Latest Local News in Cannes
Friday 30 July
The ferry from Cannes to La Napoule, Theoule and La Figueirette is running until 31 August: the best way to get to these places in summer. (There is also a bus by the way) The ferry costs 10 euros for an all day ticket: you can hop on and off as you wish. A boat departs Cannes ferry port at 9am, 11.20am, 2.30pm and 4.50pm, Photo La Napoule
The ferry from Cannes to La Napoule, Theoule and La Figueirette is running until 31 August: the best way to get to these places in summer. (There is also a bus by the way) The ferry costs 10 euros for an all day ticket: you can hop on and off as you wish. A boat departs Cannes ferry port at 9am, 11.20am, 2.30pm and 4.50pm, Photo La Napoule
Thursday 29 July
Do remember that from 9 August you will need your health pass/QR code for long distance travel on Intercity and TGV trains, coaches and planes. You will also need it to access bars and restaurants, including terraces.
Do remember that from 9 August you will need your health pass/QR code for long distance travel on Intercity and TGV trains, coaches and planes. You will also need it to access bars and restaurants, including terraces.
Wednesday 28 July
A doctor in Biarritz says making mask wearing outdoors is meaningless as Covid is not spread outdoors. It is spread in poorly ventilated, enclosed spaces.
On my walk around Cannes I saw only a few wearing a mask in the street.
A doctor in Biarritz says making mask wearing outdoors is meaningless as Covid is not spread outdoors. It is spread in poorly ventilated, enclosed spaces.
On my walk around Cannes I saw only a few wearing a mask in the street.
Tuesday 27 July
More rules confirmed for the Alpes Maritimes: you must wear a mask outdoors again, except on the beach.
In just one week the number of infections has risen 219% to 523/100,000.
There are as of yesterday 148 people in hospital with 19 in critical care and there have been two deaths (none previous week). The Prefet says he is not planning on closing bars and restaurants this summer.
More rules confirmed for the Alpes Maritimes: you must wear a mask outdoors again, except on the beach.
In just one week the number of infections has risen 219% to 523/100,000.
There are as of yesterday 148 people in hospital with 19 in critical care and there have been two deaths (none previous week). The Prefet says he is not planning on closing bars and restaurants this summer.
Monday 26 July
It has been a weekend of confusion and arguments after the Prefet announced a number of new Covid rules.
He has now cleared up the one about amplified live music in public spaces. It will not apply to cafes, bars and restaurants including their terraces. Nor to any event authorised by a local municipality.
It has been a weekend of confusion and arguments after the Prefet announced a number of new Covid rules.
He has now cleared up the one about amplified live music in public spaces. It will not apply to cafes, bars and restaurants including their terraces. Nor to any event authorised by a local municipality.
Friday 23 July
The fabulous Maeght Foundation in St Paul de Vence has an exhibition on the Giacometti family until 14 November. For the first time in France the works of the five amazing artists in this Swiss family are brought together. Thirty major sculptures, drawings and paintings are featured. It includes work by Alberto, his father painter Giovanni, two brothers sculptor Diego and architect Bruno plus cousin Augusto, a painter.
The fabulous Maeght Foundation in St Paul de Vence has an exhibition on the Giacometti family until 14 November. For the first time in France the works of the five amazing artists in this Swiss family are brought together. Thirty major sculptures, drawings and paintings are featured. It includes work by Alberto, his father painter Giovanni, two brothers sculptor Diego and architect Bruno plus cousin Augusto, a painter.
Thursday 22 July
Good news: it is now possible to upload an NHS vaccine certificate to the French TousAntiCovid app. This will allow you entry to venues in France. The UK government's advice after downloading the TousAntiCovid app is to click on the option 'scan a QR code' then to scan the QR code from your digital NHS England vaccination certification. This will save your vaccination data in the ‘wallets’ section of the TousAntiCovid app.
Good news: it is now possible to upload an NHS vaccine certificate to the French TousAntiCovid app. This will allow you entry to venues in France. The UK government's advice after downloading the TousAntiCovid app is to click on the option 'scan a QR code' then to scan the QR code from your digital NHS England vaccination certification. This will save your vaccination data in the ‘wallets’ section of the TousAntiCovid app.
