The first thought that comes to mind when you hear the name Cannes is the glitz and glamour of film stars on the red carpet. We were disappointed to see that the Palais des Festivals (where they screen the films) was under construction and nearly completely blocked from view. Oh well, we managed to walk along the parts of the sidewalk that weren't blocked off, where international film stars and directors have left their handprints over the years during the Cannes Film Festival held each May.
When not hosting the film festival, the Palais is just the town's regular old convention and conference center. It can't all be glitz and glamour, I guess.
As with all the other French Riviera towns, there is an old port with fancy yachts right in the center of town. This is one of two large marinas in town.
If you aren't staying on a swanky boat, you can stay in one of the swanky historic hotels along the Boulevard de la Croisette which stretches along the waterfront. The luxurious Carlton Hotel was built in 1911 and was used as a location for the film To Catch a Thief with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.
Murals around town celebrate the international film industry. This one at the Hôtel de la Plage depicts filmmaker Jacques Tati and the painted posters are tributes to his Monsieur Hulot films of the 1950s and 60s.
From the promenade along the old port, you can see the hill of Le Suquet, the oldest quarter in Cannes. This is the site of the original Roman settlement in this area. The hill is dominated by the tall tower and crenelated rooftop of the Château de la Castre on the left, and the clock tower of the Église Notre-Dame d’Espérance on the right. The castle was built by monks in the 1200s and is now a museum. To get to the top of the hill you have to climb 109 steps.
Or you can do what we did and take the Petit Train Touristique. All aboard!
The church of Notre-Dame d’Espérance was built during a 100-year period in the late 1500s and early 1600s. It has a very simple exterior and facade.
From the side courtyard of the church there are great views of the Old Port and the Cannes promenade.
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