Less than an hour from Port Palace, Cannes condenses everything that makes the legend of the French Riviera: the mythical Croisette, medieval Le Suquet, the Forville market and the Lérins Islands. Follow our complete guide, verified in 2026 by our concierge team, to discover the pearl of the bay without missing a thing.
An hour from Port Palace, Cannes condenses everything that makes the legend of the French Riviera into a few kilometres: the mythical Croisette and its seafront palaces, the old Suquet quarter perched on its hill, the Forville market among the most authentic of Provence, and offshore, the Lérins Islands, a timeless archipelago just 15 minutes by boat. Our guests in search of a day's escape often ask us how to visit Cannes intelligently: where to start, how to avoid the crowds, where to lunch with a view. This complete guide, verified in 2026 by our concierge team, gathers every tip to discover the pearl of the bay without missing a thing.
Why visit Cannes from Monaco?
Cannes has a rare talent for reconciling assumed glamour with Provençal douceur de vivre. The city hosts one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, yet preserves an intact old heart, a lively market, fishermen's cabanons and a sheltered roadstead where cruise liners and traditional sailing boats moor side by side. The contrast with Monaco's verticality is striking: here, the horizon stretches, umbrella pines tower over Belle Époque villas, and the light takes on that golden quality painters have been chasing since the 19th century.
Geographic proximity does the rest. 58 kilometres from Port Palace, Cannes is reached in 45 to 55 minutes by car via the A8 motorway, or in about 1 hour by the coastal train. It is the ideal day trip to weave into a three or four-night stay on the Riviera, alongside other gems of the coast.
💡 Concierge's tip
« To enjoy Cannes without the crowds, leave Monaco by train around 8.30am: you arrive before 10am, just in time to wander the Forville market at its peak, climb to Le Suquet in the morning coolness and head down to the Croisette for lunch. This is the ideal window to enjoy the Lérins Islands in the afternoon, before the cruise-ship crowd, which often disembarks after 11am. »
How to get to Cannes from Monaco?
Three options are open to you, each with its advantages. The train remains the calmest choice, while the car offers more freedom to combine Cannes with other stops in the back country.
By train: the simplest option
From Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, a 5-minute walk from Port Palace, TER ZOU ! trains reach Cannes in about 1 hour, sometimes with a change at Nice-Ville. The ticket costs around a dozen euros one-way, available at the station's automatic machines or via the SNCF Connect app. Cannes station is steps from the Palais des Festivals and 5 minutes' walk from the Old Port: it is the most practical arrival to start your visit with the Croisette or the Lérins Islands.
By car: more flexibility
Count 45 to 55 minutes via the A8 motorway towards Aix-en-Provence, exit 42 (Cannes). The city centre is largely pedestrian or heavily regulated: head for the public car parks at Le Suquet, the Palais des Festivals, the station or Forville. Budget 20 to 30 euros for the day. In high season, it's wiser to arrive before 10am to secure a spot, especially on May weekends and during the festival.
By private transfer
For a busy day or a group, a private transfer in a Mercedes S-Class remains the most comfortable option: door-to-door, air-conditioned, and with the possibility of combining Cannes with Antibes or Mougins without time constraints. When you stay at Port Palace, your dedicated concierge can arrange this logistics, as well as on-site reservations.
The Croisette: the soul of Cannes
You cannot visit Cannes without strolling along the Croisette, the mythical boulevard stretching nearly 3 kilometres between the Palais des Festivals and Port Canto. Lined with centuries-old palm trees and umbrella pines, it borders a fine sand beach facing the Bay of Cannes, the Lérins archipelago and, on clear days, the golden foothills of the Estérel massif. It is the city's emblematic promenade, ideally walked in late afternoon, when the light softens and the terraces come to life.
The mythical boulevard and its Walk of Fame
On the north pavement, alongside the Palais des Festivals, the famous Walk of Fame gathers handprints of the greatest stars who have walked the red carpet. It is one of the most popular photo stops on the Croisette. Continue eastwards on foot: you'll cross the windows of the major fashion houses (Dior, Chanel, Cartier, Vuitton), café terraces and, at number 47, the Carlton, the mythical palace with its two domes now nearing its 150th anniversary.
