Cannes
Weather
Cannes enjoys 12 hours of sunshine during summer (May to September), while in winter (December to February) the weather is mild. Both seasons see a relatively low rainfall and most rain is during October and November.
Cannes summers are long and hot, with peak season daytime temperatures regularly hitting 40°C, with average temperatures around 25°C. June to September, are the busiest months of the year with a Mediterranean breeze keeping summer evenings comfortably cool.
La Croisette is the waterfront avenue lined with strikingly tall palm trees (watch out on the open topped bus!). La Croisette is known for picturesque beaches and for restaurants, cafés and boutiques. La Suquet, the old town, provides a good view of La Croisette. The fortified tower and Chapel of St Anne house the Musée de la Castre.
Museums
The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence has artefacts showcased from prehistoric to present, in an 18th century mansion. The Musée de la Castre houses objects from the Pacific Atolls, Peruvian relics and Mayan pottery. Other museums include the Musée de la Marine, Musée de la Mer, Musée de la Photographie and Musée International de la Parfumerie.
The Villas of Cannes
Nineteenth-century Cannes can still be seen in its grand villas, built to reflect the wealth and and inspired by anything from medieval castles to Roman villas. Lord Brougham’s Italianate Villa Eléonore Louise (one of the first in Cannes) was built between 1835 and 1839. Also known as the Quartier des Anglais, this is the oldest residential area in Cannes. Another landmark is the Villa Fiésole (known today as the Villa Domergue) designed by Jean-Gabriel Domergue in the style of Fiesole, near Florence. The villas are not open to the public. Villa Domergue may be visited by appointment.
St Marguerite Island
It took "The Man in the Iron Mask" 11 years to leave this tiny, forested island. His cell can be visited in the Fort of St Marguerite, now renamed the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea). This museum also houses discoveries from shipwrecks off the island, including Roman (first century BC) and Saracen (10th century AD) ceramics.
St Honorat Island
Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants of the small, southern St Honorat Island. Monks have inhabited the island since AD410 at the height of their powers, owned Cannes, Mougins and Vallauris. Medieval vestiges remain in the stark church, which is open to the public, and in the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the sea’s edge. The monks divide their time between prayer and producing great red and white wines.
Festivals and show events