/ Cannes is one of the most legendary of towns along the Riviera, famous for the International Film Festival held in May and home to several super-deluxe luxury hotels. But surprisingly, the main shopping area and old section are down-to-earth, with normal prices and a friendly atmosphere.
It's an easy four-block walk from the train station to the shore where you can have a peek at the high life exemplified in the extraordinary hotel palaces lining the grand Boulevard de la Croisette. Nobody will stop you from walking through their lobbies and perhaps pausing for some refreshments.
The grande dame of them all is the Carlton, a magnificent structure one century old but sparkling like new. It's super-expensive, and during the Film Festival, forget about it -- you've got to be a Hollywood player or big-shot buyer to get a room. But in the rest of the year, especially in the off-season, you might find an affordable room in this elegant palace. The baroque dining salon dates to 1911 with original décor intact, and the elegant lobby also features a lovely lounge. The Carlton is on the waterfront with the beach across the street and, of course, a row of high-end shops out front.
The Majestic is another of those fabled palace hotels -- so go in, have a look around the Egyptian-themed lounges, sit down, relax, use the facilities, maybe have a snack at the café. Then head back out onto the promenade where you'll find a pretty sculpture of a lioness and her cubs in a garden. The Marriott with its soaring atrium lobby, is another spectacular 5-star deluxe hotel along this promenade.
Off-season is generally too cold for beach action, so if seeing those nubile, exposed bodies is important, you would be better off visiting here in the summertime despite the crowds and higher prices.
The Cannes Festival Hall, where all the screenings take place in late May, is a monster structure at the end of the promenade. Its sidewalk is dimpled with many impressions from the big stars, who flock here during the festival to show off and promote their latest flicks.
Cannes is one of the most legendary of towns along the Riviera, famous for the International Film Festival held in May and home to several super-deluxe luxury hotels. But surprisingly, the main shopping area and old section are down-to-earth, with normal prices and a friendly atmosphere.
It's an easy four-block walk from the train station to the shore where you can have a peek at the high life exemplified in the extraordinary hotel palaces lining the grand Boulevard de la Croisette. Nobody will stop you from walking through their lobbies and perhaps pausing for some refreshments.
The grande dame of them all is the Carlton, a magnificent structure one century old but sparkling like new. It's super-expensive, and during the Film Festival, forget about it -- you've got to be a Hollywood player or big-shot buyer to get a room. But in the rest of the year, especially in the off-season, you might find an affordable room in this elegant palace. The baroque dining salon dates to 1911 with original décor intact, and the elegant lobby also features a lovely lounge. The Carlton is on the waterfront with the beach across the street and, of course, a row of high-end shops out front.
The Majestic is another of those fabled palace hotels -- so go in, have a look around the Egyptian-themed lounges, sit down, relax, use the facilities, maybe have a snack at the café. Then head back out onto the promenade where you'll find a pretty sculpture of a lioness and her cubs in a garden. The Noga Hilton, with its soaring atrium lobby, and the Art Deco-styled Martinez are the other spectacular 5-star deluxe hotels along this promenade.
Off-season is generally too cold for beach action, so if seeing those nubile, exposed bodies is important, you would be better off visiting here in the summertime despite the crowds and higher prices.
The Cannes Festival Hall, where all the screenings take place in late May, is a monster structure at the end of the promenade. Its sidewalk is dimpled with many impressions from the big stars, who flock here during the festival to show off and promote their latest flicks.
A central lane, Rue Meynadier, is for pedestrians only and runs for about a mile towards the train station, which is where you'll be heading shortly to continue the day's journey. There are plenty of souvenir shops and all variety of merchandise for sale on these busy main streets of Cannes.