Known worldwide for its beauty and connection with the world of cinema, the city of Cannes on the Côte d’Azur is synonymous with glamour and elegance. It’s a relatively small city with a population of no more than 70,000 people, although this figure increases each spring when the city receives a host movie stars and turns into a showcase for the cinema world.
Each year actors and actresses descend on the red-carpet event along the Boulevard La Croisette. The promenade runs along the beach and is full of luxury shops and hotels. It’s probably the most well-known area in the city thanks to the media, but Cannes has a whole lot more to offer. Let’s check it out.
There’s a particularly lively area between the promenade and the train station full of shops where the locals congregate. The most fashionable shopping streets are Rue Hoche and la Rue d’Antibes.
If we begin our route in Plaza Suquet, we’ll see the beautiful panoramic view of the city and the 13th century Castre, which is now home to the archaeological and ethnological museum. In the same area we also find the Notre-Dame de l’Espérance Church and Saint Anne’s Shrine.
From the plaza we move on to St. Michael the Archangel Church, considered by many to be the most important religious artwork in the city.
The marina filled with luxury yachts is also worth a visit, you can also visit the old harbour nearby which is full of small recreational and fishing boats.
One of the most highly rated outings is a visit to the island of Sainte Marguerite. The island is most famous for its fortress prison (the Fort Royal) that sealed off the area to pirates and also housed the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask, which was made into a film in 1998 starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Gastronomy
Another reason to visit is the food. The local cuisine is a subtle blend of Mediterranean and French cuisine which is recognised worldwide.
Some of the specialities in Cannes include Bouillabaisse (this most loved dish is a fish stew with potatoes, Provençcal herb and spices and croutons), Soupe au Pistou (a seasonal vegetable soup with pasta and pistou (garlic, basil and olive oil)), Nicoise Salad (tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, celery, hard-boiled eggs, tuna and olive oil) and Ratatouille (tomatoes, sauteed garlic and vegetables, and olive oil).
Whether it’s for its beaches, its love affair with cinema or its culinary delights, Cannes is one of those places you have to visit at least once in your life. Bon Voyage!
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