French Riviera guide
Relax in Cannes is perfectly placed to explore the French Riviera: the train station is a 5-minute walk, the Old Port with boats to the Lérins Islands is about 15-20 minutes away, and trains reach Nice, Monaco or Italy with no car needed. Here are our favourite places and ideas, with travel times from the apartment.
Indicative times from the apartment, excluding traffic and waiting. Please check opening hours, prices and dates with official sources before you go.
No car needed
From Relax in Cannes, the train station is a 5-minute walk and the Palais des Festivals and the Croisette are 7 minutes away: the heart of Cannes is yours to explore without ever taking the car.
Cannes old town
The cobbled lanes of Le Suquet climb to the medieval tower and the Castre Museum, with one of the finest views over the bay, the Old Port and the Lérins Islands.
From Relax in Cannes
At dusk, the light over the bay is stunning.
City centre
Forville's covered market wakes Cannes every morning with sun-ripened fruit, cheese, flowers and Provençal produce. Neighbouring rue Meynadier continues the stroll between delis and small boutiques.
From Relax in Cannes
Come before 11 am for the best choice.
Seafront
Almost 3 km of seafront between palm trees, legendary hotels and beaches. Pick a private beach with sunbeds or a free public beach such as Plage du Midi or Plage Macé.
From Relax in Cannes
Palais district
Climb the famous red steps and place your hand in the handprints of film stars: a classic, and a great photo stop.
From Relax in Cannes
City centre
Cannes' main shopping street, running parallel to the Croisette, mixes big names and designer boutiques, with plenty of terraces.
From Relax in Cannes
City centre
A flower market in the morning (every day except Monday), antiques on Saturdays and the first Sunday of the month, crafts at weekends: a village square in the heart of the city, and the setting of the Christmas village.
From Relax in Cannes
Sea and islands
The Lérins Islands are a 15 to 20-minute boat ride from Quai Laubeuf in the Old Port, which you can reach on foot from Relax in Cannes. No vehicles are allowed: you explore on foot, among pines, coves and history.
Lérins Islands
The larger of the two islands: Aleppo pine and eucalyptus forest, swimming coves, and the Fort Royal where the Man in the Iron Mask was held. The Sea Museum tells the story of the place.
Ferries from Quai Laubeuf (Trans Côte d'Azur, Riviera Lines, Horizon), about a 15-20 minute walk from the apartment.
From Relax in Cannes
Board early at weekends and in summer, boats fill up fast. Overnight stays are not possible: bring a picnic and water.
Lérins Islands
The monks' island: an abbey tended by a Cistercian community for more than sixteen centuries, vineyards facing the sea and a rare silence a stone's throw from Cannes.
Only the Planaria company serves Saint-Honorat, from Quai Laubeuf (about a 15-20 minute walk from the apartment).
From Relax in Cannes
There is no link between the two islands: pick one for the day. Few facilities on site, so bring food.
Bay of Cannes
Catamarans from the Old Port, introductory dives and paddleboarding around the islands: the Bay of Cannes is just as good with your feet in the water.
Departures from the Old Port, about a 15-20 minute walk from the apartment.
Towns, villages and museums
Cannes train station is a 5-minute walk from the apartment: by regional train, Antibes, Nice or Monaco make easy day trips with no car or parking. Times below start from the apartment.
Antibes
Ramparts, old town, Provençal market and the Picasso Museum facing the sea. Next door, Juan-les-Pins offers pine woods, beaches and a jazz mood; the Cap d'Antibes coastal path makes a lovely seaside walk.
Regional train from Cannes station, frequent departures.
From Relax in Cannes
Vallauris
The ceramics capital where Picasso worked, and Golfe-Juan, the bay where Napoleon landed in 1815.
Regional train to Golfe-Juan - Vallauris.
From Relax in Cannes
Hilltop village
A fortified village of flowered lanes, known for its art galleries and fine dining.
