France

During the film festival in May, Cannes is crammed with more money, more bubbles, more mobile phones and more cleavage than Hollywood. This aside, apart from posturing palatial hotels, boutiques and restaurants for the très affluent, Cannes has pleasant beaches, great shops, and oodles of poodles.

Before the 20th century

The eastern part of France's Mediterranean coast, including Cannes, was occupied by the Ligurians from the 1st millennium BC.

Around 600 BC, the area was colonised by Greeks from Asia Minor.

Called in to help against the threat of invasion by Celto-Ligurians from Entremont, the Romans triumphed in 125 BC. They created Provincia Romana, the land between the Alps, the sea and the River Rhône (the area that ultimately became Provence).

Cannes was first mentioned by name in the 11th century.

Along with the rest of the surrounding Provençal region excluding Nice, Cannes became part of the French kingdom in 1482.

Until the beginning of the 19th century, it was a small agricultural and fishing village. In the 1830s, aristocrats, along with celebrated artists and writers, started coming from near and far to escape cold northern winters. They built holiday homes and Cannes gradually became a resort town. Its popularity, however, can largely be attributed to Lord Henry Peter Brougham, a respected British politician, who stumbled upon Cannes on his way to Italy. He bought land near Suquet Hill and used his political contacts to develop the area. Subsequently the town grew in popularity and in size.

Cannes train station opened in 1863, which made it more accessible. The Tramway de Cannes, another feature reflecting the enterprising spirit of the developers, opened in 1899.

Modern history

The Cannes municipal casino opened in 1907 with great fanfare. Fireworks, banquets and a symphony orchestra made the evening a memorable one for the aristocracy. During WWI, it was used as a hospital for the wounded and the casino rooms were turned into makeshift wards but in 1979 it was demolished and the new Festival Hall was contructed in its place. Don't worry, they built another casino inside: the Barrière de Cannes Croisette.

In 1968, the Cannes Film Festival was halted halfway through. Louis Malle (president of the jury) along with notorieties including François Truffaut, Roman Polanski and Jean-Luc Godard, took over proceedings at the Palais to bring attention to the labour strike taking place throughout the country.

Recent history

Just in case you thought Cannes needed a little more glamour, the annual Cannes Shopping Festival was held for the first time in 2004. It is run in partnership with the city's 200 shops and - as you might expect - is popular with local fashionistas and European fashion designers.

The film festival celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2007.

Top Accommodation

Top Restaurants

Things to do in Cannes are mostly are centred around the beach, consuming (via mouth and wallet) and general hedonism. Surrounding hills, gorges and rivers are within easy reach if you (or your hip pocket) fancy a break, or else simply strolling through town is a rewarding activity in itself.

Top Attractions

Z Plage Baie de Cannes 0 ratings 0 reviews	Plage du Gray d'Albion Baie de Cannes 0 ratings 0 reviews
Musée de la Castre Vieux Port 0 ratings 0 reviews	Palais des Festivals et des Congrès Baie de Cannes 0 ratings 0 reviews

The climate in Cannes is pleasantly temperate. Summers are warm without being uncomfortable, autumn can be wet and winter brings cool days and chilly evenings, so bring a few extra layers. You can leave the thermals at home, though - it rarely reaches freezing temperature. Spring is perhaps the nicest time of year, with sunny days, little rain and lots of colour.

Average weather

• Temperature
• Rainfall

Transport

Getting around

Serving Cannes and destinations up to 7km (4.3mi) away is Bus Azur (08 25 82 55 99, 04 93 45 20 08; pl Bernard Cornut Gentille). Bus 8 runs along the coast from pl Bernard Cornut Gentille to the port and Palm Beach Casino on Pointe de la Croisette. You can flag down the Élo Bus anywhere you see it passing through the city; there are no set stops.

Car-rental agency JKL (04 97 06 37 77; 59 angle de la Croisette) offers cars fit for a star. There are plenty of pay car parks, including the Palais underground car park right next to the tourist office, which lends out free bicycles if you park here. The easy-to-spot entry is off blvd de la Croisette. Alliance Location (04 93 38 62 62; 19 rue des Frères Pradignac) rents motorcycles and scooters.

Taxis (04 93 38 91 91, 04 93 49 59 20) can be ordered by phone.

To get to the islands, Compagnie Maritime Cannoise (04 93 38 66 33) runs ferries to Île Ste-Marguerite, while Compagnie Estérel Chanteclair (04 93 39 11 82) operates boats to Île St-Honorat with skeleton schedules in winter.

Getting there and away

Nice airport is only 35km(20mi) from Cannes city centre. Trains run from Gare Nice St Augustin train station, 500m from Terminal 1, every 40 mins. Buses are also regular and leave the airport for Cannes every 20 - 30 mins.

If you want to drive, car hire is easy at the airport; the A8 is the most direct route.

Destinations within easy reach include Nice (30min), Grasse (25min) and Marseille (2hr), as well as St Raphaël (30min), from where you can get buses to St Tropez and Toulon.

Health & Legal Requirements

Dangers and annoyances

The Côte d'Azur isn't a dangerous area, but theft - from backpacks, pockets, bags, cars and even laundrettes - is rife. Watch your belongings, especially at train and bus stations, on overnight trains, in tourist offices, in fast-food restaurants and on the beaches (don't set your camera down next to you while you momentarily gaze at the sunset!). Keep your passport, credit cards and cash on your person, not in your bags. Always drive with the doors locked and windows up as thieves sometimes pounce at red lights. If you're travelling by bicycle, store it off-street overnight.