Evidence of an early setlement on Mont Chevalier is given by finds of the Celto-Ligurian Age. In the second century B.C. the Romans are said to have erected the Castrum Marsellinum here, and in the 11th century a watch-tower was built, around which an unwalled town later developed. In the 14th century the town became part of Provence and in 1481 formed part of France. It only became a famous resort after having been discovered to be a healthy place by the Englishman Lord Brougham (1778-1868) who had fled from Nice to Cannes to avoid a raging cholera epidemic. In 1838 the harbor was laid out, and 30 years later a beginning was made with a promenade along the shore.

Tourist Attractions in Cannes

Cannes - Boulevard de la Croisette

In Cannes, the center of tourist activity is the Boulevard de la Croisette which extends eastward from the new Palais des Festivals along the Rade de Cannes, with its fine sandy beach; from it there is a magnificent view of the gulf and the offshore Lerin Islands. The boulevard is dominated by luxury hotels - some from the Belle Epoque period - and high class shops. In the yacht harbor lies the pirate ship Neptune, built as the backdrop for an adventure film.

The eastern section of the boulevard bends south at the fine Parc de la Roseraie, skirts the new port layout of the Port Pierre Canto and ends at the southern tip of the Pointe de la Croisette by the Port du Palm-Beach. On the east side of the peninsula the pleasant Boulevard Eugène- Gazagnaire, with its fine beach, leads north to the Port du Moure Rouge.

Cannes - Festival International d'art Pyrotechnique
The Bay of Cannes lights up each year when the Festival International d'art Pyrotechnique brings together the best fireworks designers in the world. The festival began in 1967 and brings out thousands of spectators along the beaches. The top pyrotechnic team receives the Vestal prize at the end of the fireworks competition.

Cannes - Palais des Festivals
On the east side of the Old Port in Cannes, at boulevard de la Croisette 1, stands the Palais des Festivals, opened in 1982. It is an impressive complex of buildings with three large auditoriums; the most modern technical apparatus includes sound studios, simultaneous translation arrangements, audio-visual equipment and large projectors. There are 11 conference rooms, two exhibition halls (one of which has 14,000sq.m/160,745sq.ft of undivided useable space), a night-club and a restaurant. This is where the annual film festival is held.

Cannes - Palais des Festivals et des Congrès
The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès was completed in 1982 and provides year-round activities. The palais offers 25,000 square meters for exhibitions as well as numerous rooms and 18 auditoriums equipped with sophisticated sound and lighting systems.

Cannes - Vieux Port
To the east below the Old Town of Cannes lies the Vieux Port, or Old Port, also known as Port Cannes I; at its northeastern corner is the Gare Maritime (Marine Railway Station), built in 1957.

Esterel - Mont Vinaigre
The highest peak of the Esterel Mountains is Mont Vinaigre (618m/2,028ft) near its northern escarpment. It can be reached from Fréjus on road N7, from which in 11km/7mi a narrow forest road branches off. There is an extensive panorama from the summit.

Iles de Lérins
The island group of the Iles de Lérins lies between the Golfe de la Napoule and the Golfe Juan. The two principal islands are Ste-Marguerite and St-Honorat. The ferry plies several times a day between Cannes and the islands 4km/2.5mi out.