From Relax in Cannes
Grasse
The International Perfume Museum, tours of historic perfumeries and an ochre old town: dive into the fragrances that made the region famous.
Direct regional train from Cannes station.
From Relax in Cannes
Hinterland
A village perched like an eagle's nest with a plunging view of the coast, above wild gorges.
From Relax in Cannes
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
A fortified medieval village turned artists' haven, and one of France's finest modern art collections at the Maeght Foundation.
From Relax in Cannes
Leave early to enjoy the village before the crowds.
Nice
The Promenade des Anglais, Old Nice, the cours Saleya market, Castle Hill and its museums (Matisse, MAMAC): a human-sized capital.
Regional train from Cannes station, several departures per hour.
From Relax in Cannes
Villefranche bay
A bay of pastel facades, then the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its themed gardens between two bays.
From Relax in Cannes
Èze
A medieval village perched 400 metres above the sea, with its exotic garden and stone lanes: the Riviera postcard.
From Relax in Cannes
Var
Family-friendly beaches, a lively seafront and Roman remains in Fréjus: the Var begins just beyond the Esterel.
From Relax in Cannes
Gulf of Saint-Tropez
Its harbour, lanes, citadel and the long beaches of Pampelonne: best outside peak season, or with a very early start in summer.
From Relax in Cannes
In summer, traffic noticeably lengthens the journey.
Day trips
From Cannes station, a regional train serves Monaco, Menton and Ventimiglia: the Principality and the Italian Riviera are a day trip from Relax in Cannes, no car required. Remember your ID for Italy.
Principality of Monaco
The Oceanographic Museum clinging to the cliff, with its aquariums and shark lagoon; then the Rock and Prince's Palace, the gardens and the Monte-Carlo Casino.
Regional train from Cannes station to Monaco-Monte-Carlo.
From Relax in Cannes
Allow at least half a day for the museum alone.
Menton
An old town in Italian colours, remarkable gardens (Val Rahmeh, Serre de la Madone, Fontana Rosa) and, in February, the famous Lemon Festival.
From Relax in Cannes
Liguria, Italy
An hour and a half from Cannes, Italy begins: a hilltop old town, gelato, focaccia, Italian produce and a big weekly market on Fridays along the seafront.
Direct regional train from Cannes station, roughly one train an hour.
From Relax in Cannes
Bring photo ID. Check the market hours before you go.
Near Ventimiglia
A 19th-century botanical garden suspended between sea and olive trees, with plants from around the world.
Train to Ventimiglia, then local bus.
From Relax in Cannes
Nervia Valley, Italy
A medieval stone village with an arched bridge that Claude Monet painted in 1884, overlooked by its castle ruins.
From Relax in Cannes
Liguria, Italy
The Art Nouveau casino, the old town of La Pigna, the Russian Orthodox church and its flowered avenues: the capital of Italian song, host of its festival every February.
Direct train, or change at Ventimiglia.
From Relax in Cannes
Fresh air
Between the red rocks of the Esterel, the Verdon canyon and Lake Saint-Cassien, nature is less than two hours from Relax in Cannes.
Mandelieu, Théoule, Agay
Red rocks plunging into turquoise water, hidden coves and trails to the Cap Roux peak: one of the finest landscapes on the coast.
Regional train to Théoule-sur-Mer, Le Trayas or Agay.
From Relax in Cannes
Carry water and avoid the hottest hours: access to the massif is restricted when fire risk is high.
Provence
Europe's grandest canyon: dizzying viewpoints, Lake Sainte-Croix, emerald water and the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
From Relax in Cannes
A full day trip: set off early.
Pays de Fayence
A large forest lake for paddleboarding, kayaking, summer swimming and shaded walks.
From Relax in Cannes
Winter 2026-2027 and all year
The dates below are the latest announced by the organisers and may change: check them before you go. For trade shows and conferences at the Palais des Festivals, see our Events page.
