Cannes tourism : old town

Le Suquet, historic distric

Dare to get lost in the alleys of the historic district of Cannes, walk the cobbled streets and narrow stairs, admire the colorful and flowery facades of the small houses of Suquet. The area with Provençal charm extends from the old port to La Croix des Gardes. It was built in the Middle Ages on the hill of Mont Chevalier. The site has belonged to the monks of the Abbey of Saint Honorat who built a castle there which became a place of worship.Saint Antoine street, the main artery of the Suquet joint the citadel to the old port. You will discover many typical restaurants, with the Provençal style. Our suggestions: Da bouttau, a Provençal inn founded in 1860, it is the oldest restaurant in Cannes. Le jardin secret, atypical and friendly place to discover without further delay.

Forville market

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Photo by Peter Wendt on Unsplash

In 1930, the Forville Market, a popular place in the historic district, gave up its wooden structure, which had become too small, for a more modern, airy metal structure. We stroll there, discovering local products. The Cannois meet there on Sundays over a glass of wine often accompanied by a cheese platter. You can taste regional products. There is a real mixture of smells and colors. The popular market is less than 200 meters from the old port.

The old port

Built in 1838, the old port of Cannes is a must-see site of the Cannes landscape. Traditional fishing is still practiced here. Once a year it is transformed into a real guinguette and gives way to numerous animations, concerts, traditional games, associative stands, shows of artists… «Le port de Cannes en fête» is a free family friendly event.

Notre-Dame d’Espérance

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Photo by Hugo Delauney on Unsplash

To immerse yourself in the picturesque atmosphere of the Suquet, you will have to walk the narrow stairs and small alleys of the historic district. At the top: Place de la Castre. Admire the bay of Cannes, the beaches and the hinterland. Place de la Castre is bordered by the castle and the church of Notre-Dame d’Espérance. Church completed in 1941 after more than a century of work. The Château de la Castre, listed as a historical monument, was an important ceramics factory in the 19th century. It now host a museum. Its centrepiece: the square tower, dominates the city and offers the brave visitors (109 steps up) a 360° panoramic view. What to feed your Instagram account.

The Castre museum hosts temporary exhibitions but also a permanent exhibition to discover all year round.

The historic district hosts small events during the summer. In July, we can take part in the Nuits musicales du Suquet, an open-air stage (church square) where young talents mingle with established artists to the delight of your ears. “Le Suquet des arts”, a multicultural event, will introduce you to the talents of local artists (painting, sculpture, floral art, theatre, music…) in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

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