If you only came to France for EthCC, you're probably used to Paris by now: crowded and smelly subways, grumpy waiters, dirty streets, gray skies, and impatient Parisians.
Well, guess what? Cannes is nothing like Paris.

Welcome to the French Riviera. 🇫🇷

All the venues, restaurants, bars, and major events are located inside what locals consider the red zone, aka the Cannes city center. This is where you'll spend 90% of your time.

If your hotel is outside this area, plan ahead, you'll likely need to grab a cab, Uber, or hop on a bus to reach the main venue and key hangout spots.

🛏️ Where to stay

💸 Unlimited budget

• Le Martinez
• Le Carlton
• Le Majestic
• JW Marriott

💰 Expensive

• Canopy by Hilton
• La Villa
• Hotel & Spa Belle Plage
• Nehô Suites
• Hôtel Splendid
• MGallery

💵 Mid-range

• Best Western
• Hôtel Le Mistral
• Juliana Hotel
• Hôtel Alexandre III

🏖️ What to Do

La Croisette

The crown jewel of Cannes. A palm-lined promenade running along the Mediterranean, flanked by luxury boutiques and five-star hotels. Walk from one marina to the other in under 15 minutes. If you're lucky, you might spot Bill Gates' yacht—or the King of Saudi Arabia's.

Le Suquet

The old town. Just behind the main EthCC venue, this hilltop neighborhood offers a killer view from the church at the top. Perfect for photos—or a spontaneous proposal. Pro tip: grab a gelato from the best gelateria in town on your way up.

Île Sainte-Marguerite & Île Saint-Honorat

Two peaceful islands a short ferry ride away. Ideal for a nature break or a picnic by the sea. Bring sunscreen and swimwear.

🌊 Short Trips Outside Cannes

Grasse

Ever wonder where your favorite perfume comes from? Probably Grasse. Visit the Musée International de la Parfumerie or Musée Fragonard. Stock up on high-quality, affordable fragrances. ~30 min by car.

Antibes

Just 20 minutes from Cannes. A great spot to unwind, have a date, or enjoy a chill dinner. Visit the port and walk through the “dock of billionaires”—where the world’s most luxurious yachts call home.

Monaco

Yes, it’s a country. No, there are no borders. Monte Carlo is flashy but compact. Be ready to walk uphill—elevators are hidden around to save you a sweat.
Train from Cannes: ~€15 round trip.

Ventimiglia 🇮🇹

If you're staying longer, hop on the same train to Monaco and go a bit further to Ventimiglia. Every Friday morning, there’s a massive local market worth checking out.

🎨 Art & Culture (If You rent a car)

The French Riviera inspired generations of artists—if you have a vehicle, take the chance to visit:

• Fondation Maeght (Saint-Paul-de-Vence)
• Chapelle Matisse (Vence)
• Musée Fernand Léger (Biot)
• Musée Picasso (Vallauris)
• Musée Renoir (Cagnes-sur-Mer)

🍽️ Where to Eat in Cannes

You'll find just about everything in Cannes—burgers, sushi, pizza—but if you're here, we highly recommend diving into the local Mediterranean cuisine. It's fresh, flavorful, and actually pretty healthy—whether it's French, Italian, or Eastern Mediterranean.

Pro tip: Always book your table in advance, especially during festivals and conference season.

🍦 Best Ice Cream

• La Gelateria – Place du Suquet, 06400 Cannes
• NIVA Gelato – 75 Rue Félix Faure, 06400 Cannes

🍷 Restaurant $$$$

For a fancier night out:

• La Môme – 6 Rue Florian
• Le Sud – 73 Bd de la Croisette
• Anna Cannes – 63 Bd de la Croisette
• Fred l'Écailler – 12 Pl. de l'Étang (Seafood lovers, this one’s for you)

🍽️ Restaurant $$$

Great food without totally breaking the bank:

• Bobo Bistro – Trendy Mediterranean
• Aux Bons Enfants – 80 Rue Meynadier (Local favorite, French cuisine)
• Le Cercle des Marins – Port Pierre-Canto (Chic, by the water)
• Möye (Kosher) – 84 Bd de la Croisette
• Al Charq (Halal, Lebanese specialties) – Rue Rouaze

🧀 Restaurant $$

Tasty, casual, and affordable:

• Salsamenteria di Parma – 86 Rue Meynadier (Italian deli-style)
• Taqueria Lupita – 72 Rue Meynadier (Mexican street food vibes)
• Brasserie Le Sandra – 83 Bd de la Croisette (Classic brasserie)

🍔 Fast Food

If you're in a rush or just craving comfort food:

• McDonald’s
• Steak 'n Shake
• Big Fernand (French-style burgers)
• Mister Pizza
• KFC
• Starbucks

How to act like a local in Cannes

Want to blend in and not scream at tourists? Here are a few simple tips to move like a true Riviera regular:

• Cannes is pronounced "Can", like "Can you bring the rosé for l’apéro?" — the S is silent.

Chill. Seriously.

• This is not Paris. Don't compare it. Locals don't care about Paris, especially during summer.
• You're on French time now. It's the holiday season, everyone’s on their 5 weeks of paid vacation. Don’t expect special treatment because you’re in a hurry.

No Need to Flex

• Locals don’t show off their wealth.
• If you see someone driving a supercar down the Croisette, it’s probably a tourist or someone who flew it in from the Gulf.

