- Religious buildings
- Cannes landmarks
- Iron Mask Island
- Note to shopaholics
- Delicious points on the map
Modern Cannes is known throughout the world as a French beach resort, but just a thousand years ago there was only a fishing village founded by the Romans in this part of the Côte d'Azur. In the 11th century, the monks built powerful fortifications on the rocky coast, and Cannes became a fortified region belonging to the church. Eight centuries later, English Chancellor Henry Peter Broome, who was fleeing the Côte d'Azur from a cholera epidemic, literally fell in love with a small town. This is how Cannes' resort glory began, taken up by the aristocracy of the entire Old World and even the Russian imperial family. Going to the Côte d'Azur, be sure that when asked where to go in Cannes, you will receive a sea of interesting addresses and destinations.
Religious buildings
The history of the city is very closely related to religion and faith. There are several monasteries and temples in Cannes, each of which is not only important for pilgrims, but also of extraordinary cultural value:
- The monastery is called Lerins Abbey, the history of the foundation of which goes back to the beginning of the 5th century. In 410, Saint Honorat founded the monastery, which after several centuries became the nucleus and center of the city. Fortress walls were erected around the Lerins Abbey, which made it possible to protect medieval Cannes from the encroachments of the enemy. Not only chapels and living quarters appeared in the monastery, but also the richest library in Europe. Today, the abbey is home to monks of the Cistercian order, and from Cannes you can go there by ferry. Ships leave from the port on the Croisette.
- The Church of Our Lady of Hope is another famous religious building on the Cote d'Azur. The first stone in the foundation of the temple was laid in 1521, but construction work was completed only in the 17th century. The austere and laconic-looking building captures the architectural features not only of the Gothic and Romanesque styles, but also of the direction called the late Renaissance. Inside the temple, noteworthy are the frescoes and gilded sculptures of St. Anne and the patroness of the church - Our Lady of Hope.
- In 1886, the Russian aristocracy, who settled in Cannes in the 19th century, and compatriots who came to the Cote d'Azur on vacation decided to build an Orthodox church in order to be able to attend the service without having to travel to Nice every time. As a result, the church of the Archangel Michael appeared in the city, and the boulevard on which the temple was erected was named after Alexander III. Among the most revered relics kept in the church are the relics of Seraphim of Sarov and John of Kronstadt. Old icons donated by members of the royal family are also noteworthy.
Among the Catholic churches, tourists especially highlight the Church of Our Lady of Good Voyage, where you can pray for the successful outcome of your trip, travel and any tourist endeavor. The church was built in the second half of the 19th century on the site of an old chapel. Its first parishioners were fishermen and sailors, whose ships anchored in the port of Cannes. History lovers should also go to the temple: it was in this church that Napoleon, who returned from Elba, prayed in August 1815. Lovers of beauty will undoubtedly like the stained glass windows of the Church of Our Lady of Good Voyage, skillfully made by masters of the 19th century.
Cannes landmarks
If you are one of the gamblers, even the mere mention of the French Mediterranean resort brings to mind the association with a casino. The most famous gambling house in Europe is located in Monte Carlo, but there is also a place to go in Cannes for those wishing to experience the favor of fortune. The Cannes casino is open at 50 Boulevard de Croisette. In its halls you will find roulette, poker tables, slot machines, restaurant and cafe. Do not forget about the dress code, because European casinos are famous for following the usual traditions, unlike the gambling houses of the New World.
The list of attractions of the French resort also includes other interesting buildings, streets and even entire neighborhoods:
- The Croisette embankment appeared in the city in the middle of the nineteenth century. The city authorities decided to tidy up the seashore so that the resting public could comfortably walk and exchange news. This is how the most famous promenade in Europe appeared, stretching almost three kilometers from the old port to Palm Beach. The embankment got its name thanks to the cross installed on it at the entrance to the Lerins Abbey.
- Another historical area of the city is called the Suquet quarter. Its streets run down the slopes of the Chevalier Hill and are ideal for leisurely strolls. In the Suquet quarter, you will find a fortress and a medieval lookout tower.
- The most interesting Museum of Castres, which contains exhibits telling about the ancient history of the region, was opened in an old castle of the 16th century. The collection was collected by Baron Liklama, who donated to the city in the second half of the 19th century. collection of antiques. The Baron was an avid traveler, and the exhibits of the museum were found by him in Provence and Egypt, in the Middle East and in the countries of Central Asia. In the halls of the Castres Museum, you will see four thematic sections dedicated to primitive art; the era of ancient civilizations that existed in Greece, Italy and Egypt; the pictorial art of the masters of Provence; musical instruments collected by the baron and his followers in different parts of the world.
