Sightseeing in Cannes
Le Suquet church
Sightseeing - Places to See in Cannes
Stop Press: Cannes has renamed its two museums as of 2021. The Castre museum in Le Suquet becomes the Musee des Explorations du Monde(museum of world explorations). On the island of St Marguerite, the Sea museum becomes the Musee du Masque du Fer et du Fort Royal (museum of the iron mask and Fort Royal
Overlooking the old port is Le Suquet with its narrow streets which climb to the 12th century Tour de Mt Chevalier and the church of Notre Dame de l'Espérence. Completed in 1648, the church has been repaired and reopened in 2013. Its charm lies in its wood panelling and a collection of 19th century paintings, including a fresco by George Roux.
From the ancient rampart wall in front of the church, you can see east across the town, the port and the bay to the Cap de la Croisette, and to the west across the Gulf of La Napoule to the Esterel mountains. Great for photos.
While you are up there visit Musee des Explorations du Monde (free first Sunday of every month) where, besides an art gallery featuring views of Cannes, you can walk amongst ancient artefacts of the classical world.
In summer until mid September on Fridays there are guided tours in English of about one and half hours including entry to the museum. It includes the former castle, the dungeon, the tower, and a walk through the old streets plus places normally closed to the public, such as the house and gardens of Victor Tuby.
Book at the tourist office at the Palais.
Stop Press: Cannes has renamed its two museums as of 2021. The Castre museum in Le Suquet becomes the Musee des Explorations du Monde(museum of world explorations). On the island of St Marguerite, the Sea museum becomes the Musee du Masque du Fer et du Fort Royal (museum of the iron mask and Fort Royal
Overlooking the old port is Le Suquet with its narrow streets which climb to the 12th century Tour de Mt Chevalier and the church of Notre Dame de l'Espérence. Completed in 1648, the church has been repaired and reopened in 2013. Its charm lies in its wood panelling and a collection of 19th century paintings, including a fresco by George Roux.
From the ancient rampart wall in front of the church, you can see east across the town, the port and the bay to the Cap de la Croisette, and to the west across the Gulf of La Napoule to the Esterel mountains. Great for photos.
While you are up there visit Musee des Explorations du Monde (free first Sunday of every month) where, besides an art gallery featuring views of Cannes, you can walk amongst ancient artefacts of the classical world.
In summer until mid September on Fridays there are guided tours in English of about one and half hours including entry to the museum. It includes the former castle, the dungeon, the tower, and a walk through the old streets plus places normally closed to the public, such as the house and gardens of Victor Tuby.
Book at the tourist office at the Palais.
Villa Domergue
Getting there; bus 6, get off at Grand Pre, ave Isola Belle, or bus 7, get off at Villa Vera, av.de Vallauris. Then about a 10 minute walk to the villa which is up a long, steep drive. If you go by car, the nearest you can park is at the bottom of Impasse Fiesole - frankly, it is less complicated to get a taxi.
Each summer there is a major exhibition at the villa and in the garden A jazz festival takes place in the grounds in August - book your places at FNAC, rue d'Antibes, or the Palais tourist office. Sadly, it is closed to the public in winter. In summer it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 3pm to 7pm, entrance 3.40€. Personal tours in English are available. Address: Impasse Fiesole tel: 04 97 06 44 90 The Villa Domergue is one of Cannes' hidden treasures. The house and grounds were designed by the artist Jean-Gabriel Domergue. His wife, Odette, was a well known sculptress in her own right and examples of her work are to be found in the garden. In the twenties Jean-Gabriel concentrated on portraits, mainly of women, and is claimed to be the inventor of the pin-up. He threw amazing parties, hosted the first film festival and designed posters for the early years of the film festival. Every May the villa, which they bequeathed to the City of Cannes, hosts the festival jury. |
Bellini Chapel
Take the 9 bus from Cannes railway station to Avenue de Vallauris.
