Explorations From Cannes

For centuries it was little more than a sleepy fishing village bathed in sun on the Mediterranean shore. Since then, Cannes has seen an awakening and now the famous setting for the International Film Festival is overflowing with sights, sounds and unforgetable experiences.

The Boulevard De La Croisette with palm-lined seaside drives.

Monaco - Just an hour and a half away, but definitely another world! Famous for its Prince's Palace, Cathedral and Palace Square.

St. Paul De Vence - A midieval walled city noted for its quiet charm.

Monte Carlo - This fabulous resort and casino is just a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Cannes.

Quick Tips:

We found Cannes to be a good central location for trips to several fabulous cities along the French Riviera. The glamorous beaches, endless parade of cafes, nightclubs and botiques make this one of the French Riviera's the most delightful spots to visit.

Best Way To Get Around:

We used a rental car on this trip because we planned to visit some of the more distant spots. However, cabs were redily available in Cannes.

Just a lovely one-hour drive from Cannes you will find the quaint medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence which quietly dominates the foothills a few miles from the Mediterranean; a jewel in the countryside near Nice. It was by command of King Francois (1515-1547) that Saint Paul became a "Royal Town" and noblemen’s homes, ancient parchments and treasures of the Collegiate Church gained historical significance.

Modern Art movements have left their mark upon Saint-Paul since many famous painters, poets and artists have come to visit, and were inspired by the outstanding quality of its light, the beautiful position and the simple pleasure of living here.

Today, visitors will discover the Ramparts, Fountain and the Grande Rue - but its rich cultural and artistic heritage far exceeds the size of this tiny town. The Foundation Maeght is one of the most splendid museums of modern art in the world.

The Foundation Maeght - Open daily June - Sept. * Here you will find an important collection of 20th century paintings, sculptures, drawing, ceramics and graphics.

Musee D’ History Locale - Open daily - *This museum presents the highlights of St Paul’s history. Wax figures in epoch costumes created by the Musee Grevin and musical ambiance enhance displays.

Musee Municipal - Open daily - *A permanent exhibition of contemporary art and 20th century modern art.

The collegiate church and its treasures - Open Monday to Friday - *The magnificent buildings of the Collegiate Church have changed over its long history. The oldest part, the choir loft dates from the 12th century and the remainder is either of the l7th century (St Clements Chapel a baroque masterpiece) or the l8th century (the vaulting of the central nave and the bell tower). The main altar is dated 1595.

The drive between Cannes and Monte Carlo is approximately one and half-hours. Traffic can be difficult at times, but our rental car worked out well. Vehicle traffic is extremely limited within the city, so it is wise to park in a car-park outside the city and take a bus to City Center.

The fabulous resort of Monte Carlo with its boutiques, restaurants and flowered terraces is an extremely popular summer destination; it bustles with international visitors! We enjoyed a lovely lunch of French cuisine in exquisite surroundings at the Cafe de Paris before heading to the Casino.

A reminder: "Proper attire" and a passport as identification are required for entry into the casino. Admission is 50 French Francs per person. Your passport is required to change money within the casino and must be surrendered for review to collect winnings in excess of 2000 Francs or at any other time as requested.

Casinos ARE casinos worldwide. If you play BIG, you may win big!! I played rationally, and won modestly. PLAY and ENJOYbut honestly, breaking the bank at Monte Carlo is strictly IN THE MOVIES!!

It is truly no wonder that the town of Nice rose to prominence as THE Cote d’ Azure's number one vacation destination. Here along the French Riviera, just a one hour drive from Cannes, there are any number of delightful resort towns each with its own blend of sophistication, charm, beauty and history.

Superbly set along the Baie des Anges, it is sheltered by an amphitheater of hills. A walk through the Old Town or "Vielle Ville provides a glimpse of the glamorous lifestyles of the rich and famous as elegant shops display one-of-a-kind designer items, haute couture clothing, avant garde accessories and exquisite jewelry.

Such a perfectly romantic setting; the maze of narrow streets branch off from the more modern boulevards and expose the historic architecture and European flair so unique to Nice. We particularly appreciated thee gorgeous bouquets and blossoms found at the local flower market, which takes place daily (except Mondays).

Just outside of Nice we passed the Franciscan Monastery and gardens on the way up to Chateau du Mont Boron. Here we had a commanding view of Nice and the sun drenched Mediterranean coastline. What a finale to a fabulously NICE day!

The French countryside is dotted with castle-covered cliffs and tiny villages, each more irresistible and picturesque than the next. We allowed the countryside to weave its way into our minds along this leisurely scenic drive. Sweeping bays and marvelous vistas unfurled.

We made several stops along the winding coastal road to absorb the panoramic views: the Bay of Nice, Villefranche, La Turbie, Roquebrune and Cap Martin as well as other spots along the Coastal Corniche road. We also stopped at several of the quaint little villages along the way, each with its own unique pleasures.

The Village of Eze - Like an eagles nest clinging to an outcropping, this medieval village swooped up from the winding road before us. Flowers, fountains and ancient architecture abounds and we discovered a bevy of restored houses with pink tiled roofs that have now been converted into smart boutiques and artists studios. A walk along the ramparts of the old fortress, Eze Castle, offered breathtaking views of the sea and mountains beyond. It was a special delight to find a tropical cactus garden near the edge of the village.

Menton - This quiet year-round resort boasts beautiful beaches and supposedly the warmest climate on the Riviera. A picturesque promenade at the city center affords a place to browse the shops of the various perfume purveyors and souvenir vendors. Note: All shops in Menton are generally closed on Sundays.

Saint Raphael - A lovely waterfront town, Saint Raphael is a fashionable summer and winter resort along the "Golden Corniche." The old harbor area is lined with cafes, shops and boutiques which we enjoyed exploring.

Tram Tour in Monaco

We set out from Cannes in our rental car, along the sun-drenched coastal road known as the Golden Corniche. Sweeping vistas of seaside villages and the fashionable resorts of Golfe-Juan, Nice and Villefranche rose up imediately before us.

Once we arrived in old Monaco, we boarded the open-air tourist tram called the "Azur Express". This one-hour panoramic narrated tour provided a perfect introduction to this exciting city. On this tour we journeyed around the rock of old town with its narrow and twisting streets, lined with ancient buildings and each, still maintaining original medieval character.

Frequently we discovered we were following the route of the world-famous Grand Prix de Monaco. We were overcome by a somber feeling as we passed the classic Cathedral of Saint Nicholas where the lovely Actress/Princess Grace is buried. The ornate Royal Palace, with its glamorous state apartments, came quickly into view as we moved toward the more modern part of the city. We ended our tram tour at the glamorous Main Boulevard -- crowded with luxurious hotels, botiques, shops and beach clubs.

This tram-tour was an excellent choice. It presented a marvelous overview of the charm of old Monaco along with the contrasting glamour of Monte Carlo. Our tour of Monte Carlo and its splendid casino is covered in a separate journal.