What to see in Cannes in 1 day on your own – route, photo, description, map
Although Cannes is known to everyone, it is a relatively small city. You can get acquainted with its most interesting sights in a short time. But for this you need to carefully plan the route, figure out where the cafes are located in order to have a bite to eat and relax a bit. It is best to seek the help of a professional guide who will organize a trip around the city according to your wishes. What to see in Cannes in 1 day? Let's talk about the most interesting places.
Michael Archangel Church
For a long time on the vast lands of the French Riviera there was only one Russian Orthodox church – in Nice. Finally, in 1886, Alexandra Tripe set up a small church at her villa. Soon she could no longer accommodate everyone who wanted to pray. When, three years later, Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna arrived in the city along with her entourage, it became clear that the problem had to be solved.
Archpriest Grigory Ostroumov began to work on the construction of the temple. A plot of land was allocated, patrons began to donate money. In 1894, a temple was laid in honor of the Archangel Michael. As a gift, parishioners gave him valuable things: church utensils made of gold and silver, expensive banners, ancient icons painted by famous French artists.
Until now, the main decoration of the temple is the icon-painting by Lemott, depicting the Virgin and Child, Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir and Holy Princess Olga. The French architect Nouveau was responsible for the construction work, and by 1894 the new church opened its doors. Up to 400 people could pray here. Today, the temple is a beautiful historical monument worth seeing.
Martinez beach
Martinez Beach – the largest on the Croisette – is private and belongs to the hotel of the same name. Beautiful white sand and developed infrastructure attract both locals and guests of Cannes. Here you can see 4 hundreds of sun loungers and a modern pontoon that goes far into the sea. The cost of rent is quite high, because the hotel is considered fashionable.
For a sunbed installed on a pontoon, you will have to pay – in terms of domestic currency – about 2 thousand rubles. A place on the beach will cost a little less. Opportunities for water sports have been created, a restaurant is operating, which is famous for its cuisine. Priority is given to Mediterranean cuisine and seafood dishes.
In the evenings, tables are also set up on the pontoon: you can order snacks, wine and sit here. And yet, the main thing for which tourists come here is that celebrities often visit this beach. As a rule, they allow themselves to be photographed, and sometimes even give autographs.
Casino Barriere Les Princes
The famous gambling house is open daily. It opens at 10 am and closes at 3-4 am, depending on the day of the week. You can visit the casino from the age of 18. There is a common room and a special vip-zone (if you want to make higher bets in the game). The currency is the euro. In the casino you will see 21 tables for games.
There is English roulette, Texas hold'em, sic bo and other popular games, as well as over 300 modern slot machines. If you are a beginner, inexperienced in games, it is recommended to start with them. You can risk a small amount, but fully experience the excitement that all visitors to this establishment feel.
The casino was designed by the designer Pascal Deprez: in the first place he set the task of giving the establishment a luxurious look. To do this, he used subdued light and contrasting tones. Gorgeous draperies, golden leather, carpets – all this makes an unforgettable impression. Therefore, it is worth coming here just for the sake of admiring the situation. In addition, there is a great chance that you will meet some famous people here.
Church of Our Lady of the Good Way
This temple is located in the center of the city, not far from the Palace of Festivals. Once upon a time, in the 16th century, there was a chapel on this site. It was built so that the inhabitants of the city could pray for deliverance from the plague epidemic. The people called it “Our Lady of the Sands”, because there were dunes nearby. Fishermen's huts huddled around the modest chapel. And here Napoleon set up his camp when he fled from Elba.
From here began his triumphal journey to Paris, the famous “100 days”. Cannes then went over to the side of Napoleon without resistance. The fishermen also prayed in the chapel before going out to sea. Therefore, such a name was born. The church itself was built in the late 19th century, in 1879.
Gray stone was used for its construction. The architect Laurent Viane adhered to a strict neo-Romanesque style. But funds were short. So the bell tower and 2 more towers were never built. Inside the church you can see very beautiful stained glass windows. It was in this temple that many noble persons who lived in Cannes were married and buried.
Palace of Festivals and Congresses
The palace resembles a huge beautiful cruise ship. It looks especially impressive in May, when the world-famous film festival takes place. The wide staircase is covered with red carpet, people come here to meet celebrities.
The rest of the time you will not see carpets here, and instead of movie stars, ordinary tourists pose in front of camera lenses. The palace is one of the main attractions of France, it is inextricably linked with the history of world cinema. Here is the Avenue of Stars. On the tiles, made of metal, you can see the handprints of the most famous film artists.
