Promenade de la Croisette

Anyone who finds themselves in Cannes with no urgent plans will inevitably find their way to the city's picturesque bay. With 100-foot yachts lining the nearby marinas and the turquoise-blue waters of the Cote d'Azur stretching beyond the horizon, it becomes abundantly clear why Cannes is one of Europe's most fashionable holiday destinations. The Promenade de la Croisette, the street that runs the length of the city's main beachfront, complements the luxury atmosphere of the city, with dozens of designer shops, top-notch restaurants and exclusive nightclubs.

First built in the 1850s, to provide a space fit for the wealthy tourists who began arriving in Cannes every summer. Over the decades, the promenade has seen certain changes, such as being widened to accommodate traffic, along with the addition of artificial beaches to create a better experience for visitors. However, with the exception of these occasional upgrades, the promenade remains largely unchanged and still the centre of attention.

High-End Retail Therapy

The shopping on hand on the promenade can match any street in London, Milan or Paris in terms of high-end labels, including Hugo Boss, Hermes, Gucci and Dior to name but a few. However, even if retail therapy isn't on your to-do list, there's simply an intoxicating atmosphere along the promenade, and it's well worth enjoying a lazy stroll along beachfront, simply taking in all the sights and sounds of this famous street.

We'd recommend starting your walk at the Palais des Festivals, the famous expo centre found at the western end of the promenade. This imposing building is home to Cannes many annual festivals, including the famous Cannes Film Festival. It's also here that you'll find the city's main harbour, where the fleets of mega yachts will anchor for the summer months.