Cannes - An Active Holiday Guide • Ultimate France

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Cannes has lots of swanky hotels, big yachts and top-end shops selling designer gear, but for the most part it’s much more down to earth than you might imagine. There are some great restaurants, bars, cafes and bistros, including plenty of reasonably priced options.

Its Mediterranean setting just 30 minutes from Nice with a backdrop of mountains makes Cannes a great destination for an outdoor sports holiday. If you’re in town in May, your trip may coincide with the Cannes Film Festival, and you could run into a Hollywood star!

Cannes Highlights

The famous Cannes Film Festival in mid May is one of the world’s most headline-grabbing cultural events, but the old port, Le Suquet hill, the bay, Boulevard de la Croisette, the beaches and the eclectic mix of people all make Cannes well worth a visit at any time of year.

Getting active in Cannes

For activities, take your pick from kitesurfing on Palm Beach, roller blading along the Croisette, waterskiing from the promenade, parasailing, running or swimming at Plages du Midi or Plages de la Bocca, which stretch for several km westward from the old port along Blvd Jean Hibert and Blvd du Midi. Head into the hills behind Cannes for mountain biking, paragliding, rock climbing, via ferrata and canyoning.

Boulevard de la Croisette

Boulevard de la Croisette which runs from the old port round the bay to Cap de la Croisette is undoubtedly the classiest promenade on the Côte d’Azur. A leisurely walk along its pine and palm shaded paving is a great way to people watch and soak up the natural beauty. Some of the largest yachts you’re ever likely to see moor up in Cannes’ Vieux Port, which was once a humble fishing harbour. The nearby streets are particularly pleasant on a warm summer’s evening when the many cafés and restaurants overflow with well-healed punters.

Le Suquet

The Notre-Dame-de-l’Espérance church graces the top of Le Suquet, the hill just west of the Vieux Port. Cobbled streets lined with restaurants and cafés wind up to a view point with picture postcard views of Cannes.

Shopping and dining out

There are no end of fancy restaurants and exclusive boutiques, but dig a little bit deeper and you’ll find a more real and affordable Cannes. Soak up the atmosphere having dinner in one of the many good restaurants in Le Suquet and then take a stroll past the yachts at the old port for an icecream. Rue d’Antibes is a fantastic shopping street and Rue Hoche (parallel to Rue d’Antibes) has become a trendy haven of off-beat boutiques and cool places to stop for a coffee.

Practical Information

Pharmacy

Pharmacie Anglo-Française, 95 Rue d'Antibes, 06400 Cannes.
Tel +33 (0)4 93 38 53 79.

Nearest Airport

Nice Côte d'Azur (31 min)

Latitude/Longitude

43.551411

7.017188

Post Office

La Poste, 34 Rue de Mimont 06400 Cannes.

Taxi

Taxi Cannes. Tel +33 (0)4 93 99 27 27.

Parking

Parking in Cannes at any time of year can be stressful, in July and August it's a nightmare. There is beach parking heading west out of Cannes along Boulevard du Midi Louise Moreau and east at the far end of Boulevard de la Croisette. Otherwise, you'll find parking in the streets either side of Boulevard Carnot, but your best option is to try to stay within walking distance of the centre and ditch the car at your accommodation.

Getting Around

The train station and Rue Jean Jaurès are several streets north of the very prominent Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, which is just east of the Vieux Port and conjoined with the Office de Tourisme. Cannes’ most famous promenade, the classy, hotel-lined Boulevard de la Croisette begins at the Palais des Festivals and runs eastward along the Baie de Cannes to Pointe de la Croisette. The Mairie de Cannes is at the northwest corner of the Vieux Port, and just in front, on Rue Félix Faure you’ll find the bus station and taxi rank.

From Cannes, the Route Napoléon winds northwards passing Grasse, Castellane in the Gorges du Verdon and Digne-les-Bains on its way to Gap and finally Grenoble. This superb scenic route is named after Napoleleon I, who, after escaping from the Mediterranean island of Elba in 1815, passed by Cannes en route for his triumphant return to Paris.

