Judy

There is a path along the Mediterranean from Cap Martin to Monaco. I believe it is about a 4-5 mile walk involving some steps. The scenery was beautiful and there was a train station we passed before Monaco if you wanted a shorter walk. The path is called Promenade Corbusier.
We also love to visit Villa Ephrussi just outside of St. Jean Cap Ferrat. The extensive gardens are lovely and the views to the sea are spectacular.

Cathinjoetown

Note that while not quite as wide as the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, Cannes' hotels, restaurants, shops, etc are divided from the beach by a wide boulevard, Le Croisette. If memory serves, Cannes' beaches are every bit as rocky as Nice. There are hotel restaurants actually down on the beach--they are pricey but fun in a way.

Both cities have wide sidewalks on the beach side of the streets. I find Nice much more interesting than Cannes but it's a personal preference. I thought the most interesting perfume tour was Fragonard in Grasse--lots of info on the old processes many of which are still used. Not that "girlie."

You have mentioned on other threads that you are not very interested in museums and galleries. All along the Cote d'Azur are artists' houses, small museums, chapels, etc. with works by Impressionists and post-Impressionists. These are in Vallauris, Nice, Antibes, Cagnes, St. Paul de Vence, Vence, etc.

Cathinjoetown

Sorry, La Croisette. Probably other spelling errors as well.

suze

Thanks Kappa. Just wondering. And I didn't realize there were other posts with more information about the background of why go to Cannes. I agree with friends who are living there, even newly located, they'll help you figure out what to do.

JillDavis

Judy - that walk sounds awesome! I love scenic walks. That is a major part of our vacation. We always talk a long walk as part of a way to see they city we are visiting and get our exercise. Are there any walks in Cannes that I could take?

Christina - If you had one day trip, would you go to Antibes or Monaco?

Judy

Jill, if you train to Cap Martin early morning, you can walk to Monaco, people watch for a while then train to St. Jean Cap Ferrat. You can see the villa, or not, have lunch around the harbor and get back on the train to Antibes.
It would make for a long day but I think it's doable.

dugi_otok

Not Christina, but I would select dazzling Monaco over Antibes. I would combine it with a visit to nearby Eze. A walk through Eze is very scenic-the village itself and spedtacular ocean views.
http://cruises.about.com/cs/europe/a/eze.htm
http://images.google.com/images?q=ez...nt=firefox-a&u

Eze can be reached from Monaco or from train stop Eze Sur Mer

JillDavis

Wow! Some great information! Thank you. All of these options are great. I am curious to see if I will get bored in Cannes and will want to explore. (well, I only have 3 days.) However, Monaco, St.Jean Cap Ferrat, and Eze sound like my type of places. I love gorgeous scenary because we don't get much of that here in Florida. Everything is so flat. The architecture is also quite boring here in Florida as well.

sharona

I want to correct an above statement about Cannes beaches. The beaches in Cannes are sandy and not rocky. They are rocky in Nice.

There isn't a lot to do in Cannes itself but it seems like there is always something to attract your attention. Simply walking along La Croisette on the beach side is a great spot for people watching and having lunch in a beach front restaurant is a great way to soak up the local culture.

For your time on the beach most of the large hotels have their own spot along the beach but even if you are a guest of the hotel you still have to pay to use them. You'll get beach service and access to a bathroom.

I enjoyed my visit to Grasse and to Fragonard but I'd choose the coastline. The scenery along that part of France is breathtaking. I'd start out early and head to Monaco and even if the only thing you do is ooh and aah over the boats it will have been worth it. Then I would definitely make a stop in Eze.

Since you have such limited time in the area I'd opt for Monaco and Eze over St.-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The Villa and grounds are nice but the scenery from Eze is much better.

There's a street in Cannes that has a lot of really good, medium-priced restaurants. It's within walking distance of the major hotels and right now I'm blanking on the name of the street. I'll try to find it and post again. We ate at 2 or 3 of the restaurants along that street and all were very good and not very touristy.

Surfergirl

I'm wondering if you're thinking rue Saint Antoine going up Le Suquet hill. That one is one of the old pedestrian streets with lots of quaint, reasonably priced restaurants and little galleries and shops. In fact, it's a wonderful walking street, good exercise too going up the hill.

Cathinjoetown

sharona and jill, my error about the beaches. Sorry.

JillDavis

Wow, thanks for that information. So, do you think a nice walk in Cannes would be to go down La Croisette and then up to rue Saint Antoine?

Cathinjoetown - no apologies needed! You have been very helpful!

sharona

That's it Surfergirl. Rue St. Antoine. I had looked it up and then forgot to post. Lots of good restaurants and little shops along this street. It's in the Old Town section of Cannes and in the opposite direction of where you'll be strolling along La Croisette. Yes, it would be a nice walk. Where are you staying?

The more I think about it the more I think you should not miss Eze. I assure you that you have nothing like it in Florida! The view is absolutely spectacular and the town itself is worth a visit.

Cathinjoetown, no worries on the beach thing. I knew that Jill wanted to spend a day at the beach and I didn't want her to worry about it being rocky.

JillDavis

I am staying at Hotel Splendid in a seaside room. I am so excited.

I definitely will visit Eze because multiple people have recommended it and the scenary sounds beautiful. Thanks Sharona! (and of course everyone else!)

fitzwater

Hi Jill - I will be in Cannes for 3 days in October (2 1/2 really - same as you), and have been searching for a good itinerary for that time. I came across your thread and couldn't believe how similar your request was! We live in Philly and are doing Paris for 4 nights, train to Cannes for 3 nights. We didn't want to stay in Nice because we want to hang out in a more relaxed city on the beach and get the "city vibe", rather than rush from site to site, but we don't want to stay in a complete resort town because we will be there in October. So Cannes seemed more our speed than Nice. We are also not big museum folks but love amazing scenerey, walking around quaint towns/villages, and soaking in city life in new places. So my question to you - what did you end up doing in your 2 1/2 days in Cannes? Any info would be much appreciated! Thanks Jill!

Andyrawc

As a Cannes fan, I love the central Cote D'Azur location between sea and mountains; (the views from the beach restaurants are just gorgeous) the laid back feel; you can mix with the rich and famous in the Martinez and Carlton hotels, or find the local spots in the older part of town... My suggestion would be to start off with a walk to see the highlights; the Croisette, the Festival Hall the Old Port and Forville Market (Mondays for antiques); from there head up the Rue Antoine to the oldest part of Cannes, Le Suquet for the best panoramic views, and then spend an afternoon on the beach near the old port. Day 2 take breakfast in an outside cafe near the port, then take the 20 minute boat ride to the Iles de Lerins (the "man in the Iron Mask" was imprisoned here), both lovely nature reserves, but my favourite is Honorat, stunning scenery and a complete contrast to the glitz of Cannes; there's the "working" monastery there where the monks make their own wine; great to explore. Day 3; within a short bus ride are the towns of Mougins, Valbonne (Friday market), St Paul De Vence (artists heaven) or Grasse (perfume capital), or jump on the coastal train to Juan Les Pins, Antibes and beyond... or you could take the ferry to St Tropez for the day.... how long have you got?!!

janisj

Andyrac: "<i>you could take the ferry to St Tropez for the day.... how long have you got?!!</i>"

This thread is 18 months old. The OP has come and gone and is working on a different trip now . . .