Cannes

Pros: nice resort, the choice of reach and famous
Cons: mob of tourists in May

What time could be better to be in Cannes than in mid-May, when the most famous world film festival is attracting hundreds of stars to this magnificent place? This was exactly my thought when I was planning my recent trip to the French Riviera. Staying...

Pros: Beautiful, elegant part of the world.
Cons: Pricey

If you want to see where the rich and famous have been vacationing for eons, go to Cannes. You will see colorful gardens, pebbled beaches, wooded mountainsides, and a beautiful harbor. Unless you want to spend a fortune and be in huge crowds, avoid...

Pros: Beautiful and lively.
Cons: Perhaps a bit pricey, but to be expected.

I'm not sure that I know where to begin. I went to France a few summers ago for two weeks, and to this day I can remember every detail of everything I did. I flew into Paris and immediately went to take the TGV (the high speed train) to Cannes. This...

Pros: R&R, good food, great beaches
Cons: not a lot of activities aside from the beach

Juan les Pins, just on the other side of the cape from the Cap d'Antibes and down the road from Cannes, is a great destination for those seeking quiet, provencial rest and relaxation.

My husband and I traveled to Juan les Pins for part of our...

Pros: Charming atmosphere, wonderful food, friendly people.
Cons: Parking is limited.

Mougin is a small village 5 miles north of Cannes. It is basically built on one small mountain (they called it a hill). The homes and shops are decorated with beautiful flowers in every imaginable place (one shop owner had used old kitchen utensils and another old handbags to fill with colorful flowers. A portion of the city is walled, the streets are cobblestone, traffic is light--however getting a parking spot for dinner is difficult. There are several shops including pottery, watercolors and oils, and other various eye catching items. The town has a culinary arts school and many graduates have stayed to open cafes and restaurants so there are many dining choices. My personal favorite was Le Bistrot a small, quaint restaurant built right into the town wall structure giving it a cave atmosphere. The food was wonderful. If you are here during any convention in Cannes make reservations early as hordes of people pour into Mougin at dinner time.

Pros: Beautiful Beaches; France's Version of "Rodeo Drive;" Beautiful Scenery in General
Cons: Can be a bit Snobby; Nightlife is a bit of a 'Poser' Scene

Cannes is a 'must destination for those who love Europe, beautiful beaches, and beautiful scenery in general. Unlike in neighboring Nice, the beaches in Cannes are sand-based. Furthermore, the water is turquoise blue -- and surprisingly for the Mediterranean Sea -- there's excellent surf. Often good enough to go body surfing. The scenery is beautiful in general, with miles of gorgeous seafront, mountains surrounding the town, sailboats in the harbor, and palm trees scattered throughout.

A main street that stretches throughout the city is France's version of "Rodeo Drive." It's genuinely equally impressive. With Italy only approximately 20 miles away, there are numerous Italian leather goods in the storefronts. In short, the ladies will go nuts over these stores. This said, you may want to exercise some self-discipline, as these stores are of course, pricey.

But despite what I read in other epinion reviews, the town itself is not really exorbitant. Everyday needs such as food, drink, and lodging can be obtained at reasonable prices. I strongly encourage folks to check-out this scene at least once. It's truly unique.