Cannes has long been regarded as the jewel of the Cote d’Azur. But it’s not just for its famous film festival that European and American vacationers flock to this Mediterranean seaside city. Cannes is alive with a sun-, sand- and sea-infused lifestyle.
Palm Beach, Cannes
On the far side of the Croisette is the little community known as Palm Beach. This quiet, convenient residential area fronts onto the new Yacht Harbor where the larger boats dock because the berths here are wide enough to accommodate these multimillion-dollar luxury vessels.
Pictured here in the background is the yacht harbor and the residential area of Palm Beach. In the foreground is one of the many vendors who stroll the beaches all afternoon peddling sun-kissed wares. There is a large children’s play space in the upper left corner, just out of shot.
Closest to the end point of the Croisette, it has a netted trampoline for ages up to 10 years old and arcade games, too. You’ll often see grandparents accompanied by their grandchildren passing a leisurely afternoon here.
Now that all the Cannes nightclubs, bars and restaurants are back open as of May 2021, retreating to this peaceful corner of the coastline, while staying within the Cannes city center, is perhaps not a bad strategy when planning a vacation rental.
Luxury shopping for all ages
Shopping is a popular sport in Cannes. Two essential requirements for shopping are time and money, and here on the Cote d’Azur, people seem to have ample of both. The city is well-known for being a mecca for Parisians who have retired from the rat race and opted in for a simpler, more gracious way of life, one that is punctuated by (mostly) balmy weather.
And though Rue d’Antibes, the main shopping street in the city center, is adorned by the usual suspects of marquee shops and luxury boutiques, you’ll still find a fair amount of boutiques that cater to kids and also pets. No doubt these are for the doting parents and grandparents of both two-legged and four-legged children that deserve to be spoiled – that is, loved – as much as possible.
Casino Barriére on the Croisette
It’s not just in Monte Carlo where gambling is popular. This casino, the Casino Barrière owned and run by the Groupe Barrière, is adjacent to the Palais des Festivals, where the Cannes Film Festival annually takes place.
Gambling and the French Riviera are identities intertwined. Wealthy Europeans, Americans, Russians and Middle Easterners have made the Cote d’Azur their playground for decades. If throwing the dice is something you like to do, you’ll find plenty of opportunities here in Cannes to get friendly with Lady Luck.
Time to be a tourist again!
Lots of options are available in Cannes to get around. Most of the city is accessible by foot, but there are also buses that can take you up the windy roads to the areas of the city called Californie and Le Cannet, both residential areas. There is also this little tourist train (pictured).
These are common throughout France and offer a delightful, as well as relaxing, way to discover the cultural highlights of Cannes. One of the neighborhoods this little train shuttles you to/through is Le Suquet, the old town of Cannes which is otherwise accessed by narrow cobblestoned paths and stairwells.
You catch this little train just next to the Palais des Festivals in front of Le Majestic Hotel on La Croisette.
Fresh covered market, Cannes City Center
This is the covered, outdoor fresh market that is open daily during the summer months. Its famous counterpart is Marché Forville, which is the covered market just behind the Hotel de Ville, near the old town area called Le Suquet. That is the one where the local restaurateurs buy their provisions.
This one, however, is central and just off of Rue d’Antibes, the main thoroughfare that runs through Cannes’ city center. At this market you can buy everything from fresh avocados, a bouquet of roses and farmers’ cheeses, to surplus clothing and simple household items. It offers a fun and flavorful glimpse into local culture.
And for those evenings you prefer to prepare your salad fresh yourself, here you will find plenty of fixings.
“Poisson” means fish in French
World-famous is the Mediterranean cuisine you’ll find in plentiful supply here on the French Riviera. At Mademoiselle Gray, one of the chic and glitzy private beaches and restaurants on La Croisette, you get your fish served whole, tableside.
Dining at a seaside restaurant like Mademoiselle Gray really is emblematic of the Cote d’Azur experience. With the sand at your feet and the salty sea air infusing each bite you take, there are few experiences that say, “Yes we Cannes!” like this one.
