Cannes: Art, Film Culture and Islands

The different themes add distinct touches to your stay. Consider which ones matter to you before looking for a hotel in Cannes.

Le Suquet: History, Views and Art

The Musée des Explorations du Monde is located in the historic Le Suquet district. It is housed in the listed remains of a medieval castle belonging to the monks of Lérins. The site thus brings together the history of the building and the museum’s collections.

The museum includes a watchtower, accessible via 109 steps. From there, you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of Cannes and the coast. The number of steps and the panoramic view make the tower a specific highlight for anyone wishing to combine a museum visit with views over the city and coastline.

In the Sainte-Anne Chapel, the museum displays Artemisia Gentileschi’s painting Judith and Holofernes as well as an extraordinary collection of musical instruments from around the world. The paintings and instrument collection offer different ways to explore art and culture within the same museum.

Gardens and Exhibitions

The Villa Domergue offers a different focus: it is designed in an Italian-influenced style and has terraced gardens with pools and cascades. The architecture and gardens belong together here; the pools and water features form a specific part of the landscaped outdoor spaces.

La Malmaison dedicates its exhibitions of modern and contemporary art to artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. If you are interested in art, this focus offers a different historical and thematic perspective from the collections at the Musée des Explorations du Monde. Cannes’s cultural offerings thus centre on both historical connections to art and exhibitions looking at more recent centuries.

Film History and Events

The Chemin des étoiles pays tribute to figures from the world of cinema. Permanent handprints and signatures of almost 450 actors and directors are on display there (as of August 22, 2026). The walkway gives film culture a distinct landmark in Cannes; the figure should be understood as a time-specific fact.

The Palais des Festivals hosts theatre performances, concerts, comedy shows and circus events. Its stage programme therefore spans more than one art form. If a particular event is central to your trip, check the dates in advance before planning your travel around it.

Market Life and Island Activities

The Marché Forville is in central Cannes, at the foot of Le Suquet. Vegetable farmers and local producers sell their products in the central aisle. This sets a visit to the market apart from the art and exhibition venues: the focus here is on the goods and the people offering them. For a stay that includes a market as well as cultural activities, this is a distinct point of interest.

The Îles de Lérins can also be included in your travel plans: they are about 15 minutes away by boat from Cannes’s Old Port. Activities in the archipelago include snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding, boat trips, catamaran rides and sailing. The options range from water activities to trips on different types of boat. If you plan to make the crossing, check departure times in advance.

When searching for hotels in Cannes, the focus of your trip may be the deciding factor: art and film culture, a stage event, a visit to the market or water activities appeal to different interests.

Discover More Destinations

Cannes La Bocca, Lantosque, Valbonne, Saint-Martin-Du-Var, Tourette-Sur-Loup, Isola, Antibes, Castillon

For the overarching travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.