Champagne and caviar, diamonds and tiaras – Cannes is the great dame of the French Riviera. Whether you travel during the off-season or board a private flight to Cannes for the world-renowned film festival in May, there’s no denying the red carpet royal treatment in this resort hotspot. Once a small fishing village that only saw the likes of monks and pilgrims, today’s Cannes is synonymous with wealth, extravagance and superstardom.
While the city radiates the rich and famous, there’s plenty of room for budget travelers on a Cannes flight. Don your paparazzi shades and stroll the city in style. Cannes is home to one of the most walked on promenades in all of Europe, featuring chic boutiques, glitzy nightclubs and pristine beaches. While the annual Cannes Film Festival is the best known event, hundreds of other conferences take place in Cannes. From international galas to the Mimosa Festival, it’s hard not to be entertained in the glorious French Riviera. Because the city is busy year-round, cheap flights to Cannes and discounted hotel rooms are hard to come by. Plan your trip in advance and experience the charisma and charm that Cannes has to offer…
Back to top
Between the Mediterranean and the mountains, Cannes has a hot, dry climate. Spring and fall are warm with temperatures in the upper-50s (F) and 60s. Summer can be uncomfortable with temperatures reaching the 90s from June to September. Winter is mild with high temperatures in the low 60s. When it rains, it rains a lot but not for long.
Back to top
Peak Season:
The International Film Festival is at the end of May, and everyone who is anyone, or wants to be anyone, is in Cannes. Private flights to Cannes arrive daily during the festival, and visitors might have a hard time getting anywhere in the city due to security. Many of the festival’s activities are closed to visitors, who line up along “the bunker” to watch the parade of celebrities.
Summer is also very busy when students and celebrities come to play, however Cannes flights and accommodations are inflated.
Off Season:
Cannes is busy year-round except for the month of November, which is very quiet. Savvy travelers who plan ahead of time can find cheap flights to Cannes, but advance booking is required.
For milder weather and fewer crowds, April to May (except the end of May) and October are good times to visit. Business travelers also frequent the area in the off season.
Back to top
The metro, trams, and buses provide local transport in Cannes with routes covering the city. The main transport for short distances are buses, but they are expensive. Shuttle boats run to Ile Sainte Marguerite and Ile Saint Honorat.
With a flat landscape, Cannes is perfect for riding a bicycle or motor scooter, and both are available for rent at local shops.
Any size boat, from canoes to yachts, can be rented for a day, week, or month. For the larger boats you can also request a crew.
Back to top
- If you want to join the hordes of star spotters during the film festival, there are a few tricks to follow. Most obviously, look for camps of paparazzi outside any of the big hotels. They know where all of the film stars are staying, so follow the telephoto lenses and you might glimpse an elbow of Scarlett Johansson or the baseball cap of Dustin Hoffman.
- In fact, the city is far more pleasant at all other times of the year, and still one of the glitziest destinations in Europe. Feel a bit like a film star by taking a promenade along La Croisette. Looking good is crucial; arm yourself with a small dog and some huge sunglasses to feel at home with the locals.
- The beaches around the city are not all open to the public. There are many private beaches, often belonging to the larger hotels, and you have to pay to spend time here, and pay a lot. Make sure you check before you head out on to the sand. The private beaches tend to surround La Croisette and Boulevard Jean Hibert. Head to La Bocca and Mourre Rouge for public access.
- The seafood in Cannes is second-to-none throughout France. Most restaurants have plenty on the menu. Head to those along the seafront for the full atmosphere as you eat.
- There is no doubt that the glamour of the city makes Cannes one of the most expensive towns to visit in the Cote d’Azur. Don’t assume you can’t afford it though, but consider traveling off season. Avoid the time around the Film Festival and high summer (particularly August when most French people take their holidays) and prices plummet for even the best hotels. The weather is excellent throughout the year, so even in October you have a good chance of enjoying sunshine.
Back to top
