Curator’s statement
Planning a trip to the French Riviera can be overwhelming because there are so many towns and villages to visit. I’ve been to the South of France five times now, and have stayed in small villages and large cities. Cannes is probably one of my favorites if you want a home base. It is more elevated and high-end than Nice, and while it’s famous for the Cannes Film Festival, the town itself isn't as pretentious as Monte Carlo or Saint-Tropez. Cannes is also in a great location (with easy train station access), which makes it really easy to bop around for day trips to other towns. The food, beach clubs, and shopping here are chef's kiss. It’s the perfect place to have a bougie or relaxed vacation.
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Where to stay in Cannes
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Things to do in Cannes
The Carlton Cannes beach club
The best thing to do in Cannes is go to the private beach clubs. Daily rates vary depending on where you go and which row your chair is in. They also have beachside service for lunch and drinks. Some of my favorites include Madamoiselle Grey la Plage, Lucia Beach, Hotel Carlton Beach Club, and Annex Beach Club.
The shopping in Cannes is amazing, from designer stores to smaller and non-expensive boutiques. Pack light and go shopping! Most of the designer stores are along the Croisette, the side streets have a variety of smaller boutiques, and Rue d’Antibes is the big main shopping street.
Le Suquet is the charming old town of Cannes, with narrow cobblestone streets, charming buildings, and amazing views. It’s the perfect place to wander, especially at sunset.
Take a short boat ride to Îles de Lérins. It feels like a quiet escape from the buzz of Cannes.
Marché Forville is a lively Provençal market, so it feels less touristy. For a local experience, grab a baguette and cheese for a picnic.
Places to eat & drink in Cannes
La Guérite: Taking a boat to lunch is the ultimate bougie move and a must-do on your Cannes itinerary. Reservations are hard to come by, so book early!
Le Cirque: Delicious French food, a super cute terrace, and good cocktails. We came here our first night and it was loved by locals and tourists alike. Definitely a top contender for places to eat in Cannes.
Vesuvio: One of my favorite restaurants in Cannes, this is old-school classic French. It’s been in business since 1969. My mom had a lot of great memories here from when she lived in France as a teenager, so going here was her one request, and I was not disappointed. We got pizza, steak entrecôte, fries, and a framboise melba. This is also where I ordered my Orangina (ultimate nostalgia), which is truly what happiness tastes like in France.
Lenôtre: A stunning French patisserie in Cannes. Gaston Lenôtre was one of the best pastry chefs in the world, so it’s worth checking out.
La Môme: A super trendy/scene-y/party restaurant in Cannes with great food. I got scallops and truffle gnocchi. Sparklers are also involved, which is always a 10/10 experience.
Baôli: A rooftop bar, a restaurant, and a club all in one place! It’s poppin’, but not walking distance to the Croisette.
Bar 58 at the Carlton Hotel: Fancy cocktails and a stunning terrace. It's cool to go for a drink and have the experience. Also worth it if you want to check out the insane hotel renovation.
Need to know
The street Rue de Horche is also filled with restaurants. Many don’t take reservations, so part of the fun is exploring and walking around. The best part about France is that the food is so good—even a “meh” restaurant is better than most other restaurants. The food experience is one of the best things to do in Cannes, making it a haven for foodies. There is truly no place like the South of France; it remains my favorite vacation destination in the world, and Cannes is no exception.
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