Cannes Walking Tour: From Old Town Le Suquet to La Croisette

Lights, camera… history! Cannes may be known for flashing cameras and the sparkle of the red carpet, but behind the celebrity selfies lies a town layered with centuries of stories. From ancient Roman settlers and medieval monks to British aristocrats and mysterious prisoners hidden away on island fortresses. Cannes is a place where legend meets luxury, and where every quiet street corner has a past just as rich as its famous promenade.

Long before film stars arrived in chauffeured limousines, Cannes was a sleepy fishing village hugging the Mediterranean. That all changed in 1834 when British Lord Brougham, fleeing a cholera outbreak, made an unexpected stop here — and fell in love with the place. Word spread quickly among Europe’s elite, and within a few decades, the town blossomed into a stylish resort. The arrival of the railway in 1863 sealed its fate: Cannes became a Riviera icon, attracting Russians, English, Americans, and — eventually — the global glitterati. But rest assured: beneath the glitz, Cannes has soul, and we will help you discover it!

Our journey begins at the Cannes Train Station, the gateway to its transformation. We’ll stroll down Rue d’Antibes, once a dusty path, now a haven of elegance. At the vibrant Marché Forville, we’ll take in the sights and scents of the region’s best produce and Provençal specialties, still loved by locals and chefs alike. Then we’ll rise above the modern town to Le Suquet, Cannes’ ancient heart, where pastel houses, cobbled alleys, and the hilltop Musée de la Castre reveal stories older than cinema. From the medieval watchtower, you’ll catch a panoramic view that rivals any film set. We’ll then descend to the Old Port, where traditional pointu boats sit beside superyachts, before stepping into the spotlight at the Palais des Festivals, where cinematic history is made every May. Finally, we’ll stroll the legendary La Croisette, lined with palms, palaces, and postcard views — ending with a gaze toward the Île Sainte-Marguerite, once home to the enigmatic Man in the Iron Mask.

This tour blends history and glamour, legends and lifestyle, celebrity and authenticity. Doesn’t matter if you came here for sunshine, cinema, or a story to remember — join us and discover the real Cannes — in all its beauty and contradictions.