Situated on
the shores of La Napoule bay, Cannes is a glittering city with lots
of old world charm. Cannes is world renowned for its International
Film Festival and the legendary boulevard, La Festival. To find
the grandest hotels, the best restaurants and the most fabulous
designer shops, look no further than La Croisette.
During the 20s
and 30s, Cannes was the playground of the rich and famous as well
as the art crowd. F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda lived nearby
during that time while the famous expatriate wrote about their Jazz
Age lifestyle in several of his stories and books. Cannes is now
one of the leading convention and exhibition destinations in Europe.
For a long,
long time, Cannes was just a small fishing village huddled around
Mont Chevalier, the hill now called Le Suquet, hardly the target
of any particular strategic ploys. At the time of the French Revolution,
it was still a small, quiet township. Cannes owes its prestige to
Lord Brougham, an Englishman who had to spend a few days in this
tranquil spot back in 1834.
Enchanted by
its charm and natural beauty, he returned the following years, accompanied
by ever-growing numbers of aristocratic friends. Thus it was that
Cannes came into fashion, and since became one of the most highly
sought-after places in the world, that extends along its world-famous
Croisette flanked by palm-trees and sandy beaches. If Nice and Monaco
were always looked upon as luxury resorts, Cannes was not to be
outdone and unfurls its splendor in a more serene atmosphere.
At the heart
of the town, overlooking the sea, between old Cannes and the promenade
of "La Croisette", sits the "Palais des Festivals
et des Congrès", trodden by so many international movie-stars.
It's a stone's throw from most of the hotels, shops and lively streets
of Cannes and is one of the few conference centres in the world
of the size from which you can walk back to your hotel while enjoying
the view of the bay.
Just for the
experience, climb the hill of Le Suquet offering a panoramic view
of the entire town. Downtown, stroll around the port and admire
the splendid de-luxe yachts or wander through the streets behind
the Croisette, such as the very elegant Rue d'Antibes with its many
high-class boutiques. At the end of the Croisette, discover the
Port Canto harbour equipped with modern infrastructures suitable
for seafaring tourists.
The harbour
is surrounded by very pleasant gardens and children's' playgrounds.
Take the Rue Meynadier, a colourful, typical pedestrian street linking
the modern town centre to the old town of Le Suquet. It used to
be the main street in Cannes but is now home to numerous boutiques
selling clothes and groceries.
Tourist Office
Palais des Festivals Boulevard Croisette
Phone: +33(0)493 39 24 53
Fax: +33(0)492 99 84 23
The Port
of Cannes
Contact info:
Gare Maritime - Port de Cannes - 06400 Cannes
Phone: +33 (0)492 98 70 00
Fax: +33 (0)492 98 70 01
E-mail: port.cannes@cote-azur.cci.fr
VHF: channel 12
Geographical location: Lat 43°33'0 N - Long 07°01' E
Access: On the A8 motorway from Aix en Provence or Italy: exit "
Mougins - Le Cannet - Cannes "then follow signs to " centre
ville - centre Croisette ".
