Cannes is the right place for all beauty lovers. Once you get here, everything shall enchant your eyes, from the glamorous pedestrians to the exclusive yachts and opulent buildings alongside La Croisette Boulevard.
It has a reputation for being expensive and I must admit the rumors are true. French Riviera itself is an expensive destination, but this should not discourage anyone. There are plenty of activities to do for free or for moderate prices and Cannes makes no exception.
First, I am happy to tell you that the access to many of the beaches in Cannes is free of charge. Blessed with sandy beaches, as not many beaches from the South of France are, Cannes is a wonderful summer destination. The beach area stretches for many kilometers, allowing all tourists in need of rest to enjoy the warm, blue water and the discrete music coming from the beach bars around.
However, Cannes is less about the beaches and more about the walks. The Old Port of Cannes (“Le vieux port”) is a good place to start, allowing you to admire the sumptuous yachts of the rich and famous. Visit it at sunset for the vivid colours of the buildings and yachts reflecting in the clear water.
At the end of the Old Port area you’ll reach the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes - the building where the famous Cannes Movie Festival is being held each year in May, since 1946. The Palais did not surprise me, as it has a rather common look. However, I was surely impressed by the hand-prints set in steel on the pavement, left by some of most well-known movie stars of all times.
In fact, Cannes is packed with posters and billboards of the actors who have visited Cannes in the past, in order to attend the famous festival.
Further ahead, you’ll enter the vast La Croisette. This luxurious boulevard is one of the most iconic streets in France, where you will discover sumptuous hotels, the finest restaurants and the most expensive cars.
At about 5 minutes from La Croisette you’ll find a great restaurant for lunch or dinner: Bistro Les Canailles (https://www.bistrolescanailles.com/). Do not miss it if you are in the area.
Do not forget that French people are very strict about their meal hours and this reflects on the restaurants’ schedules. Most of the good restaurants are opened for lunch from 12.30 PM to 2.30 PM and for dinner from 7 PM to 9.30 PM, with slight variations. If the restaurant is opened all day long, it usually has a “Service continu” sign on the door. In case you missed the dinning hours, go to Boulangerie Le St. Antoine in the old town and pick one of their pastries or cakes. You won’t be sorry.
If you are in the mood for shopping, Cannes shall surely satisfy your needs. If visiting historic places is your priority, Cannes shall also enchant you, as it has a wonderful old town, with charming, narrow streets. Do not be surprised to notice many delicate graffiti drawings on the walls.
You should know that Cannes was once a small fishing village located on Suquet hill. Hence, Le Suquet neighbourhood is the oldest area in Cannes and it gave me great pleasure to stroll around and discover it step by step.
This lovely old neighborhood is filled with cozy restaurants awaiting for its guests. Here is a selection of some of the best restaurants I’ve been to and which I highly recommend:
Le Salon des Independants (https://www.facebook.com/lesalondesindependants/)
Meat Restaurant (https://www.facebook.com/MEAT-1734513356865690/)
Tredici Restaurant (https://www.facebook.com/Tredicisuqet/)
Once you reach Le Suquet, visit the charming Musée de la Castre (http://www.cannes.com/fr/culture/musee-de-la-castre.html), containing collections of ethnic art and various artifacts. This museum is located in a medieval castle dating back to the 12th century, erected by the Lérins monks. You will also find Notre-Dame-d’Espérance church and a lot of spots where you’ll enjoy some wonderful views over Cannes.
Cannes is also a great hub for visiting the sparkling French Riviera. Rent a car, take boat rides or simply take the regional train and visit the marvelous surrounding towns and villages, such as Nice, Eze, Mougins, Vence and many others. Don’t worry, I shall tell you all about those in the following posts.
Niciun comentariu:
Trimiteți un comentariu