Let's Go Europe 2019. Harvard Student Agencies

other travelers

       i Rooms from €44; reservation recommended, especially during high season (May-June); wheelchair accessible; Wi-Fi; linens included; laundry; breakfast from €7

       SIGHTS

      CULTURE

       MARCHE FORVILLE

      12 Rue Louis Blanc; 04 92 99 84 22; www.cannes.com/fr/decouvir-cannes/visiter-cannes/marche-forville.html; open Sept 15-June 14 Tu-F 7am-1:30pm, Sa-Su 7am-2:30pm; June 15-Sept 14 T-Su 7am-2:30pm

      The Marche Forville is a vestige of a foregone past: a time when fishing vessels lined the coastline instead of mega-yachts, and quaint shops lined Boulevard de la Croisette instead of internationally-recognized stores. This market unites local fisherman and gardeners to sell their wares and evokes the Provençal, small-town feel you’ve been longing to find in the French Riviera. Walk along the wide lanes of the covered market, organized into different sectors according to produce type. If you are looking for something already-made, the market also offers seasonal socca, paella, and hamburgers.

       i Market prices vary; cash only; wheelchair accessible

       BOULEVARD DE LA CROISETTE

      Bd. de la Croisette; street open daily 24hr, shop hours vary

      The path to fame is lined with palm trees, brand-name stores, chic gallerias, and crêperies—if by fame you’re referring to the horde of A-list celebrities slinking along the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres and by path you’re referring to Boulevard de la Croisette. Stretching from the Old Port to the Cap de la Croisette, this renowned street is not only the city’s biggest thoroughfare, but also your best bet for ~casually~ running into your favorite celebrity. Stroll past the local branches of star-frequented Armani and Dolce and Gabbana; when you inevitably get tired of window-shopping (read: walking into a store and becoming the subject of passive-aggressive stares), take a breather on one of the street’s iconic blue chairs.

       i Free; wheelchair accessible

      LANDMARKS

       FORT ROYAL & MUSÉE DE LA MER

      Saint-Marguerite Island; 04 89 82 26 26; open daily Oct-Mar 10:30am-1:15pm and 2:15pm-4:45pm; Apr-May 10:30am-1:15pm and 2:15pm-5:45pm; Jun-Sept 10am-5:45pm

      After spending a few hours walking around Cannes, you’ll see that the city offers relatively few sources of affordable entertainment—on the mainland, at least. Enter St. Marguerite Island, a tree-covered, yacht-flanked oasis located 15 minutes off Cannes’ sandy shores by boat. Upon it rests Fort Royal, a citadel built just before the Spanish occupied the island in 1635 and which was extended in 1637 under the direction of French military architect Vauban. The citadel itself offers astonishing views of the Mediterranean and the mainland, and is just a short walk away from the State Prison, which held notorious felons such as the Man in the Iron Mask. Also within walking distance is the Musée de la Mer, which offers a comprehensive overview of the island’s history as a Roman trading post.

      i Admission €6, reduced €3; students under 26, children under 18, and disabled persons free; limited wheelchair accessibility; last entry 5:30pm; guided tours available upon request (04 93 38 55 26)

       PALAIS DES FESTIVALS ET DES CONGRÈS

      1 Bd. de la Croisette; 04 92 99 84 00

      The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès is truly a spectacle to behold, especially in May when movie projectors and camera flashes set it aglow, transforming the structure into a beacon for artists, cinephiles, and A-list celebrities alike. Designed by architect and visionary Sir Hubert Bennett and completed—initially—in 1949, this six-story glass complex is the venue of (you guessed it) the Cannes Film Festival and the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. In the intervening months between the two festivals, the Palais hosts a slew of cultural events, some of which are open to the public. The interior of the building is accessible only by guided tour and slots fill up quickly, so be sure to book well in advance.

       i Admission €6, children under 16 free, half price for disabled persons; reservation recommended; wheelchair accessible

      OUTDOORS

       PLAGE DU MIDI

      Bd. Jean Hibert; open daily 9am-6pm

      Can’t bear to see one more damn yacht? Looking for a classic, packed, seminude beach that’s basically the human equivalent of a can of sardines? Then look no further than the Plage du Midi, the perfect place to spend an afternoon on a hot summer day. The 20-minute walk from Cannes’ city center may seem like a trek, but the tan sand, clear coastal water, and surrounding hills make up for it.

       i Free; limited wheelchair accessibility

       FOOD

       LA CRÊPERIE DE LA CROISETTE ($)

      82 Bd. de la Croisette; 04 93 94 43 47; www.creperiedelacroisette.com; open high season daily at 9am, low season daily at 10:30am; by reservation only

      Located on the infamous Boulevard de la Croisette and serving up a variety of sweet and savory crêpes, this lavender-clad locale is perfect for any meal. Each crêpe comes with a side salad, dollop of ice cream, or caramel drizzle. If you don’t identify as a crêpe aficionado, La Croisette offers a small assortment of salads, cheese plates, snack-style pastas, sandwiches, and burgers as well.

       i Crêpes from €4, main plates from €8; card minimum €10; vegetarian options available; wheelchair accessible

       LE TROQUET À SOUPES ($)

      Prom. De la Pantiero; 04 93 38 43 4; open daily 9:30am-7pm

      This small locale is run entirely by one woman, Sylvie, who’s a jill-of-all-trades. Part owner, part manager, part waitress, and all chef, she’ll set up the umbrellas on the patio, take your order, cook your food, and still find time to chat about life. We recommend starting your meal with a hearty bowl of soup and splurging on the plate of the day. A well-traveled woman herself, Sylvie likes to experiment, concocting dishes reminiscent of other cultures, including chili con carne and ceviche.

       i Soups from €6, salads from €7, main plates from €10, plate of the day from €13; vegetarian options available; limited wheelchair accessibility

       PHILCAT ($)

      Promenade de la Pantiero; 04 93 38 43 4; open daily 9:30am-7pm

      A €4 panini in Cannes? At a restaurant located two minutes from the Palais des Festivals? No, you’re not hallucinating. Philcat, a white and blue shack serving up a variety of sweet and savory sandwiches, stands defiantly on the expansive Pantiero Promenade and is truly a backpacker’s blessing. Don’t let the small interior dissuade you, as there is almost unlimited seating surrounding the Old Port.

       i Sandwiches from €3; minimum card charge €15; vegetarian options available; wheelchair accessible