The history of Cannes
Formerly, a humble township at the Mediterranean seaside, inhabited by monks and fishermen. A few strokes of oar away,
the islands Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat raise from the waves. The sea traffic is intense and fruitful.
 At the end of the 5th century a strong crises bursts amongst the religious community, when the last traces
from the Roman Empire are destructed by the barbarian Goths and Burgunds; but the monastry resists.
In the year 730, it
is destroyed by the attacks of the Saracens. A new attack from the Saracens in 891 devastates the country.
The insecurity
of the Islands forces the monks to settle on the continent, at the Suquet. Starting in 1035 a castel is built in the heart
of the city named CANNES (fief of the princes from Antibes).
 At the end of the 11th century, two towers are constructed
on the island Saint-Honorat and at Cannes.
Around 1530, during the war between François 1er and Charles Quint, Cannes detaches from the monks and
starts becoming independent. The village takes wing.
A battle bursts on the islands between French and Spanish; the French
fleet chases the occupants with the force of canons.
In 1746, the such desired islands also suffer an English invasion,
but the Knight of Belle-Isle restores the order by rapidly chasing the English.
Within the years they are possessed by
many different owners, Jean-Honoré Alziary, Henry Belmont Syms, and also by the Bishop of Fréjus.
 The island Sainte-Marguerite is rather known for its fort having seen several wellknown prisoners such
as " The Iron Mask " , the " Marshal Bazaine " "Lestang", "Valsec" and
"Gardien"... At the end of the 19th century the fort is used as a convalescent
home for the wounded soldiers of the war Crimée.
At the end of the 18th century, the strong winters require the help of the government. The high price of bread leads to anger amoungst the villagers, becoming threatening for the town council.
The seatrade is helping the economic development of the village, but the sea going over board is threatening the housings of the inhabitants.
The discontent of Cannes's population increases, they request fiscal reductions, equality in justice: they wish to go back to feudal conditions.
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".
 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! |