Wednesday 21 July
From today you will need to show your health pass in order to get into public places open to more than 50 people. This includes cinemas and theatres to theme parks and churches plus campsites with swimming pools and entertainment
From today you will need to show your health pass in order to get into public places open to more than 50 people. This includes cinemas and theatres to theme parks and churches plus campsites with swimming pools and entertainment
Tuesday 20 July
Don't mess with Cannes... Under French law the government should have paid Cannes more than six million euros by 31 May this year in recompense for lost revenue due to the pandemic. The mayor, David Lisnard, has written asking for an explanation and demanding payment.
Don't mess with Cannes... Under French law the government should have paid Cannes more than six million euros by 31 May this year in recompense for lost revenue due to the pandemic. The mayor, David Lisnard, has written asking for an explanation and demanding payment.
Monday 19 July
Julia Ducournau won the Palme d’Or, for her film Titane, making her only the second woman ever to win the top award at the Cannes film festival. The first was Jane Campion in 1993.
In the last two weeks 94% of all people in France infected with Covid 19 had not been fully vaccinated. Get vaxed!
Julia Ducournau won the Palme d’Or, for her film Titane, making her only the second woman ever to win the top award at the Cannes film festival. The first was Jane Campion in 1993.
In the last two weeks 94% of all people in France infected with Covid 19 had not been fully vaccinated. Get vaxed!
Friday 16 July
A new experience for Cannes and great for taking photographs. The Jetty Josephine Baker is 400 meters long and starts at the Quai St Pierre parking. The reinforced wall also acts as a breakwater to protect the old harbour from winter sea storms. The walkway is pedestrianised, wheelchair accessible and has two surveillance cameras. At its end, it provides a 360 deg view of the Bay of Cannes, the islands and the Esterel.
A new experience for Cannes and great for taking photographs. The Jetty Josephine Baker is 400 meters long and starts at the Quai St Pierre parking. The reinforced wall also acts as a breakwater to protect the old harbour from winter sea storms. The walkway is pedestrianised, wheelchair accessible and has two surveillance cameras. At its end, it provides a 360 deg view of the Bay of Cannes, the islands and the Esterel.
Thursday 15 July
A great souvenir of this year's film festival are the 13 postcards from Cannes signed by Spike Lee, the jury chairman. They cost 1.50 euros each from official outlets including the tourist office.
Alternatively - and to the annoyance of the photographer who took the images for the postcards - you can buy them for 100 dollars each from Mr Lee's personal online site.
A great souvenir of this year's film festival are the 13 postcards from Cannes signed by Spike Lee, the jury chairman. They cost 1.50 euros each from official outlets including the tourist office.
Alternatively - and to the annoyance of the photographer who took the images for the postcards - you can buy them for 100 dollars each from Mr Lee's personal online site.
Wednesday 14 July
Bastille Day or Fete Nationale. Fireworks in the bay of Cannes from 10pm with the theme of film music.
The Hippodrome in Cagnes sur Mer opens for the summer trotting season today. Fireworks also in celebration.
Bastille Day or Fete Nationale. Fireworks in the bay of Cannes from 10pm with the theme of film music.
The Hippodrome in Cagnes sur Mer opens for the summer trotting season today. Fireworks also in celebration.
Tuesday 13 July
From beginning of August, if you want to pop in to a cafe for a coffee, have a meal in a restaurant or see a film you will need to be vaccinated or to have had a recent PCR test. From 21 July to attend an event of more than 50 people same thing. All this applies to everyone over the age of 12. In addition everyone working in the healthcare sector must be vaccinated or they will lose their job: no job no pay. France’s online vaccination booking portal, Doctolib, was almost brought to a standstill as almost 17,000 people a minute tried to book a slot.
From beginning of August, if you want to pop in to a cafe for a coffee, have a meal in a restaurant or see a film you will need to be vaccinated or to have had a recent PCR test. From 21 July to attend an event of more than 50 people same thing. All this applies to everyone over the age of 12. In addition everyone working in the healthcare sector must be vaccinated or they will lose their job: no job no pay. France’s online vaccination booking portal, Doctolib, was almost brought to a standstill as almost 17,000 people a minute tried to book a slot.
