Cannes

Cannes is synonymous with cinema, but this Riviera gem offers year-round appeal that extends far beyond the red carpet. La Croisette, the legendary two-kilometer promenade curving along the bay, is flanked by sandy beaches on one side and the grand hotels — the Carlton, the Martinez, the Majestic — on the other, creating one of the most elegant waterfront settings in the Mediterranean. The Palais des Festivals, where the Film Festival unfolds each May, is recognizable worldwide, and walking up the famous red-carpeted steps is a rite of passage (possible year-round for visitors). But the real Cannes reveals itself beyond the glamour. Le Suquet, the old town perched on the hill above the port, predates the resort era entirely — its narrow medieval streets, 11th-century watchtower, and Notre-Dame d'Esperance church offer views over the bay and a quiet escape from the Croisette's bustle. The Iles de Lerins, just a fifteen-minute boat ride from the Vieux Port, are a revelation: Ile Sainte-Marguerite, where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned, features pine-scented walking trails and secluded swimming coves, while Ile Saint-Honorat is home to a working Cistercian monastery whose monks produce their own wine and liqueur, available for tasting. The Forville Market, held every morning except Monday, is one of the best food markets on the Riviera — come for the socca, the fresh fish, and the Provencal vegetables that supply the city's best restaurants. For dining, La Palme d'Or at the Martinez (two Michelin stars) is the quintessential Cannes culinary experience, while the new wave of restaurants in Le Suquet — intimate, creative, and far more affordable — offer some of the Riviera's most exciting cooking. The Cannes film festival season in May transforms the city into the global capital of cinema: even without a badge, the atmosphere — open-air screenings on the beach, celebrity sightings on the Croisette, pop-up parties in the hills — is electric.

Highlights