Our family started taking vacations in Cannes years ago. I remember our friend Philippe Auzas once saying…”Dick, you need to go to Cannes because you would love it! I have the perfect beach for you!” It really was enjoyable and of course our daughters loved the beaches and the fun vibe. Over the years other beautiful coastal towns on the Cote d’Azur like Menton, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Bandol, and Cassis enticed us. For some reason Cannes is once again calling me. Let me take you on a visual journey of this magical place.

Cannes is most well-known for its famous Film Festival. If you are thinking of planning a trip you might avoid the crowded festival in mid-May. Our favorite time is the first week in September as most children are back in school. It overlaps some with the Cannes Yachting Festival. I must admit it is really fun to see all the exotic yachts at the show, but it shouldn’t be a problem if you book your accommodations and restaurants early!

Bella Hadid walks on the Film festival’s red carpet in 2019 in Roberto Cavalli.

A view of the entrance to the port of Cannes and “Le Suquet”, the old quarter on the hill.

Marla looks down from the “Chateau de la Castre” in Le Suquet.

Looking past the port you can see Île Sainte-Marguerite, one of the Lerins Islands. A number of years ago, Marla and I took the 15-minute ferry ride with our friend Holly for lunch and exploration of the island.

In the distance above the Palais des Festivals, you can see the curve of the Croisette and many beaches both private and public. Most of the private beaches have restaurants as well.

The harbor in Cannes can’t accommodate massive mega-yachts like the huge harbors of Antibes or Monaco. Huge yachts must moor outside the harbor.

The mega-yachts drew our attention.

This is Marla and Stacy on one of our early trips.

Our girls love Cannes.

Our teenagers are totally enjoying this private beach club in front of the Carlton Hotel on a later trip.

My French is sadly abysmal! I thought the sign on the beach said, “Only Speedos allowed”, rather than…”No Speedos allowed!”

Marla and I took a cruise around the Bay of Cannes stopping in Théoule-sur-Mer. One year we took the boat to Saint Tropez for lunch.

We revisited Riviera Beach in 2014, one of the Midi beaches on the other side of the port. It was very nostalgic as this was the first beach Philippe told us about so many years ago!

Marla looks beautiful as we walk into town.

We have rented apartments in the building above on five occasions. A nice public beach is in front as well as neighboring private beach clubs with restaurants.

Marla enjoys the beach during a mid-September trip. Many of the private beaches had already been dismantled for the season.

Marla loves to cook on vacation if we are renting apartments or villas. Of course, with a view like this who wouldn’t.

When we want to eat out, we always find something on the Rue Saint-Antoine. Reservations are recommended in season at the better places.

Dinner with Kathy and Philippe at Le Maschou.

I’m dining at a restaurant on Rue Saint-Antoine with Holly, Lisa, Bonnie & Russ on a client trip.

Marla and I hosted a sales incentive trip to Cannes with Wesco Fabrics’ clients in 2008.

When renting an apartment, we love doing our daily food shopping at Le Marche Forville. The aisles are filled with wonderful produce, meats, cheese, mushroom dealers, and even prepared Italian food.

I’m ready for the market! On Monday it turns into a “Marche Brocante”, or flea market. I never miss it!

A very happy bread shopper!

Adjacent to the Marche Forville is the Rue Meynadier, a great walking street filled with interesting food shops.

Marla exercises her arms while carrying our food market bounty back to the apartment. I’m carrying wine!

I love getting up early to explore Le Suquet, the old quarter of Cannes.

Now that is one huge Bougainvillea!

To ramp up your culinary game make a reservation at a nice restaurant. We are at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, only a 30-minute drive from Cannes.

There are many fun places to explore outside of Cannes. Eze Village, shown above, is a little over 50 minutes away. The enchanting hill town of Saint Paul de Vence is a short 35-minute drive.

Cannes is sending its siren call to visit once again. It’s not on our travel radar for the moment but who knows, maybe someday.

Photos: Dick Gentry. (Photos 2 & 3. Tatler Asia) Not to be used without permission.