French Riviera by Emilie
Cannes: walk up to Le Suquet, then choose lunch at Forville
To show Cannes to friends, I suggest a morning around Le Suquet and Forville. At the top, the old town's rooftops, the harbour and the islands. At the bottom, everything you need for lunch at home. Walk first if you plan to buy fish or cheese: you can do your shopping on the way down, with your bag still light.
Rue Saint-Antoine, the climb to Notre-Dame-d’Espérance
From the streets around Forville, head up Rue Saint-Antoine and then Rue du Suquet. The neighbourhood reveals itself as you climb: passages and façades, then the open space around Notre-Dame-d’Espérance at the top of La Castre.
This is where I suggest stopping before heading down. The Old Port and the bay put the city into its wider landscape; your guests will recognise places they have just walked through. You do not need to climb the museum tower to enjoy this outdoor stop.
The slope and steps matter if someone in your group has difficulty walking. In that case, ask the tourist office about access to the top, or spend the morning at the market and in the lower streets rather than asking everyone to make the climb.
During the works, Forville is spread across two locations
For the producers' stalls, head to the hall on the Allées de la Liberté, opposite the bandstand. The stalls with display counters, including delicatessens, butchers and cheesemongers, remain on the eastern part of the Forville market square. The fish sellers have also returned there. Keep both stops in mind: the works have changed some of the market's familiar routines.
In autumn, come between Tuesday and Sunday. The city's published hours are 8 am to 12.30 pm on weekdays, and until 1.30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. If you are shopping after your walk, come back down in good time; choosing the last things for lunch is less enjoyable when you are watching the closing time.
I recommend deciding what to cook as you browse the stalls. A few vegetables, bread, cheese or a fish to prepare: having people over need not be complicated. Ask where the produce comes from and how to cook it. That is part of the pleasure of shopping here.
Give the museum at Le Suquet its own place in the day
If you want to visit the Musée des explorations du monde, allow more time at the top and plan less shopping. Part of its history begins with Tinco Lycklama, who settled in Cannes in 1872 and donated his collection to the city in 1877. Objects brought back from his travels became part of Cannes' own history.
In the Sainte-Anne chapel, the musical instruments make a good starting point for a family visit. Looking at a conch, a drum or a zither, children can work out how the sound is made: by blowing, striking or making a string vibrate. A few objects looked at closely can hold their attention longer than a quick tour of every room.
The square tower is reached by a staircase of 109 steps. Leave it to those who want to climb and feel able to. The collections and chapel are worth visiting without that extra ascent; simply check the museum's opening hours and which rooms will be accessible on your chosen day.
For a first morning, the neighbourhood and market already make a good programme. If the museum keeps you longer, have lunch in Cannes and leave the shopping for another time. You can always return to Forville during your stay.