Things to do in Cannes beyond the red carpet: climb up to Le Suquet, the old town, for the view over the bay; shop at the Forville market; walk along La Croisette between grand hotels and beaches; and, above all, take the boat to the Lérins Islands, a quarter of an hour from the harbour. This guide to Cannes gives the official dates of the 2027 Festival, the crossings to the islands and the real climate according to Météo-France.
The figure to remember: the Cannes station records on average 18 days a year above 30 °C (86 °F), against 8 at Nice airport, almost all in July and August (Destination de Voyage calculation based on Météo-France’s 1991-2020 normals). In May, during the Festival, it is 21.9 °C (71 °F) in the afternoon: ideal weather for the town, less so for swimming. At the other end of the French Riviera, our Menton page covers the town of the Lemon Festival.
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Cannes at a glance
- Location Alpes-Maritimes, on the Bay of Cannes, between the Esterel to the west and Golfe-Juan to the east
- Train Cannes station served by inOui and Ouigo TGVs, night Intercités and TER regional trains
- Lérins Islands about 15 minutes by boat from Cannes (tourist office, checked 26 October 2026)
- Cannes Film Festival 2027 80th edition from 11 to 22 May (official site, checked 26 October 2026)
- Entry Schengen rules; US and UK citizens visa-free for up to 90 days
- Ideal length 2 days, 3 to 4 with the islands and the hinterland
- Best time May-June and September
Things to do in Cannes: the highlights
La Croisette and the Palais des Festivals
Boulevard de la Croisette runs along the bay, with its row of grand hotels, beaches and marinas, as far as the Pointe de la Croisette. The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès hosts the Cannes Film Festival, but also major trade events such as MIPIM and Cannes Lions.
Le Suquet, the old town
The original settlement, Le Suquet hill overlooks the Vieux-Port. Its lanes climb to the Tour de la Castre, from where the view takes in the bay, La Croisette and the Lérins Islands. It is the best walk at the end of the day.
The Forville market
At the foot of Le Suquet, the Forville market sells, among other things, the catch landed at the far end of the Vieux-Port. The town has five markets.
The beaches
The Cannes coastline has 7.6 km (4.7 mi) of beaches, including 13 public beaches and many concession beaches (Wikipedia). On La Croisette, the public Macé and Zamenhof beaches (known as Plage des Gabres) alternate with the private beaches of the big hotels.
The Lérins Islands
Off Cannes, the two Lérins Islands are very different. According to the Cannes tourist office, they are about 15 minutes by boat from Cannes (cannes-france.com, checked 26 October 2026).
| Île Sainte-Marguerite | Île Saint-Honorat | |
|---|---|---|
| Character | The larger, forests and trails, nature reserve | Monastic island, peaceful |
| What to see | Fort Royal and the legend of the Man in the Iron Mask; underwater eco-museum reachable by swimming since 2021 | Lérins Abbey; wines and liqueurs made by the Cistercian monks |
| Boat | Crossings from Cannes harbour (including Trans Côte d’Azur) | Planaria company (abbey website) |
| Best for | Walking, picnics, swimming | A peaceful visit, tasting the monks’ wines and liqueurs |
Tip: the two islands are not served by the same companies, so choose your island before buying a ticket.
Around Cannes: how far?
| Place | Interest | Straight-line distance from Cannes |
|---|---|---|
| Antibes | Old town and ramparts | about 10 km (6 mi) |
| Grasse | Perfume town, hinterland | about 15 km (9 mi) |
| Esterel massif | Red rocks and corniche | about 17 km (11 mi) |
| Nice | Vieux-Nice and the Promenade des Anglais | about 27 km (17 mi) |
| Saint-Tropez | Harbour and peninsula | about 43 km (27 mi) |
How to read it: Antibes and Grasse, less than 15 km (9 mi) away, can be visited in half a day. Nice is easy to reach by train. Saint-Tropez, about 43 km (27 mi) as the crow flies, is also served in season by boat trips from Cannes (Trans Côte d’Azur). Between Cannes and Nice, the old town and ramparts are covered in our guide to visiting Antibes.
