Meet Cannes
Welcome to Cannes! This beautiful city along the Mediterranean shoreline is known as a playground for the rich and famous, especially during the annual Cannes Film Festival.
Over 1000 years ago, Cannes was a Roman settlement called “Canua.” Between the 11th century and the 16th century, Cannes was controlled by monks from the nearby Lérins Islands, but it gained independence in the year 1530. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Cannes started to become the ritzy, luxurious city that we know today. Fancy hotels, restaurants, and casinos began to appear in Cannes, and in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival began. Nowadays, Cannes is most well-known for this annual film festival, a glamorous, super exclusive event that celebrates many of the most prestigious films in the world.
Where to live in Cannes
Cannes is not a very big city—it’s home to about 74,000 people, making it the 64th most populous city in France. However, what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in prestige, luxury, and glamour. The most famous neighborhoods in Cannes are located on the beautiful Mediterranean shoreline, as well as between Promenade de la Croisette and Rue d’Antibes.
Best Neighborhoods in Cannes
Within Cannes city limits, the neighborhoods located closest to the Mediterranean Sea are extremely luxurious and glamorous, but also extremely expensive. More affordable options can be found further inland, as well as in neighborhoods outside of city limits.
Amazing Apartments, Coliving Spaces and More
We've been rounded up the best housing options in Cannes. All are available on flexible terms, so you can stay one month or as long as you want
Quick Facts About Cannes
There is so much to discover in Cannes!Know which beaches are public and which are private
Not every beach in Cannes is accessible to the public for free. Popular public beaches include Bocca Beach, Midi Beach, and Palm Beach.Visit the rest of the French Riviera
Cannes is located near other major destinations like Aix-en-Provence, Monaco, Nice, and Saint-Tropez, all of which are less than 2 hours away by car and/or boat. If you live in Cannes, many of the most beautiful and sought-after tourist destinations are right at your fingertips!Not everything is as expensive as you may think
Although Cannes has a reputation for being uber-wealthy and uber-expensive, it is possible to get food and drink at accessible prices. Generally, food at hotels and in restaurants in Promenade de la Croisette is very expensive, but smaller restaurants, cafes, and bistros offer equally delicious food for much cheaper prices. Also, note that prices for everything generally rise in May during the Cannes Film Festival.Taxis are expensive
A taxi in Cannes will charge you a base fee of around €2.35 ($2.64), with an additional €3 ($3.37) per mile, which is quite expensive. Cannes has a well-established bus system, with tickets costing €1.50 ($1.69) per ride, a much more affordable option for getting around town.Learn French
Because Cannes is such a popular international destination, many people in Cannes speak English. However, the general attitude in France is that expats should be able to speak French, and you might be the recipient of some serious side-eye if you don’t know even a little French.The weather is beautiful
In the summer, the average temperature in Cannes is a balmy 74°F, with an average of 11 hours of sunshine per day. Even in the winter, Cannes experiences relatively little precipitation, with temperatures averaging out at around 48°F.Visit the Îles de Lérins
The Îles de Lérins, or the Lérins Islands, are part of the Cannes commune. Île Sainte-Marguerite is only a 15-minute boat ride from Cannes, and is most famous for Fort Royal, where the Mysterious Man in the Iron Mask was held captive between 1670 and 1703.The Cannes Film Festival is HUGE
The Cannes Film Festival, which takes place every year in May, is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. It’s strictly invitation-only, so unless you’re a film journalist or a major figure in the film industry, you probably won’t be able to attend, but every year in May, you’ll be able to watch some of the biggest celebrities in the world descend on Cannes.Work in Cannes
The biggest industries in Cannes are tourism, business fairs, trade, and aviation. However, the tech industry is a major part of the area surrounding Cannes. Sophia Antipolis is a major technology park located just 9 miles away from Cannes, and hosts major companies like Air France, Cisco, the Dow Chemical Company, IBM, and Intel. The Cannes Mandelieu Space Center, a manufacturing center for the space travel industry, is also located in Cannes.
How good is Cannes for Digital Nomads or Remote Work
Remote work is changing how the global workspace operates. In a trend that is showing no signs of slowing down, remote work is rapidly on the increase all around the world—especially in a place like Cannes. And about 25% of remote workers describe themselves as digital nomads—those who like to travel or stay in cities around the world while they work. So, how good is Cannes for both of these growing movements?
