General Sightseeing and Orientation in Cannes

Cannes' is a small town on the Cote D'Azur, which can easily be explored by foot.
Cannes' central attraction is La Croisette with 12km of beach, at the end of La Croisette is the Palais des Festivals, with the Allées des Stars, imprinted with handprints and signatures of the famous.

Places to Visit in Cannes

Ile St Honorat

Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants of St Honorat Island. Monks have inhabited the island since AD410 and once owned Cannes, Mougins and Vallauris. The stark church and the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the sea's edge are open to the public. The monks divide their time between prayer and producing red and white wines La Vendange des Moines, Lérina liqueur, honey and lavender oil.
The monks offer the only boat trips to the island. Boats depart from Cannes' main port, at the Jetée Edouard daily from 0800-1700 during the winter and 0800-1800 during the summer.

Musée de la Castre

The Castre Museum is on the hilltop of Le Suquet in a former chateau belonging to the monks of the Lérins Isles. Nineteenth-century paintings by local artists depict images of Cannes, with palm trees, fishing boats and ladies. There is also a collection of 200 musical instruments and Mediterranean and Middle Eastern antiques. Guided tours in English are available on request.

Ile Ste Marguerite

The Ile Ste Marguerite is a 15 minute boat ride from Cannes and was home to the Man in the Iron Mask for 11 years. His cell can be visited in the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea). This museum also houses archaeological discoveries from shipwrecks off the coast of the island, including Roman (first century BC) ceramics. There is a regular boat service from the mainland and tours can be booked during the summer months.

Musée de la Mer

The Musée de la Mer occupies the oldest section of the Fort Royal of Sainte-Marguerite, perched above the sea near a pine and eucalyptus forest.
The museum is home to the State Prisons and the Iron Mask's cell in which the prisoner was held for 11 years.
An area is also dedicated to temporary exhibitions of photography and opens onto a wide terrace overlooking the sea.

La Malmaison

The Malmaison is the former gaming lounge and tea-room of the Grand Hotel and is the only pavilion which remains of the original estate.
The garden floor accommodates three major exhibitons every year regularly featuring famous painters such as Matisse and Miro.

Espace Miramar

The Espace Miramar is located on the corner of the Croisette and Rue Pasteur. The building comprises a 400 seat theatre and cinema. The dominant theme is images with film projections and photography exhibitions.