France / Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) / CannesCannes
The Croisette, the Film Festival and the Lérins Islands
Film-festival town on a sandy bay: the Croisette promenade with its palace hotels and private beaches, the Palais des Festivals and its red carpet, the old Le Suquet quarter, and a 15-minute boat to the Lérins islands, with the fort where the Man in the Iron Mask was held. The Film Festival in May is trade-only, and hotel prices multiply that fortnight. Thirty minutes from Nice by train.
Highlights
- La Croisette promenade
- Red-carpet steps of the Palais des Festivals
- Le Suquet old quarter
- Boat to Île Sainte-Marguerite
- Monks' island of Saint-Honorat
- Forville market
- Grasse perfume houses
Things to do
- La Croisette and the Palais des FestivalsEvening · 2h
- Le Suquet old quarter and the Forville marketMorning · 2h
- Boat to the Lérins islandsMorning · 4h
- Grasse perfume-house visitAfternoon · 3h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: May – June, September – October (avoid festival week unless you want the crowds)
Worth knowing
Peak Summer: Crowds and High Prices on the Coast
July and August are French school holidays: beaches, coast roads and trains along the Mediterranean and the Basque coast are packed, rooms cost 30-100% more and often need a minimum stay, and Corsica's ferries and flights sell out. Book months ahead, or come in June or September, when the sea is still warm.
Worth knowing
Cannes Film Festival: Hotel Prices Multiply
For twelve days in May the festival fills Cannes with film professionals; screenings are for accredited guests only. Rooms cost several times their usual price and sell out along the coast. Check the dates and plan Cannes for another week unless the festival is the point.
- Cannes Film Festival — Twelve days in May. Screenings are for accredited film professionals and invited guests; the public sees the red carpet from behind the barriers and the free beach screenings. Hotels in Cannes cost several times their usual price and fill up along the coast to Nice; avoid it unless the festival is why you are going.