Average Internet Speed
The Internet speed in Cannes is pretty fast, averaging out at around 29 Mbps. Many hotels, restaurants, cafes, and bars in Cannes offer free WiFi, giving you options for working outside of your home.Work-friendly Coffee Shops
Some coffee shops can be surprisingly difficult to work in, but Cannes has some great spots that will help you focus, all while sipping on some fantastic coffee. Here are some of the best work-friendly coffee shops in Cannes: Barista in La Croisette: Barista is a quiet and affordable coffee shop located just off of Rue d’Antibes, Cannes’ premiere luxury shopping street. In addition to delicious coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, they also offer crepes, omelettes, and continental breakfasts. Itineraire Cafe in La Croisette: Itineraire Cafe is best-known for its beautiful latte art. They offer a wide variety of different coffee roasts, allowing you to sample diverse flavors and tasting notes. Green Bagel Cafe in La Croisette: Green Bagel Cafe is one of the only places in Cannes (maybe even in all of France) where you can enjoy a good old fashioned bagel. They’re also known for their excellent service and Nutella lattes.Coworking Spaces
You’ll find several coworking spaces in Cannes! Here are some amazing spots that you may want to consider checking out: Kitchen Co/Working: Kitchen’s mission is to provide a comfortable, homey, but also effective and efficient working space, especially for travelers and digital nomads. Locoworking: Located in the center of Cannes, Locoworking caters to entrepreneurs, travelers, students, remote workers, and artists alike. They offer options for openspace and private desks, giving you more flexibility. Trendee: Trendee is one of the most flexible coworking options in Cannes. They offer 9 different subscription plans that cater to your individual needs.Suitable Level for Digital Nomads
For the most part, digital nomads love Cannes. It’s one of the most picturesque and glamorous cities in France, and is close to Sophia Antipolis, a technology giant in France. However, although Cannes is not as outrageously expensive as some people might believe, it is still by no means a universally affordable or accessible city, and the cost of living can be very high for some.Visa Requirements
If you’re a citizen of an EU member state or Switzerland, you don’t need a work visa to work in France. If you’re not from an EU member state or Switzerland, the kind of work visa you need is dependent upon the kind of work you’re doing. Regardless of what kind of work visa you obtain, the process can be very long and drawn-out, and often involves your employer submitting a work contract to the French Ministry of Labor, so it’s important to get the work visa process started early. If you are from one of the following countries and are just visiting, you can visit France without a visa for up to 3 months: Andorre, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, St. Martin, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela.Food and Drink in Cannes
Cannes is home to some of the best luxury restaurants in the world, like La Palme d’Or, which has two Michelin stars, and Le Park 45, one of the few fine dining establishments in France that offers options for vegetarians. If you’re looking for food that’s equally delicious but more affordable, try Le Pompon, Aux Bon Enfants (note that reservations must be made in person here), Bobo Bistro, or Le Bistrot Gourmand, all of which serve delicious French Mediterranean food. Finally, swing by Marché Forville any morning except for Monday morning to experience France’s fresh market culture.
Restaurants
Bars
Top 6 Things To Do in Cannes
One of the most popular things to do in Cannes is to take a stroll down the Promenade de la Croisette and get a glimpse of Cannes’ fanciest hotels, restaurants, and yachts. Another popular outdoor spot is La Croix-de-Gardes, a huge public park that has a bunch of hiking and walking trails as well as a wide open field that’s perfect for picnics. For a taste of what Cannes looked like centuries ago, wander the labyrinthine cobblestone paths of Le Suquet and enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the many local restaurants in this historic district. You can also take a short boat ride to the Island of Saint-Honorat, home to a monastery where the monks make wine (and obey a strict vow of silence), or the Island of Saint-Marguerite, where an ancient prison fortress still stands. Finally, if you’re in Cannes in May, and are lucky enough to get an invite to the Cannes Film Festival, you can preview some of the best films of the year long before they reach theaters. Even if you’re not invited, you’ll still be able to see some of the most famous people in the world all decked out in gowns, tuxes, and jewels.
Tour du Masque de fer
27-1 Rue Georges Clemenceau, Cannes
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Segway - Mobilboard Cannes
c/o FULL-GREEN, 16 Boulevard du Midi Jean Hibert, Cannes
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Abbaye De Lérins
Île Saint-Honorat, Cannes
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Les Murs Peints - Cannes movie car museum
Cannes
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Plage du Martinez
Cannes
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Curious World - Escape Game
Zone des Tourrades, Chemin de la Bastide Rouge, Cannes