Cannes immediately conjures up images of red carpets, palaces and the Croisette. Yet the city offers a host of experiences that go far beyond its picture-postcard image. With its historic heritage, Provencal markets, Mediterranean beaches and wild hinterland less than an hour away, a stay in Cannes can appeal to culture lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Whether you're coming for a 2 or 3-day weekend or for a longer holiday on the Côte d'Azur, this guide brings together the must-see places to visit, the best places to eat, the excursions not to be missed and the nature activities available from Cannes. From the boulevard de la Croisette to the old quarter of Cannes, via the Lérins islands and the Gorges du Loup, Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your stay.
Key points to remember: Cannes can be explored on foot in the city centre (Croisette, Suquet, Forville market), by boat to the Lérins Islands, and by car to the hinterland of the Alpes-Maritimes. Allow two days to visit the city's must-sees, and an extra day to explore the surrounding area - from hilltop villages to the perfume factories of Grasse and outdoor activities such as paragliding or the canyoning.
It's impossible to visit Cannes without walking along the Boulevard de la Croisette. This famous promenade is almost two kilometres long and runs along the seafront between the Palais des Festivals to the west and the tip of Palm Beach to the east. Palm trees, sandy beaches, Belle Époque palaces and luxury boutiques make up a setting that the whole world associates with the Côte d'Azur.
The walk along the Croisette is pleasant at any time of day. In the morning, it's the preserve of joggers and walkers. In the late afternoon, it offers a spectacular sunset over the Bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands. Take the time to stroll along on foot: it's the best way to enjoy the panoramic view over the Mediterranean Sea and to observe the bustle of the terraces, the yachts at anchor and the private and luxury beaches dotting the coastline.
At the western end of the Croisette, the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès hosts the annual International Film Festival. Outside the Cannes Festival period (May), you can climb the famous steps and pose on the red carpet - a must for souvenir photos. The Palais also hosts numerous events, shows and exhibitions throughout the year, as well as guided tours that take visitors behind the scenes of this iconic venue.
Cannes' coastline alternates between free public beaches and private beaches with sun loungers and food services. The Midi public beaches, to the west of the old port, are more family-friendly and often less crowded than those on the Croisette. For a lazy day with a view over the bay, this is the ideal place. The private beaches, on the other hand, offer a more comfortable experience, with dining with your feet in the sand in season.
Before it became a film capital, Cannes was a fishing village. The Suquet district, perched on the hill overlooking the old port, bears witness to this history. This is the old quarter of Cannes, the most authentic and photogenic, far from the hustle and bustle of the Croisette.
The cobbled streets of Le Suquet climb from the old port to the top of the hill. This historic district has retained its Provencal charm, with colourful facades, narrow staircases, small restaurants and local craftsmen. At the top, the 16th-century church of Notre-Dame d'Espérance and the 11th-century square tower provide a backdrop steeped in history. It's also a lively district, with the Suquet des Artistes, a contemporary art space housed in the old 19th-century halls.
Housed in the medieval castle at the summit of Le Suquet, the Musée de la Castre houses collections of primitive art, Mediterranean antiquities and objects brought back by 19th-century explorers (formerly known as the Musée des Explorations du Monde). The visit is as much about the collections as the views: from the tower, the panorama of the town, the Bay of Cannes, the Lérins islands and L'Estérel is simply breathtaking. It's the best vantage point in Cannes for photos.
Below, the old port of Cannes retains its fishing harbour atmosphere. It is also the departure point for the shuttle buses to the Lérins Islands (crossing takes around 15 minutes). On Sunday mornings, a stroll along the quays before catching a boat to Sainte-Marguerite is one of the simple pleasures of a stay in Cannes. There are also fish and seafood restaurants facing the boats - a good idea for a dinner in a restaurant overlooking the harbour.
Cannes is not just a city of cinema and beaches. Its Provencal gastronomy and its markets also make it a gourmet destination in its own right. From the covered market to the local restaurants, Cannes' cuisine is well worth your time.
Located just a stone's throw from Le Suquet, the Forville market is the very heart of Cannes. Open every morning except Monday (flea market day), it brings together market gardeners, local producers and fishermen selling their catch of the day. Olives, socca, goat's cheese, cut flowers: it's the ideal place to put together a Provencal picnic basket before heading off to the Lérins islands or the beach. The Forville market is also a must on Sunday mornings, when the town is quieter and the stalls particularly well-stocked.
There's no shortage of good places to eat. For a dinner in a typical restaurant, the Suquet district and the streets adjacent to the Forville market are home to quality restaurants at reasonable prices - fish dishes, Provençal dishes, fresh pasta. On the Croisette side, the restaurants of the palaces offer a top-of-the-range gastronomic experience. In between, the pedestrianised rue Meynadier offers a succession of food shops, cheese shops, wine cellars and delicatessens.
The cuisine of Cannes draws on Provencal and Mediterranean traditions: socca (chickpea cake), pissaladière, pan bagnat, ratatouille, grilled fish, bouillabaisse. Provence wines (rosés from Bellet, Côtes de Provence) are the perfect accompaniment to a meal by the sea. If you're looking for a tasty souvenir, local sweets, olive oil and Provençal herbs are a must.
Cannes is an ideal base for exploring the Côte d'Azur and its hinterland. A number of half-day and full-day excursions offer a variety of pleasures and enable you to discover remarkable sites accessible from the old port or by car.
