Cannes!

Cannes is a commune in France, located in the department of Alpes-Maritimes and the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, famous for the International Film Festival and the glitzy hotels, cars, beaches, and visitors.

Cannes is 36 km from Nice, 55 km from Monaco and 60 km from the Italian border. It has an area of 1970 hectares. Cannes has a length of 8.8 km and width of 4.5 km. Its altitude is between the sea level and 260 meters above sea level. The commune of Cannes is the third biggest city of the department by its population.

In the 19th century, Cannes saw its most significant developments with the arrival of foreign and French aristocrats in the 1830s, who made the town their holiday home, building various properties around the area. The arrival of a prominent British politician - Lord Henry Peter Brougham - in 1834, while on the way to Italy, was the main catalyst in the town?s expansion. Development encouraged enterprise and the Cannes Railway Station opened in 1863 followed by the Tramway de Cannes transportation system in 1899. By the 1930s, the town had secured its status as a fashionable holiday destination and was further placed on the map by the first international film festival in 1946. Today, Cannes still retains a reputation as a chic and trendy city and attracts both the rich and famous as well as regular holidaymakers.

Lérins Islands

The "Lérins Islands" is a small archipelago just off the coast of Cannes and part of the commune of Cannes. The archipelago has the two main islands of Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat and the two micro-islands of Tradeliè and St-Féréol.

Boat excursions to the islands leave from Cannes (15 minutes to Saint-Honorat and 30 minutes to Sainte-Marguerite). Excursions also leave from Antibes, Golfe-Juan, La Napoule and Nice. The islands are pedestrian-only; no motor vehicles are allowed.

Île Sainte-Marguerite

Known as Île Saint-Honorat?s sister island, Île Sainte-Marguerite is bigger and offers visitors a maritime museum containing artefacts relating to the area?s maritime history. Take a walk on the island?s beautiful rocky beaches or amid its shady oak and pine trees, or head to the fort that has stood since the 17th century, when it was built as a fortification against Spanish invaders. Later, head for one of the island?s three restaurants, where you can grab a bite to eat.

Île Saint-Honorat

Trips are available to the island that was named after the monk, Honoratus, who was responsible for founding a monastery here in the early 5th century. Notre Dame de Lérins, an abbey built on the island in the 17th century, is one of the most famous sights on the island and offers views of fine architecture, both inside and out. The abbey is still inhabited to this day and has a shop that sells goods made by the monks who reside here. Besides the abbey, the island is home to several other churches and chapels as well beautiful coastal scenery.