Allées de la Liberté and cours Félix Faure
Food chalets, sparkling decorations, an ice rink and a parade of lights in the heart of the city: festive atmosphere, on foot from the apartment.
27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 · free entry
From Relax in Cannes
Jardin Albert Ier and Place Masséna
About sixty chalets beside the Promenade du Paillon, lights and entertainment every day, a short walk from the sea.
27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 · free entry
Regional train to Nice-Ville, then tram line 1 to Masséna.
From Relax in Cannes
Port Hercule, Quai Albert Ier
Chalets, a craft market, an ice rink and lights facing the harbour and its yachts: an extraordinary Christmas evening.
Early December to early January (2026 dates to be confirmed)
From Relax in Cannes
Esplanade du Pré aux Pêcheurs
Food chalets and a carousel in the old town below the ramparts: a market on a human scale.
Late November to early January (2026 dates to be confirmed)
From Relax in Cannes
Mandelieu-la-Napoule
Parades, a flower corso facing the Château de La Napoule and mimosa giveaways: the Riviera in yellow, before spring.
10 to 14 February 2027
From Relax in Cannes
Menton, Biovès gardens
Monumental sculptures made of lemons and oranges, float parades on Sunday afternoons and night-time corsos: a show enjoyed by more than 200,000 visitors every year.
13 to 28 February 2027 · parades on Sundays 14, 21 and 28 February
From Relax in Cannes
Nice
Monumental floats, battles of flowers and an illuminated evening parade: one of Europe's biggest carnivals.
February 2027 (dates to be confirmed)
From Relax in Cannes
Bay of Cannes
Every summer, spectacular fireworks light up the bay from the sea: watch them from the Croisette or the beach.
Every summer (July-August)
From Relax in Cannes
Juan-les-Pins
Europe's oldest jazz festival, under the pines of Juan-les-Pins, facing the sea.
Every July
From Relax in Cannes
Frequently asked questions
For a getaway close by: the Lérins Islands (15 to 20 minutes by boat from the Old Port). For a longer trip, Antibes (20 minutes), Nice (40 minutes) or Monaco (about 1 hour by train or car) are easy to reach from Relax in Cannes, whose station is a 5-minute walk away.
Boats leave from Quai Laubeuf in the Old Port and the crossing takes 15 to 20 minutes. Trans Côte d'Azur, Riviera Lines and Horizon serve Sainte-Marguerite; Planaria is the only company serving Saint-Honorat. There is no link between the two islands: choose one for the day.
By regional train from Cannes station, allow about 1 hour 10 to Monaco-Monte-Carlo; by car, about 1 hour without traffic. The train avoids parking, which is often tricky in the Principality.
Yes. A regional train runs from Cannes station to Ventimiglia in about 1 hour 35, roughly once an hour. From Ventimiglia, Sanremo is 15 to 25 minutes by train. Bring photo ID.
The Cannes Christmas village runs on the Allées de la Liberté and cours Félix Faure from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with chalets, an ice rink and entertainment. The Nice Christmas village (same dates) and Monaco's are 40 minutes and 1 hour from the apartment.
Visit the Castre Museum in Le Suquet, then, by train, the Picasso Museum in Antibes, the International Perfume Museum in Grasse, the museums of Nice or the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco.
No. Cannes station, a 5-minute walk from Relax in Cannes, connects Antibes, Nice, Monaco, Menton, Ventimiglia, Grasse and Saint-Raphaël. A car remains handy for hilltop villages, the Verdon or the Esterel.
Relax in Cannes is a quiet 25 m² apartment with a sea-view balcony on the 5th floor with a lift, a 5-minute walk from the station and 7 minutes from the Palais des Festivals and the beaches: an ideal base to explore the whole Riviera by train or boat.
A quiet 25 m² apartment with a sea-view balcony, brand-new air conditioning, on the 5th floor with a lift, a 5-minute walk from the station and 7 minutes from the Palais des Festivals and the beaches.
Check your dates
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