JillDavis

Hello again! I am onto my Cannes, South of France research and wanted your opinion on how I should spend my 3 days (well, really 2 1/2 since I arrive by TGV at 1 pm) in Cannes? Here is some background information. I will be coming from Paris, so perhaps I will want to slow down the pace. I don't want to be a total beach bum either because I still want to make sure I see the major highlights. I may not be back to France for a few years. I wish I had more time and I am sure 3 days is not even enough to scratch the surface, but what would you do if you were me? FYI - not big on museums. I definitely want to do the beach one of the days, but only for a few hours.

Also, is there a part of the south of france that I absolutely must leave Cannes to go see? I would definitely consider that it the place was drop dead gorgeous and worth it.

Thanks so much!

JillDavis

ttt

HappyTrvlr

I'd spend those days in Antibes and Nice..Why Cannes?

Judy

Same as HappyTrvlr, I much prefer Antibes or Nice. Both are closer to the sights I would recommend seeing. Will you have a car?

Christina

I believe Jill has a reason for being there, I think she's planned this for a long time.

There isn't that much to do in Cannes, so you'll have to just take it slow for a few days. It's just a resort town for the rich and famous and has been for over 100 years. I think there is just the usual -- wander around the port area, the market there, and the old town area, stuff like that. Other than that, I've read that taking a cruise to the Lerins Islands is really nice, so I'd suggest that. Here is good info, and that website in generally is very good for info on all villages and towns in Provence (www.beyond.fr)

http://www.beyond.fr/sites/lerins.html

scatcat

I guess if I was staying in Cannes, then I would make 3 day-trips to Nice.

padams421

I would also day trip to Nice and Antibes. In Cannes, you can wander the streets, spend time on the beach, sit in cafes and dine. It's a lovely place. People usually go there to relax and do nothing but be seen at the beach.

JillDavis

Cannes because of the beaches, more laid back than Nice, but still a promenade to stroll upon. I won't have a car, so that does limit me.

I think I might check out Antibes when I am there???

I like the beyond website. Thank you!

scatcat

You can go to Antibes and Nice by train or bus. You are only about 30 minutes from Nice by train if you would like to check it out. If you go there exit out the train station and walk to the left. About 1 very short block is the tram. Get off at the Messena stop. There is the pedestrian area. Then you can walk to old Nice. Antibes is only 10 minutes by train. I go there only for the Picasso Museum.

suze

I guess I'm mostly curious, why you chose to spend 3 days in Cannes, if you don't have something specific that interest you there?

tdk320n

If you can change your plans I strongly suggest you spend your time in Nice . There is a lovely promenade to walk along the beach. You can take a bus trip to almost any city on the Riviera for 1 euro. I love the city and strongly recommend it as a great vacation spot.

JillDavis

Well, it just seems a little too busy for me. I am looking for more of a seaside town, with still plenty to do, but not lots of traffic. It seems more like a Ft. Lauderdale feel to me. (Florida) I am sure it is much different but I wasn't crazy about the big road separating the beach from the hotels. Cannes just seemed more laid back to me.

Surfergirl

I would spend one day at the beach and walking along the beach. Another day I'd take the train to Juan les Pins for the day, but also go to the beach there, and stroll around town. The third day you could either: take a bus from Cannes's main bus station (by the port) and take it up to Grasse by way of Mougins (you could also get off at Mougins, then back on to Grasse and back. Or head over to Iles de Lerins, a 15 minute boat ride from the old port of Cannes.

Grasse: If you like perfume, it's fun to go here to the factories and see how it's made and, of course, by perfume. There are two factories that I went to, Fragonnard, of course, but also Moulinard. Haven't been to the Galimard factory, but heard it's excellent as well. Anyway, Grasse is supposedly the perfume capital of the world, although I'm sure someone will dispute that claim.

Mougins: It's a hilltop village with lots of flowers, meandering lanes, shops, old homes, galleries and wealthy people.

Iles de Lerins are two little islands, St. Honorat and Ste Marguerite (bigger and more touristy). Good for strolling, mild hiking, and bring a towel and swimsuit, since you might find a little beachy cove in your travels.

Finally, take a bus up to Le Cannet -- not many tourists go up there, but it's a 10 min. bus ride up the hill, and the area has some nice walking and eating places.

dugi_otok

Building on Surfergirls recommendations I would add the touristy, arty fortified village of St- Paul-de-Vence and I prefer St Honorat of the Iles de Lerins.

kappa1

> I guess I'm mostly curious, why you chose to spend 3 days in Cannes, if you don't have something specific that interest you there?

I wondered too. OP's answer on another thread was because she needed to meet friends there (living there?) or someting like that but she doesn't mention it here so I don't know. Maybe not an important freinds. Otherwise she could spend time with those friends, or ask for advice from them what to do, couldn't she?

kappa1

Ok, she said as follws on the 2nd thread she started, she would meet friends only for dinner.

> we have friends that we are meeting up with in Cannes, but I do not have to stay in Cannes. We are actually going there to vacation and meeting up with them is also on the agenda. However, I would rather stay in the right place because we are only meeting our friends for dinner.

I haven't read all of the answers of that thread but didn't aren't there posts there that give ideas what to do?

JillDavis

Surfergirl & Dugi-otok - thank you for all the recommendations. I learned a lot of new stuff on this thread. Mougins sounds really cool. I didn't know about that. Le Cannet is new information too! So glad I started this thread.

Our friends that we are meeting up with in Cannes do not really know anything about Cannes because they just bought a home there (the company actually purchased the home)and are moving there in the summer. So, perhaps they will be more of a source to go to once they move. However, Kappa, thank you for being so sweet.

Judy

If you decide to go to Grasse, check the websites of the perfume factories. My daughter and I made our own perfume with help from an expert on staff. It was fun and they kept the formula so we could order more of our signature scent. It was several years ago...not sure it is still offered but worth an internet search.

JillDavis

Oh wow, I didn't realize that about the perfume factory. That does sound neat. Now, the trick is to see if I can get my husband to want to go! haha.

Also, I am very interested in scenic walks. Are there any specific walks that would be beautiful?

Christina

I thought you had to go there because your friends were there, also. It is real easy to go to Nice or Antibes by train, or even Monaco for kicks, if you want. I didn't go there when I was down that way, but think it could be interesting.

I've been to a perfume "factory" in Grasse and it wasn't that interesting IMO. Neither is Grasse, although I'm sure others may think it is. Well, it was okay if you are truly fascinated in perfume making and have nothing better to do with your time. It isn't really a factory, anyway, they don't make it there. It's a storefront for them to sell you perfume and there are some exhibits on the making of it. There is also a small perfume museum in Grasse with various exhibits on its history which was kind of interesting. I'd rather go to Nice or Antibes or Monaco myself. Grasse is inland and you have to get there by bus, it takes all day more or less for that expedition.