What to Do in Cannes When It Rains

Cannes is usually associated with sunshine, beaches and long afternoons on the Croisette. But one rainy day can quickly change the plan.

The good news is that there is still plenty to do without spending the whole day in your hotel room. Cannes is compact, the city centre is easy to explore on foot, and several places work perfectly when the weather turns.

Here are 7 things to do in Cannes when it rains.

 

1. Explore Forville Market

Forville Market is one of the best places to start the day, even when the sky is grey.

Under the covered market hall, you will find fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese, local produce and Provençal specialities. It is also a good way to see a more everyday side of Cannes, away from the beaches and major events.

The surrounding streets are full of cafés and small local spots, so it is easy to stop for a coffee before continuing your day.

 

2. Visit the Musée des Explorations du Monde

Set above Le Suquet, the Musée des Explorations du Monde is a good option when the rain looks likely to stay for a while.

Its collections cover different cultures and periods, with objects from several parts of the world. The building is part of the experience too, as the museum is housed in the former medieval castle overlooking the old town.

It is an easy way to combine culture and local history while staying mostly indoors.

 

3. Go to the cinema

Watching a film in Cannes feels slightly different from doing it anywhere else.

The city remains closely connected to cinema throughout the year, not only during the Cannes Film Festival. A movie is also an easy way to take a proper break from the weather while staying in the spirit of the city.

It works especially well if the rain arrives later in the afternoon or in the evening.

 

4. Go shopping on Rue d’Antibes

When the weather is not great, Rue d’Antibes is still one of the busiest parts of central Cannes.

You will find fashion stores, French and international brands, beauty shops, homeware and plenty of cafés along the way. It is easy to spend a few hours moving between shops and stopping somewhere warm in between.

The area is also close to Galeries Lafayette and the smaller shopping streets around Rue Meynadier.

 

5. Take your time over lunch

A rainy day is also a good excuse to slow down.

Instead of trying to fit in as many sights as possible, take the time to enjoy a longer lunch, try somewhere new or simply stay for another coffee.

Around the Old Port, Rue Meynadier and the city centre, there are plenty of places to choose from. One of the advantages of Cannes is that many restaurants and cafés are concentrated within a relatively small area.

 

6. Browse the shops on Rue Meynadier

Rue Meynadier has a very different feel from the Croisette.

Narrower and more traditional, it is lined with food shops, local products, souvenir stores and small independent businesses.

It is not completely covered, but the shops are close together, so you can easily move from one place to another without spending too long outside.

 

7. Book a spa or wellness break

If the rain is set to last all day, it can be the perfect time to slow things down completely.

Several places in Cannes offer spa access, massages and treatments by appointment. It can be a particularly good option after a few busy days of sightseeing or during a couple’s stay.

A rainy day can then become a proper break rather than something that ruins the schedule.

 

Cannes in the rain: a different way to see the city

Bad weather does not have to mean a wasted day.

With markets, museums, shops, cinemas and plenty of places to eat in the centre, it is easy to put together a full day in Cannes without spending hours outside.

If you are staying at Hotel Alnéa, its central location also makes several of these places easy to reach on foot, without having to plan long journeys across the city.

With a little flexibility, visiting Cannes in the rain can be a good way to discover a quieter and slightly different side of the city.

Credit : 

@cannesactu