What are the best campsites for exploring Cannes?
L’Orée d’Azur campsite in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Situated in Opio, in the heart of the Côte d’Azur, L’Orée d’Azur campsite **** is set in lush, shaded surroundings, between the sea and the mountains. It features two heated swimming pools, two thrilling water slides – the Spacebowl and the Double Slide – as well as a multi-sports campground and a giant trampoline. The campsite is situated 15 km from the beaches of Cannes and 10 km from Grasse. It is open from April to September.
An ideal and affordable 3-star campsite near Cannes
Just 15 km from Cannes, the Côté Mer Campsite *** enjoys a prime location in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, just 600 metres from La Raguette beach. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Estérel Mountains, this family-friendly campsite offers a heated outdoor swimming pool with a spa area, a playground, a boules court and a snack bar/pizzeria. Holidaymakers can also choose from a range of mobile homes, from the Classic to the Premium range. Open: April to October.
A 4-star campsite with fully equipped mobile homes on the Côte d’Azur
Located 13 km from the centre of Cannes, the Saint Louis campsite **** in La Roquette-sur-Siagne is set in lush green surroundings, in the heart of the mimosa-covered hills. It features a water park with a heated indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a paddling pool, water features and slides, as well as a wide range of facilities and activities for the whole family. Holidaymakers can also stay in comfortable mobile homes, ranging from the Classic to the Premium ranges. Open: April to September.
A campsite close to the beaches and the town centre
Located right in Cannes, just 5 km from the town centre, the Parc Bellevue campsite **** is ideal for exploring the Côte d’Azur whilst enjoying a lush green setting. Set in a 5-hectare park with over 600 trees, it offers mobile homes, camping pitches and unique accommodation options. When it comes to leisure activities, holidaymakers can enjoy a water park with a swimming pool, paddling pool, water slides and a jacuzzi, as well as entertainment and a restaurant. The beaches of Cannes are around 1.5 km away and can be reached via a shuttle bus near the campsite. Open: March to January.
To discover all the campsites in the Alpes-Maritimes, click here.
Where are Cannes’ hidden gems?
A stroll through Cannes: from the Croisette to Le Suquet, cinema and heritage
Once known as the Chemin de la Petite Croix, the Croisette has, over time, become the most famous pedestrian promenade on the Côte d’Azur and is an unmissable spot for exploring Cannes with the family. Lined with palm trees, luxury hotels, high-end boutiques and magnificent Art Deco hotels, it runs along the bay and offers a pleasant stroll overlooking the Mediterranean.
As you stroll along it, you’ll naturally find yourself at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, another of the city’s iconic landmarks. It is here that the famous Cannes Film Festival takes place every year, as well as numerous other cultural and professional events. The original Palais, built in a hurry to host the festival, was replaced by the current building in 1982. Following several refurbishments, notably a major renovation in 2013, the Palais des Festivals now boasts a bright, contemporary architectural style. A quick stop in front of its famous steps allows you to step into the shoes of a film star, just long enough to take a photo!
Leaving the hustle and bustle of the Croisette behind, head for Le Suquet, Cannes’ oldest neighbourhood and the city’s true historical cradle. Perched on a hill, this charming neighbourhood invites you to stroll through its narrow, winding and steep alleyways, lined with colourful façades and small squares. The climb to the heights of Le Suquet is well worth the effort: the more adventurous can climb the steps leading to the ruins of the old castle, which now houses the Musée de La Castre, set within a building listed as a Historic Monument. From these heights, the panoramic view over the Bay of Cannes, the Croisette, the Lérins Islands and the Alpes-Maritimes is exceptional.
The walk can then continue towards La Malmaison, on the Croisette, a former pavilion and the only original building of the Grand Hôtel, which has now become a venue dedicated mainly to modern art and exhibitions. To extend this exploration of Cannes through the lens of cinema, don’t miss the ‘cinema silhouettes’ trail either: scattered throughout the city, these silhouettes pay tribute to the great names and characters who have shaped the history of cinema. It’s a fun and original way to discover Cannes with the family, combining a seaside stroll with heritage, culture and cinema.
