For the past 60 years, movie professionals, movie stars and movie buffs have descended on the French Riviera to participate in the most photographed film event in the world: the Cannes International Film Festival. The idea of an international film festival was originally conceived by the city council shortly before World War II. The first film festival opened on September 20, 1946, and was held in the Casino Municipal, the old Palais des Festivals.

The Belle Époque
Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux, a British statesman who became Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom, bought land at the Croix des Gardes and built the villa Eleonore-Louise. His work to improve living conditions attracted the English aristocracy, who also built winter residences. At the end of the 19th century, several railways were completed. This prompted the arrival of streetcars and projects such as the Boulevard Carnot, the rue d'Antibes and the Carlton Hotel on the Promenade de la Croisette. In 1907, after the closure of the Casino des Fleurs (hôtel Gallia), the luxurious Casino Municipal was built next to the pier Albert-Edouard.

Modern Times
In 1979, the old Casino Municipal palace was demolished and replaced by a new palace, the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, which was inaugurated in December of 1982. Every year, for 12 hectic days during the annual Film Festival, the rich and famous and their entourage, engage in showmanship, one-upmanship and deal making. With their larger-than-life images broadcast on a giant screen, the stars ascend the famous stairs leading up to the sprawling Palais, waving and smiling at cheering tourists and locals hoping to catch a glimpse, a snapshot or a smile.

There is no place in the world like it. But this seaside community barely ten miles square is also a prized destination welcoming over two million visitors annually, in town for the Horse Festival – International Jumping, the Grand Prix de Monaco weekend, the Boat Show and Royal Regattas, and an endless round of oversized fairs including MIDEM (music), MIPTV (television), MIPIM (real estate), the International Festival of Publicity Films and the Cannes Shopping Festival.

Great Private Villas
In the 19th century and early 20th century, aristocratic villas were built in grand style and on high ground, to reflect the wealth and standing of their owners. Lord Brougham's Italianate Villa Eléonore Louise was built between 1835 and 1839. Also known as the Quartier des Anglais, this is the oldest residential area in Cannes. Another landmark is the Villa Fiésole, known today as the Villa Domergue, designed by Jean-Gabriel Domergue in the style of Fiesole, near Florence. Other famous villas include Château des Tours, Château Scott, Villa Victoria, Villa Fiorentina, and Villa Rothschild.

When to Go
Cannes benefits from mild and pleasant Mediterranean climate throughout the year, but the best time to visit is during the spring and summer.

The Great Luxury Hotels

Hôtel Carlton InterContinental Cannes
58 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.493.06.40.06 intercontinental.com/cannes
Built in 1911 with inspiration from the Belle Époque period, the Carlton is a star in its own right. Not only has its Art Nouveau visage starred in To Catch a Thief and French Kiss, but rumor has it that more international contracts are signed here during the annual Film Festival than anywhere else, since all the major U.S. producers stay here.

Hôtel Martinez
73 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.492.98.73.00 www.hotel-martinez.com
The Martinez is known for stylish living, where comfort and technology have aesthetic overtones, and from its eminent position on the sea front, on the famous boulevard de la Croisette, the hotel has established itself over the decades as one of the flagship hotels on the French Riviera. The Martinez has three restaurants: La Palme d'Or, a 2 stars Michelin gastronomic restaurant, Le Relais Martinez and the Zplage Beach Restaurant. There is a piano bar, a vast private beach, a heated pool, fifteen meeting rooms and reception lounges.

Majestic Barrière
10 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.492.98.77.00 www.lucienbarriere.com
Entirely renovated in 2008, the Majestic Barrière, member of the french group Lucien Barrière, with its high level of personalized service is one of the French Riviera's jewels. Facing the sea, on the famous Croisette Boulevard and steps away from the Palais des Festivals, this mythical palace welcomes guests in a luxurious universe combining tradition, modernity and refinement, from its Fouquet's brasserie to its private beach, passing through its luxurious shops. In 2010, the opening of new suites, a well-being space and high-standard boutiques will make this prestigious address more desirable than ever.

38-The Restaurant
At Hôtel Gray d'Albion
38 rue des Serbes, Cannes
+33.492.99.79.60 www.lucienbarriere.com
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Astoux et Brun
27 rue Félix Faure, Cannes
+33.493.39.21.87 www.astouxbrun.com
Cuisine: Seafood

Caffé 50
10 rue des Frères Pradignac, Cannes
+33.493.39.00.01
Cuisine: Italian

Comme Chez Soi
4 rue du Batéguier, Cannes
+33.493.39.62.68  www.restaurant-commechezsoi.com
Cuisine: Brasserie

Fouquet's Cannes
At Hôtel Majestic Barrière
10 bd. De la Croisette, Cannes
+33.492.98.77.05 www.majestic-barriere.com
Cuisine: French

La Brasserie Carlton
At Hôtel Carlton InterContinental
58 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.493.06.40.21  intercontinental.com/cannes
Cuisine: French

La Chunga
24 Rue L. Maubourg, Cannes
+33.493.94.11.29
Cuisine: French

La Grosse Tartine
9 rue du Bateguier, Cannes
+33.493.68.59.28 www.lagrossetartine.com
Cuisine: French

Le Mantel
22 rue Saint Antoine;
+33.493.39.13.00 www.restaurantmantel.fr
Cuisine: French

