Day Trips to Cannes from Nice

World famous for its film festival, Cannes is in fact more than just a paradise for lovers of the big screen. Its calling card is the Promenade de la Croisette, a long avenue that runs along the coast. A few metres further back is Le Suquet, the old part of Cannes with its traditional shops and steep alleyways.

In the same area is the Marché Forville, a covered market where you can buy andouillettes (pork intestine sausages), ravioli niçoise (stuffed with vegetables such as spinach and chard) or socca, a tasty focaccia made with chickpea flour.

It is also worth a stroll around the old port or a visit to Villa Rothschild. Finally, it is impossible not to mention the Palais des Festivals where the famous cinema kermesse is hosted. A trip to Cannes is one of the best things to do in Nice.

The excursion touches the main destinations near Nice. It takes place in an air-conditioned minivan and includes an expert guide who will explain the highlights of the region. Here are the main stops:

• Grasse, world capital of perfumery and birthplace of many fragrances. The microclimate and the abundance of water allow the cultivation of species such as orange blossom, violet and jasmine, among others. If you have the time, I recommend you visit the historic factory of the Fragonard perfumery (20 Boulevard Fragonard)
• Gourdon, a perfect example of a village-perché. This term identifies villages perched on top of a rocky outcrop, with narrow streets and porticoed passageways. Thanks to its elevated position, it was an important defensive post
• Saint-Paul de Vence, the romantic destination par excellence. The centre is entirely pedestrianised, making every walk a leap into the past. Along the way you will see medieval streets and the Chapelle du Rosaire painted by Matisse

Before returning to Nice, the bus will stop at the protagonist of this post: Cannes. Take advantage of your free time to lose yourself in the Suquet, a Provençal word meaning "summit". In fact, this district, which corresponds to the old town, is located at the top of Mont Chevalier.

Another activity not to be missed is a stroll along the famous La Croisette, the seafront promenade dotted with luxury hotels and shops of the most prestigious brands. I recommend that you at least get to the Palais de Festival, which hosts the annual festival dedicated to the big screen.

If you have a craving for ice cream, you can find the best cones and tubs at L'île de la Glace. They are famous for two flavours in particular: chocolate sorbet (with no added sugar) and Cote d'Azur (with curaçao syrup). It is located 400 metres from the Palais de Festival (2 Avenue de Grasse).

• Price: about €100
• Duration: 8 hours or a little more.

If you have less than three days in Nice, you might want to spend a little less time in Cannes. For this purpose, there are half-day excursions that take you on a tour of the French coast visiting the most important sights.

Picking you up and dropping you off at your hotel in Nice, this minivan tour takes you to the palaces of the Croisette boulevard and the Promenade de la Fame, where you can strike your best poses as you walk the red carpet in Cannes.

Next stop is Antibes, where you can stroll through the walled old town, discover the marina or wander around the Picasso Museum, located in the Château Grimaldi, the former residence of the Spanish painter.

Finally, this half-day excursion will take you to Saint-Paul de Vence, one of the most beautiful villages on the French Riviera.

• Price: about 60 €
• Duration: 4 and a half hours

Like all successful inventions, the Citroën Mehari was born by mistake, or rather by accident. The entrepreneur Roland de la Poype had used materials such as plastics and coloured resins to make small cars. After an accident, he realised that the bodywork was badly damaged while the mechanics remained intact.

He decided to build a multi-purpose vehicle, capable of carrying heavy loads or being converted into a light car for transporting people. The Citroën Mehari can travel on any terrain and is a true icon of style. This tour departs from Nice (pick-up from your hotel) and heads for Cannes.

Before arriving in the glamorous Côte d'Azur resort, you will drive along a very scenic road with green forests and splendid views of the Mediterranean. Normally, a stop is planned in Cannes where you can have a snack from the city (but it won't last long).

The route continues until you reach the Massif de l'Esterel, a mountain range that was formed 250 million years ago by pressure between the European and African plates. If you like nature, this is your Eden: you can go horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking and much more.

• Price: around 700 €
• Duration: 6 to 7 hours

This route takes you along the famous Moyenne Corniche, possibly the most famous scenic road in the world. You will see great cliffs, olive trees, Mediterranean pines and some of the most beautiful villages in Provence:

• Èze, the first stop is one of the most beautiful villages in Provence. Like other villages in the region, it was of great defensive importance, so much so that it was long disputed between France and the neighbouring Kingdom of Sardinia, the state that led to the unification of Italy. At its summit is the Èze Botanical Garden which brings together Mediterranean and arid land species
• Monaco, a city that needs no introduction. The stage in Monte Carlo usually touches the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-Immaculee (neo-Romanesque style) and the Casino with its impressive collection of luxury cars

After visiting the principality, you will finally arrive in Cannes! Its most famous postcards are the Croisette promenade and the old harbour (Port Vieux) with its luxurious yachts moored there. By the way, if you like boats, I recommend you to visit Cannes when the Yachting Festival is organised (usually in September).

