How to spend a day in Cannes away from your superyacht

Early morning

Begin your day with a stroll around the lovely Old Port, home to fellow superyachts and rustic fishing boats alike. From here, head north towards the pretty, plane tree-lined Alley of Freedom and immerse yourself in the vibrant hues and heady fragrances of the flower market, held here every morning apart from on Mondays.

Watch old locals play pétanque on the nearby pitch before heading northwards again. In just a few blocks, you’ll reach Marché Forville, a big, covered market selling seasonal vegetables, fresh fish and handmade local delicacies, including socca – a chickpea pancake you can fill up on for breakfast.

Alternatively, you could grab a pan bagnat, a classic Provencal sandwich, from snack kiosk Philcat (Prom. de la Pantiero) when you first step ashore in the Old Port or sit down to enjoy a traditional French breakfast of croissants and tartine from a nearby café such as La Tarte Tropézienne (5 Rue Louis Blanc).

Mid-morning

Loop back round to the marina and head east past the Palais des Festivals, to join the iconic waterfront promenade La Croisette. The wide pedestrianised walkway runs between the sandy beach and the coastal road, which is flanked by luxurious art deco hotels and designer boutiques, and is guaranteed to be bustling with wealthy locals, globetrotters and other visitors to the town.

For a small place, Cannes is big on luxury shopping, and for those yacht-goers into big-name labels, this is the place to indulge in some retail therapy. Find the best-known French brands – think Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy – between swaying palm trees and the likes of Gucci, Armani and Prada.

Rue d’Antibes, the road that runs parallel with La Croisette, offers a more eclectic mix of shops, ranging from hip fashion and jewellery boutiques to furniture stores and high street offerings. Stop by Jean Luc Pelé (3 Rue du 24 Août) and keep your energy up with one of the gloriously colourful macaroons.

Lunch

When lunchtime approaches, you are spoiled for choice. To make the most of the seaside setting, opt for one of the beachfront restaurants along La Croisette, most of which specialise in fresh fish and seafood.

It's also a good opportunity to check out Cannes' high-end beach club scene by booking a table at Bâoli Beach. Frequented by famous faces, wealthy locals and the superyacht set, the restaurant here serves up gourmet and refined French cuisine with a variety of international influences.

Afternoon

If there’s time, get your culture fix at Centre d’art la Malmaison (47 Bouldevard de la Croisette), an art gallery that hosts two major exhibitions a year, usually honouring artists such as Picasso and Matisse for whom the French Riviera has served as a great source of inspiration.

After this, travel back past the Palais des Festivals and follow Rue Saint-Antoine through the steep, winding streets of Le Suquet, Cannes’ old quarter. The cobblestones, colourful old houses, local restaurants and sinuous flights of stairs seem like a world away from the glittering enclave of La Croisette.

At the top of Le Suquet, the town's town’s medieval castle, Place de la Castre, and 15th-century church Eglise Notre-Dame de l’Esperance await. Climb the ramparts for great views of the bay and explore the museum housed within the castle, taking in paintings, art, musical instruments and archaeological artefacts.

Dinner

France is renowned for its world-class cuisine, and for one of the country’s top gastronomic offerings, make sure you book ahead at Palme d’Or (73 Bouldevard de la Croisette). There’s certainly no better dining experience in town and the restaurant has two Michelin stars to prove it.

On the first floor of the Martinez, one of Cannes’ poshest hotels, the restaurant benefits from a magnificent setting – a big terrace overlooking the Mediterranean backed by an art deco-inspired dining room with movie star photos on the wall.

As for the food, expect cutting-edge interpretations of traditional Mediterranean fare created by chef Christian Sinicropi. Choose from dishes such as veal tripe, octopus and oyster, lobster and foie gras with a side of zucchini remoulade, prawn and gamberoni, and rock red mullet fillets.

Night time

For more of Hotel Martinez’s distinct brand of sophistication, head along the corridor to Bar L’amiral. Jazz-playing pianists and subdued Art Deco style make this a bolthole from Cannes’ flashy nightspots. Or, cross the road to La Chunga (24 Rue Latour-Maubourg) for live music and a plush 1950s vibe.

Unbridled excess is a more common occurrence at Le Baoli (Port Pierre Canto). Arguably the most upmarket of Cannes nightspots, this magnet for the rich, the famous and the beautiful features a plush dining scene which, by midnight, will have given way to high-class revelry.

Likewise, Gotha Club (Place Franklin Roosevelt) is for people who like to party, including the A-list celebs in town. Big name DJs and rappers provide the soundtrack to wild dancing and other unspeakable shenanigans which continue into the early hours.   

For more details on planning a Cannes yacht charter, speak to your preferred charter broker.

Alternatively, compare all luxury yachts available in the South of France.