Your celebrity guide to exploring Cannes like Bella Hadid and Rihanna

Located in the French Riviera, Cannes is best known for its film festival and luxurious hotspots frequented by celebrities. Opulent hotels, lush beaches and culturally rich tourist attractions are some of the best features of the resort town. Apart from holding the biggest film festival for cinema, Cannes has much more to offer. Its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea leaves the city with pristine beaches. The city is a major attraction for celebrity tourists, as it features many extravagant destinations. Scroll below to read everything you need to know about the charming French city to visit it like a celebrity does.

Where to stay in Cannes

Thanks to its film festival, Cannes attracts the attention of many celebrities; from famous actors to fashion designers. This leads to the city being full of lavish and opulent hotels which anyone would love to spend a night or two in. One of the grandest hotels among them remains the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez; which has housed the likes of Bruce Willis and Robert Pattinson. Known for having one of the largest penthouse suites in Europe, the hotel has a total of 409 luxury rooms for guests to choose from. If you wish to run into Aishwarya Rai during the annual film festival, Hotel Martinez is the place for you to check into.

If you are a literature lover, then nothing will attract you like Hotel Belles Rives as F Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, lived there in 1925. His book, The Great Gatsby, was inspired by this stunning city on the French Riviera. If you want to live at the apex of luxury, Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc is the one, where Picasso and Elizabeth Taylor have lived and even enjoyed their luxury spa i.e. Dior Spa Eden Roc. Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc has 118 rooms and suites can be accessed by sea through a private yacht.

Where to eat in Cannes

When it comes to dining spots, two Michelin star restaurants like La Palme d'Or and luxurious cafes such as Armani/Caffè and Ladurée have got you covered. If your eclectic taste buds crave Japanese food in the French Riviera, then go to Zuma, which has large private dining rooms all carved in stone and wood. But if it's Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine you are looking for, Rüya is the one to book for an unforgettable dining experience. 

Il Grande Palm Beach, a lush speakeasy bar with decadent food and chic interiors, is decorated in the style of 1960s Italy. Another spot worth trying is Mamo Michelangelo, which has fed diners such as Rihanna, Brad Pitt and Sharon Stone. The Italian restaurant is a perfect spot to grab a late-night dinner. If you wish to have a seaside meal, opt for Fred l’Écailler, a maritime-themed restaurant with a huge dining room and a spacious terrace that will enhance the coastal dining experience.  If you find yourself in Cannes during the film festival, drop into Medusa, La Guérite or La Môme Plage, where you are bound to run into some celebrities. 

What to see in Cannes

If you are curious about where the iconic Cannes Film Festival is held, the Allée des Étoiles du Cinéma is a must-see. This is the location where the annual film festival, the biggest one in the world, is held. Famous actors, who have had their films featured at Cannes, have left their handprints in front of the Palais des Festivals, which translates to 'place of festival'. 

Stroll across the La Croisette promenade to shop from luxury boutiques if you are looking for souvenirs. If art and history are more of your thing, you are going to love the old town known as Le Suquet, which has medieval architecture and cobbled stone roads. The best part of the old town remains the museum rich with art and artefacts from various cultures and time periods. Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance, is another architecturally-rich church that's worth a visit. It's impossible to go to France and leave without buying their tempting cheese options; for which you should visit Marche Forville, a local market in the city, for your local edible fix.  

Where to go near Cannes

Once you have visited Cannes, you can continue your trip down the French Riviera with other magnificent spots around such as Île Sainte-Marguerite, Nice and Antibes. Île Sainte-Marguerite is an island, not far from Cannes, known for its lush green trees, pristine beaches and crystal clear water to swim in. Antibes has a museum by Picasso, which is made for art lovers. The historic city is also an ideal spot to wander around and get lost in its small yet charming lanes. Nice, on the South Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, is the second biggest city on the French Riviera that has a bustling energy and plenty to offer, from white sand beaches to charming shopping promenades.  

Edited by Dayle Pereira