Mind Your Manners

A little politeness goes a long way. Even if you don’t speak French, just remember:

• Bonjour (Hello)
• Merci (Thank you)
• Au revoir (Goodbye)

Sunscreen = Essential

You're on the Riviera. Protect yourself.

Public Beaches > Private

• Local tip: Public beaches are just as beautiful and free.
• Private ones often charge high prices for the same sun and sea.

Avoid Scams

• Don’t buy food or counterfeit goods from beach hawkers.

Stay Classy

How to avoid bad experiences in Cannes

Cannes is stunning — but just like any tourist hotspot, a few precautions can make the difference between a dreamy trip and a nightmare. Here’s how to stay safe and smart:

You’re Not Alone

Cannes welcomes thousands of visitors year-round for film, conferences, and more. It’s multicultural, and unlike Paris, most people speak English, even the cops. You'll also hear a lot of Russian, Arabic, Hebrew, and Italian.

Still, remember: you’re a tourist, and you’ll be treated like one. So play it smart.

🏖️ Beach Smarts

Public beaches are amazing, but don’t turn your towel into a tech showroom:

• Leave your valuables at the hotel.
• Don’t bring cash, phones, or jewelry.
• Bring only your towel, sunscreen, water, and maybe your keys (in a waterproof pouch).

Pickpocketing is rare but still happens, better safe than sorry.

🚨 Street Safety

• La Croisette is the safest area, with constant police presence.
• If your accommodation is outside the city center, use Uber at night.
• Avoid carrying a lot of cash. Use cards instead (Visa and Mastercard work everywhere — AMEX and UnionPay, not so much).
• Train stations are sketchy at night. Cannes isn’t an exception.

👮‍♀️ Law & Order, French Edition

• Don’t get into fights. Nobody wins.
• Prostitution is illegal.
• Weed and other drugs are illegal, even if vibes say otherwise.
• Drinking in public? Allowed, getting drunk in public? Illegal.

🚗 Transport Tips

• Only use official taxis, they have a sign on top of the car.
• Never trust someone offering rides at the train station or airport. It’s a scam.

No matter how tired or tipsy: don’t fall asleep on the beach. It’s unsafe, illegal, and you’ll wake up to missing stuff, or a fine.

🚗 Getting Around

✈️ Arriving in Cannes

Cannes doesn’t have its own airport, so you’ll be coming in via Nice or Paris:

• From Nice Airport:
  Take the free tram from the airport to the train station, then hop on a local TER train to Cannes. Easy and affordable.
  Prefer a car? Uber, Bolt, and local taxis are available and reasonably priced.
• From Paris (CDG Airport):
  You can take a direct train to Nice that stops in Cannes and other coastal gems. The stretch between Marseille and Cannes is absolutely stunning, so try to get a window seat!

Important:
Never go with someone who approaches you claiming to be a taxi driver — especially at airports, train stations, or tourist spots.
Official taxis wait in designated areas. Always use Uber or Bolt through the app.

🍸 Bars & Clubs in Cannes

• Palm Beach – Legendary venue by the sea
  Pl. Franklin Roosevelt, 06400 Cannes
• Bâoli
  Port Pierre Canto, 1 Bd de la Croisette
• Harry's Bar Cannes – Historic cocktail bar with class
  Port Canto, Bd de la Croisette
• Loka – Trendy, fun, more local
  88 Rue Meynadier
• Ma Nolan's Irish Pub – Lively and laid-back
  6 Rue Buttura

💶 Tipping

Tipping isn’t mandatory in France, service is already included in your bill (it’s the law).
That said, if you had good service or just want to be kind, leaving some coins is always appreciated, especially since many waitstaff are seasonal workers.

👗 What to Wear

Cannes summers are hot and humid, so be ready to sweat — a lot. If you're used to Mediterranean or tropical climates, you'll be fine. If not, pack smart:

• Lightweight fabrics like linen are your best friend.
• Birkenstocks and sandals are totally fine for daywear, just don’t expect to get into luxury boutiques or upscale venues with them.
• Flip-flops, board shorts, swimsuits, or tank tops are a no-go at restaurants, clubs, and many shops. Yes, even if you're “on the list,” they can and will turn you away.

🛍️ Shopping in Cannes

Luxury Fashion

Welcome to La Croisette, home to every high-end label you can think of:
Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Loro Piana, Armani…

Electronics

Need a charger or emergency tech?

• FNAC: Great for everything from phone cables to laptops, both Mac and PC.
• Darty: Better for home or travel-sized electronics.

📍Both are on Rue d’Antibes, nearly across from each other.

🧴 Essentials

• Pharmacy:
  Pharmacie Anglo-Française, Rue d’Antibes — super central, well-stocked, English-friendly.

🎁 Souvenirs & Gifts

Looking for something small and local?

• Rue Meynadier – More traditional, lots of charm, ideal for food gifts and regional products.
• Rue d’Antibes – More commercial but still good for general shopping and gifts.

🌿 CBD in Cannes

CBD is legal in France, but be very careful.

• There’s no visual difference between CBD and THC weed, and smoking anything that looks like weed in public can get you in trouble.
• Depending on the amount, you could face a fine or custody — yes, even if it’s just CBD.

🌿 The most reputable CBD shops are on Rue Meynadier.

Need help?

If you need help with or just want local tips, DM or catch me during Masters of pETHanque, right in front of the main EthCC venue.