Île Sainte-Marguerite, a family nature getaway off the coast of Cannes
Just a few minutes by boat from Cannes, Sainte-Marguerite Island offers a refreshing change of scenery in the heart of the Mediterranean. Together with its neighbour, Saint-Honorat Island, it forms part of the famous Lérins Islands, a small archipelago that invites visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of the Croisette and enjoy an exceptional natural setting. As soon as you arrive on the island, the shaded paths lined with pine and eucalyptus trees set the tone: here, you stroll at nature’s pace, with the sea as a backdrop. The botanical trails, in particular, allow you to discover the richness of Mediterranean vegetation whilst enjoying a pleasant, family-friendly walk.image
As you continue your walk towards the western tip of the island, you’ll come across the Étang de Batéguier, a particularly well-preserved natural area. This protected nature reserve serves as a sanctuary for numerous bird species and offers a wonderful opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. After this outing in the great outdoors, it’s time to explore the island’s heritage with Fort Royal, an imposing fortress overlooking the sea.
Inside is the Musée de la Mer, which houses archaeological collections relating to underwater discoveries. The site is also linked to one of Cannes’ most famous stories: that of the Man in the Iron Mask. His mysterious captivity on the island has fuelled numerous legends, and a visit to his cell, preserved within the fort, is sure to intrigue young and old alike.
After this journey through history, all that remains is to enjoy the coastline. As you stroll along the island’s paths, several small coves and inlets invite you to take a break for a swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean. A towel, a few beach essentials and a picnic are all you need to turn this outing into a proper day’s holiday. With walks amongst the pine trees, exploring a fort steeped in history, the mystery of the Man in the Iron Mask, nature spotting and swimming in the coves, Sainte-Marguerite Island is the perfect getaway for discovering another side of Cannes with the family, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.image
Île Saint-Honorat, the hidden heritage of the Lérins Islands
After exploring Sainte-Marguerite, head for its neighbour, Île Saint-Honorat, just 600 metres away. Both are part of the Lérins Islands, a well-preserved archipelago easily accessible from Cannes. For children, the boat crossing is part of the adventure in itself: leaving the harbour, watching Cannes recede into the distance and gradually drawing closer to the islands gives this excursion the feel of a sea expedition. Shuttle boats run from Cannes to the islands, with the crossing offering beautiful views of the bay and the coastline.
Smaller and very different from Sainte-Marguerite, Saint-Honorat charms visitors with its peaceful atmosphere and its thousand-year-old history. The island has been home to a monastic community since late antiquity and remains today a place of life and spirituality. As you stroll along its paths lined with vineyards and Mediterranean vegetation, you’ll come across several ancient chapels, bearing witness to this long history. Among them, the chapels of Saint-Sauveur and Saint-Porcaire are among the best-preserved on the island and offer a glimpse into the lives of the first monks who settled on this Mediterranean islet.
The walk then leads to the spectacular fortified monastery, the true symbol of Saint-Honorat. Standing facing the sea, this building is regarded as one of the finest examples of Provençal feudal architecture. Its imposing walls and towers bear witness to a time when the monks also had to defend themselves against attacks from the sea.
A little further on lies Lérins Abbey, whose origins date back to the 5th century, making this site one of the oldest monastic establishments in Provence still in operation. The current church, which is more recent, dates from 1880. Combining monastic life, ancient ruins and Mediterranean landscapes, the visit offers a delightful cultural interlude, whilst never losing sight of the pleasure of a stroll.
For a family day out, Île Saint-Honorat can be explored at a leisurely pace, following the paths and visiting the monuments, with the sea always visible on the horizon. The boat crossing, the medieval ruins and the island’s peaceful atmosphere make for a particularly pleasant day trip from Cannes, ideally complemented by a visit to Sainte-Marguerite to make the most of the Lérins Islands.
Cannes in celebration: festivals, fireworks and the flavours of Provence
Cannes can also be discovered through its events and festive occasions, which bring the city to life throughout the year. In August, the International Fireworks Festival transforms the sky over the bay into a spectacular sound and light show. Seated on the beach, spectators can admire the creations of the world’s leading pyrotechnicians against the particularly magical backdrop of the Mediterranean. A spectacular experience to share with the family!
To continue your exploration, head to the markets of Cannes, where the scents and colours of Provence will tantalise your taste buds. Provençal honey, olives from Nice, tapenade and Menton lemons offer a delicious taste of the local specialities. And for a meal with a Mediterranean flair, you simply can’t miss the generous, colourful ratatouille, which epitomises the Côte d’Azur’s laid-back way of life.