Itinerary: Cannes in 2, 3 or 4 days
- Day 1: the Forville market in the morning, Le Suquet and the Tour de la Castre, La Croisette and the Palais des Festivals in the afternoon.
- Day 2: Île Sainte-Marguerite (Fort Royal, swimming) or Saint-Honorat (abbey).
- Day 3: Antibes, or Grasse.
- Day 4: the red rocks of the Esterel or Nice by train.
When to go to Cannes
May-June and September are the best times: 21.9 to 25.5 °C (71 to 78 °F) in the afternoon in May-June, 25.3 °C (78 °F) in September, and 4 to 6 rainy days a month. July and August are the driest and sunniest (11.2 hours of sunshine a day in July) but also the hottest, with 14 days above 30 °C (86 °F) on average over the two months. The fireworks festival lights up the bay in July and August (Wikipedia; dates on the town’s website). October and November bring the heaviest rain (145 mm, 5.7 in, in November). Winter stays mild by day, but nights are cooler than in Nice (3.7 °C, 39 °F, in January against 5.8 °C, 42 °F).
| Month | High °C (°F) | Low °C (°F) | Rain mm (in) | Rainy days | Sun per day | Sun vs Paris | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.6 (56) | 3.7 (39) | 82.5 (3.2) | 5.9 | 4.8 h | +2.9 h | ✅ Mild and sunny for the season |
| February | 13.9 (57) | 3.7 (39) | 57.0 (2.2) | 5.3 | 5.9 h | +2.9 h | ✅ Mild |
| March | 16.0 (61) | 6.0 (43) | 60.2 (2.4) | 5.7 | 7.0 h | +2.6 h | ✅ Early spring |
| April | 18.2 (65) | 8.7 (48) | 78.2 (3.1) | 6.3 | 7.6 h | +1.7 h | ✅ Pleasant |
| May | 21.9 (71) | 12.6 (55) | 51.8 (2.0) | 5.4 | 8.9 h | +2.4 h | ✅ Festival, ideal |
| June | 25.5 (78) | 16.3 (61) | 32.5 (1.3) | 3.6 | 10.4 h | +3.6 h | ✅ Ideal, start of the beach season |
| July | 28.2 (83) | 18.7 (66) | 18.7 (0.7) | 1.8 | 11.2 h | +4.0 h | ⚠️ Hot, very busy |
| August | 28.6 (83) | 18.8 (66) | 23.9 (0.9) | 2.7 | 10.3 h | +3.4 h | ⚠️ The hottest, very busy |
| September | 25.3 (78) | 15.4 (60) | 92.1 (3.6) | 4.8 | 8.5 h | +2.6 h | ✅ Ideal, still warm |
| October | 21.3 (70) | 12.1 (54) | 134.3 (5.3) | 7.5 | 6.2 h | +2.4 h | ⚠️ Heavy rain possible |
| November | 17.1 (63) | 7.9 (46) | 145.4 (5.7) | 8.5 | 5.0 h | +2.7 h | ❌ The wettest month |
| December | 14.3 (58) | 4.6 (40) | 104.6 (4.1) | 6.4 | 4.4 h | +2.6 h | ⚠️ Cool nights, damp |
The weather during the Cannes Film Festival
| Indicator (May) | Cannes | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Average high °C (°F) | 21.9 (71) | 20.2 (68) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 12.6 (55) | 11.1 (52) |
| Rainy days (≥ 1 mm) | 5.4 | 9.2 |
| Sun per day | 8.9 h | 6.5 h |
Over the 12 days of the 2027 Festival (11-22 May), that works out at about 2 rainy days on average (Destination de Voyage calculation: May rainy days × 12 / 31). See also our page on when to go to the French Riviera and our ranking of the sunniest cities in France.
