Things to do in  Cannes

The Cannes Film Festival is this French city’s claim to fame, along with the accompanying A-list glamour. While the festival happens yearly in May, Cannes is lively year-round, enticing starry crowds and those who like to party with the wealthy to its luxury hotels and chic beach clubs.

Stroll west on La Croisette Boulevard to soak up sea vistas on one side and pass swanky hotels on the other. After a photo stop by Palais des Festivals, site of the Cannes Film Festival, seek out Cannes’ calmer side with an amble through Le Suquet quarter; sweeping views await.

The seaside city isn’t big, and a day can comfortably cover Cannes’ key sights as well as some beach time. Many overnight or weekend visitors combine a stay in the city with trips to nearby Nice, Monaco, or other Cote d’Azur hotspots.

Yes. There’s a mix of both public and private beaches in Cannes, with the latter more prevalent, as you’d expect, around La Croisette. The stretches of public beach space are impressive though, offering soft sands and amenities for free. The private beaches come with loungers, parasols, and waiter service, too.

Skip the "es" and open up that "a" to pronounce Cannes in a way that’s acceptable to French ears and foreign tongues alike. If your Cannes comes out more like "kan" with the emphasis on the "n," you’re on the right track.

Yes. Cannes is a celebrity hangout, and it has the price tag to match. Hotels, restaurants, private beaches, and even taxis all have big spenders in mind. For a more affordable break, consider nearby Nice or Mandelieu-la-Napoule. Both offer Côte d’Azur charm without breaking the bank.