Cannes is one of the premier cities of the French Riviera. It is most well-known for its annual film festival that draws visitors and celebrities from all over the world.
The beachside attraction also has a reputation as a playground for the rich and famous, and regularly hosts meetings of government ministers and business elite, as it did during the G20 summit in 2011.
Though Cannes is definitely not the sleepy fishing village it was in decades past, much of its quaint charm remains, yet it’s common to see world-famous actors and other globally recognized personalities.
Below are 15 of the best tours of Cannes.
1. Half-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch
Source: www.getyourguide.comThe stunningly blue waters off the coast of Cannes are best explored by catamaran, and this half-day cruise option with lunch is a perennial favorite.
Things get underway mid-morning when guests board the craft at the Old Port.
Tours include a safety briefing and a brief introduction to the things visitors can expect to see along the way.
At the Lérins Islands, guests will have ample time to relax, swim, and snorkel before dining on a tasty cold buffet with a chilled glass of wine.
Tours generally wrap-up just after two o’clock, and each guest needs to bring his or her own towel.
2. Private Half-Day French Riviera Tour in Vintage Citroën
Source: www.getyourguide.comWhat could be more romantic and nostalgic than touring one of the world’s ritziest stretches of real estate in a vintage French roadster?
Not much, especially for first-time visitors looking to make a big splash with an unforgettable excursion.
This half-day tour visits numerous Riviera sites in a vehicle that dates back decades, to a time when front-wheel drive wasn’t very common.
The Riviera highway stretches from Cannes to Fréjus and includes quaint villages, ultra-exclusive resorts, tons of galleries and shops, and some of the most majestic natural scenery guests will ever have the pleasure of seeing.
Tours depart twice daily, in the morning and afternoon.
3. French Riviera Discovery Flight from Cannes
Source: www.getyourguide.comIf part of your vacation plan is to play the part of a jet-setting high-roller, then you’ve really got to take to the air to see the French Riviera’s amazing sights.
This one-hour tour won’t break the bank of most travelers and offers a truly memorable perspective of things most will only see from land and sea.
Guests will get a brief introduction from their pilot-guide before strapping themselves in and taking off.
Along the way, he’ll point out significant sights and impart interesting bits of local history.
Tour highlights include the majestic red rock cliffs at Esterel Massif and the Lerins Islands.
4. Half-Day Museums Tour with Entrance Tickets
Source: Cristian Balate / shutterstockVilla Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Though it’s most well-known as the playground of the hopelessly rich and snooty, the French Riviera is also home to a number of museums that are great places to check out when the midday sun is at its hottest.
This half-day tour includes stops at three museums. There are central pick-up locations for those staying in Cannes, Nice, and Monaco.
Tour highlights include the majestic gardens at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, the Chagall and Matisse museums, and the former home of Queen Victoria.
Tours last about 4 ½ hours and touch on elements of art, culture, and history.
5. Half and Full-Day Provencal Wine Tours
Source: www.getyourguide.co.ukProvence is home to many of France’s most acclaimed wineries. Depending on schedules and interests, it’s possible to visit a number of them in convenient half and full-day tours.
A guided excursion to the Château Saint-Martin’s wine cellar is one of the tour’s big selling points, but it also includes stops at the underground cathedral at Château Font du Broc, the Chagall mosaics at Sainte-Roselyne, and time spent strolling the ancient streets of Les Arcs sur Argens.
In addition to learning about the area’s history and culture, guests will sample a number of wines before making the short drive back to Cannes.
6. 2 ½ -Hour E-bike Tour
Source: www.getyourguide.co.ukUnlike traditional bikes that make riders do all the work, e-bikes use an electric motor to generate extra power when the going gets tough.
That means the best of both worlds for most bikers who want to burn a few calories without overdoing it.
This 2 ½-hour tour of Cannes is great for those who want to see Riviera attractions like the Old Port, the Suquet neighborhood, La Croisette Boulevard, and the swank shops along the Palace Festival.
Tours include both in town and sea view stretches, and there’s ample time to stop for a cool drink, snap a few photos, or learn about the things you’re seeing from your guide.
7. Cannes Sightseeing Tour by Vespa
Source: www.getyourguide.comFrom catamarans and bicycles to e-bikes and Citroëns, there is definitely no shortage of ways to experience Cannes to the fullest.
This small group, two-hour Vespa tour offers guests a fun and exhilarating way to see the Riviera without dedicating a whole day or spending countless hours on a cramped tour bus.
Much of the tour takes place along the Mediterranean waterfront, but plenty of town attractions like the venue for the Cannes Film Festival and the Promenade de la Croisette are included too.
