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A short walk west from the cruise port is Le Suquet, the oldest section of this glamorous city. It’s a bit of a slow, uphill walk to reach the Old Town area but the clear view of the original Cannes harbor, the Vieux Port, is worth it. With sturdy walking shoes, city map and only a few hours, cruise passengers can taste, experience and explore a sample of what this glitzy Riviera gem has to offer. After all, it’s home to the annual, star-studded Cannes International Film Festival.
Cote d’Azur in Winter: A Family Traveler’s Guide
Step off the cruise and into the vineyards with this highly-rated tour through Provence’s most renowned wineries. Even when the Cannes Film Festival isn’t in full swing, the famous red-carpeted steps await your family’s grand entrance for a memorable photo op. Stepping off your cruise, head straight to the Palais des Festivals for a brush with cinematic history. Whisk your family away on a private boat tour along the stunning French Riviera to the Lerins Islands and the Golfe-Juan coast for a slice of heaven. Located in Le Susquet, this Maritime Museum is situated within a fort where many believe Alexander Dumas was inspired to envision the jail that was used to imprison The Man in the Iron Mask. Nautical history enthusiasts will want to spend time viewing the remains of vessels from Roman times to the modern age.
Beaches
Don’t worry about breaking a sweat, though – those electric bikes make the ride a breeze, even when we head up to the charming Old Town and zip along the stunning La Croisette. Imagine a local friend is showing you around, pointing out all the cool spots, and telling you stories that you won’t find in the guidebooks. Buses are also readily available for those short hops around town.
Cannes, France – Things to Do in this French Riviera Seaside City
The distance from where the ships dock to the seaside promenade along the Boulevard de La Croisette, is only a few hundred yards. The historic Old Town, Le Suquet, is also close to the port as are nearly all of the major landmarks, locales and celebrity haunts in Cannes. Cannes cruise port serves as a gateway to other French Riviera resorts, like Nice. The total number of cruise ship passengers to Cannes in 2012 was 339,155.
There is not a lot to see, but the walk is very pleasant and there are lovely restaurants to stop and enjoy! On the top of Le Suquet are some great views over the city and the ocean. It was built in the 1100's by monks, and the church Église Notre-Dame d’Espérance was built about 200 years later. To walk to the top of Le Suquet without stairs, while facing the building with the the painting above look to the right and take the sloping road that goes up the side of the hill next to the brick wall. Follow this sloping road that zig-zags up the side of the hill (beside) until you reach the top.
Past the Palais de Festivals there is a small park with a charming carousel, and now the walkway is beside the sea. The Saracens conquered the town, there were wars, and the great plague in the mid-1500's during which almost everyone died. By the 1700's peace had come to the area, and as in Nice, the British began to spend their winters here and by the next century the beautiful hotels were built. The Film Festival began in 1946, and the town became known for glamour, stunning hotels, the lovely promenade, movie stars and rich patrons. If you love Hollywood blockbusters and the world of movie stars, then seeing the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès is a must-do during a Cannes cruise. This opulent building serves as the venue for the Cannes Film Festival each year, and is also used for other events throughout the year, including the G20 Summit.
This Hollywood connection gives Cannes a luxurious vibe, and you’ll find many luxury hotels and casinos along with a strong yachting culture. For ancient artifacts and gorgeous views, spend time walking around the Musée de la Castre, a former monastery turned medieval castle that functions as a museum. The building itself is impressive to see, with its formidable architecture and surrounding gardens. From the property’s vantage point atop a hill, you’ll see panoramic views of the Bay of Cannes below. Inside the museum, you’ll find an impressive collection of art and ancient artifacts, from Mediterranean antiquities and ethnographic artifacts to pre-Columbian primitive art and 19th century Provencal paintings. There is a massive array of history and culture to discover within the walls of the Musée de la Castre.
Express Walk of Cannes with a Local
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer or a tour that will take you there. Once in Nice, stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais, a picturesque walkway along the Mediterranean coast. Explore the colorful Old Town (Vieux Nice) with its narrow streets, cute little markets, and charming cafes.
The Île Sainte-Marguerite (Saint Margaret Island) and the Île Saint-Honorat (Saint Honorat Island) are the two largest ones, while the other two are uninhabited. Monaco City sits on “The Rock”, a 62-meter (203 ft) rock overlooking the Port Hercules and the Mediterranean Sea. This is where all major tourist attractions are located, including the Prince’s Palace, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Oceanographic Museum, St Martins Garden and others. Besides the glittering La Croisette, Cannes also has its old town named Le Suquet, home to climbing cobbled streets and a medieval town vibe. Cannes is absolutely beautiful and worth taking a walk around, as all major attractions are located within walking distance of the cruise terminal. Cannes has plenty of high-end restaurants serving freshly caught seafood — sea bass, prawns and oysters are among the favorites.
Passengers who prefer to stay and explore the celebrated seaside resort on their own can easily meander, dine and shop without the usual tour guide hustle. Remember to purchase at least one item made with lavender, locally grown from all over Provence and liberally used in soaps, sachets and of course, lavender oil. The Lérins Islands are an archipelago that consists of four islands off the coast of Cannes, located a 15-minute ferry ride from Quai Laubeuf in Cannes Old Port.
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A right turn from the port leads to the strand of sandy beaches, refreshment stands and waterfront cafes. Those who walk the length of La Croisette will find an area filled with thousands of fragrant roses. Dotted with tall palm trees and lined with luxury sports cars, the promenade Boulevard de la Croisette hugs the sandy coastline for nearly two miles.
Admire the Gothic architecture as you climb St. Anthony Street to reach a viewpoint overlooking Cannes. I would kinda advise against that, you don’t want to miss your cruise ship in the evening. If you can’t decide between all those fabulous options, I suggest you book a guided day tour through the French Riviera. You’ll visit villages like Eze or Villefranche, which are super cute as well.
The Mom’s Guide to Cannes - SheKnows
The Mom’s Guide to Cannes.
Posted: Mon, 30 Dec 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]
There are many ways to the top of the hill where the old church and the castle command lovely views of the city - and how you go can depend on your level of climbing hills. There are a couple of smaller boats that can directly dock in Cannes, but most bigger ships will make use of tender boats. Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a charming medieval village located 28 km/17 miles (a 1-hour drive) from Cannes cruise port. The hilltop village has long been a favorite place of notable artists, writers, painters and poets who used to come here and seek inspiration. Vieux Port means Old Port in France, and it distinctly characterizes the port area located below Le Suquet. Vieux Port is worth visiting for its excellent maritime views that include yachts, sailboats, and the lovely sea.
Saint Honorat is the second-largest island and is known for the Abbey of Lérins and the 15th-century fortified monastery where you can buy various monastic goods, including wine and olive oil produced on the island. There are no docking facilities for large cruise vessels in the port of Cannes. The list of French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) ports also includes Antibes, Bandol, Cassis, Marseille, Sanary-sur-Mer, St Raphael, St Tropez, Toulon, Villefranche-sur-Mer (Nice) and Monte Carlo (Monaco).
I am the creator of an e-book “Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide“, the most comprehensive guide to 45 Mediterranean cruise ports, & YouTube channel @AdventourBegins. When exploring Cannes, keep in mind that La Croisette is flat and easy to handle, while Le Suquet is cobbled and challenging to climb for people with walking difficulties. It takes only 10 minutes to reach the castle from the Old Port, however, it’s all uphill and there are dozens of staircases to manage. The economic environment of Cannes is based on business fairs, trade, tourism and aviation.
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