To feel the soul of the city, we suggest you to visit the following places.
The festival capital is a small city designed for beach vacations. If you want to, you won't find as many tourist sites here as, say, on the Paris sightseeing map. In fact, Cannes is easy to get around in a day. But it's an option for those who just want to check off, "I've been here!". After such a cursory look around, you may get the impression that Cannes has few attractions.
Photos on the stairs of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, where one of the most prestigious film awards - the Palme d'Or - is handed out, near the handprints of Sharon Stone, Mickey Mouse, Gérard Depardieu and other stars, on the Croisette, where you can easily meet a celebrity.... That seems to be all you can squeeze out of this city.
But in fact Cannes is much more interesting than it seems at first glance. We will not dwell on the "popularized" sights of the city. There is a lot about them in French, English and other languages, including in the booklets describing the sights of Cannes, which you can get at the tourist office near the Palais des Festivals. It is also worth asking for the Cannes sightseeing map, which shows the best route to see them.
To feel the soul of the city, we suggest you go to the old quarters - the Suquet district. Wander through its streets that remember Napoleon's footsteps, climb the Chevalier Mountain, which offers a magnificent view of Cannes and the bay day and night (don't forget your camera!). You can also check it out here:
the chateau built by monks in the XII century with an ethnographic and archaeological exhibition and a collection of musical instruments from around the world
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Saint Anne's Chapel (Chapelle St. Anne), where tourists are attracted by the collection of paintings on mythological and religious themes;
A 22-meter high viewing tower.
22-meter high viewing tower.
As you descend the mountain, check out the Cathedral of Our Lady of Hope, built in the 16th-17th centuries in Provençal Gothic style. Visit the Forville market (it's open in the morning all week except Monday). The inexpensive seasonal produce and local fish sold here is a gourmet's paradise in Provence.
Another (or rather two) must-see sites in Cannes are the Lerina IslandsLerina and Lero. The former is still home to the monks of the Lerina Abbey, who meditate and make an amazing herbal liqueur that you can buy.
The second island attracts with its pine and eucalyptus forests, a lake and... a prison operating as the Museum of the Sea (Musée de la Mer). This asylum is linked to the story of the legendary Iron Mask, which the excursion guides will be sure to tell you.
A trip to the islands by ferry will cost 20-35 EUR per person (round trip), children under 4 years old are free. Just be aware that it is impossible to visit two islands in one trip - transportation services are provided by different companies.
After visiting the Lerins Islands, you can go to see other sights of Cannes:
Cimetière du Grand Jas (Cemetière du Grand Jas), where Carl Fabergé and other celebrities are buried and which is also the largest... park in the city;
The Church of St. Michael the Archangel (Eglise de Saint Michel Archange), laid by order of Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Emperor Alexander II, where you will see many ancient icons and hear the legendary church choir;
The Albert-Edouard Mole (Jetee Albert-Edouard), which has luxury yachts moored there.