Although not everyone knows it, the old town of Cannes is home to some beautiful graffiti. Street artists have paid tribute to film stars such as Charlie Chaplin (Boulevard Vallombrosa 10), Marilyn Monroe (Boulevard d'Alsace 16) and Buster Keaton (Boulevard Victor Tuby 29), among others. After this stop, you will get back on the bus or minivan and make two more stops:

• Antibes, a place that has inspired the masters of impressionism. Picasso himself lived for six months in the Château Grimaldi, which now houses his museum. Open from 10:00 to 18:00 and the ticket costs around 5 €
• Saint-Paul de Vence, a historic village overlooking the Var valley, is nicknamed the "artists' village" because it has enchanted artists such as Chagall, Picasso and Matisse. Here, time seems to have stood still and it is not uncommon to see old people playing pétanque in the squares.
• Price: €100 or a little more
• Duration: 9 to 10 hours

Do you have a passion for vintage cars and are you looking for an original experience? This excursion is the answer to your questions. A minivan will pick you up at a central location in the city and take you to an agency that preserves and cares for the cars of yesteryear. From there, a driver will take you to Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Paul de Vence via the beautiful roads along the Mediterranean.

As usual, the route takes place aboard a Citroën Traction Avant from the 1950s. Although less famous than other cars, this model adopted extremely advanced technological solutions (independent suspension, monocoque chassis, etc.). It was not for nothing that it earned the nickname "car of the future".

It is a unique experience, as the Citroën Traction went out of production in 1957 and few examples have survived the years. It can only take two passengers and is therefore a good idea if you are looking for an activity for couples. At each stage, a guide will explain the history of the city and the most important landmarks.

• Price: between 500 € and 600 €. You can find more information on the official website
• Duration: 8 hours.

It depends on your goal. If you want to enjoy the beaches, a trip to Nice in summer is a must. In the city itself you can sunbathe at Opéra Plage, Nice's oldest private beach housed in a former opera house. I also recommend Villefranche-sur-Mer, just a short train ride away (TER C3 and TER C13 from Nice-Ville station).

On the other hand, if you are interested in visiting the villages of Provence without being too hot, you have two options: spring and autumn. You will avoid the tourist peak while enjoying the spectacle of nature. Nice is also worth a visit at Christmas. In the south of France, winter is fairly mild (if a little rainy).

Yes, it is possible to travel between the two cities by train. Trains leave from Nice-Ville (a few minutes walk from the Basilica of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption) or Nice Saint-Augustin. The journey takes between 20 and 40 minutes. You can find more information on the official website of the French railways.

If you just want to visit Cannes, this is a good option as the ticket price is around €5. However, an organised tour is preferable if you want to see more places and don't feel like renting a car. Please note that you will also have an expert guide at your disposal.

Yes, the company Trans Côte d'Azur offers regular connections between the two towns. As usual, the ferries depart only in spring and summer and the fare is around €40 (return). Routes are also available to nearby islands and towns.

For a sweet break, just choose from the many bars and restaurants in town. To help you choose, I recommend a few places:

• Philcat, a small kiosk offering a regional classic: Pan Bagnat. It's a small sandwich with tuna, anchovies, olives and fresh seasonal vegetables with a drizzle of olive oil. Cheap and tasty (Promenade de la Pantiero)
• Chez Vincent et Nicolas, a simple restaurant with red-checked tablecloths and candles in glass jars (92 Rue Meynadier)
• Marché Forville, a covered market with dozens of food stalls. I recommend you try the socca, a chickpea flour crepe with a sharp contrast between the crispy outside and the soft inside. It's the perfect snack (6 Rue du Marché Forville)
• L'Assiette Provençale, one of the few affordable restaurants in the port. As usual, they offer a mid-day fish menu with a fixed price. Open every day of the week (9 Quai Saint Pierre)
• La Pizza Cresci, if you fancy a pizza by the sea (3 Quai Saint Pierre).

It depends on your children and their character. In my opinion, a very long excursion with several stages can be a bit tiresome. If you think they won't like it, there are other things to do with the family in Nice:

• Promenade du Paillon, a public park in the heart of the city. There are some very original games: wooden "skeletons" of sea creatures
• César Milano, one of the best ice-cream parlours in Nice. Famous for its caramel flavour (43 Avenue Jean Médecin)
• Nice Car, a three-wheeled vehicle for a different kind of tour of the city. The reviews are very good

If time permits, I recommend you to make a stop along the city's coastline. To help you choose, here are a few tips:

• Long Beach, the private beach of the Marriott Hotel. It is located in the heart of the Croisette and it is not unusual to meet celebrities. Needless to say, the restaurant is both delicious and refined. You can find more information on the official website
• Plage de la Bocca, probably the most coveted public beach in town. It's the perfect destination if you're travelling with the little ones but beware, during the summer it's often very crowded
• Handiplage, a disabled-friendly stretch of coastline. It is equipped with ramps and adapted deckchairs. It needs to be booked in advance and therefore I recommend you take a look at the town hall website
• Plage du Midi, within walking distance of the Suquet district and the old harbour. It is characterised by soft white sand
• Gazagnaire, splendid and yet quiet. The sea is great and you can also go canoeing
• Zamenhof, a communal beach located at the beginning of La Croisette. Parasol and sun lounger hire here is a little more affordable compared to other establishments.

Of course it is! If you are planning a trip to the Côte d'Azur in spring, you can take the opportunity to go on some nature walks. Within easy reach of Nice are the Mercantour National Park, the Saint-Cézaire Cave and the Gorges du Verdon.

The latter is a canyon with sheer walls over an emerald green river. If you have a car, I recommend driving along the northern road and stopping at scenic spots such as the Point Sublime viewpoint. For more information, I recommend reading the post on how to visit the Gorges du Verdon.

Alternatively, you can book a day trip to Saint Tropez or a route to Monaco and Èze from Nice. If you like glamping, you should do at least one.