La Croisette is a gorgeous seaside boulevard lined with palm trees, luxurious hotels and the most fashionable restaurants and bars in the city. This 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) boardwalk is where the big names of the movie industry come to be seen during the Cannes Film Festival.
Give your legs a gentle workout with a stroll along the boulevard. Today’s chic enclave is a stark contrast to its humble origins as a dirt track for donkeys and pilgrims. Your walk will take you past beaches, palaces, casinos, opulent homes and a rose garden. Some of the beaches are private, belonging to the exclusive hotels along the promenade. These hotels include such illustrious names as Majestic, Carlton and JW Marriot.
Look out to sea and take in views of the Lérins Islands in the distance. Chill out on one of the beaches or for something more strenuous get out on the water on a kitesurfing or windsurfing board.
Visit Cannes Harbour, where the yachts of the super-rich are berthed. Go on a guided tour of the Palace of Festivals and Congress Hall, best known for hosting the film festival. Movies are screened here during the annual extravaganza, often with stars in attendance.
Peruse the many boutiques dotted along La Croisette for the latest fashion trends and souvenirs. Dine at one of the restaurants with a view of the sea or gather baguettes, cheese and wine for a picnic on the beach.
The boulevard is also a delightful place for a walk in the evening. Come here at sunset as the sky changes color and stay once it goes dark to see lights from the boats illuminating the water.
La Croisette runs across the central part of Cannes, connecting the beach to the rest of the city. It begins on the eastern side of Cannes Harbour at the Palace of Festivals and Congress Hall and continues past the main hub of beaches to Croisette Cape.
