On La Croisette, a mile-long promenade that skirts the shore, you can lookout on the sparkling Mediterranean and the rollingEstérel hills.  You can also take in all the glamorous pedestrians, dressed in everything from designer apparel to skimpy bikinis and high heels.

Some travelers find these four islands, just a 15-minute ferry ride away, more interesting than Cannes itself. The two most popular are Île Ste-Marguerite and Île St-Honorat. You can visit Île Ste-Marguerite for the beach; you can also tour the Fort de l'Ile (where the real-lifeMan in the Iron Maskwas

Thisrue(or road) is lined with charming 18th-century houses, which have been repurposed as boutiques, selling everything from trendy and (relatively inexpensive) clothing to wine and cheese. Recent travelers say the macaroons at L'Atelier Jean-Luc Pelé (at No. 36) are absolutely not to be missed.

Marché Forville (or Covered Market), located to the west ofRue Meynadier, is the city's most popular market. Open every day, you can purchase everything from fresh vegetables to pasta noodles. On Monday, however, the gourmand market turns into a flea market.

Fodor'scalls the tiny Musée de la Castre is “Cannes's token cultural attraction.” Constructed by 11th-century monks in the Gothic style, the little château is a piece of art in its own right. Inside, you'll find everything from African drums to Provençal Impressionist paintings. According to oneTripAdvisoruser: “In a world where

Established back in 1907, the Casino Croisette is France's most highly frequented casino. And its location — inside the Palais des Festivals, where much of theInternational Film Festivaltakes place — is an attraction itself. Also, it's a one-stop shop with a restaurant and the popular nightclub, Le Jimmyz Club; but

For high-end shopping, you'll want to head to Rue d'Antibes, a road that runs parallel toLa Croisettebut lies a few blocks inland. You'll find designers like MaxMara, Agnes B and Missoni among other shops that sell perfume and jewelry and pastries. If you don't want to buy, you don't have

Although you might not think “camp” when you think “Cannes,” you can take a hike just 20 minutes away in the Massif de l'Estérel, a range of mountains formed from red-rock volcanoes. To get there, travel west along the N98 highway. Serious hikers can ascend the heights (2,000 feet at

Of course, Cannes's claim-to-fame these days is the film festival that swarms the city every spring. One of the oldest (1946) and most esteemed festivals, 20 "official selection" films are picked and then deliberated on by a jury, who will award the Palme d'Or (the Golden Palm) award to the