Golfe Juan Tourist Information
The nearest port and seaside resort to the east of Cannes is Golfe Juan which is where Napoleon landed in 1815 after escaping exile with 600 men from the Isle of Elba, 150 miles away. Welcomed by an enthusiastic populace (but not by the people of Cannes) who supplied him with food and other provisions, he and his supporters marched north over the mountains - now known as Route Napoleon - to reach Grenoble in six days, then on to a victorious entry into Paris. One hundred days after landing at Golfe Juan he met his Waterloo - literally.
The event is celebrated every two years in March with a colourful enactment on the beach (see below). Today Golfe Juan is a pleasant break from Cannes: quieter and less expensive. Easy drive, quite a bit of parking (sadly you have to pay all year round), bus 200 and first train stop after Cannes. Great place for boat hire and fishing trips. Golfe Juan boasts two top beach restaurants - Tetou (cash and cheques only and a minimum of 150 euros pp) and Nanou, to the west. If you cross (go under actually) the railway line you come to the town proper and there are lovely shops, bars and restaurants here as well. From Golfe Juan you can take the bus up the hill to the pottery town of Vallauris. |
Golfe Juan Marinas
Do stroll along the promenade to the Camille-Rayon marina. Here you find lots of restaurants and bars including the Cafe Blue which has live jazz Friday evenings. La Jonque Bleue offers an asian gastronomic tour. Greek restaurants are difficult to find in this area so Olive is a welcome addition. You can go for an apero and share a large mezze platter 16.50 euros (10 as a starter). Main courses, such as souvlaki, are also 16.50 and octopus 19, Greek wines also available. See: Golfe Juan Tourist Office http://www.vallauris-golfe-juan.fr/?lang Famous foreign resident once upon a time was Dame Vera Lynn whose autobiography Some Sunny Days was published by Waterstones in August 2009. |
Napoleon Re-enactment
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