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Sightseeing
 
Overlooking the old port is Le Suquet with its narrow streets which climb to the 12th century Tour de Mt Chevalier and the church of Notre Dame de l'Espérence. Completed in 1648, its charm lies in its wood panelling and a collection of 19th century paintings, including a fresco by George Roux. 
From the ancient rampart wall in front of the church, you can see east across the town (see photo left), the port and the bay to the Cap de la Croisette, and to the west across the Gulf of La Napoule to the Esterel mountains.
While you are up there visit La Castre Museum (free first Sunday of every month) where, besides an art gallery featuring views by painters of Cannes, you can walk amongst ancient artefacts of the classical world. 
 
 
Until 15 September on Thursdays and Sundays there are guided tours of about one and half hours for 6.30 euros including entry to the museum. It includes the former castle, the dungeon, the tower, and a walk through the old streets plus places normally closed to the public, such as the house and gardens of Victor Tuby, before returning to the museum.
 

The République, a cosmopolitan quartier - formerly a rather run down area - has recently had lots of money lavished on it by the town and is a pleasure to walk around.  See Le Jardin restaurant. 

 

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There are parks and gardens throughout Cannes and a must is a visit to the nine hectares of Le Grand Jas cemetery.
 
Did you know...  Green spaces make up 50% of Cannes' public areas, truly a garden city.

Villa Rothschild

The Villa Rothschild is now the main Cannes library - Mediatheque Noailles - and is open to the public. It was built in 1881 in the neoclassical style and during WW11 was occupied by the German Kammandantur.

 

The villa is well worth a visit to see the splendour of the building, the finely carved oak wood panelling and plasterwork, as well as its trompe l'oeil paintings.

 

The park surrounding the villa was used as a large vegetable plot after the Germans were defeated until it became the library in 1947 and was in a sorry state.  A huge effort has been underway since 1990 to restore it.  It still contains some wonderful trees and especially a large variety of palms - all named. The once magnificent water features are still in place and will be restored over time. The villa

and its park is classified as an historic moument.

 

This summer the villa is hosting an exhibition of works by Roberto Barni in conjunction with the Malmaison on the Croisette. 

 

Open Tuesday- Saturday, 8am-3pm.  Free

1 Av Jean de Noailles, off Av Picaud on the road to La Bocca.

Bellini Chapel

 

Take the 18 bus from Cannes railway station to Avenue de Vallauris.

 

 

Built in 1880 it originally belonged to Princess Kara-Georgevich of Serbia, but later became the studio of painter Emmanuel Bellini. His daughter Lucette, also a painter, continues to show visitors around the chapel, which contains several canvasses by Bellini and Lucette.

 

Admission is free.

Parc Fiorentina, 67 bis, avenue de Vallauris, Cannes, France
Tel: +33 4 93 38 61 80

The Villa Domergue is one of Cannes' hidden treasures. The house and grounds were designed by the artist Jean-Gabriel Domergue. His wife, Odette, was a well known sculptress in her own right and examples of her work are

to be found in the garden.  In the twenties Jean-Gabriel concentrated on portraits, mainly of women, and is claimed to be the inventor of the pin-up.  He threw amazing parties, hosted the first film festival and designed posters for the early years of the film festival.  Every May the villa, which they bequeathed to the City of Cannes, entertains the festival jury. 

 

This summer an exhibition of ceramics by Peter Thumm, who has a studio in Grimaud, can be seen both inside the house and in the gardens.

 A jazz festival takes place in the grounds in August

 

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 3pm to 7pm, entrance 3.40€.   Personal tours in English are available. Address: Impasse Fiesole tel: 04 97 06 44 90

Money saving tip:  buy a pass for 4.50€ (July/August only)which allows you a visit to

La Malmaison and Espace Miramar in addition.

 

Getting there;  bus 6, get off at Grand Pre, ave Isola Belle, or bus 7, get off at Villa Vera, av.de Vallauris. Then about a 10 minute walk to the villa. If you drive, the nearest you can park is at the bottom of Impasse Fiesole - frankly, it is less complicated to get a taxi.