I didn't realise when I was told to take a couple of hours ashore to have a look around Cannes, I would be walking straight into the thick of the film festival just as the stars were showing up, and also that we were berthed right at the heart of it all. Despite watching the red carpet for 20 minutes though, and seeing numerous blacked-out cars pull up, I didn't recognise anyone. But perhaps that was an omen or blessing that I wasn't distracted for longer, because after that I went to explore Cannes walking up and down the narrow streets which are lined with beautiful and very expensive private designer shops and small cafes. At one end of the town there is a winding walkway up the cliff at the small peninsula to a clock tower which overlooks the small town on both sides and the marina. When I left that vantage point, I took a different path which became narrow and wound between residential dwellings until I reached the most beautiful back street taverns and restaurants, most which had live music and which were so close to each other that you couldn't tell where one restaurant began and where one finished. It reminded me a little of Barcelona when you leave La Rambla or any of the main strips and go searching for a bit of mystery... but the most similarity I could make was to Genoa, which I'd only just left. Cannes is like a miniaturised version of the big city, but much classier, cleaner and more beautiful... and I definitely think better. Everywhere you go in Cannes there is something of interest. Even back out on the water, at this time of year, as the yachting season hits full swing, the diversity of boats and vessels shows the diverse tastes of those that have the wealth to own one.
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| Azzurra, sandwiched between 2 slightly larger motor yachts |
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| The big clock on the hill which overlooks Cannes on 2 sides, including the Marina |
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