Monday 12 July
Amid calls for the vaccine to be made mandatory for all President Macron speaks tonight to the nation. He is expected to insist all health care workers be vaccinated. He is also expected to make more use of the EU Health Pass
Amid calls for the vaccine to be made mandatory for all President Macron speaks tonight to the nation. He is expected to insist all health care workers be vaccinated. He is also expected to make more use of the EU Health Pass
Thursday 8 July
Don't waste your money on citronella, bracelets, plug in diffusers, or ultra sound machines to fight off mosquitoes. They do NOT work, according to a French scientist. The only thing that does is Deet and tropical/jungle strength will keep you safe for 6-8 hours. It can be sprayed on skin, clothing and sheets. Pregnant women and children cannot use Deet and should wear loose clothing and sleep under "mozzie" nets.
The only way to kill mosquitoes is insecticide, such as tetremethrine. The tiger mosquito prefers humans and usually attacks during the day. Others prefer the evening or at night.
Don't waste your money on citronella, bracelets, plug in diffusers, or ultra sound machines to fight off mosquitoes. They do NOT work, according to a French scientist. The only thing that does is Deet and tropical/jungle strength will keep you safe for 6-8 hours. It can be sprayed on skin, clothing and sheets. Pregnant women and children cannot use Deet and should wear loose clothing and sleep under "mozzie" nets.
The only way to kill mosquitoes is insecticide, such as tetremethrine. The tiger mosquito prefers humans and usually attacks during the day. Others prefer the evening or at night.
Wednesday 7 July
Belle of the film festival opening night was Carla Bruni Sarkozy in a gown by Celine.
Do note that drinking alcohol on the beaches in Cannes is not allowed (interdit).
New for July the government has ruled shop tills must show the guarantee period for goods purchased eg a phone or fridge.
Belle of the film festival opening night was Carla Bruni Sarkozy in a gown by Celine.
Do note that drinking alcohol on the beaches in Cannes is not allowed (interdit).
New for July the government has ruled shop tills must show the guarantee period for goods purchased eg a phone or fridge.
Tuesday 6 July
French restaurants by law now have to offer doggie bags for you to take away uneaten food. It must be in reusable or recyclable containers.
The aim is to reduce waste food going to landfill.
French restaurants by law now have to offer doggie bags for you to take away uneaten food. It must be in reusable or recyclable containers.
The aim is to reduce waste food going to landfill.
Monday 5 July
From 2pm today the circulation of traffic including buses will change to accommodate the Film Festival. The bus station at the railway station will operate all day as normal. From 2pm buses will not stop at Gare Maritime, Sq Merrimee and the rue des Serbes. Best to get off at the railway station or the Town hall. The open topped Palm Imperial will be rerouted in the afternoons and the City Palm will gradually cease its service in the afternoons.
From 2pm today the circulation of traffic including buses will change to accommodate the Film Festival. The bus station at the railway station will operate all day as normal. From 2pm buses will not stop at Gare Maritime, Sq Merrimee and the rue des Serbes. Best to get off at the railway station or the Town hall. The open topped Palm Imperial will be rerouted in the afternoons and the City Palm will gradually cease its service in the afternoons.
Friday 2 July
France has brought in new rules for bicycles. Now, like new bikes, secondhand bikes bought from a professional shop will be marked with an individual number. This is stored on a database making it easier to locate the owners of stolen or lost bikes. Neat! Plus long distance coaches must have space for up to five bikes from this month.
France has brought in new rules for bicycles. Now, like new bikes, secondhand bikes bought from a professional shop will be marked with an individual number. This is stored on a database making it easier to locate the owners of stolen or lost bikes. Neat! Plus long distance coaches must have space for up to five bikes from this month.
Thursday 1 July
Europe's travel pass - Digital Covid Certificate (DCC) - goes live today. No doubt there will be teething problems at borders but it will allow travel throughout Europe and other countries. The UK is in negotiations with the EU to join.
If you have an early vaccination certificate you will need to upgrade it ... and remember if you have the app TousAntiCovid you scan the QR code directly from the computer screen into My Wallet, It is really easy, I promise. Go to www.attestation-vaccin.ameli.fr/identification
Europe's travel pass - Digital Covid Certificate (DCC) - goes live today. No doubt there will be teething problems at borders but it will allow travel throughout Europe and other countries. The UK is in negotiations with the EU to join.
