Survival tips
Jelly fish (medusa). If stung by a jelly fish, rub the affected parts gently with sand and then apply vinegar (malt, red, white or balsamic) - available from beach kiosks and restaurants.
Mosquito bites (moustiques). Protect yourself by rubbing the skin with geranium leaves, mint or garlic... or pop in to the chemist for insect repellent. If bitten, the locals apply vinegar. Dettol takes the itch away but bring it with you as it's unobtainable here. For a good night's sleep invest in an electric plug-in bug killer.
Cannes has been invaded by the Asian mosquito, called locally the tiger mosquito. This pesky little horror does not let off a warning buzz before biting, nor does it confine itself to just evening and nocturnal feasts but gorges on us day and night.
Seagulls (mouettes). Don't look up.
Did you know... it is illegal to feed them.
Sharks (requins). There are 47 shark species in the Med. If you see one do not panic, there is very little chance of attack. Get out of the animal's way, do not touch it and calmly get out of the water. A shark attack is extremely rare on the Cote d'Azur.
Did you know... the Med is one of the world's 10 hotspots for marine biodiversity.
Heatwave (vague de chaleur). Avoid dehydration by drinking a glass of water every 15 minutes even if you are not thirsty. Tea, fruit juices, clear soups and melon are also good. Eat fresh fruit and vegetables to help replace the mineral salts lost through sweating. And wear a hat, sun lotion and sunglasses. Children and older people should avoid the beach between 11am and 4pm.
Did you know... in the Alpes Maritimes the official definition of an orange alert heatwave (canicule = scorching heat) is a night minimum of 24 deg C and 31 deg C during the day for a period of three days.
Crazy Taxes: mineral water is taxed at source, literally, at 0.54 euro per hectolitre plus an additional tax of 0.58 euro per hectolitre which goes to the local authority in which it is produced... raising 20 million euros for them