The emblematic Grand Hôtels
The Croisette lines up some of the finest palaces of the Riviera: the Carlton, the Martinez, the Majestic and the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hôtel Martinez. All tell a century of luxury holidaying, from the time of English queens to the festival evenings of today. Even without staying overnight, their lobbies and bars are open to the public, and a mid-afternoon coffee is a fine way to soak up the atmosphere.
The Croisette beaches
The beaches lining the Croisette are essentially private, operated by hotels and restaurants. You can lunch with your feet in the water, sun lounger included, from around fifty euros per day. A few public sections remain freely accessible, particularly near the Palais des Festivals. For a quieter swim, head to Plage du Midi west of the Old Port, or escape towards the Lérins Islands.
Spend your day in Cannes, return to Port Hercule in the evening.
Check availabilityLe Suquet: wandering through old Cannes
At the opposite of the Croisette's glamour, Le Suquet embodies the Cannes that existed before the Festival. This medieval old quarter clings to a hill overlooking the Old Port, in a labyrinth of cobbled lanes, stairs and small squares. The ochre facades, cascading bougainvilleas and washing hanging from windows are a reminder that Cannes was, above all, a fishing village before becoming a seaside resort in the mid-19th century.
The lanes to explore
Take the rue Saint-Antoine from the Suquet square and let yourself drift up. It is one of the most beautiful pedestrian streets in the city, lined with small restaurants, artisan workshops and independent boutiques. The rue du Mont-Chevalier and the place de la Castre, at the top, offer the best viewpoints over the bay. Allow a good hour for this stroll, two if you take time for shopping along the way.
The Musée des Explorations du Monde
Housed in the former medieval castle built by the Lérins monks, the Musée des Explorations du Monde (formerly Musée de la Castre) holds one of the most surprising collections on the French Riviera: Mediterranean antiquities, primitive art from Oceania and Africa, musical instruments from around the world, Orientalist paintings. The visit combines art history, ethnology and anthropology, in an exceptional architectural setting. Allow 1 hour for the visit, 6 euros for full admission.
The Suquet Tower
Adjacent to the museum, the Suquet Tower is one of the last vestiges of the castle built in the 11th century. From its 22 metres, it offers one of the finest panoramas of Cannes: the Croisette to the east, the Old Port below, the Lérins Islands offshore and the Estérel massif at sunset. The climb is part of the museum visit. It's the ideal place to grasp the geography of the bay before heading down to the Croisette.
☉ Good to know
The Cannes Museum Pass at 8.50 euros gives free access to the Musée des Explorations du Monde and the La Malmaison Art Centre for 7 days. A real saving if you plan to visit more than one museum in the city, particularly during an extended stay on the Riviera.
The Forville Market: the belly of Cannes
At the foot of Le Suquet, the Forville Market remains the gastronomic soul of the city. Housed under an elegant metallic hall, it brings together around fifty local producers who champion authentic short-supply cuisine: market gardeners from the Var, fishermen from the bay, cheese-makers from the high country, florists from the plain. This is where the Croisette chefs source their ingredients, and the ideal place to grasp the Provençal soul of Cannes.
The market is open Tuesday to Sunday, 7am to 1pm. In July and August, it opens every day, Mondays included. On Mondays, off-season, the hall transforms into a flea market: furniture, tableware, vintage clothing and quality bric-a-brac. A stone's throw away, rue Meynadier extends the experience with its food shops: roasters, cheese-mongers, charcutiers, artisan bakeries.
The Lérins Islands: escape 15 minutes by boat
This is one of the best-kept secrets of the Bay of Cannes. Off the Old Port, the Lérins Islands form an archipelago of two main islands, only 15 to 20 minutes by boat. The air changes, the rhythm too: no cars, no big hotels, just Aleppo pines, centuries-old eucalyptus, turquoise coves and a strange sense of remoteness, when the coast is right there.
