Planned Itinerary: Cannes

Cannes, France
Monday, June 16th
Hours: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm in port


On February 3, 2009, I made online reservations with Revelation Tours, at www.revelation-tours.com.

This was because I had read excellent reviews of their services at www.cruisecritic.com.

I booked the "Full-Day Private Tour" which costs $650 euros - for up to 8 people. This price includes the service of the driver/guide, the 8-passenger minivan, the gas, the parking and the pay toll. It does NOT include tip/gratuity, entrance fees for any museums/casinos, or lunch. Although they prefer payment in cash (euros only), they do accept traveler's checks or credit cards.

I have arranged Michel, our guide, to pick us up directly at the port at 11:00 am, and he is "ours" for the day. Because we have a very active group on the Meet & Mingle, it didn't take very long for us to get 6 other people on board for this tour, therefore making the cost per couple at $275.14. (This would include the entry fee to the Monte Carlo Grand Casino.)

My (hopeful) plan is for Michel to drive us around the area and include a panoramic view of Eze:

...and then visit Monte Carlo & Monaco:

This is the information I have gathered so far on Cannes itself:

Poor Cannes, so underappreciated.

Gertrude Stein once said of Oakland, California: "There's no 'there' there." Cannes, sadly, seems to suffer from a similar character flaw. Consider this arch comment from travelmeister Rick Steves in his 2006 guide, Provence & The French Riviera: "Cannes has nothing unique to offer the traveler, except a mostly off-limits film festival. You can buy an ice cream cone at the train station and see everything before you've had your last lick."

Clearly, Steves has no affinity for Cannes' je ne sais quois. But, given a chance, Cannes does deliver. Granted, the Palais des Festivals, which houses the International Film Festival, looks like some no-name warehouse, and its signature red carpet is absent except during the festival's run, so there is a sense of a let-down. But dig deeper and you'll uncover some rich history, a modest but sweet Old Town called Le Suquet, and La Croisette, a glitzy palm tree-lined boulevard that makes up for the missing red carpet.

Best Souvenir
For officially sanctioned souvenirs of the Cannes Film Festival, check out its boutique in the pavilion at the beginning of Boulevard de la Croisette, just across from the Majestic hotel.


Don't Miss

Boulevard de la Croisette just pumps with enthusiasm. If Cannes has a stage, this is it: a two-mile strip with grand hotels like the Majestic, the Carlton and the Martinez. Sublime, sandy beaches are attached to the hotels; yours for the price of admission. (Looking to rent a beach umbrella? It costs about 12 euros.) And glittering store windows with names like Cartier, Fendi, Escada, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Vuitton, just to name a few. If you see a "Cannes Prestige" sign in the window, it signifies the promise of over-the-top service and that at least one sales associate speaks English.


Just wander uphill, and you'll reach Le Suquet, the town's historic center. Narrow streets, like Rue Saint Antoine, wander up the hill, which overlooks the west end of the old port. Among the sights:

the Castre Museum;

and the church of Notre-Dame d'Esperance, built in the 17th century. This is where you'll experience the best views in town.

Cannes evolved into a world-known resort and film capital in large measure due to Lord Henry Peter Brougham, a Grand Chancellor of England who became smitten with the tiny Riviera outpost in 1834. Brougham became a poster boy for his adopted home, leading its development and talking it up among the English aristocracy. Now, primarily known as the host of the International Film Festival, Cannes absolutely erupts during the festival, and it's no wonder when you consider the next two statistics: 900 screenings and 30,000 movie professionals will be in attendance of the invitation-only 62nd film festival.

A shopper's paradise, La Croisette and Rue d'Antibes are where you will find the luxury boutiques and art galleries.

The six-block-long Rue Meynadier, which runs parallel from the port just a few streets uphill, is a colorful pedestrian-only zone with shops selling hats, clothing, wine and cheese, roast chicken and local crafts like the ubiquitous lavender sachets.

Saturdays, under the trees across from the port, there's a flea market selling everything from sterling silver and antique linens to inexpensive trinkets and movie posters. The daily market, where local farmers and fishermen sell their wares, takes place at Forville, two blocks inland from the Hotel de Ville on Rue Felix Faure. It converts to a flea market on Mondays.
Misc Info

The oh-so-romantic French Riviera made a name for itself in the beginning of the 19th century as a fashionable resort with a wealth of activities for just about anybody. Most of the Riveria -- including Villefranche, Antibes, Monaco, St.-Paul, Grasse, and, of course, Cannes -- is accessible by train and bus and car. The train, in particular, offers great sightseeing between Cannes and Monaco, just over four hours. Artsy folks will be in their glory with nearly 100 museums and more than 150 art galleries that surround them, while outdoors-y types can explore the coast via boat/yacht, watersports or while sunbathing on the beach. And, depending on the time of year you visit, you may want to remember to bring your golf clubs or your skiis. Shops along the French Riviera are open Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. (department stores may be open until 9 p.m.).

Conclusion
Well, Michel will be the expert here, so we will trust him to take us to most beautiful panoramas, and eat the best food, and really show us his beautiful city....

After the cruise, I'll post my own reviews, as well as photos. Be sure to check back!