Interesting Facts

Cannes, with its beautiful setting, mild climate and splendid festivals, has long been a popular spot for tourists. Lord Brougham, British Lord Chancellor in the early 1800's, put Cannes on the map when a cholera epidemic in Provence prevented him from entering what was then the Sardinian Territory. He made Cannes his overnight residence and the rest is history!
When people think of Cannes, they most likely think of the Film Festival. Held each May, the festival began in 1946, although it was created in 1930 to counter Mussolini's fascists' propaganda film festival in Venice.
The Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes' most famous avenue, is the place to see and be seen! Here, bars and luxury hotels line the street where people lounge with their cocktails.
The Palais des Festivals, the location of the Film Festival, has been described by Liza Minnelli as an Egyptian tomb and called "the bunker" by the locals. Be sure to check out its concrete base. Handprints and autographs of celebrities abound!
La Batterie beach in Cannes has been called one of the ten best in the south of France. This straight and gay beach is also home to those who wish to "bare it all." Ooh La La!
Cannes is the sister city of Beverly Hills and is a major year round convention center. In fact, Cannes was the first place on the C�te d'Azur to notice that business travelers spend over three times as much per head as tourists.
Two islets just off the coast were named Ile Saint Honorat and Ile Saint Marguerite, after the saints that founded religious houses on them at the end of the 4th century. Legend has it that, when St. Honorat arrived in 375, he found the islet infested with snakes. He prayed to God to take their presence away. His prayers were answered but the stench of the cadavers was too much for the saint to bear. So, he climbed a palm tree and prayed to God to wash the bodies of the dead snakes away. Once again, his prayer was answered. Therefore, the symbol of the island is two palm trees intertwined with a snake.
Cannes, known as Flash City, offers a significant discount to those who travel here in the off months. May, July and August are the city's peak months and must be booked far in advance.
The shoreline of Cannes is divided into 32 sections. The beach in front of the Palais de Festival is a rare one � it's public!
Under the sea! When you tire of all the glitz and glitter on land, head down under for some more! The Nautilus, a glass bottom boat, departs every hour in the summer and provides a glimpse of the creatures that live in the waters around Cannes.