Cannes Activities

Mountain biking through the mimosas near Cannes

Mountain biking in the hills behind Cannes

From Vence to Grasse, there are some great natural mountain bike trails in the hills behind Cannes. Plus, a new bikepark in Mougins, just 8 km inland from Cannes, has 4 downhill tracks from green to black, a pump track and some dirt jumps. The bikepark is free of charge and open 7 days a week from 10am to 8pm.
Mougins Bikepark, Chemin des Peyroues, 06250 Mougins, France.

Cycling in the Esterel mountains

If you’d rather stick to the road, then make sure you tackle the Corniche de l’Esterel, which runs along the coast from Cannes to Saint-Raphaël. You can loop back to Cannes via Fréjus through the stunning Esterel mountains.

Canyoning in the Gorges du Loup

The Gorges du Loup canyon is an ideal introduction to canyoning. Located near Grasse, it’s the most well known whitewater scramble (randonnée aquatique) in the Alpes Maritimes. The Gorges du Loup canyon is a bit of a choose your own adventure in that there’s always an escape route if you choose not to tackle a feature. However, if you’re keen, there are some lovely jumps and slides, and the possibility to discover abseiling. The descent is suitable for kids from 6 years old.

Palm Beach, Cannes Kitesurfing — Kitesurfing in Cannes

Kitesurfing in Palm Beach, Cannes

Palm Beach is the only official kitesurfing spot in the Alpes-Maritimes and the only spot in Cannes where the sport is permitted. Palm Beach is therefore popular with local surfers. The spot works best in an easterly wind and is suitable for intermediate kitesurfers. Air X Kite on Boulevard du Midi Louise Moreau in Cannes can provide lessons and gear rental.

Where to stay

Finding a half-decent place to stay during the Cannes Film Festival in May is difficult (although not impossible!), but the prices of holiday rentals in Cannes at other times of year will probably be a pleasant surprise. The area in the centre of Cannes which is contained within the ring road is known as La Banane because of its obvious banana shape. While La Banane is the main pulse of Cannes, accommodation in this area can be very expensive. If you want to splash out, you will be right in the centre of it all with the seafront, restaurants and shops all on your doorstep.

If you want a quieter option, you can find villas and apartments to rent up in the hills behind the city with the most amazing views of the bay of Cannes and the islands of Île Sainte Marguerite and Île Sainte Honorat in the distance. The atmosphere in these areas is probably more authentically French yet the seafront is still within walking distance.

Hotel de Provence

Tucked away just behind la Croisette, the Hotel de Provence is a 3 star gem located right in the middle of the posher hotels in Cannes, but at a fraction of the price. Enjoy your morning croissant in the hotel’s lush little garden before heading off into the hills behind Cannes for a day’s mountain biking. Close to the beach, shops and restaurants and somewhere to store your bike – what more can you ask for? www.hotel-de-provence.com

Villa Garbo

For a touch of pure Cannes luxury, try this excellent boutique hotel just a 6 minute walk from the beach. With just 11 fabulous rooms which are more like grand apartments and super friendly service, this is a real treat! Staff cannot do enough to help. Plus, the breakfast is amazing and each room has its own kitchen which means you can be flexible about eating out. This is serious pampering! www.villagarbo-cannes.com

Boutique apartment

For a more authentic French experience, we love this apartment just behind La Banane where you can live like a Cannes local. There’s something to be said for having your own pad in Cannes, if only for a few days! Although small (one bedroom), there is a spacious balcony overlooking a typical French artisan street with high windows and old style balconies. Wander through the local market for a 10 minute walk to trendy Rue Hoche for a coffee. 5 more minutes and you’re at the famous Cannes seafront. With room in the underground garage to store your bike you can enjoy the best of both worlds – the highlife of Cannes after an epic day’s biking or kitesurfing.

