Cannes

Glamorous Riviera resort & film festival capital

Few places have been sprinkled with quite as much stardust as Cannes. Even if you can’t find it on a map, you will most certainly know the name of this place from its world-famous film festival. But there’s more to Cannes than cinema.

For starters, there’s La Croisette – the name of the boulevard on the sea. Swim, shop, stroll. Gawp at the serried ranks of luxury yachts. Your view stretches, with Saint-Tropez jutting into your eye line from the right, all the way to the Balearic Islands, Barcelona and Valencia.

The old quarter of Le Suquet crawls up the hill directly behind the port. A 12th-century watchtower marks the summit, presiding over a pleasing warren of alleyways and local eateries. The view from the top across the Lérins Islands and back down over the bay is one of the best on the coast.

The Marché Forville, just below Le Suquet, opens most mornings and is where local chefs and residents shop. Flowers, olives, cheese, and the best of whatever is in season.

There’s also Fort Royal, where the Man in the Iron Mask was held for eleven years. Leonardo DiCaprio played this unidentified prisoner in the 90s blockbuster of the same name. You didn’t expect us to end our entry on Cannes without mentioning Hollywood one last time, did you?