Cannes, France Hire Car Coupons

Callao Attractions and Things to See

Cannes, France is famous for being on the French Riviera, as well as being the host of the yearly Cannes Film Festival and a busy tourist destination, with luxury shops and boutiques, hotels and restaurants. It has an interesting history that would see the region change hands over the centuries, but it wouldn't begin to become a tourist area until the 19th century.

La Croisette is the main avenue along the waterfront, lined with palm trees, gorgeous beaches, fabulous restaurants, boutiques and cafes; with La Suquet, the older part of the city, having excellent views of the avenue and the best place to people watch. There is a fortified tower and Chapel of St. Anne that contains the Musee de la Castre, and the Man in the Iron Mask would be held prisoner at the Ile Sainte-Marguerite. The Musee d'Art t d'Histoire de Provence contains relics from the prehistoric period to the current period, set inside an 18th century mansion, while the Musee de la Castre contains artifacts from the Pacific Atolls, Mayan pottery and Peru. Other museums that offer excellent opportunities to learn more about the history, culture and romance of the city include the Musee de la Mer, Musee International de la Parfumerie, Musee de la Marine and the Musee de la Photographie.

The city of Cannes still has grand villas that reflect the early influence of the rich and famous, inspired by castles from the medieval era to the Roman villas, like the original Lord Brougham's Italianate Elenore Louise that was constructed between 1835 and 1839 that sits in the Quartier des Anglais that is now the oldest residential district in the city, with another called the Villa Fiesole and called the Villa Domerque that was designed by Jean-Gabriel Domergue that was influenced by Fiesole, near Florence, Italy. While the villas aren't open to the public, the Villa Domergue is available by appointment only.

On the small island of St. Marguerite, the man in the iron mask would live here for eleven years, who had been believed to be of noble blood, although his identity was never discovered. You can visit his cell in the Fort of St. Marguerite that is now called the Musee de la Mer or the Museum of the Sea, which also contains discoveries from shipwrecks that occurred off the island, that includes Saracen 10th century and Roman 1st century BC ceramics. St. Honorat Island is where the Cisterian monks live, and they are the sole inhabitants of this tiny southern island, and have inhabited the island since 410 AD. At the height of their power, they would own the city, along with Vallaurius and Mougins. You can see the medieval vestiges in the stark church that is open to the public and in the outstanding ruins of the 11th century monastery that sits along the sea's shoreline. Today they divide their time between prayer and creating excellent white and red wines.

The city is accessible by the Nice Cote d'Azur Airport about fifteen miles from Cannes that welcomes almost 10 million visitors each year, with the smaller Cannes-Mandelieu airport closer, and by car, rail or bus, or the ferry from Nice. Because the city has few permanent residents living there year-round, it has become a culinary delight that offers Italian, Greek, Mexican, Armenian, Creole and American cuisine, along with the native French that can be had at the local exotic brasseries, as well as excellent ice cream and confectionary shops, tea rooms and cafes. You can run the gamut from extreme luxury to the simple fare, with a variety of local restaurants providing outstanding food, drinks and desserts.