Le Cannet - Cannes Area Guide

Le Cannet is a popular residential suburb in the quiet hills overlooking Cannes and is home to exclusive residences, charming townhouses with panoramic views and some gorgeous villas. It is an extension of Super Cannes and abuts Mougins at its northernmost edge. Situated as it is just inland of Cannes, Le Cannet was considered a part of Cannes until 1774 when it was separated administratively to become its own commune.

Built on the gentle slopes of seven hills, the views of Cannes, the Bay of Cannes, the Isles de Lerins, and the ‘sunset hills’ of the Massif Estérel far to the west are breath-taking.

The Mairie (the town council) is inordinately proud of Le Cannet and goes to great lengths to maximises its advantages whenever it has the opportunity. Most recently they have transformed a rough track following the contour from above the Old Town past many glorious villas towards Golfe Juan, a path used by the Romans with traces of their presence still there to be seen, into what is now the most glorious walk (run or cycle) with numerous spectacular viewing points along its five-kilometre length.

We at Fine & Country long ago discovered the “Old Town” of Le Vieux Cannet and have been regular visitors there ever since. It is not frequented much by tourists although it has some notable attractions, character townhouses and villas, and some truly excellent restaurants. One favourite is “Le Coin Gourmet”, but a more recent addition is “La Villa Archange” in Rue Notre Dame des Anges owned by renowned chef Bruno Olger formerly of the Majestic Hotel in Cannes and awarded two Michelin Stars in Le Cannet in 2011. There are others too, and dining in Le Cannet is both a well-kept secret delight, and affordable!

Le Vieux Cannet is a maze of twisting narrow cobbled streets, chapels, artisan workshops, and beautiful turn of the century properties surrounded by secret gardens away from the noise of the city. It is rich in culture and history and L’Eglise Sainte-Catherine built in 1556 is a treasure trove, as are Les Chapelles de Notre-Dame and Saint-Sauveur. Within the maze one stumbles across frescos and tromps l’oeils, including the Heritage Orange Tree fresco on the spectacular open Place Bellevue showing the family tree of the 140 families from Italy who founded Le Cannet in 1441.

Perhaps the most visited attraction however is the Musée Bonnard. Pierre Bonnard who died in 1947 lived and worked in Le Cannet and regularly walked the village streets and the Roman contour path for inspiration. Matisse described him as “the greatest amongst us”. Many of his major works are on exhibit at the Musée and it is well worth a visit.