Regional Information
Cannes
At a Glance
Currency: Euro (€)
Population: 70,000
Language: French, English widely spoken
Local Time: Irish and UK time +1 hour
Voltage: 230V – continental adaptors purchased in Ireland / UK can be used
Flight Duration: Approx. 2.5 hours
Airport: Nice airport is located 7km (4 miles) west of Nice. Journey time into Cannes is approx. 1 hour
Climate: The Cote d'Azur has a proven reputation for sun, with an average 2500 hours of sunshine per year. Winter is relatively mild and from then on it is all just differing degrees of warm, from a mild average of 15°C most of the year right up to 40°C in July and August.
Overview
Cannes lies on the Cote d'Azur within easy reach of the Maritime Alps. This modern city grew up from a small fishing town on the southern coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea. In the 11th century, Cannes was owned by monks, whose budget, fattened by wealthy pilgrims, allowed them to expand beyond their monastery to the nearby Island of St Honorat. They built a square tower on the top of the hill, as a lookout post for Saracen pirates. It still stands next to the Castre Museum, in the heart of Le Suquet, Cannes’ Old Town that was built on the site of a Roman military camp.
The fishing tradition lives on and fish caught at the Vieux Port – to the west of the Palais des Festivals – are brought daily by the fishermen to the covered Forville Market, where they are sold by their wives, who rarely fit the city’s glamorous image.
Cannes’ moment of glory takes place in May, with the International Film Festival, when images of the stars descending the red-carpeted steps of the Palais des Festivals are flashed on television screens worldwide. For many, this city on France’s Cote d’Azur is synonymous with the glamour of this event.
Highlights
Le Suquet – the old town of Cannes is named after the hill on which it stands. It provides a great panorama of the 12km beach, and has, on its summit, the remains of the fortified castle priory lived in by Cannes' eleventh-century monks, and the beautiful twelfth-century Chapelle de St-Anne. The old town with its winding streets, small boutiques and restaurants is a beautiful place for tourists to stroll.
Beaches – You will find non-paying beaches to the west of Le Suquet, along the Plages du Midi and just east of the Palais des Festivals.
La Croisette – This long shop-studded boulevard along the seafront is Cannes’ central attraction, with 12km (7.5 miles) of beach. It is best viewed from the highest point of Cannes’ Old Town, Le Suquet, where the remains of the fortified tower still stand, along with the 12th-century Chapel of St Anne.
Palais des Festivals – At the end of La Croisette is the Palais des Festivals, whose endless Allees des Stars is imprinted with handprints and signatures of the famous.
Vieux Port (Old Port) – This is an atmospheric port with an odd medley of luxury boats and tiny fishing vessels, its rows of palm trees and fragrant flower market of the Allees de la Libertee.
Plages du Midi – Further to the west, along the seafront, are the free beaches, where the locals gather. This is an ideal spot for relaxing and soaking up the local atmosphere.
Getting Around
Cannes is a small resort town that is mostly confined to the beach area. Walking is by far the best way to explore the city.
Health/Security
Visitors to France will be pleased to know that the drinking water is safe in many areas, although many travellers do choose to buy bottled water instead because they are unaccustomed to the taste of French water.
Cannes is essentially a safe town but as in any tourist area young pickpockets are not uncommon. Generally, tourists should take the precautions they would in any city. Avoid carrying large sums of cash or leaving belongings unattended.
Passport/Visa
France is a member of the EU; therefore no visa is required for Irish / UK citizens.
Useful Contacts
Irish Embassy: St. Michel,
69 Avenue Roi Albert, La Californie
06400 Cannes
Tel: + 33 6 77 69 14 36
Web: www.embassyofireland.fr
British Embassy: 24 avenue du Prado,
13006 Marseille
Tel: + 33 4 91 15 72 10
Web: www.ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en
Local Emergency Services: 112 / 18
Calling Cannes from Ireland: 00 + 33 + 556 + the number
Calling Ireland from Cannes: 00 + 353 + area code + the number
Calling the UK from Cannes: 00 + 44 + area code + the number
Local Tourist Office: Office du Tourisme et des Congres, BP 4079, 06302 Nice Cedex 4
Tel: + 33 892 707 407, Fax: + 33 492 14 46 49
Useful Websites
www.roughguides.com
www.palaisdesfestivals.com
THE COTE D’AZUR
At a Glance
Currency: Euro (€)
Population: Nice: 342,000
Language: French, English widely spoken
Local Time: Irish and UK time +1 hour
Voltage: 230V – continental adaptors purchased in Ireland / UK can be used
Airport: The airport is located 7km (4 miles) west of Nice. Journey time into the city centre is approx. 30 minutes
Flight Duration: Approx. 2.5 hours
Climate: The Cote d'Azur has a proven reputation for sun, with an average 2500 hours per year. Winter is relatively mild and from then on it's all just differing degrees of warmth, from a mild average of 15°C most of the year right up to 40°C in July and August.
