SYLVIANE NUCCIO

Visiting Cannes Popular Sunny City Of The French Riviera

June 15, 2012 European Cities

Want to spend your summer vacations in Cannes, France?

For the duration of the summer, I will write a city-type-review post every Friday, about some of the cities of France that I know best to give you a little bit of insights and maybe help you make your choice in case you decided to go to France in vacation this summer or even some other time down the road.

Going in Vacation in France?

So maybe you are thinking about going to France for your summer vacations, and still wondering where you should stay.  There are many cities and towns in France where you would have a great time during your stay.  However, when we think summer in France, the number one place one can think of is probably “la Côte d’Azur” (The French Riviera) in English.

Personally, I know the French Rivera very well, since I’ve been there many times to spend my summer vacations.  I know that if you choose to head up that way for your summer vacations you won’t be disappointed.

Cannes, Popular City of the French Riviera

Why do people love the French Riviera? Well, because it has everything you would ever want to enjoy your stay. It has the sun, the warmth, the sea, the beaches, the best restaurants and hotels, the most beautiful views and much more.

If you’d talk to most people who have been to “La Côte d’Azur” I am sure everybody would have his or her favorite city, and I’m no different.  I have been to all the towns and cities of the French Riviera from Cannes to Menton and my favorite one is without a doubt, Cannes.

I do think that the main reason why I am partial to Cannes is because I used to go there in July  with my family.  We used to stay in a charming little hotel called L’Hotel Le Cheval Blanc (see picture below).  Even though hotel prices in Cannes in the summer can get pretty pricy, this hotel found at 3 rue de Maupassant in the back streets of the city was reasonable enough will only a 10 minute walk to the beach.

Below is the hotel and the view from the window of my room the last time I was there!

Those photos reminded me the delicious French breakfasts which included toasts, brioches, and croissants with butter, honey and various flavor jams.  Of course you’ll get your choice of coffee, tea, or even cereals if you preferred, but I love those brioches and croissants with butter with my coffee in the morning.

The View from our hotel window on the back

 About Cannes and its Islands

Long before the popularity of summer vacations and film festivals, Cannes was a simple fishing village and a small port.

Linked to Cannes are two small islands which are called the les Îles de Lérins (Lérins Islands). These two islands right off the shores of Cannes, and part of Cannes are the island “Sainte-Marguerite” where the famous Iron Mask Man was at some point imprisoned back the 15th century. As you probably know, this story has been portrayed in several movies because it was said that this man had noble blood, but historians have never been able to prove this to be true or not. Nonetheless, the legende was created and stuck.

The other island is called island “Saint-Honorat” which has been inhabited by monks since the year 410.  Monks still live there to this day in a monastery built in the fourteen century.  Ile Saint- Honorat is four times smaller than Ile Sainte-Marguerite.

Ile Saint- Honorat

La Croisette

The most famous area of Cannes is probably was is called “La Croisette”, the seashore street lined with palm trees and the beach on one side and famous and luxurious cafes, restaurants and hotels on the other.  During the summer, La Croissette is busy 24/7.

La Croisette

Another very busy time of Cannes is in May during the two week film festival better known as the Festival de Cannes (Cannes Festival).  The Palais des Festivals is on the Croisette as well.  During those two weeks you can brush shoulder with international movie stars. Around the Palais many of such stars palm prints can be seen on the ground.

Le Palais des Festivals

OK, you deserve it, take a trip to Cannes now!

 

OK, now let me know, did you enjoyed the trip?

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24 thoughts on “Visiting Cannes Popular Sunny City Of The French Riviera”

  1. Wow Sylviane, you make me want to go to France even more now.

    As I’ve mentioned to you before, it’s a country I’d love to visit someday but it’s not on my immediate list. Australia is my next big destination but I would love to visit France too. Especially now that you and I have met and I know you are from there. Talk about getting knowledge first hand. Then we have Miss Annie and her family that are living there right now. That would be so cool to pop in on them and visit. What fun!

    Thanks for giving us this tour. It’s just so beautiful!

    ~Adrienne
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  2. Yeah, I want to visit the France in holidays with my family. You had given different information regarding on France and its places. These information will useful to me at the time of visiting the France.Last but not in the list, Video is awesome

  3. Hi Sylviane,

    What a great post! Makes me want to pack my bags right now. But someday, may be just around the corner. Always loved France since that’s where my grandparent’s families are from. My grandfather’s is from down south and my grandmother was from Alsace Lorraine. I’ve seen a little bit of this beautiful country, like Paris, Strasbourg and the Haute Savoie region, but I have yet to venture further south. Like I mention on my blog comment, the “Grand Prix of Monaco” is on my bucket list and Cannes is not that far from there. Can’t wait!

    Thanks for sharing your great insights!

    Ilka
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    1. Hi Ilka,

      I didn’t know that both your grandmother and grandfather were both from France. So, I see you sure have been there.

      Indeed, Monaco is very close to Cannes. I’ve been to Monaco many times and I feel that a post about this little “Principauté” is coming soon.