The boat trip to the Lérins Islands is the most emblematic activity from Cannes. A fifteen-minute shuttle ride from the old port, the island of Sainte-Marguerite offers shady pine and eucalyptus paths, turquoise coves and the Fort Royal - famous for imprisoning the Man in the Iron Mask. The Musée de la Mer, housed in the fort, tells the story. The smaller island of Saint-Honorat is home to a monastery founded in the fifth century by monks who still produce wine and liqueurs today. Both islands can be visited in a day, and the peace and quiet here is striking after the hustle and bustle of the city.
Less than an hour's drive away, a number of villages are well worth a guided tour or a leisurely stroll. Saint-Paul-de-Vence, an artist's village perched high above the sea, is a magnet for visitors with its galleries and the Maeght Foundation. Antibes offers its Picasso museum, its Provencal market and the Cap d'Antibes for seaside walks. Further east, Èze and Monaco complete a classic tour of the Riviera. For perfume lovers, the town of Grasse and its historic houses (Fragonard, Molinard, Galimard) are just 30 minutes from Cannes. And if you continue towards Nice, The Côte d'Azur's capital is bursting with cultural and outdoor activities.
For travellers looking for a nature break without taking the car, the Parc de la Croix des Gardes is an 80-hectare green lung in the heart of Cannes. Classified as a natural area, it offers footpaths through Mediterranean vegetation (mimosas in winter, pines, cork oaks) and panoramic views over the city from the summit. A great way to spend an active Sunday morning before heading back down to the market or the beach.
Most guidebooks to Cannes focus on the beaches and museums. However, the hinterland of the Alpes-Maritimes, accessible in less than an hour's drive, offers outdoor activities that turn a seaside holiday into a real adventure. For visitors in search of thrills or simply the great outdoors, there is no shortage of options.
Just 45 minutes from Cannes, the Gréolières culminates at an altitude of 1800 metres on the crests of the Cheiron. It's one of the most beautiful flying sites in the PACA region, with a view of the Mediterranean on one side and the Mercantour peaks on the other. A first paragliding experience near Cannes is accessible from the age of 6, with no previous experience required. You fly in a two-seater with a state-qualified instructor who manages the take-off, flight and landing. The flight lasts between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the package you choose, with the option of an on-board video for unforgettable memories.
The Ailéments school, based in Gréolières for more than 10 years, offers discovery flights and paragliding first flights supervised by instructors who know every breeze in the region. With over 500 5/5 reviews on Google, it's a safe bet for a first experience in complete confidence.
For a 100 % adrenalin-fuelled experience, the canyoning in the Gorges du Loup is the ideal activity. Located between Gourdon and Pont du Loup, just 40 minutes from Cannes, the Gorges du Loup offer a wild and unspoilt setting, with natural slides, jumps into clear pools and abseils down waterfalls. The discovery course is open to beginners and families with children aged 8 and over. All equipment is provided (wetsuit, helmet, harness), just bring closed-toe trainers.
For those who want to experience everything in one day, Ailéments offers a paragliding and canyoning combo which combines a flight over the Alpes-Maritimes in the morning with a descent into the gorges in the afternoon. This is a particularly popular option for special occasions, EVG and outings with friends - and an excellent way of making a stay in Cannes truly memorable. Very few service providers on the Côte d'Azur offer this dual activity, which is one of the advantages of a structure like Ailéments, which masters both disciplines.
Cannes is famous for its film festival, but the city's cultural life extends far beyond the May fortnight. Shows, festivals, fireworks and exhibitions punctuate the Cannes calendar from February to December.
Every year in May, the Cannes Film Festival is the most talked-about film event in the world. But contrary to what many people think, the Festival is not just for professionals and stars. During the fortnight, the Cinéma de la Plage offers free open-air screenings on Plage Macé, open to all. The atmosphere in the city is electric, with the steps leading up to the Palais des Festivals, photographers, red carpets and parties. Even without accreditation, the atmosphere is well worth the diversions.
In summer, the Festival d'Art Pyrotechnique (July-August) lights up the bay of Cannes with firework displays fired from the sea - a free and spectacular event visible from the Croisette or the Suquet. For the rest of the year, the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès hosts MIPIM (real estate), MIPTV (audiovisual), the NRJ Music Awards and numerous international trade fairs. Cannes Town Hall publishes a full cultural diary with current events, shows and exhibitions.
Visiting Cannes in winter or spring has its advantages: fewer crowds, mild temperatures (12 to 18°C), more affordable hotel and restaurant prices. The Forville market remains open all year round. Mimosas bloom from January to March on the hills of the Croix des Gardes. And when it comes to outdoor activities, the paragliding can be practised all year round except in January. Gréolières 1400 enjoys favourable flying conditions even in low season, and you can combine skiing and paragliding on the same day in winter. It's the ideal time to enjoy Cannes in peace and quiet, without sacrificing any of your activities.
Cannes offers much more than a stroll along the Croisette. Between the heritage of Le Suquet, the flavours of the Forville market, the turquoise waters of the Lérins islands and the thrills of the hinterland, the city is an ideal starting point for a complete holiday on the Côte d'Azur. Whether you come with family, friends or for an EVJF, each day can combine culture, gastronomy and outdoor adventure.
Want to extend your stay in Cannes with an unforgettable experience in the air or in the gorges? Book your first paragliding experience with a view of the Mediterranean or your canyoning in the Gorges du Loup with the Ailéments team. You can also offer the adventure with a gift voucher valid for one year. Contact us by phone or WhatsApp to organise your tailor-made day.