Tours include gas and helmets, and participants may choose to ride alone or with a companion.
8. 4-Hour Boat and Snorkeling Tour
Source: www.getyourguide.comSnorkeling in the mesmerizingly blue Mediterranean waters off the coast of the French Riviera is an activity that won’t be forgotten just because you’ve returned to ordinary life when your vacation is over.
This 4-hour snorkeling tour includes a safety briefing from an expert instructor, as well as an overview of the things you can expect to see while on the water.
Guests will enjoy the ride as they make their way to the Islands of Lérins and the impressive rock formations at St. Raphael.
Water clarity isn’t an issue, so guests will have time to swim, sunbathe, and see an abundance of marine life before heading home.
9. 2-Hour Segway Tour
Source: Alexandre Tziripouloff / shutterstockCannes is a magical place regardless of how you experience it, but most visitors agree that Segway tours are among the most fun and unique ways.
Tours include all the instruction you’ll need to handle the machine like a pro. Under the tutelage of your professional guide, you’ll set out to see many of the city’s landmark attractions.
Tours begin and end at the port and include jaunts among the beaches, shops, gardens, and cultural attractions that make the area so special.
Short guided tours are great ways to get the lay of the land, and guests typically discover lots of things they’ll choose to explore in their free time later on.
10. 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour
Source: IR Stone / shutterstockWith so many 2-hour tours close at hand, many visitors to Cannes choose to use their limited time efficiently and sign-up for more than one in a day.
This walking tour is a small group activity, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a personal touch not often found on large group tours.
Tour highlights include exclusive shopping, dining, and gallery areas, as well as Old Town, Rue Meynadier, La Croisette, and the venue where the international film festival is held annually.
Tours are laidback enough to permit inquisitive guests to ask questions without feeling rushed.
11. Guided Tour of Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Paul de Vence
Source: RossHelen / shutterstockLa Croisette Boulevard in Cannes is often likened to the Beverly Hills of France.
It’s not uncommon to see poodle-wielding movie stars and royalty strolling along the designer fashion houses, luxury hotels, and glistening white beaches.
That being said, visitors don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to see how the other half lives for a few hours.
Upon seeing the sights in Cannes, guests will head to Antibes and Saint-Paul de Vence, which include stunning sea views, art and cultural attractions, and historically significant sights like the fortress walls at the Bay of Angles.
Tours depart in the morning and afternoon.
12. Billionaire’s Splendors Half-Day Tour
Source: S-F / shutterstockEven modest folk with unimpressive checking account balances can experience the good life while visiting Cannes.
On this half-day tour, guests will get unique and interesting insights from their local guide into the lives of big shots who’ve made stops along the French Riviera both recently and in the past.
Tour attractions include a visit to the Picasso Museum, a drive along the Côte d’Azur, the handprints of movie stars, and a pass by the retreats at Cap of Antibes, where multi-millionaires and billionaires soak up the sun secluded from common riffraff.
Tours include transportation via minivan and a multilingual guide.
13. Discover the Calanques of the Esterel
Source: www.getyourguide.comCalanques are one of the most notable natural attractions found in abundance along the Mediterranean Sea.
They’re impressive steep-walled inlets and caves carved into rock over ages of water erosion, and this 2 ½ -hour tour is a convenient way to see them in all their splendor.
Along with a professional captain and guide, guests will explore the coastline of the Esterel and have time for swimming, sunbathing, and light refreshments served on board.
Participants will get masks and snorkels before diving in to see marine life in the blue waters. Special safety equipment is available for those traveling with children as well.
14. Provence Countryside Day Trip from Cannes
Source: ClaudiaMMImages / shutterstockThough Cannes has enough attractions to keep visitors busy for days, trips into the countryside are perfect ways to escape the glitz, glamour, and hustle and bustle for a few short hours.
This guided tour into Provence begins in Cannes, where guests will get a historic overview of some of its main attractions.
From there, it’ll be time to head into the hinterlands to experience France’s natural beauty in its most majestic forms.
Provence is one of the world’s perfume epicenters, and tours include an excursion to a famous perfumery surrounded by impressive mountains, deep valleys, and old-world villages.
15. Monaco Small Group Night Tour
Source: S-F / shutterstockMonaco is one of the smallest and wealthiest countries in the world on a per capita basis, and it’s just a stone’s throw from Cannes.
This small group night tour takes the best of Monaco and bundles it into one unique package that’s a great value for travelers on tight schedules.
The country is known for its ritzy enclaves, Formula One Grand Prix racetrack, and its famed casino.
Tours feature elements of all three in a five-hour package that includes transportation to and from Cannes, the opportunity to gawk at the rich and famous, and an optional meal at the casino as well.