CIS Cannes Jeunesse Hostel, Île Sainte-Marguerite, Cannes

Check out this awesome hostel on Île Sainte-Marguerite, the island overlooking Cannes which is just a 15 minute hop by boat. The hostel is part of the historic Fort Royal which also houses the Musée de la Mer (Sea Museum). With no cars allowed on the island, you step off the ferry to the intoxicating smells of pine and eucalyptus. If you want a bit of peace at night away from the excitement of Cannes after a tough day’s kitesurfing, this is the perfect spot for you.

Where to eat

Il convivio – Best for pizza

Our favourite Italian restaurant in Cannes. Slightly off the beaten track but a real gem. The food is fresh, delicious and reasonable and the staff could not be more helpful. And let’s not forget about the pizza – all the food is superb but the pizza is to die for! And you can get pizza ‘to go’ too. Worth booking ahead as it is now very popular.

L’Epicurieux – Best for tapas

Check out this little gem just off trendy Rue Hoche. With an extensive wine list to suit all tastes, you can pop in for a drink and some tapas or relax over dinner. The menu is always exquisite and only local produce is used. With live music every Saturday night, if you manage to nab a table you’ll not want to leave! Definitely one of our favourites. lepicurieux-baravins.com

Le Petit Gourmet – For a quick snack

Renowned for being the best food truck in Cannes. All-day queues are testament to the fact that the quality of the food is excellent, service is friendly and quick and the atmosphere is fun and relaxed. A handy spot for lunch after a morning kitesurfing. It’s parked in La Bocca which is 20 minutes from La Croisette, but well worth the walk. Today’s special is a fresh thai wrap followed by apple and cinnamon crumble. Street food at its best! le-petitgourmet.com

Aux P’tits Anges – For an international menu

Aux P’tits Anges always ranks high on Tripadvisor, and for good reason. Deliciously fresh, creative food and a chef that pops out to check you are happy, the service is second to none. Just off Rue d’Antibes it is not a tourist trap, but you are right in the heart of Cannes if you fancy a drink after. You can’t go wrong with the very reasonable 16 euros lunch menu either. auxptitsanges.blogspot.fr

Cannes nightlife

Sun 7 Bar

Pronounced ‘Sunset’ in French, Sun 7 is a DJ and live music bar that attracts music lovers who like a low key atmosphere. It’s one of those bars that doesn’t have a dance floor, but where people dance. Pretty relaxed during the week but very busy on the weekend, you’ll find the week’s events on the board outside. Always kicking with a young hip crowd. And the cocktail list packs a punch. www.sun7cannes.com

Le Bâoli

A Cannes classic now – transforms from a cool outdoor and indoor restaurant to a seriously hip club as the night goes on! With a cracking location on the beach in the Cannes marina, the views are awesome. If you want to eat first, the food is a mix of French and Asian and it is easy to reserve a table online. Very trendy – just be aware that you need to be dressed to the nines. The food is pretty good (not the best in Cannes) but eating here means you are sure to get in. Check out the sunset on the beautiful roof terrace. www.lebaoli.com

Morrison’s Irish Pub

I’m Irish so I can say it – there are so many bad Irish pubs outside Ireland. Normally I avoid them like the plague, but this is a good one. Live music, great atmosphere, unpretentious and good beer. Definitely worth popping into during a night out. Morrison’s lounge next door is a DJ bar so between the two, the mix of music is impressive. The live music is usually excellent. Good sports coverage too. facebook.com/Cannes.Nightlife.Morrisons.Pub

Be First

This hip little spot is tucked away behind La Croisette. Popular with locals, it doesn’t get going until about 10.30pm when all of a sudden it is hiving. The DJ gets things pumping quickly and, if you’re lucky, you might also catch some live music. The perfect spot for some late night dancing after experiencing the delicious cocktails. facebook.com/befirst.cannes

Please leave a comment below if you need specific advice for your trip to Cannes, or if you have any recommendations to help us improve this guide. Happy holidays!