After leaving the Castres Museum, do not forget to get a bird's eye view of Cannes. To do this, you will have to climb the Tour de Suquet observation tower. You have to overcome more than a hundred steps, but the panorama of the Cote d'Azur from the observation deck of the old fortress will be a true reward for your perseverance.
Iron Mask Island
The Fort Royal Walk is another interesting tourist route in Cannes. On the island of Saint-Marguerite, where the famous medieval prison is located, you will be offered to go on a tour of the old fortress and learn the legend about the most mysterious prisoner of the casemates.
The guides tell the story of an unknown person who was held in the dungeon of Fort Royal in the 17th century. His face was covered with a mask, and the name, as legend has it, belonged to one of the noble royal families of Europe.
The walls of the French state prison hid many other famous prisoners from the world, and the only prisoner who managed to escape from the island was Marshal Bazin, a participant in many wars and a French military leader.
The tour of the island also includes a walk through a grove of pines, a visit to the Maritime Museum, where artifacts found on sunken Saracen and Roman ships are exhibited, and lunch at a coastal restaurant, which has a variety of seafood dishes on the menu.
Note to shopaholics
If you consider yourself to be on the list of notorious fashionistas and have a tidy sum on your bank card, go shopping on the Croisette. It is on this street that the boutiques of the leading fashion houses are located. All other tourists vacationing in Cannes should go shopping at the Gray d'Albion shopping center. This is not to say that everything is sold significantly cheaper in its departments, but you will undoubtedly be able to save some part of the budget.
The Forville flea market is a paradise for antiques and vintage lovers on Mondays. Here, on the other days of the week, products are sold: cheeses and wine, sausages and chocolate, in a word, everything that a compatriot brings from his vacation, who decided to please himself in further everyday life.
Delicious points on the map
Lunch or dinner at Cannes restaurants is not cheap, but you can always go to a small diner opened by former residents of the Maghreb. Shawarma, kebab, falafel and other typical Moroccan or Tunisian fast food look pretty decent, but are inexpensive.
If the soul still asks for oysters in ice and champagne, you will have to fork out. The most expensive and prestigious establishments in Cannes can be found on the Croisette and on Rue Antibes. In the Suke quarter, the price tags are becoming more humane at times, and the kitchen is more solid and nourishing. It serves the traditional French sailors soup bouillabaisse and grilled fish.
A small list of cherished gourmet addresses:
- Astoux et Brun is the place where you will find the most delicious oysters, mussels in a creamy sauce and a plateau with fresh seafood. Be prepared to stand in line during peak hours, as there is no advance reservation of tables in the institution.
- Traditionally delicious foie gras and beef in morel sauce are served at La Mirabelle on the rue Saint-Antoine leading up the hill.
- The perfect bouillabaisse is prepared at Le Festival, around the middle of the Croisette. Only the ordering system is not very convenient: you will have to leave an advance payment 48 hours before your plate of fish soup is ready. However, the result is worth it!
- In the Italian Le Vesuvio - huge portions of all kinds of dishes from the Apennine Peninsula. Pasta with seafood is beyond praise here, and pizza is prepared in full accordance with Neapolitan traditions.
- The signature rabbit stew with rosemary is a great reason to book a table at Les Bons Enfants. If you prefer fish or seafood, the restaurant's menu includes oysters, shrimps, and perfect pickled herring, and the wine list includes a splendid selection of white and red French wines.
- At La Creperie you can have breakfast early in the morning. Attractive prices are not the only advantage of the cafe. Sweet tooths will find pancakes with dozens of types of jams and caramel on the menu, and fans of serious food will find meat pancake pie.
Finally, allow yourself at least one dinner at La Maree! The institution can hardly be called affordable, but the trip here is worth the money spent. The restaurant's interior is designed in antique style. Old paintings adorn the walls, the dishes on the tables are exclusively vintage, and the menu is literally overflowing with dishes prepared according to classic recipes. You can taste quail with grape cream, chicken stewed in beer or stew with vegetables in a clay pot. The wines at La Maree are carefully selected, and professional sommeliers will not only help you order the perfect drink for your chosen dish, but will also tell you a lot of interesting details about the wine.
