of the wealth and standing of its owners, varying in inspiration from medieval castles to Roman villas. The Villa Domergue, for example, was designed by Jean-Gabriel Domergue in the style of Fiesole, near Florence, Italy, and is the sole property that may be visited by the public on appointment.
Jaja suffers from chronic wanderlust. She loves learning about interesting places to visit, finding good accommodations at such destinations, and writing about them.