The French Riviera welcomes many yacht shows annually including the Antibes Yacht Show, Monaco Yacht Show and of course the Festival de la Plaissance Cannes (the Cannes Boat Show) which is being held this week from 11-16 September.
The Cannes Boat Show is held at the old port next to the Palais des Festivals and also at Port Pierre Canto at the far end of the Croisette. Superyachts are on display for sale, and visitors can browse stands of boat-related services and products such as clothing, yacht charters and yacht parts. Tickets are 18€ for adults, and free entrance for children under 12.
If all the yachting sightseeing tires out you and/or your family take a break for an icecream at one of the buvettes (snack kiosks) on the Croisette. Afterwards, you can jump onto the ‘Petit Train’, the little white tourist train that leaves adjacent to the carousel on the Croissette. They have a combined History and Croisette tour for 10€ for adults, 5€ for kids or free for under 3 years. The duration is around 1 hour, you can choose commentary in 7 languages and it travels along the Croisette, down the main shopping street rue d’Antibes and up to the old town of Le Suquet with good views across Cannes. It is a good option to keep the kids entertained, or if you have mobility issues as Le Suquet and the cathedral at the top are accessed via steep roads and some stairs. They have baskets on the back of the trains to hold baby buggies/strollers.
Apart from the Le Suquet area, Cannes is flat and well-paved so it’s easy to walk around. It’s doesn’t cover a particularly large area so you can walk easily within a few hours minimum. Some of the sights you should include on a walking tour are:
- the Croisette – see where they hold the world-famous Cannes Film Festival, admire the beautiful hotels and beach restaurants
- rue du Marché Forville – for the local market selling fruit, vegetables, cheeses
- rue Meynadier – souvenir shops, food shops, boutiques
- rue Hoche – stop for a coffee at one of the many caféterias with outdoor tables
- rue d’Antibes – the main shopping street
Other family-friendly activities for Cannes:
Îsle St Marguerite is a small island situated just off the Cannes coastline and accessible via boat that is suitable for stroller or wheelchair access. Please note that while the ferry boats and island are suitable for wheel access, many paths are not paved so there is occasionally uneven ground. Disabled toilet facilities on the island are located up the hill from the boat jetty. There are stairs to the Fort on the island. The ferry leaves from the far side of the port (see map below). Ticket and timetable information is at http://www.trans-cote-azur.co.uk/cannes-ile-sainte-marguerite.php
Cannes ferry to Isle St-Marguerite
Boules: There is a local boules (petanque) court adjacent to McDonalds on rue Félix Fauré. Grab a sandwich from the adjacent snack kiosks and sit at the tables under the plane trees watching a few games of boules.
Playgrounds: There is a free children’s playground close to the Palais des Festivals area on the boulevard de Croisette (near to the public beach where the Petit Train departs from). This playground includes small climbing equipment, carousel, funfair stalls, snack kiosks. Public toilets are nearby on the beachside of the Croisette. Further along boulevard de Croisette in the direction of Port Pierre Canto, there is another public playground at the end of the beach with playground equipment.
FunCity, 47 avenue Maurice Chevalier, 06150 Cannes la Bocca: Indoor playground facility with designated playareas for different ages, large climbing frames with tunnels, nets, slides, trampolines, soft toys, ball pits, inflatables, mini-karts, onsite restaurant for snacks and gift boutique. Entrance fee payable http://cannes.fun-city.fr
Bowling at Cannes Loisirs, 189 ave Frances Tonner, Cannes La Bocca.
Laser shooting individually or in teams at Laser Quest Cannes, 28 avenue des Arlucs, 06150 Cannes La Bocca. Venue also has snack vending machines and air hockey table. www.lqcannes.com
Kids cooking classes are available at Ecole Lenôtre Cannes, 63 rue d’Antibes, 06400 Cannes. Choose from ‘Cuisine’ or ‘Patisserie’. Ages 8 years and older. www.lenotre.com
Enjoy your time in Cannes!
Access Riviera 