Coscan

Crazy ‘Bout Cannes

Cannes is one glorious city. Inextricably linked with the Cannes Film Festival, which was first staged back in 1946, this is the biggest and most famous film festival in the world. Held in the Palais des Festivals, most of the events are by invitation only.

However, there are a number of screenings that the public can attend. And of course, anyone can walk La Croisette in search of a star or starlet who happens to be staying at one of the many exclusive hotels in the area.

But Cannes has much, much more to offer and reasons to entice you from your luxurious hotel! It is the city of Festivals.

Cannes International Advertising Festival is held in mid-June, this is where thousands of the world’s advertising, creative, direct marketing, interactive, media and marketing communities get together once a year. During the festival, commercials, ads, websites, media solutions and direct marketing entries compete.

But there is a whole host of attractions in Cannes just waiting to be explored by you. For something dynamic on the eye, you might try the Firework Festival – during the summer, Cannes stages six spectacular firework displays, including a special Bastille Day celebration. Some 200,000 spectators come to watch.

The Nuits Musicales du Suquet – is where classical musicians play in a series of evening concerts outside the Eglise Notre Dame de l’Esperance.

Or perhaps try the Festival of Russian Art held annually around mid August, this festival includes works of Russian art as well as performances of work by Russian classical composers.

The Pantiero Festival is also mid August, an outdoor electronic music festival held on the terrace of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. When the concerts finish, the parties begin!

For car enthusiasts there is the Salon de l’Automobile, held in the open air by the Vieux Port in Cannes, this event features a vast display of cars from all over the world as well as many other attractions for the whole family.

If boats and ships are your thing then the Regates Royales in late-September may interest you. This sailing competition is a spectacular sight, featuring both the Royal class, including vintage sailing ships, as well as the Dragon class.

Cannes is also a sheer heaven for shopaholics with a penchant for spending lots of money. Upmarket shops can be found on La Croisette, the most famous of shopping districts in Cannes, as well as throughout the city and on Rue d’Antibes and Rue Meynadier.

The most famous French and international brands can be found in Cannes, including the likes of Gucci, Lacroix and Armani. Perfumes, cosmetics and fashion are all popular purchases, with many visiting tourists enjoying duty-free shopping.

Within central Cannes convenient to all the best hotels and restaurants is the elegant Rue d’Antibes well known for its trendy international fashion boutiques, perfumeries and florist shops. Nearby Rue Meynadier has the benefit of being pedestrianised and, as such, makes a pleasant place for a spot of window shopping. Less expensive than the shops on the Rue d’Antibes, this is the place to look for delicatessens, shops selling regional specialties, and fashion clothing that costs considerably less than its haute couture counterparts.

Just to the west of Cannes, close to the motorway and the Cannes Mandelieu Airport, the Cannes-La Bocca district has a large number of superstores and shopping complexes, selling sports gear, furniture and the like.

Cannes boasts a large covered market, Marché Forville, which opens every morning and is a great place to experience traditional day to day shopping. Stalls sell vegetables, fruit, freshly caught fish, oysters, paté and olives. A flower market lies at the western end of the covered area. On a Monday, Forville is transformed into a popular flea market, selling all manner of bric-a-brac.

Getting around couldn’t be easier. The best way to travel around Cannes is to use local bus transport or taxis. Alternatively, many of Cannes’ major attractions can be reached on foot.

Buses are the main form of public transport in Cannes. Services are operated by several bus companies, such as Bus Azurm, stopping at destinations throughout the two, including Cannes’ two bus stations at the ‘gare routiere’ by the train station and the old Port.

Single fare tickets can be purchased on boarding the bus, although it’s more economical to buy multiple journey books of tickets or passes. Electric bus transport operates around central Cannes and this service goes by the name of ‘É-lo’.

If you’re planning to travel further a field, then Cannes also has good transport links to nearby towns and cities, as well as most major cities throughout Europe. Bus transport from Cannes regularly provides a cheap way to travel to neighbouring locations

The nearest airport, Aeroport Cannes Mandelieu, is only 6 km / 3 miles from the centre of Cannes, this is reserved for small, mostly private planes. Most visitors to the Côte d’ Azur choose to arrive at the main airport in nearby Nice.

This international airport offers two passenger terminals at Nice Airport with many travel facilities, including banks, restaurants, gift shops, cafes and bars. A number of train and bus services operate cheap and efficient services from the airport to Cannes centre. In addition, many hotels around Cannes provide free shuttle transport from the airport to their own establishments.

Cannes is visited by large numbers of business travellers, as well as tourists and of course, Festival visitors. Accommodation is therefore available in abundance, ranging from budget hotels and hostels through to ‘palais-hotels’ frequented by the rich and famous. There is also plenty of alternative accommodation on offer around Cannes, including studios, apartments and villas.

Hotel availability and prices can vary a great deal throughout the year. The busiest period in Cannes is undoubtedly in the mid part of May when the world’s spotlight shines on the Cannes Film Festival. During the festival, prices for hotel rooms can rise quite steeply, advance reservations are absolutely essential, and it’s worth noting that many hotel owners may impose a minimum stay.

If you fancy a taste of life in the belle époque, then the opulence of Cannes’ grandest hotels won’t disappoint. The most exclusive hotels in Cannes can be found along Boulevard de la Croisette.