Cannes

Discover the city of Cannes in the Alpes-Maritimes

Welcome to Cannes, the iconic city on the French Riviera that promises you an unforgettable experience. Known throughout the world for its famous film festival, this city offers much more than just stars and glamor.

With its fine sandy beaches, its harbor full of luxury yachts and the prestigious Croisette, Cannes attracts millions of visitors every year. This guide will help you prepare your visit with all the practical information you need: where to stay, what to see, how to get around. Discover the Cannes lifestyle and the treasures of this internationally renowned city.

Today, Cannes bears no resemblance to the obscure little town of the 1830s where fishermen beached their boats on the shore in front of the port. In just over a century, it has become an elegant city of international renown where everything is done for an international clientele. The art of hospitality is indeed a tradition in Cannes.

There are several highlights when visiting Cannes:

• The upper town

• The old port

• Rue Meynadier

• The Palais des Festivals

• La Croisette.

The Upper Town

You can get there by climbing the slopes of Mont Chevalier to the Suquet district. Up there, a magical panorama awaits you at an altitude of 60 meters: the entire city is at your feet, with the bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands in the background. Through the narrow, cool streets, you will descend towards the fragrant, Provençal Forville market and the Allees de la Liberté, lined with plane trees and running along the sea.

The Old Port

Admire the boats of the old port along the Quai Saint-Pierre, whether fishing or pleasure boats, the colorful boats, the port with its shoreline, the fishermen busily working on their nets, the Albert Edouard pier where the most beautiful yachts in the world are moored. At the end of the harbor you can see Sainte Marguerite and Saint Honorat islands, which can be reached by boat in 20 minutes from the ferry terminal.

Rue Meynadier

Colorful and bustling from morning to night, it will keep you busy all morning with its shops where you can find everything you are looking for.

The Palais des Festivals

Thanks to this, Cannes is now the second most important French city for conferences after Paris. The whole world comes here to hold conferences and conventions: the International Film Festival, MIDEM, major classical music concerts , dance, theater... It is also home to one of Cannes' four casinos.

La Croisette

La Croisette is one of the most famous promenades in the world, following the curve of the bay: 3 km of flower gardens, lawns planted with palm trees, stone pines and various other trees, as far as Port Canto, Palm Beach and a thalassotherapy center. After strolling along this promenade, return to the center via the world-famous Rue d'Antibes.

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival: a passion for cinema

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival promises to be a major event in world cinema. The 78th edition will be held as usual at the Palais des Festivals on the Croisette, attracting stars, directors and film professionals from all over the world. This year, the festival promises a varied selection of international films competing for the prestigious Palme d'Or. The official screenings will be complemented by numerous parallel sections such as the Directors' Fortnight and Critics' Week. For visitors, it is a unique opportunity to experience the excitement of Cannes, to catch a glimpse of celebrities on the red carpet and to enjoy the many events that enliven the city during this period. This year, the Festival takes place from May 13 to 24 and the sublime Juliette Binoche will be President of the Jury.

Martinez, Carlton, the grand hotels of Cannes

During the Cannes Film Festival, the grand hotels of the Croisette, such as the Martinez or the Carlton, are in the spotlight as they play host to the film stars. Parties and private events are also organized by the festival sponsors. Tourists love to gather at the entrance of these grand hotels to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars.

Where to park in Cannes?

It's not easy to find a parking space in Cannes during the summer season or when major events are taking place. To avoid fines or having to drive around for hours, you can reserve your parking space in advance on this very handy website! This is our advice for anyone who wants to visit Cannes without stress and without wasting time.