Le Maschou
15 rue Saint Antoine, Cannes
+33.493.39.62.21
Cuisine: French

La Palme d'Or
At Hôtel Martinez
73 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.492.98.73.00 www.hotel-martinez.com
Cuisine: French

La Palmeraie
45 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.493.39.76.19 
Cuisine: French

Le Pacific Express
8 rue Suquet, Cannes
+33.493.38.09.40 www.lepacificexpress.com
Cuisine: Brasserie

Le Palais Oriental
10 boulevard Jean Hibert, Cannes
+33.492.98.99.98
Cuisine: Oriental

Le Relais Martinez
At Hôtel Martinez
73 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.492.98.74.12 www.hotel-martinez.com
Cuisine: French

Le Relais de Semailles
9 rue Saint Antoine, Cannes
+33.493.39.22.32
Cuisine: French

Le Restaurant Arménien
82 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.493.94.00.58 www.lerestaurantarmenien.com
Cuisine: Armenian 

Le Voilier
61 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.493.94.26.82 www.restaurant-le-voilier.com
Cuisine: Brasserie

Villa des Lys
At Hôtel Majestic Barrière
10 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.492.98.77.41 www.majestic-barriere.com
Cuisine: French

Le Suquet
Le Suquet is the old quarter of Cannes, best known for its Rue St Antoine, a climbing, winding cobbled lane lined with restaurants. A 14th-century clock tower and church are overlooking the Bay of Cannes from high up. At the bottom of Le Suquet on Rue Dr. P. Gayagnaire is the Marche Forville, where the market is held in the mornings and early afternoons.

Musée de la Castre
Château de la Castre, Le Suquet, Cannes
+33.493.38.55.26
A museum located on the hills of Le Suquet, in the ruins of a medieval castle.

Île Sainte-Marguerite (St Marguerite Island)
The Île Sainte-Marguerite is the largest of the Lérins Islands, about half a mile off shore from Cannes. The island is most famous for its fortress prison, the Fort Royal, in which the so-called Man in the Iron Mask was held in the 17th century. The mysterious individual was believed to be of noble blood, but his identity has never been proven. His cell can be visited in the Fort Royal, now renamed the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea). This museum also houses discoveries from shipwrecks off the island, including Roman and Saracen ceramics.

Île Saint-Honorat (St Honorat Island)
Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants of the smaller, southern St Honorat Island. Monks have inhabited the island since AD410 and, at the height of their powers, owned Cannes, Mougins and Vallauris. Medieval vestiges remain in the stark church, which is open to the public, and in the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the sea's edge. The monks divide their time between prayer and producing red and white wines.

La Malmaison
47 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.497.06.44.90
Once part of the old Grand Hotel originally built in 1863, La Malmaison is the only pavilion which today remains of the original ensemble.

The Espace Miramar
Angle bd. de la Croisette / rue, Cannes
+33.493.43.86.26
Located on the ground floor of the old Palais Miramar hotel on the corner of Rue Pasteur and the Boulevard de la Croisette, this important cultural area includes a cinema, grand hall and temporary exhibition space.

Notre-Dame de Bon Voyage
square Mérimée
Built in a faux Gothic style in the late 19th century, this is Canne's largest church.

Notre-Dame de l'Espérance
place de la Castre
+33.493.99.55.07
Perhaps Cannes most historic church, this structure was built between 1521 and 1627. It features both Gothic and Renaissance attributes.

Eglise Orthodoxe Russe St-Michel Archange
36-40 bd. Alexandre-III
+33.493.43.00.28
Built in 1894, this church features a blue onion-shaped dome.

The shops in Cannes—including a wide array of international luxury brands and designer shops are situated between La Croisette and rue d'Antibes. Take in the bustle on rue Meynadier, with its vibrant market, specialty shops, and bargain prices. Between the town hall and the railway tracks, you'll find a wonderful selection of locally grown flowers, fruits and vegetables at Marché Forville (Forville Market). 

Feel the electricity along La Croisette, la rue du Dr Monod and la rue Saint Antoine in Le Suquet.

As is the case with the Côte d'Azur, the focus of Cannes nightlife is its share of world-class casinos:

Casino Barrière de Cannes Croisette
1, Esplanade Lucien Barrière
+33.492.98.78.00

Casino Barrière Les Princes
50 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.497.06.18.50

Palm Beach Casino
Place Franklin Roosevelt
+33.497.06.36.90 www.lepalmbeach.com

When the sun goes down, many restaurants transform themselves into bars and clubs. And in Cannes, there is much from what to choose, from elegant and romantic to trendy and chic:

Le Bâoli
Port Pierre Canto – bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.493.43.03.43 www.lebaoli.com
Cuisine: Asian

Le Farfalla
1 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.493.68.93.00

Le Grand Bleu
At Hotel Palais Stephanie
50 bd. de la Croisette, Cannes
+33.492.99.70.00 www.sofitel.com
Cuisine: Brasserie

Le Loft
13 rue du Docteur Monod, Cannes
+33.493.39.40.39 www.loft-cannes.com
Discotheque/Bar/Pub

Le Tantra
13 rue du Dr Monod, Cannes
+33.493.39.40.39 www.tantra-cannes.com
Cuisine: Asian