The other side of Cannes
CANNES, May 14 — The annual film festival starts soon in Cannes, bringing thousands of movie stars, industry members and fans to the palm-lined shores of the French Riviera.
During the festival, Cannes is a town transformed, but visit out of season and it’s a place with plenty to offer. Here, a look at what to do in one of France’s most famous towns.
Aerial view of the Palais de Festivals in Cannes. — Picture courtesy of Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de CannesThe Croisette
Can there be any better way to spend an evening than strolling down Cannes’s famous sea-front boulevard, with the wind in your hair and an ice cream in your hand?
Rue d’Antibes
A must for shopaholics, this road is paradise for fashionistas, with everything from top designer brands to high-street names on offer.
Île Sainte-Marguerite
A pleasant boat ride from Cannes, the gentle hills and wildlife of Île Sainte-Marguerite make an excellent retreat from the mayhem of the resort’s tourist-filled town. Don’t miss the Fort Royal, a former prison with the cell that housed the Man in the Iron Mask.
La Palme d’Or
Cannes’s top-restaurant has two well-deserved Michelin stars and is a favourite of most Hollywood visitors thanks to its lengthly Mediterranean menu and superb position overlooking the sea.
Palais de Festivals
The home of the film festival is also the host of plenty of other events throughout the year, including the International Fireworks Festival and the Russian Art Festival 2012.
Old Town
Don’t miss a stroll along the lanes and picturesque stairways of Cannes’ historic centre, including the incredible views of the sea and the ancient ramparts of the town’s part.
Forville Market
Packed with Provençal produce, Forville is rightly regarded as among the best market experiences in France, selling fresh food daily to both tourists and locals.
Musee de la Castre
Housed in an 11th-century chateau, the Musee de la Castre offers an eclectic selection of artefacts which were collected by a local aristocrat during the 19th century. It’s refreshingly different from the shops, restaurants and hotels which dominate the town. — AFP-Relaxnews
