‘Cannes, situated along the famous Cote d’Azur is oozing with glamour, style and sophistication’
As a family travel blog, it’s no secret we love travelling with the kids, however, we reserved this particular trip for just the two of us – and oh was it a trip to remember.
We arrived in Cannes to a stunning little Mediterranean-style boutique hotel, The Cezanne. We searched a while for a hotel that wasn’t too pricey yet was still central and chic, the Cezanne did not disappoint. We were keen to explore, the hotel was ideally situated within a short walking distance to the main shopping strip, Rue d’Antibes and the many exclusive beach clubs.
If you love shopping and spending (and I mean spending!) then Cannes will be your heaven. Be prepared to dig deep in your pockets when visiting this beautiful, designer resort town. Gucci…Prada…Chanel, rows of long, pristine avenues filled with upmarket and trendy fashion brands.
The main beach in Cannes, on the Boulevard de la Croisette, situated in front of the iconic ‘Le Grand Hotel Cannes’ is end to end with privately owned beach clubs. There are dozens to pick from, each offering something slightly different or at differing prices. We decided on Baoli Beach Club, known as the trendiest and most prestigous beach club along the promenade. If you are hoping to spot a celebrity on your trip, there is a good chance you might spot them at Baoli. As with pretty much everything in Cannes, it comes at a price. The sun loungers alone cost us €60 each to be on the first row, however, you could choose to spend more and go out on to the pier which did look rather impressive. Although there was a hefty price tag attached, the food was divine and the staff could not do enough for you. All in all, it was an amazing experience which we would highly recommend!
Following one too many cocktails at Baoli we decided to go for a coffee at the Armani cafe. This is definitely worth a visit, just for the atmosphere and the beautiful surroundings. We sat with a couple of cappuccinos and watched the sunset over the horizon, just taking it all in. I think it was in that moment, listening to the soft jazz and the sounds of the calm Mediterranean sea, we fell in love with Cannes.
Although the vast majority of town is very upmarket you can find some sweet little gems tucked away if you look hard enough. Wander down the idyllic little streets and you will find some charming little markets, coffee shops and restaurants where you don’t have to spend a fortune. We found a fantastic macaron shop whilst browsing the shops called Jean Luc Pele, macarons (my favourite) in every flavour imaginable – needless to say we left with a large box.
On our final night, we had booked in for dinner at the Belles Rives hotel’s restaurant, La Passagere, located in Antibes, just a short train journey away from our hotel. It is difficult to describe just how spectacular the views and the decor at The Belles Rives are. There is an air about the hotel, you know from the moment you walk in that it is a place for the social elite. Class and decorum run through the very heart of the building and into every member of staff. If you are in this area you must visit, it was breath-taking. We indulged on an 8 course tasting menu and fine wine whilst taking in the spectacular views.
Cannes is a place of luxury, there is a magic about it that grabs you and makes you want more. You will need to take your wallets, your best outfits and glam up, of course, but there is so much more to Cannes than just the sports cars and designer shops. We need to go back because I feel we barely scratched the surface of what this beautiful city has to offer.
Not our usual trip with the kids but something a little extra special for mummy and daddy to enjoy. We just can’t go there very often or we may have to remortgage the house!
Stay tuned for a family trip to the South of France…
Love,
The Big Dreams Family