Built in 1880 it originally belonged to Princess Kara-Georgevich of Serbia, but later became the studio of painter Emmanuel Bellini. His daughter Lucette, also a painter, continues to show visitors around the chapel, which contains several canvasses by Bellini and Lucette. Admission is free. Parc Fiorentina, 67 bis, avenue de Vallauris, Cannes, France Tel: +33 4 93 38 61 80 Espace Miramar
This is to be found on the ground floor of the former Palais Miramar hotel on the Croisette (entrance rue Pasteur). It is an arts venue dedicated to photography and the visual image and contains an auditorium, large lobby and hall. It offers film screenings and temporary exhibitions throughout the year. |
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Not too far from the Villa Domergue - ask your taxi driver to take you to bd des Pins - there is a fountain and statue of Queen Victoria's son Leopold, Duke of Albany who died in Cannes. This is a new, but close copy, statue (2015) by Jean Michelle Labarre which has replaced the old one erected in 1887 - vandalised in 2010. It is very close to the house that Queen Victoria stayed in on her visits to the town. |
The Villa Rothschild
The Villa Rothschild is now the main Cannes library - Mediatheque Noailles - and is open to the public. It was built in 1881 in the neoclassical style and during WW11 was occupied by the German Kammandantur.
The villa is well worth a visit to see the splendour of the building, the finely carved oak wood panelling and plasterwork, as well as its trompe l'oeil paintings.
The park surrounding the villa was used as a large vegetable plot after the Germans were defeated until it became the library in 1947 and was in a sorry state. A huge effort has been underway since 1990 to restore it. It still contains some wonderful trees and especially a large variety of palms - all named. The once magnificent water features are still in place and will be restored over time. The villa and its park is classified as an historic monument.
France's first garden dedicated to Alzheimer sufferers can be found in the grounds.
In summer it always has an art exhibition - free It also has great music on Friday evenings "After Work" - free. There are also free chai ti sessions in the grounds.
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 1 Av Jean de Noailles, off Av Picaud on the road to La Bocca.
Bus 1 or 2.
The villa is well worth a visit to see the splendour of the building, the finely carved oak wood panelling and plasterwork, as well as its trompe l'oeil paintings.
The park surrounding the villa was used as a large vegetable plot after the Germans were defeated until it became the library in 1947 and was in a sorry state. A huge effort has been underway since 1990 to restore it. It still contains some wonderful trees and especially a large variety of palms - all named. The once magnificent water features are still in place and will be restored over time. The villa and its park is classified as an historic monument.
France's first garden dedicated to Alzheimer sufferers can be found in the grounds.
In summer it always has an art exhibition - free It also has great music on Friday evenings "After Work" - free. There are also free chai ti sessions in the grounds.
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 1 Av Jean de Noailles, off Av Picaud on the road to La Bocca.
Bus 1 or 2.
OPEN SPACES
Paul Leppard at Grand Jas
Avenue de Grasse
There are parks and gardens throughout Cannes and a must is a visit to the nine hectares of Le Grand Jas cemetery. The office at the entrance has a leaflet and plan showing where all the famous people are buried - it was originally the Protestant cemetery. Great views. No 2 bus gets you there. Halfway up the ave de Grasse is a nice park with fountains.
The Republique residential area has had lots of money lavished on it by the town and is a pleasure to walk around. It has a distinctly Moroccan feel about it.
The Croix des Gardes to the west of town is known as the green lung of Cannes. It is 80 hectares of wooded hillside, 60 hectares of which cannot be built on and no fires, no smoking and no motorised vehicles allowed. The first Mimosa tress were planted by the English in the 19th century and they have become wild and have to be controlled to allow space for natural Mediterranean plants. Mimosa from here is used to make the Fleur de Festival perfume which costs 220 euros for 100ml and was given to members of the 2017 jury of the film festival.
The hill gets its name from a large cross that was erected in memory of two night watchmen who were murdered here in the 17th century. There is a chateau at the top - it was built in 1919 and has had various owners including the Perrier family. Most people go walking, jogging or use the sports tracks and circuit training area.
Well worth a visit
Did you know... Green spaces make up 50% of Cannes' public areas, truly a garden city.
What to see guide for Cannes Day Trips to interesting places to Sightsee from Cannes such as Antibes, Golfe Juan, Mandelieu La Napoule, Mougins, Loup Valley, Théoule-Sur-Mer, Biot, Nice, Vallauris, Valbonne, Ventimiglia and Adventures further afield to Verdon Gorges and Valley of the Roya.