Cannes is one of the most famous cities in France. It is located in the south-east of France, on the Cote d'Azur. Location: 690 kilometers southeast of Paris, 136 kilometers northeast of Marseille, 27 kilometers southwest of Nice, 38 kilometers southwest of Monaco. Traveling just 50 kilometers to the east you can get to Italy. The population of the city is about 84 thousand people.
La Croisette (Promenade de la Croisette) is the most famous street of the city. The street runs from Cap de la croisette (in the east) to the Old Port (Le Vieux Port) in the west. The length of the La Croisette street is slightly less than three kilometers. There is a beach along the Promenade. The length of the beach is a little more than one kilometer. Near the Croisette, there are many popular hotels, restaurants and shops. It is the most popular place with tourist in Cannes.
The city of Cannes has been popular with wealthy people for decades. (Like the whole Cote d'Azur of France.) Some rich and famous people have own houses or apartments there. These days you don't have to be rich to visit Cannes.
One of the most famous film festivals in the world is held in Cannes every year at the end of May. Many famous artists, directors, journalists (and other famous people) come to Cannes during the days of the festival. (Events.)
The central part of the city is located near the bay. The oldest part of the city is located on the Suquet hill (Le Suquet). At the top of the hill you will see the remains of a medieval castle. There is the port and then the Croisette street to east of the hill.
Rue Antibes is another famous street of Cannes. It is laid parallel to the sea, at a distance of 100 - 300 meters from the embankment. Many tourists recommend this street as one of the best places for shopping in Cannes.
Another popular tourist street - Allees de la Liberte-Charles-de-Gaulle is next to the port and the Palace of Festivals and Congresses, at a distance of about 50 meters from the embankment. This is a short (about 200 meters long) pedestrian street, a popular place for tourists.
You can book a tours in Cannes here.
Museums
Museo de la Castre (Musée de la Castre). The museum is located in the buildings of a medieval fortress, which was built by monks on the Suquet hill. The tower with a height of 22 meters is located on the territory of the fortress. (You can easily find a museum, focusing on this tower.) The museum presents antiques and works of art from different countries.
Address: Musée de la Castre, Le Suquet, Cannes.
Museum of the Sea (Musée de la Mer). The Museum of the Sea is located on the island of St Marguerite. The museum exhibits are found at the bottom of the sea. The museum is small, but the island offers beautiful views of the coast. The distance from the port to the island is about 3 kilometers. Ships depart to the island from the Old Port of Cannes.
Galerie de la Malmaison. The exhibition center "Malmaison" is located in the XIX century building on the Croisette. Exhibitions of works by contemporary artists are held here. Address: 47 boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes.
How to get there
You can get to Cannes by rail, by plane or by car. The choice of the most convenient type of transport depends on the place of departure.
Cannes railway station (Gare de Cannes) is located in the central part of the city, at a distance of about 300 meters from the embankment and the port. The station serves mainline trains (TGV and Thello) and regional trains (TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur). You can get dy train to the cities (for example) Paris, Nice, Marseille, Brussels, Lyon, Milan.
Address: 4 Place de la Gare, Cannes, France.
🚄 You will find here links to sites where you can find out the timetable and the cost of train tickets.
Airports
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (Aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur) is located approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) from Cannes. This is the third busiest airport in France.
You can get to Cannes from the airport by bus No. 200 (the cheapest option), by express bus No. 210, or by train from the Gare de Nice Saint-Augustin station (near the airport).
The most convenient way to get to Cannes is to order a taxi. (You can order a taxi in advance, online.)
Marseille Airport (Marseille Provence Airport) is located approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Cannes.
Cannes-Mandelieu Airport (Cannes - Mandelieu Airport) is approximately 5 kilometers (3.2 miles) from the city center. This small airport does not accept regular flights at this time.
Useful link - you will find good sites for buying tickets here.
🚗 Some tourists prefer to rent a car and travel independently. Offices for rental offices are available at the airport. You can choose and book a car in advance.
Events
The International Cannes Film Festival (Festival international du film de Cannes) is held annually, at the end of May. Many famous film actors, directors, journalists come to Cannes during the festival. Venue: Palace of Festivals and Congresses.
The Palace of Festivals and Congresses is located next to the Old Port, on the embankment. Address: Boulevard de la Croisette - Esplanade Georges Pompidou - 06400 Cannes.
The Cannes Festival of Pyrotechnics (Festival d'art pyrotechnique de Cannes) is held annually in the second half of July and August. Final performance on August 24th. Pyrotechnic charges are mounted on barges in the bay. Watch the fireworks best from the embankment.
International Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. The festival is held annually, usually in the third week of June.
International Festival of Games (le Festival International des Jeux). This event is for fans of all kinds of games: traditional games, board games, video games and others. It is held, as a rule, in February. The entrance is free. Venue: Palace of Festivals and Congresses.
Marathon French Riviera. The marathon route runs along the coastline of the French Riviera, from the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice, to the Croisette in Cannes. The marathon will be held on November 4 in 2018.
The best places to stay for tourists
In which hotels do the most famous and richest guests of Cannes prefer to stay? In fact, many celebrities have their own villas on the coast.
The most convenient area for tourists to live in Cannes is the city center, the port area, the area near the Croisette and Antibes street. You can walk along the promenade and the city center at any time if you book a hotel or apartment here. The port and the train station can be reached on foot. You can reach the airport by taxi, by bus or by rail.
We recommend a couple of excellent hotels, which are located near the port, next to the Palace of Festivals and the promenade.
Five Seas Hotel (5 stars). The hotel is 100 meters from the Palace of Festivals and Congresses and the beach. A terrace with an outdoor pool and a lounge bar is available on the roof of the hotel. Address: 1 rue Notre Dame, Cannes.
Go to the hotel page on the BookingCom website. (You can find out the cost of living and read the hotel reviews there.)
Hotel America (4 stars). A bus to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport stops near the hotel. The walk to the train station takes 5 minutes. Address: 16 Rue Notre Dame, Cannes, France.
Go to the hotel page on the BookingCom website. (You can find out the cost of living and read the hotel reviews there.)
Cheap hotels are also available in the center of Cannes. For example, 
the Hôtel P.L.M (2-stars) hotel is located in a very convenient location, close to the Rue d'Antibes shopping street. The distance to the train station is about 350 meters.
Go to the hotel page on the BookingCom website. (You can find out the cost of living and read the hotel reviews there.)
Among the tourists there are many who prefer to stay in hostels. We do not have (currently) hostel information in Cannes. But you can book a hostel in the city of Antibes (near Cannes). Hostal Oasis is located in the center of Antibes, a 14-minute walk from the beach. Address: 20 Rue des Casemates, Antibes, France.