The Festival Palace was built in 1982 by architects Drouet and Bennet. Its area exceeds 28 thousand m2. Going out to the terraces of the upper floors, you can see the city embankment, the islands, the old, historical part of the city. The Palace hosts film screenings, conferences and exhibitions. It also houses a restaurant, a nightclub and a casino with roulette and slot machines.
Avenue of Stars
The Avenue of Stars, located next to the Festival Palace, you may not immediately notice. There are no trees or other plants here. On the Georges Pompidou esplanade, on the pavement you will see tiles with handprints. This is the famous Alley. There are analogues in other countries as well.
For example, in the USA, in Hollywood. But there it all looks catchy, bright, but here the view of the tiles is very modest. Residents of the city complain that the tiles can be walked on, and over time they are destroyed by this. Famous people who come to the city leave prints of their palms on clay. The casts are sent to Vallauris, cast in plaster, and then – in the foundry – the corresponding reliefs are made of steel.
The plaster original is preserved in the Festival Palace. Here you can see the handprints of Charlie Chaplin and Sophia Loren, Jean-Paul Belmondo and Catherine Deneuve, Sharon Stone and Tatyana Samoilova. The alley was opened in 1985, today there are handprints of more than 400 movie stars, directors and other celebrities.
Museum of Childhood
There are not many places in Cannes where you can go with children. Basically, people come here to enjoy a beach holiday, visit nightclubs and casinos. But there is a very unusual museum here, a visit to which will bring joy to both the children and their parents. This is the Museum of Childhood. Basically, dolls are presented here – about 600 copies.
These are antique toys that date back to the era of Napoleon III. That is, they are about 3 centuries old. There are also exhibits from a later period. As well as doll clothes, shoes, furniture. And other interesting little things that our imagination so easily connects with the world of childhood. Here you can learn a lot of interesting information about the processes of making dolls, about the life of French puppeteers.
Toys have their own stories, and they will tell you here too. The museum has been operating for several decades, and among its visitors are both adults and children. You can come here every day, except Sundays and Mondays (weekends) from 14:00 to 18:00.
Mercy Chapel
This is one of the oldest buildings in Cannes. The chapel is located next to the Forville market. It was built either at the end of the 16th or at the beginning of the 17th century. The Chapel of Mercy is small: about 26m long and about 9m wide. Its architecture is simple, even harsh. The only bright spot is the spire on the low bell tower. It is decorated with glazed tiles. At first, this building had a longer name – the chapel was dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy of the Seashore.
After some time, this name was given to the church, and the name of the chapel was reduced to the modern one. Another name is the Chapel of the Black Penitents, after the brotherhood, which was disbanded in the 19th century. Then in France there were enough brotherhoods named according to different colors. They preached asceticism, repentance, abstinence. The chapel is active, masses are served here in Latin. Inside, the interior is just as simple and austere. Entrance from Mercy Street.
Forville Market
Be sure to visit this market, then you will feel the real spirit of France. It works daily, except Monday, from 7 am to midnight. To purchase the highest quality goods, it is better to come in the morning, but in the evening you can hope for a discount. Here you can buy everything that your heart desires. Freshly cut flowers, as well as seeds and bulbs, meat and fish, cheeses and vegetables, spices and foreign fruits.
If you speak French, it's worth bargaining, they will meet you halfway and reduce the price. The atmosphere in the market is so friendly that you simply cannot leave here without shopping. You will be allowed to taste wine or cheese, will be presented with seed samples, and will be told from which country certain fruits were brought. The famous market gives the impression of a real cornucopia.
Products – for every taste and budget. Here you can buy delicacies or just salad greens. But you will get an unforgettable impression. If you are on your own car, remember that there is parking next to the market. The surrounding streets are also very picturesque, it is worth wandering along them, admiring the old houses, sitting in a cafe.
Church of Our Lady of Good Hope
The old Catholic church is located on the top of the Suquet hill. Residents of Cannes can see its bell tower from afar. Previously, there was only one small church here (the former chapel of St. Anne), and in the 16th century it became small for Catholics who wanted to hear mass. They wanted to build a new church in a few years, but in fact this process took more than a century.
The reason for this was plague epidemics and numerous wars. The new temple was able to accept the first parishioners only in 1641. It was built in the Gothic style of brown stone. A rectangular bell tower stands out, on which you can see the clock. The interior decoration is also austere. But there are beautiful frescoes by Georges Roux, and gilded statues of the Virgin Mary (18th century) and St. Anne (15th century).
In June, musicians sit on the porch of the temple – the popular festival “Musical Nights of Suke” is held here. You can not only listen to beautiful melodies, but also admire the opening panorama – a view of the city from a height. At Christmas, a Nativity scene is put up here, which will delight not only children, but also their parents. Spectators will see how day turns into night, how angels fly and pets walk. In a word, sacred history definitely comes to life.
