Cannes
The first thing that pretty much anyone thinks of when you mention Cannes is the film festival, and yes, the Cannes International Film Festival, as one of the largest and most important film festivals worldwide, has had its effect on the tiny riviera city: the Palais, where the festival is held, displays its red carpet year-round, a draw for tourists looking to take pictures. Cardboard cutouts of stars and cinema characters dot the Croisette, and you can pose as Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean or Mike Meyers from Austin Powers fame... but to those who truly get to know this provencal town, Cannes is so much more than the film festival.
Mediterranean Climate
Native cannois bundle up throughout the fall and winter, only breaking out the pretty sundresses and designer shades when the temperatures break 80, but to many who do not have the luck to live in a Mediterranean climate, the winters seem mild and sometimes even warm: a scarf is a must in case of the Mistral, a wind with a worse reputation than most politicians that comes whipping around corners in February and March, but as far as wardrobe is concerned in Cannes, all you need are a few sweaters to get you through the colder months.
Where to Eat
Summers see Cannes filled with tourists: every street is clogged with people?families taking pictures, waiters urging diners into their restaurants and daring motards on motorbikes, trying to get up the street and willing to knock everyone and anyone over to do so. Some of these restaurants truly are worth the hassle: try L'Annex directly on the Croisette for a meal and a view at the same time, or Le Ba?li, where restaurant and dance club combine. In the winter La Brouette de Grand'M?re serves hearty winter food and multiple courses for an inexpensive, all-inclusive price, while Canna Suisse brings Swiss fondue fame back to France, complete with a Swiss chalet look and feel.
What to Do
In the summer, one of the main activities is going to the beach, and for good reason: unlike in nearby Nice, in Cannes, the beaches are sandy, perfect for tanning, playing beach volleyball or swimming in the cool, blue, Mediterranean sea. If you're visiting at an inopportune time for swimming, however, Cannes offers much more. During the day, hike to the top of the Suquet, the winding, snakelike street that's closed to cars and leads you to the very top of the town, where you'll find the Mus?e de la Castre, a museum devoted to archaeology. The museum also has a tower that you can climb to see Cannes from the very highest point. Another option is to take a boat out to one of the islands: the Ile-St-Honorat is home to a monastery, where the monks make artisan liqueurs. The larger Ile-Ste-Marguerite is where the famed ?Man in the Iron Mask? was kept imprisoned in a cell that is now opened to visitors.
A Night Out
At night, most tourists head to the dance clubs, of which there are many, filled with beautiful people (and often, stars). However, locals tend to spend their evenings at the Irish pubs that dot the city: two favorites are Morrison's and The Quays. You're likely to see off-duty barstaff from one sipping a drink at the other!
