Cannes, Jewel in the crown of the "Côte d'Azur" since the dawn of time, focal point for festivals throughout the world and a cultural melting pot, is located only 10 kms away from Antibes.
You couldn't dream of a place more like paradise than Cannes, a town whose eclectic scenery has amazed even then most powerful. From the Romans, the chose it as a place in which to settle, to the English chancellor Lord Brougham, not to mention Napoleon, Cocteau and many others, all have fallen in love with this vibrant, colourful town and its peaceful way of life.
Cannes embodies the sweetly scented nation of a life which everybody dreams of living. It is the sun which first playfully with the azure blue of the sea, before laying down to sleep in the arms of its wooded mountains. It is the harmonious marriage of sparkling colour and light. It's lush vegetation prospers languidly in the idyllic climate. The perfect getaway for those who appreciate the finer things in life.
If life in Cannes is a festival, it is because nothing is left up to chance, everything is planned to the smallest detail to meet the expectations of everyone who visits there. Here, where French cuisine is at its finest , we are invited by the most dignified representatives of this art to take part in a "festival of flavour", shellfish and crustaceans, freshly caught fish, local specialities perfumed with the delicate aromas of basil, garlic or black olive. From prestigious cuisine to traditional dishes, the palace is not to the missed.
Cannes is the byword for year round enjoyment, which can be found close at hand.
A place where culture, shopping, relaxation, sport and leisure meet. Cannes is life at its very best.
In June 1838, the construction works for the pier in Cannes are started, it is a big festivity and great joy for the entire community; new trading starts and new houses appear.
The Casino Municipal and the Esplanade des Alliés are built next it, on each side. The pier favors the "yachting" and also the fishing which develops to be fruitful and inables the invention of the famous recipe for the "Bouillabaisse".
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Cannes lives from its seatrade, the fishing, agriculture and small and medium enterprises; but Lord Henry Brougham and Vaux discovers other treasures, far more beneficial for the development of the city. He buys a terrain at the Croix des Gardes and constructs there the villa "Eleonore-Louise".
His praises on the climat and landscape of Cannes attract the English aristocracy, who is then building secondary residences for the winter. The mild climat, wellknown for its living quality, charms the Empress of Russia, she comes to Cannes to the Villa des Dunes with her entire court in order to take care of her weak health.
At the end of the 19th century, several constructions on railway tracks are done, improving the crossing of the departments of the Var and Alpes-Maritimes, then come the streetcars.
In Cannes, projects such as the Boulevard Carnot, the rue d'Antibes and also the famous hotel "Carlton" on the Croisette are carried out.
A luxury establishment is built for the rich winter clientele; the Casino Municipal is built. These establishments are in the centre of the "mundane evenings" in Cannes, all the prestige events happen there.
With the beginning of the 20th century come new luxury dream hotels. The city modernises with the construction of the sports centre, the installation of the street car, the opening of the post office, the appearance of educational establishments (le lycée Carnot, l'Institut Stanislas). All these nice projects are possible only after the terrible First World War (14-18) which changes Cannes into a gigantic hospital. All the big establishments are then requisitioned.
After the war, the German and English clientele of Cannes diminishes, wheras the Americans are attracted by the Côte d'Azur. In Cannes, the luxury, the elegance and the exquisiteness are very appreciated. The number of luxury boutiques multiplies. Little by little, the winter tourisme is letting its place to the summer tourism.
The city council has the idea of creating the "International Film Festival". The project is started in 1946, after the Second World War (39-45), during which the inhabitants of Cannes have to endure many restrictions and sufferings. On September 20th, 1946 is the inauguration of the 1st International Film Festival has enormous success. Nowadays, this " Film Festival ", second most known event worldwide (after the Olympic games) is the pride and the good reputation of Cannes, city of a thousand subtleties!
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