And the French really know how to set a good vibe. At these private beaches/restaurants/bars that populate not just La Croisette but the entire Cote dAzur, it’s customary to spend an entire day eating, relaxing on your beach chair and ordering fresh cocktails from your server whenever the mood strikes.
Fun in the sun in Cannes on the Cote d’Azur
If you’re from California, private beaches and their bars/restaurants aren’t something that you’re accustomed to. But once you enter into the pampered atmosphere that awaits you, you’ll soon get used to it. The entire Croisette, which is the road both for pedestrians and cars that fronts the main coastline area of Cannes’ city center, is dotted with these private beaches that also have bars and restaurants.
Most are associated with the iconic hotels that front the Croisette, such as the Ritz-Carlton, Le Majestic, the Hotel Martinez and the rest. There are public beaches in between the private beaches, where you don’t have to pay to gain access to the sea and sand, but then you don’t get the pampered service of someone bringing you a fresh towel and drinks whenever you ask for them, either.
Whatever your preference, the loud music most of the private beaches/restaurants play throughout the day really puts people into a jovial kind of mood. And in high season, such as during the Film Festival, it’s tough to even gain admission, especially in the evenings.
Cannes and its little pink public shuttle buses
It’s easy to see why so many retired people have taken to Cannes. The entire city is set up for a softer pace and easier lifestyle, especially when compared to a demanding city such as Paris. Take, for example, public transportation options in this entirely walkable city.
The Palm Bus, pictured here, is a little electric, pink shuttle bus that ferries residents and visitors from one end of the city to another. You can catch it at convenient areas around the city, and it costs about a euro. It’s also air-conditioned for the warmer months.
When it comes to a municipal public transport system that fits in perfectly with its surroundings, you can’t beat this little pink bus.
Palais des Festivals in your line of sight
For decades now, every year in May, the Hollywood and international elite have descended on Cannes to ink deals, hand out awards to their colleagues and promote their newest films. But not this May. This year, 2021, the film festival is taking place in July.
That’s why, here in this photo shot in May, there is still a direct line of sight from the Café Californie to the Palais des Festivals, just across the street. If it were during the film festival, good luck getting close to this area, let alone getting a seat at the table.
Another fun thing about Cannes is its multiple references to all things California. In French, they spell it ‘Californie’ and, in addition to a whole section of the city named after the state, you’ll see frequent references in names of local businesses such as this famous café, as well as restaurants, streets, buildings and shops.
For architecture buffs, we suggest taking the 20-minute city bus ride up to have a glimpse of the Hotel de Californie in the residential neighborhood of Californie, Cannes. For the less culturally adventurous, sipping a nice iced latte here, across the street from the Palais des Festivals on the Croisette, will do just fine.
This, friends, is the majestic Cannes
Cannes is one of those mythical French Riviera destinations, enshrouded in movie-star glamour and legends of over-the-top living. Here you see it from the penthouse suite of Hotel Le Majestic Barrière Cannes, which is just across the street from the Palais des Festivals. Hence the perspective is looking towards the Iles de Lerins and the point at the far end of La Croisette called Palm Beach.
This classic 1920s Art Deco hotel is so intertwined with movie star legend that even its hallways are lined with candid photos of movie stars and movie moguls, all regular guests. These are the stars who have not just stayed but also played, inked deals and forged cultural cinematic legends in these rooms and suites.
But Cannes is more than its film legends who come to visit yearly. It is a robust and thriving big, little city with plenty of local color to make you feel like you’re discovering a jewel of the Cote d’Azur. At your feet are world-class shopping, silky sand, clean sea and soft sunshine.
The distinct neighborhoods here, such as Le Souquet, and the pedestrian areas lined with outside café and restaurant dining, offer plenty to keep you distracted and delighted. And now that it’s summer 2021, the motto today is “Yes, we Cannes!”