Gallery 1414
This is where you can buy the most unusual gifts for loved ones. The gallery presents contemporary art. And the artist Coco Trabiche owns it. Some canvases can be admired, while others can be purchased. Pictures are written in different genres. There are landscapes, still lifes, and portraits. In some cases, you can even order a canvas on a particular topic. Paintings by French artists have a special charm, and without a doubt, the works purchased here will become a decoration for your home or office.
Museum de la Castro
The museum is located on the Suquet hill, in an ancient castle. Little is left of that first castle, which was built here by the monks in the 11th century. Practically only ruins. They were not demolished to the end only because the walls were too thick, and the work would require considerable effort. What you can see Travelers Gin de la Cloche and Baron Liklam owe the cultural center exhibits found during excavations of the ancient cities of Egypt, Greece and Rome.
The art of the natives of Australia, Africa, and America is also represented here. The paintings of artists who lived in Provence in the 18th and 19th centuries are also impressive. Their canvases capture landscapes and moments of city life. And in the church of St. Anne you can admire musical instruments – an extensive collection includes exotic exhibits. The road leading to the museum is also beautiful. It passes through a picturesque park. While in the castle, do not miss the opportunity to climb the tower and admire the panorama of the city.
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Promenade Saint Pierre and the Old Port
Saint Pierre is the oldest part of the Old Port. It was built in the middle of the 19th century, Cannes was then a small fishing village. Today you can still see fishermen's boats here. But next to them are moored yachts that belong to rich and famous people. In total, up to 500 small ships can find shelter here. It was thanks to the arrangement of the port in the 30s of the 19th century that Cannes began to develop rapidly.
Then the Chancellor of England, Peter Broom, stayed in Cannes because of the cholera epidemic. He liked the town so much that he built himself a house here, and – at the request of the locals – founded the port. And already in 1838, the Saint-Pierre embankment appeared. In 1898, Prince Albert Edward laid the foundation stone for the pier. The future king of England made Cannes his residence.
Yachts of noble people began to arrive here. Since the 20s of the 20th century, every year there are prestigious competitions – the “Royal Regatta”. The best athletes in the world take part. Cannes has become an elite and at the same time a popular resort. Also in the port you can take a boat and go on a trip to the Lerins Islands.
Grand Jas Cemetery
One of the most famous cemeteries in France, it is worth coming here not only to bow to the famous graves. The cemetery has long been turned into a beautiful park, and many of the monuments are real works of art. The cemetery is located in the north-west of the city, and it appeared here in the middle of the 19th century. Its area is quite extensive – about 9 hectares. The most correct decision would be to look into the administrative office at the cemetery and hire a guide here.
Otherwise, you may miss the fun. For example, the grave of Prosper Merimee. Of course, tourists from Russia are primarily interested in the graves of their compatriots. On the “Russian site” you will see a lot of crypts. In one of them lies the family of Sergei Pavlovich Chekhov. It is impossible to leave and not see the final resting place of the famous Carl Faberge, the author of unique jewelry.
Olga Picasso, the first wife of the great artist, was also buried here. As well as the pilot Nikolai Popov, who was the first to master new routes at the beginning of the 20th century. There are also Russian soldiers who died from wounds received during the battles in the First World War. The cemetery itself is a real museum, the guide can tell you more than one story. Locals come here to walk along the picturesque paths, enjoy the peace and quiet and once again bow to the great people.
saint marguerite
This boat trip will be very interesting. The island is quite small – about 3 km wide, but there are many attractions. First of all, this is the chapel of St. Margaret of Antioch, which was built by order of the Crusader knights. In addition, they talk about a certain Saint Margaret, who during her lifetime led the nuns living here.
Historians do not exclude that this is a fictional character. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Duke of Chevreuse became the owner of the island. Fort Royal began to be built here, later the French and Spaniards fought fiercely for it. The French took it back and the fort became a prison. The surrounding population lived well, just due to the fact that it was supposed to provide for the needs of the garrison located in the fort. It was here that the well-known prisoner, the Iron Mask, languished for a long 11 years.
Who was he? Brother of King Louis XIV or his illegitimate son? The mystery has not yet been solved. The only one who escaped from the island was Marshal Bazin. In addition, you can visit the Museum of the Sea, look into the village where the fishermen live, and treat yourself to a walk through the botanical garden, where unusual trees with curved trunks grow. Please note that smoking is not allowed on this island.
Thus, even in one day in Cannes you can see a lot. And, of course, having made such a long walk and getting acquainted with the main sights, you will fall in love with this wonderful city forever.