Most guides would recommend you to begin your visit of Cannes with the old city and its famous Suquet. It is accessible from various sides by taking steep narrow streets, crisscrossed by sinuous and picturesque stairways where the pedestrian is king. On the site of the original Roman castrum, this ancient neighborhood seems to cling to the hill overlooking Cannes. Shops proffer crafts and Provencal goods and the atmospheric theme-restaurants give you a chance to catch your breath. The pretty pastel shutters, Gothic stonework, and narrow passageways are lovely distractions; take time to lose yourself awhile on the tiny backstreets, duccking under arches and peeking into courtyards. At the top at the Place de la Casstre, take in magnificient views over Cannes and the Iles Ste Marguerite. The hill is crowned by the 11th century chateau, housing the Muse de la Castre, and the imposing four-sided Tour du Suquet, built in 1385 as a lookout against Saracen invasions.

Le Vieux Port: Sparkling at the foot of Le Suquet, this narrow well-protected port harbors a fascinating lineup of grand luxury yachts ans slick little pleasure boats that creak and bob beside weathered-blue fishing barques. From the east corner, off La Pantiero, you can catch a cruise to the Iles de Lérins.

Rue Meynadier: You may not notice the pretty 18th century houses that once formed the main street of Cannes, so distracting are the boutiques they now contain. Here inexpensive and trendy clothes alternated with rarified food and wine shops.

Not to be missed: the ramparts, the Castre Museum, the Square Tower, and the religious edifices. From this high perspective you will be able to admire a magnificient panorama including the city. The port , the Croisette, the Lérins Islands and a large part of the bay of Cannes.

At the foot of the old city, the soul of Cannes: the Forville Market and its surrounding food stores (butchers, charcuterie, fish sellers, bakers, wine dealers) will enable you to discover one of the different facets of a little marchant district.

Don't forget to visit my Cannes Apartments if you need accommodation on the French Riviera!

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