Visit The Best 7 Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Cannes

June 24, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 2119 Views

Cannes is a city situated on the French Riviera in France. It is best known as the host of the Cannes Film Festival and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Some of the best things to do in Cannes, France include exploring art, architecture, and regional history, enjoying beaches, experiencing events or performances and just chilling. It is a city well known for its association with arts and artists. Some of the best places to visit in Cannes have been homes, studios or places of inspiration for several renowned artists.

The city started its life as a small fishing village which was used as a port between Lerins Islands. These days, it is one of the most glamorous cities in Europe. Cannes tourist attractions have been graced with the presence of several celebrities from the world of cinema, entertainment, music, sports and arts. The two major festivals of the city have brought its attention from around the world, inspiring numerous people to embark on Cannes vacation. Even besides these festivals, the city is frequented by many popularly known people from different walks of life. This is another major reason that people visit Cannes in hopes to run into a celebrity.

The city is also blessed with some of the best beaches on the French Riviera. These have become Cannes top attractions not only for their scenic beauty, but also for the various activities, events, venues and vibes. The city is equally famous for its culinary culture with several venues including Michelin Star restaurants, bakeries, cafes, experimental food joints, street foods and so on. This just adds to the delight of Cannes sightseeing.

All the glitz and glamour should not mitigate the fact that this city also boasts a rich history, intricate culture and beautiful architecture. The old town area offers some of the top things to see in Cannes, France. There are wonderful historical buildings, houses, chateaus, villas, churches and city landmarks to explore for their marvelous architecture and design elements.

If you don’t have much time, you can also make a Cannes day trip from Nice to explore only the top attractions and have a little bit of fun in the ever-vibrant atmosphere of this city.

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Table of Contents

The Top 7 Tourist Places to Visit in Cannes in 1 Day (Trip Itinerary)

1. Museum of the Sea (Musée de la Mer)

The Museum of the Sea exhibits archeological findings from ocean and land excavations. The museum is housed in the old fort which is one of the most important historical Cannes attractions. The fort complex also has a church and a prison, each with a unique history of its own. You will need about 2 hours to tour this complex when you visit Cannes.

2. Villa Rothschild

This villa was built in 1880 by Thomas Woolfield and later purchased and reconstructed by Baroness Dowager Betty de Rothschild. The villas were later used by several members of the Rothschild family. It is one of the best places to visit in Cannes France to take a peak into the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy family. You will need about an hour to tour this villa.

3. Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Espérance

This church has had a long construction stretching from 1521 to 1627. The church is renowned for its blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles of architecture. Although the bell tower exhibits a Romanesque style of design. It is one of the top things to see in Cannes France and will require an hour or so to explore.

4. Musée de la Castre

This museum is housed in the remains of the medieval castle of the monks of Lerins on Suquet Hill. It is among the most popular Cannes tourist attractions known for its vast collection of artworks and historical artifacts brought in from Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. You will need 2 hours to tour this museum during Cannes sightseeing.

5. Palace of Festivals and Congresses of Cannes (Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes)

The Palace of Festivals and Congresses is best known as the venue for the renowned Cannes Film Festival and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Cultural events are an integral part of the Cannes vacation and this venue is best experienced as a host of an event. You would need about an hour to explore it.

6. Plage de la Croisette

This oceanside promenade is known for some of the best things to do in Cannes France including shopping, dining, fashion, events, leisure and entertainment. The road has opulent buildings on one side and the beach on the other. It is one of the most lively and happening places to see in Cannes. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring this route.

7. Musée Bonnard

This museum is dedicated to the life and work of prominent 20th-century artist Pierre Bonnard. The museum exhibits his works and also gives great insight into his life as a person and as an artist. It is one of the Cannes top attractions for admirers of art and will require about an hour to explore.

If you are looking for more places to go in a Cannes day trip, check out the sections below. The exhaustive list covers almost all the attractions and activities to be enjoyed in and around the city.

Things to do in Cannes

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Cannes

Musee des Explorations du Monde
Monasterio de Lerins
Eglise Notre Dame d’Esprance
La Malmaison
Mediatheque Noailles
Royal Fort
Villa Domergue
Musee Bonnard
Church of Our Lady of Good Voyage
Musee du Masque de fer et du Fort Royal
Musee Chapelle Bellini
Musee d’Art Classique de Mougins
Suquet des Artistes
St. Michael the Archangel Church
Chateau de la Napoule
Chateau de la Croix des Gardes
Chateau de la Castre
Monument aux Morts
Galerie Vieceli
Movie Car Museum
Chapelle Notre Dame de Vie
Espace de I’art Concert
Chateau de I’Horizon
Jardins du Musee International de la Parfumerie
Our Lady of Africa Church
Chateau Musee Grimaldi
Antibes Cathedral
Chateau de Mouans
Memorial Notre Dame d’Afrique
Abbaye de Valbonne
Chateau Paquette
Musee des Beaux – Arts de Nice
Greek Villa Kerylos
Chateau du Rouet
Castle of Saint Martin
Chateau de Palayson
Musee Renoir
Chateau des Demoiselles
Foundation Maeght
Matisse Museum
Modern and Contemporary Art Museum – MAMAC
Marc Chagall National Museum
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Le Cannet Museum
Musee d’Art Classique de Mougins – MACM
The Rosary Chapel
Musee Picasso
Musee National Fernand Leger
Jean Cocteau Museum
The Provence Art and History Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Cannes

