Hotel Albe

Know your place

by NiceLife

The Martinez forecourt in August stuffed as usual with expensive Mercedes. Here a cheeky mini has snuck in to pole position, leaving the car jockeys with shades and wire in ear much perplexed. Inverse snobbery? The Italian Job? Not so much retro chic as retro cheek?

Check out the boats in the marina

by Herkbert

The Cannes marina, like many along the Riviera, was packed with big, beautiful yachts. In addition, there was a yacht and boat show going on when we were visiting.

Take a walk along the marina and check out some of the yachts moored there.

Notre-Dame de l'Espérance

by MM212

Built in the 16th century by the monks of Lérins, Notre-Dame de l'Espérance and its recognisable clock tower have become the symbol of Old Cannes. It is perched on top of the hill of le Suquet, along with Château de la Castre. The interior of the church is simple Gothic, typical of churches in Provence. Open air classical music concerts are held during the summer months just outside the church, at Place de la Castre.

Cannes 8-11th Nov 2003

by Suet

"Impressions"

Took a trip to Cannes 8-11th November 2003 to meet up with another VT member and his wife and friends. My first impression of Cannes was recorded at night; the main town around La Croisette is of small streets, densely packed with shops at street level, apartments above. Reminded me of Paris. Had dinner at a small friendly restaurant called the New Croisette, food OK, but we had to send the steak back a few times as it was underdone. Be aware that the French like their steak very rare/raw in the middle! Ask for bien cuit, if you like it a bit pinky but done. You can expect to pay more than in Paris and double that than in Tours. I had lunch there on the last day, taglietelle, glass of white wine, bottle of Evian water and the obligatory free bread, 19.10 euros. Good job I’m not a big eater! It is possible to get half a baguette with chicken or ham salad for 3.50 – 4 euros and eat it in the street. I found a wine shop, which was quite expensive, and bakers, which had a good selection. No obvious supermarkets except out of town in the direction of St Tropez.

Daytime in Cannes is completely different. The promenade at the sea front is lined with palm trees and tropical plants, very exotic! Quite warm there even in November. T-shirt and heavy jacket weather. There are fixed seats on the promenade, but the added advantage of free blue ones to move around as you choose, you can take them up to the sea wall and gaze uninterrupted across the bay at the arriving and departing boats. Spend as long as you like there. If you choose to people watch, there is an endless supply. The promenade is the place to go to show off your outfit, handbag, and shoes. Ahhhh the shoes! They are like lethal weapons, 4-6 inch spikes and toes like daggers! Average price was 250 euros per pair…. Talking about shopping, all the big names were there, Dior, Hermes, Lacroix, Versace…. However, it is very expensive to do almost anything in Cannes, except walk around, but you can do that safely, woman on her own, late at night. No probs.

I explored the bay. Look out to sea and to your right are the mountains and marina, left goes to a children’s play park. If you walk in the direction of the play park, you can look back across the bay at the mountains, makes a good photo. I walked around the marina, except where the general public are not allowed. Talk about gin palaces! These boats are big, beautiful and gutsy. For a short while I pretended I was a film star and imagined how it would be to own one of these boats. Sigh… back to reality. Near the marina is the Office de Tourisme where you can find out what to do. That is also near the theatre where they have the film festival in the Spring before it gets too hot. I didn’t see any budding film stars except when my friend walked towards me in the street and I thought “I know that man, he seems very familiar!”.

The hotel was Ibis Cannes Centre, 8 rue Marceau 06400 Cannes tel 33(0)4 92 98 96 96 fax (0)4 92 98 05 68 or www.ibishotel.com. Price was 54 euros a night single, breakfast 5.40 euros and all you can eat. My total bill for 4 nights was 243.33 euros. My friends rented an apartment for 3 nights in Rue d’Antibes I think they said around 240 euros a night for 4 people but I’ll have to check. It was a very beautiful apartment, fully equipped, TV, stereo, full kitchen with dishwasher, so for 2 nights we ate in. Much cheaper.