Overview
With the Alps playing a bodyguard against inland winds and the sultry Mediterranean warming the breezes, the Cote d'Azur, or French Riviera, is pampered by a nearly tropical climate. This is where the dreamland of azure waters and indigo sky begins, where white villas edge the blue horizon, evening air is perfumed with jasmine and mimosa, and parasol pines silhouette against sunsets of ripe apricot and gold.
Highlights
Monaco - A special setting and a mild climate make it a fairy-tale place joining mountains and sea. It is said that in Monaco 300 days a year are bright and sunny. It is the second-smallest independent state in the world and at the same time the world's most densely populated country. Monte-Carlo is the area of Monaco where the real money is flung about and its famous casino demands to be seen. Monte Carlo is also home to the Monaco Grand Prix.
Nice - The capital of the Riviera and fifth largest city in France, Nice scarcely deserves its glittering reputation. Living off inflated property values and fat business accounts, its ruling class has hardly evolved from the eighteenth-century Russian and English aristocrats who first built their mansions here; today it is the rentiers and retired people of various nationalities whose dividends and pensions give the city its startlingly high ratio of per capita income to economic activity.
Cannes - lying on the Cote d'Azur within easy reach of the Maritime Alps, this modern city grew up from a small fishing town on the south coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea. In the 11th century, Cannes was owned by monks, whose budget, fattened by wealthy pilgrims, allowed them to expand beyond their monastery to the nearby Island of St Honorat. They built a square tower on the top of the hill, as a lookout post for Saracen pirates. It still stands, next to the Castre Museum, in the heart of Le Suquet, Cannes’ Old Town that was built on the site of a Roman military camp. Cannes’ moment of glory takes place in May, with the International Film Festival, when images of the stars descending the red-carpeted steps of the Palais des Festivals are flashed on television screens worldwide. For many, this city on France’s Cote d’Azur is synonymous with the glamour of this event.
Getting Around
The bus network is well developed on the Cote d'Azur, with both inter-urban and inter-village connections. The TER (Regional Express Trains) provides rapid connections between the main towns on the Cote d'Azur from Cannes to Vintimiglia. Taxi ranks in towns are indicated by a blue panel.
Health/Security
Visitors to France will be pleased to know that the drinking water is safe in many areas, although many travellers do choose to buy bottled water instead because they are unaccustomed to the taste of French water. Nice is essentially a safe city but has a reputation for young pickpockets. Generally, tourists should take the precautions they would in any major city. Avoid carrying large sums of cash or leaving belongings unattended.
Passport/Visa
France is a member of the EU; therefore no visa is required for Irish / UK citizens.
Useful Contacts
Irish Consulate in Cannes: St. Michel, 69 Avenue Roi Albert, La Californie
06400 Cannes
Tel: + 33 6 77 69 14 36
Web: www.embassyofireland.fr
British Consulate in Marseille: 24 avenue du Prado,
13006 Marseille
Tel: + 33 4 91 15 72 10
Web: www.ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en
Local Emergency Services: 112 / 18
Calling Nice from Irl / UK: 00 + 33 + 493 + the number
Calling Ireland from Nice: 00 + 353 + area code + the number
Calling the UK from Nice: 00 + 44 + area code + the number
Tourist Office, Nice: Office du Tourisme et des Congres,
BP 4079, 06302 Nice Cedex 4
Tel: + 33 892 707 407, Fax: + 33 492 14 46 49
Useful Websites
www.discoverfrance.net
www.guideriviera.com
www.roughguides.com