Where to stay in Cannes
| Area | Best for | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| La Croisette | Beach stay, grand hotels | Seafront, Palais des Festivals |
| Centre, near the station | Without a car | Station, shops, everything on foot |
| Le Suquet and the Vieux-Port | Old-town atmosphere | Restaurants, boat departures |
| La Californie district | Peace and quiet, bay views | Residential, on the heights to the east |
During the Festival and major trade fairs, accommodation is in very high demand: book well in advance or stay in a neighbouring town linked by train.
Getting there and getting around
- By train: Cannes station is served by inOui and Ouigo TGVs, night Intercités and TER trains (Wikipedia, « Gare de Cannes »).
- By air: Cannes-Mandelieu is a business airport; commercial flights arrive at Nice Côte d’Azur (see our Nice page).
- In town: the centre, La Croisette and Le Suquet are all walkable.
- By boat: the Lérins Islands from the harbour; seasonal trips along the coast.
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens: France is in the Schengen area, which you may enter for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Immigration officers may ask for proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket, and France does not recognise the 12-page US emergency passport for visa-free entry (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025).
- UK citizens: no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) may require fingerprints and a photo at your first entry (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026).
- ID: you must be able to prove your identity when asked by the police, or within 4 hours at a police station (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026).
- Health and emergencies: UK travellers need a GHIC or a valid EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare, which is not a substitute for travel insurance; the European emergency number is 112 (GOV.UK).
- Wildfires: the risk is highest in the south, particularly along the Mediterranean coast and in Corsica, in hot, dry weather; causing one, even by accident, is illegal. Call 18 (fire) or 112 (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026).
Practical tips for Cannes
- Festival and trade fairs: these are the busiest times in town; plan accommodation and transport ahead.
- Islands: take water and a picnic, and check the time of the last boat back.
- Autumn: watch Météo-France warnings during episodes of heavy rain.
- Electricity: 220 V, 50 Hz, type E sockets; US plugs need an adapter (france.fr, checked 26 October 2026).
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Cannes in one day?
The Forville market, Le Suquet and the Tour de la Castre, La Croisette and the steps of the Palais des Festivals; with a second day, the Lérins Islands.
When is the 2027 Cannes Film Festival?
The 80th edition will be held from 11 to 22 May 2027, according to the Festival’s official website.
How do you get to the Lérins Islands?
By boat from Cannes, in about 15 minutes according to the tourist office. Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat are served by different companies (including Trans Côte d’Azur for Sainte-Marguerite and Planaria for Saint-Honorat).
What is the best time to visit Cannes?
May-June and September: 21.9 to 25.3 °C (71 to 78 °F) in the afternoon according to Météo-France (Cannes, 1991-2020), with less heat and fewer people than in July-August.
Are the beaches in Cannes free?
There are 13 public beaches, including Macé and Zamenhof on La Croisette; the others are concession beaches, often attached to hotels.
Our sources
- Festival de Cannes, official site, checked 26 October 2026
- Cannes tourist office (cannes-france.com), checked 26 October 2026; Lérins Abbey (abbayedelerins.com) and Trans Côte d’Azur (trans-cote-azur.com), consulted on 23 October 2026
- Météo-France: climate data sheet, 1991-2020 statistics (sunshine 1995-2018), Cannes station (2 m); Nice airport and Paris-Montsouris stations for the comparisons (data sheets consulted on 23 October 2026)
- Destination de Voyage calculation: straight-line distances (Wikipedia coordinates), sun per day, rainy days during the Festival
- Wikipedia: « Cannes », « Gare de Cannes », consulted on 23 October 2026
- Entry requirements, health and safety checked on 26 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, France country information (last updated August 11, 2025) and UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice for France (updated 22 October 2026)
- France tourism board (france.fr), electricity requirements, checked 26 October 2026
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
To go further, see our French Riviera guide, our Nice page, neighbouring Provence and our weekend break ideas.