      Thanks for coming by, Ilka 🙂

    1. Hi Patricia,

      I know that indeed you are not far from Cannes and the whole south of France. I wish I were there right now 🙂

      Thanks for coming by, always appreciate 🙂

  5. The last time I was in France, my wife and I traveled through the countryside and ended up in Paris. We were able to see the Eiffel Tower and the surrounding sites in the area. We were a bit turned off by it all, but I think that was more from the fact that we were in a major city in its most touristy area. Your post makes me want to see another area of the country.

    1. Hi Clint,

      I’m sorry you were turned off by Paris:( It is a beautiful city, but it all depends on each individual experience. France is beautiful country and I always tell people in the US that Paris is not all there is in France, by no mean.

      Thanks for coming by 🙂

  6. Yes, I almost felt as if I was there for awhile. La Croisette resembles the city of Santa Monica in California. I always wanted to attend the Cannes Film Festival but to date have not gotten there.

    1. Hi Kostas,

      Thanks for visiting my travel blog and Cannes.

      If you do go to France again, please, by all mean make sure you go to some other places. Paris is great, but that’s one city of France, there are many, many more. Hundreds of them, really 🙂 Thousands if you count the towns and villages 🙂

  8. Hi Sylviane,

    you make me wanna pack my suitcase right away…I haven’t been at the Côte d’Azur for a very long time which is a sin definitely because it has everything holiday seekers are looking for, as you note: The sea, a beautiful countryside, mountains, great food, the easy life…

    Thanks for sharing this wonderful post !

    Take care

    Oliver

    1. Well, Oliver 🙂 it seems that you have been in France much more than I have lately, anyway. And you’ve been everywhere too, while I’ve never been to Germany 🙁 Makes ME want to pack an go get to know your country 🙂

      It’s funny, while I was there they were a lot of things about Europe I wasn’t necessarily interested in and now I am!

      Thanks for your visit, Oliver and have a fantastic week!

  9. You are so right Sylviane,

    Cannes is so beautiful. We just went to Sainte-Marguerite island and hung out at the little beach area with the kids. They were jumping off the pier. It was so much fun. Plus all the great little restaurants to eat at.

    Any plans on doing a write up on Toulon or Hyeres? My sons have sailed during the summer at the sailing camp in Hyeres and they love it there.
    Annie Andre invites you to read..Could You Slow Travel For 8 Years As A single parent? Lainie Can:InterviewMy Profile

    1. Hi Annie,

      I am sure you had a great time in Sainte-Marguerite.

      Plans to write about Toulon or Hyeres? Well, I am going to start with the cities I personally know and I don’t know much about these two, but, by the way, if you feel like you would want to write a guest post about it, you are welcome to do so 🙂 I will welcome it and all you have to do is let me know 🙂

      I always enjoy a break 😉

        1. Not a problem, Annie.

          Will welcome your guest post when you’re ready!

  10. Oh heavens, I am going to be daydreaming for weeks now. This is so beautiful. I would love to spend a whole summer on any part of that beautiful beach! The most I know about Cannes is through the film festival but I would rather just sit in the sun and soak up the culture. Sylviane, I think you’d better forget France and start writing about Siberia or something, otherwise you are going to end up costing m a lot of travel money! I appreciate your little historical snippets, too. I love knowing what a place is about. Thanks for sharing!
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    1. Ahahah, Siberia? I don’t know anything about Siberia. Sorry Carol, can’t write about it 🙂

      Well, fasten your seat belt, because there is going to be more beautiful cities and towns in the coming weeks!

      Thanks for your visit, Carol 🙂

  11. Hi Sylviane,

    As promised, I came to have a look at your blog. What a great idea to write about all the beautiful places France has to offer! My dream is to take my children all around France for a Tour de France touristique et culinaire.

    I had to comment on this post because I’m from Antibes, just 10km from Cannes. Antibes is also well worth a visit with its old city, beautiful Cap and recently renovated Picasso museum. I love the Riviera and Provence. I now live in England and although I love our life in our beautiful and friendly village in the Peak District, I do miss the Mediterranean sea, the bright sunshine light, the pink and orange sunsets over the sea, the smell of the maritime pines and … the ski, just 1 hour away from Nice!!!

    A little paradise…
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    1. Hi Isabelle,

      Well, what are the odds that I’d find another French woman though browsing blogs?

      Antibes, tu parles! of course I know Antibes it’s beautiful, and I even have an offer for you. Would you like to write a blog post about Antibes for this blog? If yes, just let me know… you’d be welcome.

      I though your site about learning french was very interesting and that would be a good match with this blog here. I will also contact you through your blog.

      Merci de venir ici, Isabelle 🙂

  12. Hi
    We were lucky enough to stop in Cannes why travelling down the French coast in our sail boat and we loved it. We only stayed a couple of nights but the second night we were there we were lucky enough to be there an international fireworks competition. What. An evening absolutely spectacular displays. One we will never forget.

    Great place thanks lee
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  13. I want to visit the France in holidays with my family. You had given different information regarding on France and its places.

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