If you have an early vaccination certificate you will need to upgrade it ... and remember if you have the app TousAntiCovid you scan the QR code directly from the computer screen into My Wallet, It is really easy, I promise. Go to www.attestation-vaccin.ameli.fr/identification
June Highlights
Cannes fait le mur this year has as its theme Film Kisses. Photos are by Paris Match.
Cannes fait le mur this year has as its theme Film Kisses. Photos are by Paris Match.
British and French governments have reached a deal on driving licences for Brits living in France. Valid UK licences issued before 1 January, 2021 will be recognised in France. Expired and about to expire licences will, when the new online systems go live, be able to be exchanged for a French licence.
The Bonnard Museum in Le Cannet is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a variety of events from 26 June to 30 October. It kicks of this first part with an exhibition featuring self portraits in modern art.
If wanting to go to discos and clubs from 9 July best to ring and book your places right now!
If wanting to go to discos and clubs from 9 July best to ring and book your places right now!
David Lisnard, mayor of Cannes, has been re-elected to the Alpes Maritimes council in the first round with a total vote of 77.75% - the highest in the department.
The Alpes Maritimes is the fifth sunniest department in France and Nice the fourth sunniest major town according to Meteo France's records for the past 30 years. The A-M has 2,668 hours per annum and Nice 2,758. PACA region which includes the A-M is the sunniest with Marseille topping the sun spot for a town.
Cannes slowly returns to normal. Harry's Bar at Port Canto has opened and the Baoli nearby, the town's top club, has reopened
All Brits resident in France have only until the 30 September to apply for a new Withdrawal Agreement card. You need one even if you already have a carte de sejour.
Go to http://invite.contacts-demarches.interieur.gouv.fr/
You need to scroll down a little to the Brexit box. At the bottom of the first page that comes up click on the British flag for the English version. For holders of a Carte de Sejour it is very straightforward but you do need to have scanned the face of the residency card in order to attach it. If you applied some months ago the British Embassy now says try to contact your prefecture for an up date through the website or directly.
Go to http://invite.contacts-demarches.interieur.gouv.fr/
You need to scroll down a little to the Brexit box. At the bottom of the first page that comes up click on the British flag for the English version. For holders of a Carte de Sejour it is very straightforward but you do need to have scanned the face of the residency card in order to attach it. If you applied some months ago the British Embassy now says try to contact your prefecture for an up date through the website or directly.
It is time to cut back the undergrowth to comply with local laws to prevent fires this summer. All private homes must do this or can be heavily fined. Olive trees are difficult to burn due to its oil while pines burn easily.
May Highlights
Sadly, SET Theatre and Arts Centre in old Le Cannet village has had to close its doors. New premises, however, are being sought in the Cannes region.
Sadly, SET Theatre and Arts Centre in old Le Cannet village has had to close its doors. New premises, however, are being sought in the Cannes region.
Pity the poor French olive tree: it is under threat from a killer bacteria and yields are down due to the weather this year. French olives are already 50% dearer than last year and a shortage of olive oil is forecast for later this year.
Best advice re Cannes?
Avoid driving along the Croisette in either direction. It is a total nightmare and takes forever to get from one point to another especially the nearer to town you are.
Avoid driving along the Croisette in either direction. It is a total nightmare and takes forever to get from one point to another especially the nearer to town you are.
The Maeght Foundation in St Paul de Vence re-opens with an exhibition of 300 rarely seen works of art from its own collection of 13,000 items. The Maeght is well worth a visit. Tickets cost 16 euros and reduced categories 11 euros.
The French government announced yesterday that foreign tourists coming to France this summer can have a free PCR test before heading home.
The PACA region- from Marseille to Menton - has the rudest drivers in France according to a survey by the Vinci Foundation. Drivers (77%) admit to shouting at other drivers; beeping horns (64%); and getting out of the car to argue with another driver (24%).
British expats will be delighted to learn that "votes for life" was included in the Queen's Speech. It included the Electoral Integrity Bill, with one of its main elements being ‘Removing the 15 year limit on the voting rights of British expats and making it easier to cast their vote’.
The latest tourist attraction in Cannes features on posters for the Cote d'Azur for 2021. It is the Eco Museum, an underwater area off St Marguerite with six heads of locals by British artist Jason deCairnes Taylor. You can swim out to the area to view with snorkels or dive.