Sainte-Marguerite and the Royal Fort
The larger of the two islands, Sainte-Marguerite, measures 3 kilometres long by 900 metres wide. A forest of pines and eucalyptus covers it entirely, crossed by shaded paths. You come here to walk, to swim in the crystalline coves of the south coast, and to visit the Royal Fort, a former state prison built under Richelieu. It is said to be where the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask was held for eleven years at the end of the 17th century.
The fort now houses the Musée de la Mer, which notably presents the remains of a Roman wreck found off the island. Count 6 euros for the ticket and about 1 hour for the visit. The full tour of the island on foot takes 2 hours, with many swimming options along the path.
Saint-Honorat and the Cistercian monastery
The smaller of the two islands, Saint-Honorat, has been home since the 5th century to an active Cistercian monastery: 21 monks still live here, dividing their time between prayer, vineyards and hospitality. The island belongs to the monastic community. You may land, walk, but respect the silence of the place. The vineyard covers a large part of the island: the monks have been producing a renowned wine since the Middle Ages, as well as a liqueur, the Lérina, sold on site.
The island tour takes an hour, along a coastal path. Don't miss the medieval fortified monastery, standing face to face with the sea, and the contemporary abbey. A shop allows you to leave with a few flasks of monastic productions. It is one of the most singular experiences in all of the French Riviera.
How to reach the Lérins Islands
Two companies operate the connections from the Gare Maritime in Cannes' Old Port: Riviera Lines for Sainte-Marguerite and Compagnie Planaria for Saint-Honorat. The crossing takes 15 minutes for Sainte-Marguerite, 20 minutes for Saint-Honorat. Count 18 to 20 euros return for Sainte-Marguerite, 22 euros for Saint-Honorat. Departures are regular from March to October, more spaced in winter. Online booking is advisable at weekends and in high season.
Stay at Port Palace and combine Cannes, the Lérins and Monaco in one journey.
Book your stayThe Cannes Film Festival and the Palais des Festivals
It's hard to mention Cannes without evoking the Cannes Film Festival, which transforms the city each May. The 78th edition took place from 12 to 23 May 2026, drawing the world's biggest stars onto the famous red carpet. But the Palais des Festivals, the massive vessel set at the western end of the Croisette, lives all year round to the rhythm of other events: MIPCOM, Cannes Lions, professional trade shows and concerts.
Outside festival periods, the Palais can be visited. Guided tours offer a backstage route: the 2,309-seat Lumière auditorium, the stars' dressing rooms, the red carpet where you can even climb up and down the famous steps for a souvenir photo. Count 12 euros for admission. On the forecourt, don't miss the handprints of the greatest stars from the official selection.
Where to eat in Cannes?
Cannes gastronomy blends Provençal traditions, Niçoise influences and palace refinement. Here are a few styles of tables to favour depending on your day.
- For an authentic lunch near Le Suquet: the bistros of rue Saint-Antoine serve socca, pissaladière, salade niçoise, daube and catch of the day. Budget 25 to 40 euros per person.
- For a feet-in-the-water break on the Croisette: the private beach clubs (Plage du Festival, Z Plage du Martinez, Long Beach) serve refined Mediterranean cuisine at 70 to 130 euros per person. Booking essential in season.
- For gastronomic dinner: La Palme d'Or (Martinez, two Michelin stars) remains the benchmark table in Cannes. Also worth discovering: La Villa Archange (two stars, Le Cannet) and Le Park 45 at the Grand Hôtel.
- For an exceptional lunch on Saint-Honorat: La Tonnelle, on the island, serves a delicate market-driven cuisine accompanied by monastery wines. A confidential and unforgettable address.
How much time to plan for visiting Cannes?
Cannes deserves a minimum of one day to combine the Croisette, Le Suquet and the Forville market. To add an excursion to the Lérins Islands, allow two days. Here are three itineraries tested by our guests.
Express itinerary (half-day): Croisette on foot from the Palais des Festivals to the Carlton, lunch on a terrace, climb to Le Suquet and panorama from the Tower. Ideal for combining with Antibes or Mougins in the same day.
Classic itinerary (one full day): Forville market in the morning, climb to Le Suquet and visit to the Musée des Explorations du Monde, lunch in the old quarter, afternoon on the Croisette and swimming at Plage du Midi, aperitif on a rooftop facing the sea. This is the itinerary our concierge recommends most often.
