Cannes Tourist Attractions
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The exclusive resort of Cannes marks the western end of the Côte d'Azur in its real sense. It enjoys a sheltered situation on the wide Golfe de la Napoule, with the island group of the Isles de Lérins offshore.
Boulevard de la Croisette
Boulevard de la Croisette, one of the main tourist streets in Cannes, is lined with high end hotels and shops.
Vieux Port
To the east below the Old Town of Cannes lies the Vieux Port, or Old Port, also known as Port Cannes I; at its northeastern corner is the Gare Maritime (Marine Railway Station), built in 1957.To the north the port is bordered by the pretty Allées de la Liberté which are lined with plane trees. In the mornings the fine Marché aux Fleurs (Flower Market) is held here. At the western end of the Allées stands the Hôtel de Ville, or Town Hall, built in 1874-76.The Rue Félix-Faure, which runs parallel on the north, and its eastern extension, the Rue d'Antibes, are the town's main shopping streets.
Palais des Festivals et des Congrès
On the east side of the Old Port in Cannes, at boulevard de la Croisette 1, stands the Palais des Festivals, opened in 1982. It is an impressive complex of buildings with three large auditoriums; the most modern technical apparatus includes sound studios, simultaneous translation arrangements, audio-visual equipment and large projectors. There are 11 conference rooms, two exhibition halls (one of which has 14,000sq.m/160,745sq.ft of undivided useable space), a night-club and a restaurant. This is where the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival is held.
Events
As well as hosting the annual International Film Festival in April and May, the Festival of Music and Drama is held in the summer and the International Festival of Amateur Films and the "Grand Prix des Nations" cycyle race in the fall.
International Film Festival
The International Film Festival held in April-May is of particular importance.This festival is one of the biggest events on the international film calendar and attracts millions of stars, fans and journalists every year.
Cannes American Festival
The annual Cannes American Festival has been taking place every July since 1985. The events highlight the connection between local and American artists. In this spirit, many well known Americans are invited to perform in the festival.The program offers piano recitals, jazz and popular music concerts, and modern dance performances.
Nights of Classical Music
The Nuits Musicales Du Suquet is an annual outdoors festival that runs from mid to late July in the courtyard of the Church of Notre Dame d'Espérance. The festival includes both large symphonic concerts and smaller solo performances by pianists and vocalists alike. The repertoire is equally varied.
Boulevard Jean-Hibert
The Boulevard Jean-Hibert leads westward along the shore, passing the square of the same name, to the magnificent Square Mistral. From here the 3km/2mi long Boulevard du Midi connects with the Corniche de l'Esterel (Corniche d'Or).
English Quarter
Above the boulevard du Midi in Cannes extends the Quartier Anglais (English Quarter) with its sumptuous villas. The boulevard Leader leads up to the Croix des Gardes. situated 164m/538ft above sea level in a copse of mimosa which blooms in February and March. This is a fine viewpoint with the best light towards evening. 1km/.5mi to the northwest the Rocher de Roquebillière lies 130m/427ft above the little river of the same name.
Le Cannet
From the northern edge of the Inner Town of Cannes the broad boulevard Carnot winds northwards to the beautifully situated villa settlement of Le Cannet from which there are fine views.
Cannes Old Town - Suquet Quarter
The Le Suquet quarter, the Old Town, slopes up to Mont Chevalier (67m/220ft).
Mont Chevalier Watch Tower
The summit of Mont Chevalier is crowned by the 11th century watchtower, from which there is a magnificent view.
Musée de la Castre
Musée de la Castre in Cannes contains Egyptian, Phoenician, Etruscan, Greek and Roman antiques as well as art from the Far East and Central America.
Notre-Dame de l'Espérance
The Church of Notre-Dame de l'Espérance (1541-1648) in Cannes, has a notable 17th century Madonna on the High Altar and a wooden statue of St Anne, ca. 1500.
La Californie
From the eastern part of the Boulevard de la Croisette the road leads northwards through the district of Cros-Veil on the far side of the railroad - where the Eglise Russe, or Russian Church, on the Boulevard Alexandre -III is well worth seeing - to the especially charming part of the town known as "La Californie", where Picasso lived in 1955. This area is overlooked by the Observatoire de Super-Cannes, which is 325m/1,067ft high and has an observation tower, orientation table and the terminus of the old funicular. Below, on the Boulevard des Pins, stands the notable Mémorial St-Georges, erected in memory of the Duke of Albany.
Chapelle Bellini
The Chapelle Bellini was bought by the artist, Emmanuel Bellini, and converted into his studio. The Italian Baroque design bears the arms of Count Vitali, who built the chapel.
Musée de la Mer
Musée de la Mer is a museum of marine archaeology, on the island of Sainte-Margeurite, and was once the state prison. There are remnants of ships dating back to Roman times and other treasures of the sea.
La Malmaison
Le Malmaison, a 19th C residence, contains temporary exhibits of modern and contemporary art. A few of the exhibitions are dedicated to Picasso, César and Miró.
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More Cannes Pictures
More France Resources
- Cannes tours & day trips by Viator
- Cannes Travel Guide by iExplore
Map of Cannes Attractions
Map - Cannes