Parc Natural Forestier de la Croix des Gardes
Parc Natural Regional des Prealpes d’Azur
Bay of Cannes
Pointe du Dragon
Valmasque Forest
San Peyre Volcano
Rando d’Azur
Col de Theoule
Le Grand Duc
Brague River
Rocher des Monges

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Cannes

Palace of Festivals and Congresses
Casino Barriere
Fun City Cannes
Casino Les Princes
Le Bar a Vin
Le Mediterranoscope Aquarium
Casino de la Pointe
Parc du Pardou
Golf de Saint Donat
Parc Natural de la Valmasque
Victoria Golf Club
Les Mimosas Garden

Shopping in Cannes

Marche Forville
Rue Hoche
Plage de la Croisette
Rue Meynadier
Marche Gambetta
Galleires Lafayette
Marche de la Bronca
Rue d’Antibes
La Bocca
Rue des Etats Unis

Beaches & Islands in Cannes

Lerins Islands
Ile Sainte Marguerite
Plage Gazagnaire
Ile Sainte Honorat
Plage du Midi
Croisette Beach
Plage du Festival
Handiplage
Plage de la Bocca
Ilot Saint Ferreol
Plage Naturiste de la Batterie
La Plage du Chateau
Plage des Pierres Hautes
Calanque de Maupas
Plage du Soleil
Raguette Beach
Plage de la Gravette
La Garoupe
Plage des Ondes

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure Activities to Do in Cannes

Boat Cruises
Hiking
Sailing
Fishing
Scuba Diving
Snorkelling
Water Sports
Bicycle Tours
French Riviera Cruise
Water Skiing
Walking Tours
Yacht Cruise
Swimming with Dolphins
Island Cruise
Kite Surfing

Sightseeing in Cannes

Boulevard de la Croisette
Lerins Islands
Vieux Port de Cannes
Rue Mayadier
Le Palais Miramar
Port Frejus
Hotel de Ville
Le Murs Peints – Marilyn Monroe
Port du Moure Rouge
Cannes Walk of Fame
Le Murs Peints – Cannes Cinema
Port la Napoule
Anse de I’argent Faux
Le Murs Peints – Movie Cars
Port Pierre Canto
Esplanade Georges Pompidau
Port de Pointe Croisettte
Avenue Francis Tonner

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Cannes

Morrisons Irish Pub
Le Bistrot
Le Park 45
La Toque d’Or
Le Roof
Fromagerie Ceneri
La Table du Chef
Boulangerie Jean Luc Pele
La Palme d’Or
Da Laura
La Petite Maison de Nicole
Table 22
Le Grain de Sel
B Fire
Bistrot Saint Saueur
Fouquet’s
La Casa di Nonna
L’Affable
Au Pot de Vin
Lucky You
Tredici
La Mome Plage

Where to Stay in Cannes?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Cannes. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Cannes.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Cannes

How to Reach Cannes?

By Air

The closest airport for Cannes travel is Nice’s Côte d’Azur International Airport, situated about 26 kms away from the city by land. The airport receives direct flights from cities in Europe, Asia, Middle East, North America and Iceland. The airport is connected for Cannes travel by express coach, trains, buses and cabs. You can also get a high speed powerboat or a helicopter ride to reach Cannes from the airport. But these are obviously costly affairs, if you are looking for affordable travel options you should stick to buses and trains. You can directly embark on a Cannes day trip from this airport.

By Road

You can get direct trains to visit Cannes from several cities in France and in Europe. Some of the top destinations connected to this city by train include Nice, Monaco, Marseille, Antibes, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Florence and so on.

The bus network of France connects Cannes to several cities in the country as well as to several cities in neighbouring countries. For distances greater than these train travel is more advisable. You can also take a short Cannes vacation with buses running along the French Riviera connecting cities from Marseille to Nice.

If you are looking to travel by road, you should head for routes A8 and turn to N85 to reach Cannes. You can also go along the coastal route D135 which branches from N7 and connects to the city.

By Water

You can get a variety of boat trips to and from several islands in the Bay of Cannes including Lerins Islands. These cruises are rated among the most fun things to do in Cannes with family or friends. You can partake in a passenger boat or a hire a boat for yourself or your group. There are also a wide variety of options to choose from including sailing boats, speedboats, yachts, cruise boats and so on.

Image Reference

Museum of the Sea (Musée de la Mer) – Bernard DUPONT / Flickr
Villa Rothschild – Jérôme Briot / Flickr
Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Espérance – Jorge Láscar / Flickr
Musée de la Castre – M.Strīķis / Wikimedia Commons
Palace of Festivals and Congresses of Cannes (Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes) – Marco Bernardini / Flickr
Plage de la Croisette – M.Strīķis / Wikimedia Commons
Musée Bonnard – MOSSOT / Wikimedia Commons