About Cannes
One of Europe’s most celebrated and glamorous coastal destinations, Cannes was once just a small fishing village but has since become a byword for luxury and status. Nothing evokes this more than the famous Cannes Film Festival, when for ten days in May the elegant town on the French Riviera is filled with celebrities and cinematic royalty who walk the Palais des Festivals’ red carpets.
The festival is but one of Cannes’ facets, however. Boasting some of the most stunning and popular beaches on the Cote d'Azur, the town has long attracted holidaymakers to its sun-kissed sands and charming palm-lined boulevards. Although its wealth of casinos, nightclubs and fine restaurants may make Cannes seem an exclusive playground for the rich and famous, it is a destination with much to offer travellers with a range of budgets.
Beaches
Cannes is a beach-lover’s Mecca; with bronzed bodies lining its sandy shore as far as the eye can see. Private beaches along the Plage de la Croisette will appeal to those who don’t mind shelling out to soak up some rays, whereas public beaches such as Plage Gazagnaire and Plage du Midi are free, if sometimes a little too popular.
The shores of the Iles de Lerins, Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, however, can offer visitors space and tranquillity without a price tag. The two islands in the bay are reachable via regular ferries and are ideal for short trips of exploration, with numerous sites, restaurants and shops located there too.
Eating out
Freshly caught seafood and excellent local produce grace the menus here, with restaurants ranging from the likes of Michelin-starred La Palme d'Or by the waterfront to the cosy and affordable family-run restaurants of Le Suquet, Cannes’ Old Town, offering open-air dining for balmy evenings under the stars. The star-spotting potential of Cannes’ high-end restaurants such as those attached to most expensive hotels is high, particularly during festival season.
Nightlife
Whether partying in the chic bars and pumping nightclubs of the ‘magic square’, located in the east of Cannes, sipping cocktails on the private beaches of swanky seafront hotels, or enjoying a glass of wine in a back-street cafe, Cannes offers evening options aplenty. Le Suquet’s Rue Saint Antoine and Rue du Dr Monod are particularly buzzing in the evening, as is the area along La Croisette, where Cannes’ largest casino, the Casino Croisette, may be found.
Shopping
A place that draws as many of the rich and trendy as Cannes must have retail opportunities to match. Indeed, it even hosts its own annual festival dedicated to it, the Cannes Shopping Festival. The main retail area of Cannes is located between Rue d’Antibes and La Croisette and contains all manner of the most glamorous designer stores such as Gucci, Chanel, John-Paul Gaultier and Dior.
The market stalls, charming boutiques and souvenir shops of Rue Meynadier, meanwhile, offer bargains, mementos and local food and wine.
Sports and leisure
Water sports take top billing in Cannes, with water-skiing, scuba diving, sailing, parasailing, windsurfing and sailing all popular activities available along the coast. Those gazing with envy upon the cornucopia of grand yachts and other seagoing vehicles in the marina may wish to hire a boat or take a ride to see whales and dolphins and admire the stunning coastline from afar. On land, visitors may wish to enjoy tennis at the likes of the modern and inviting Cannes Garden Tennis Club or golf at a selection of fine courses throughout the Cote d'Azur.
Whether you choose to remain in Cannes, or hope to explore everything along the French Rivera including Nice, Antibes and Saint-Tropez as well as the glamour of Monaco, book a stay at Bel Respiro, where you can enjoy quality Cannes holiday accommodation at an affordable price.
To check availability and rates, send a booking enquiry now.