In-depth itinerary (two days): add a full day to the Lérins Islands, ideally Saint-Honorat in the morning then Sainte-Marguerite in the afternoon, with lunch at La Tonnelle. This is the option that turns the day trip into a true escape outside of time.
💡 Concierge's tip
« If you plan to visit Saint-Honorat, book lunch at La Tonnelle well in advance: the restaurant is tiny and fills up several weeks ahead, particularly at weekends. Guests staying at Port Palace often entrust us with that booking, along with a private transfer to the Gare Maritime in Cannes. The day then takes on a different dimension: you leave the car on the quay, board serenely, and return without worrying about a thing. »
Cannes from Port Palace: turning your escape into an exceptional moment
The Port Palace Monaco, a 4-star boutique hotel and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, occupies an ideal location to explore the French Riviera. All our rooms and suites with views of Port Hercule allow you to return in the evening to gaze at the illuminated yachts after a day in Cannes, in an intimate and discreet setting, far from the large hotel structures.
To organise a Cannes excursion, our concierge service can prepare everything: La Palme d'Or reservations, private transfer in a Mercedes S-Class, fast-track tickets for the crossing to the Lérins Islands, lunch at La Tonnelle, or even private boat hire to reach Saint-Honorat by sea. Our guests benefit from this exclusive service throughout their stay, to turn a day trip into an exceptional moment.
If you combine your visit to Cannes with other Riviera villages, also consult our guide to visiting Antibes, our guide to Nice and our guide to Saint-Paul-de-Vence: three other Riviera gems to combine for a multi-destination stay.
Port Palace Monaco
Make Cannes a stop on an exceptional Riviera stay
Less than an hour from Cannes, Port Palace welcomes you at the heart of Port Hercule. Suites facing the sea, dedicated concierge to organise your Riviera excursions, and an evening return to an intimate boutique hotel.
Book your stayPractical information for visiting Cannes
Frequently asked questions about visiting Cannes
What is the best time to visit Cannes?
The high season runs from May to September, with a peak in July and August and a particular effervescence during the Film Festival in May. To visit in optimal conditions (mild climate, fewer crowds, accommodation available), favour the months of June and September. Winter remains mild and allows visits to Le Suquet, the museums and the Croisette in pleasant calm.
How long does it take to visit Cannes?
A full day allows you to cover the Croisette, Le Suquet and the Forville market. To include the Lérins Islands, plan two days. In half a day, focus on the Croisette and Le Suquet duo, which captures the essence of Cannes' identity.
What to see in Cannes in 1 day?
Our recommended one-day itinerary: Forville market in the morning, climb to Le Suquet and visit to the Musée des Explorations du Monde, lunch in the old quarter, afternoon on the Croisette and swim at Plage du Midi, aperitif on a rooftop facing the sea. Everything is accessible on foot from the station.
How to get to Cannes from Monaco without a car?
The TER ZOU ! train from Monaco-Monte-Carlo station is the ideal option: about 1 hour journey, around a dozen euros one-way, departures every 30 minutes during the day. Cannes station is 5 minutes' walk from the Palais des Festivals and the Old Port.
How to reach the Lérins Islands?
Connections leave from the Gare Maritime in Cannes' Old Port. Riviera Lines serves Sainte-Marguerite in 15 minutes, Compagnie Planaria serves Saint-Honorat in 20 minutes. Count 18 to 22 euros return depending on the island. Online booking is advisable at weekends and in high season.
Can you visit Cannes outside the Festival period?
Absolutely, and it's even the best period. Outside the festival, the city returns to its normal rhythm, hotels and restaurants are more accessible, and the Palais des Festivals offers guided backstage tours. The Croisette, Le Suquet and the Lérins Islands can be visited all year round.
What are the most beautiful beaches in Cannes?
Plage du Midi, west of the Old Port, is the largest free public beach, with fine sand and shallow waters. On the Croisette, the private beaches of the palaces (Z Plage du Martinez, Plage du Festival) offer high-end beach comfort. For swimming in wild coves, the island of Sainte-Marguerite remains the finest option in the bay.