Nice Airport announces it will this summer be offering flights to 18 destinations in France, 66 in Europe and 12 outside the European frontiers but is still awaiting permission for long haul. easyJet has announced new flights to La Rochelle, Lille and Minorca. BA is flying to Southampton and Air France to Heathrow, Algiers and Tunis.
April Highlights
Cannes
The 2021 list of best towns to live in shows Cannes at number 30 out of 34,837 towns and cities throughout France. Cannes has a population of 73,868 and for towns from 50-100K residents, Cannes comes eighth and number one in the A-M.
The battle between the train and the plane in France has started. MPs voted to ban internal French flights where a train journey of two and a half hours is available. A law is not expected until September this year.
A group of French scientists and doctors has suggested the blood clotting problem associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine could be due to it being incorrectly injected. They suggest it is being accidently injected into a blood vessel instead of the muscle.
March Highlights
Now is the time to tidy up the terrace and garden to prevent mosquitoes making a home there. They hatch in water and never move more than 200m from their birthplace for their short seven day life. So make sure all your tubs, pots and saucers are kept clean. If planting remember, geraniums, rosemary, mint and garlic all repel the little buzzers...
Now is the time to tidy up the terrace and garden to prevent mosquitoes making a home there. They hatch in water and never move more than 200m from their birthplace for their short seven day life. So make sure all your tubs, pots and saucers are kept clean. If planting remember, geraniums, rosemary, mint and garlic all repel the little buzzers...
The night train from Nice to Paris will be reinstated from 16 April. The service will operate seven days a week and leaves Nice at 7.16pm arriving at Paris Austerlitz at 6.55am. It stops off on the journey nine times including Antibes and Cannes.
When travel to France resumes remember that even with a Ghic or Ehic health card Brits, and other third country citizens, officially need travel insurance to cover repatriation whether severely ill or having died.
January Highlights
The UKs new Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) replaces the European card although this can still be used until its end date. The Ghic lasts five years. It can only be used currently in EU member states, including France. Brits resident in France can continue to use the Ehic.
New rules apply to Brits coming to France. In general terms, you cannot bring in meat and dairy products as well as plants, cut flowers, seeds, vegetables and fruit. You can bring teabags, coffee, rolled oats, chocolate, biscuits and baked beans.
2020 Highlights
Brits wanting to bring their pets or guide dogs into France need to make sure they are electronically tagged and have been fully vaccinated. From 1 January in addition you will need to obtain from a vet, within 10 days of travelling, a health certificate valid for four months.
The European Court of Justice has ruled that France's laws on Cannabidiol (CBD) are unlawful: the products are not narcotics. It states "CBD does not have a negative effect on human health".
The UK is asking everyone to apply now if your passport has less than six months on it from 1 January 2021. See: gov.uk/transition and brexit.gov.fr
David Lisnard is the current mayor of Cannes. So who is he? He comes from generations of Cannois through his father. His great grandfather built the marche Forville in 1934. His grandparents owned the hotel Soleil d'Azur. His father was a professional footballer who married a dancer. After school in Cannes, M Lisnard went on to study politics in Bordeaux and Paris. Following his military service his political life began, returning to Cannes in 1999.
If you hate throwing things away you can give your clothes, furniture, electrical goods, toys, books etc to Ressourcerie. They are repaired and refurbished before being sold at deliberately low prices. Nearest is 8 ave Urbain Bosio, Nice. See www.ressourcerie.fr Two other organisations do similarly- Erasmus and Envie.
2019 Highlights
There are 7,600 properties registered at the Cannes Mairie as available for holiday lets. The highest prices are not for the Film Festival but for MIPIM and the Lyons conferences - with up to 10 times the normal price.
The mayor can now boast 197 municipal police, 56 community police officers, 47 ASVP (environmental police), a mounted brigade, and 12 dog handlers. There are also 642 video cameras in town and his officers are trialling body worn cameras.
Pennaria Disticha
First discovered late this summer in Cannes, it was initially thought to be a toxic algae. Test results are now in and it is, in fact, a member of the jellyfish family. Do not touch it as it leaves you with particularly nasty "burns".
Releasing balloons and Chinese Lanterns has been banned in the Alpes Maritimes by the prefect - only the third department in France to do so.