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France City Guides• Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
What to Do in Cannes in Winter (+ Seasonal Tips)
29/11/2024Winter in Cannes
Located in the heart of the French Riviera, Cannes is popular as a getaway for the rich and famous.
One of the destinations always chosen for a summer vacation, Cannes also makes for a perfect winter break in France. Great food, sunny days with blue skies, temperatures that are never too cold so that you can enjoy a seaside walk or an apéritif on a bar terrace, winter in Cannes is all of this and much more!
Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Cannes in winter, from top historical sites to worthwhile day trips – all without crowds.
Are you planning your Cannes trip last minute?
Below are some of the best Cannes tours, hotels, and more!
- Book your train tickets to Cannes.
- Looking to travel around Cannes independently? Click here for the best rental car rates in Cannes.
Top Experiences and Tours in Cannes:
Top Places to Stay in Cannes:
- Hotel Martinez Cannes (the coolest beach hotel in Nice)
- Canopy by Hilton (excellent 4-star hotel with sea views)
- Hotel Molière (best deal in the Old Town)
- Best hotels in Cannes (the full list!)
Don’t leave for Nice without travel insurance!
Safety Wing works well for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days). SafetyWing covers COVID-19 for new policies purchased, and unplanned quarantine is covered, too.
Weather in Cannes in Winter
In Cannes, winter temperatures are mild. In December, January, and February, the average temperature is 14°C (56 F), and it hardly goes below 4°C (40 F). This means that it is nice to stay outside during the day, while in the evening, you must dress warmly.
You won’t experience snowfall in winter, and rainfall isn’t abundant (5 to 7 days a month).
- Average temperature in Cannes in December: 4.8 °C to 14.1 °C (41 to 57 F)
- Average temperature in Cannes in January: 3,9 °C to 13,4 °C (39 to 56 F)
- Average temperature in Cannes in February: 3,9 °C to 13,7 °C (39 to 57 F)
Speaking of temperatures, for the sea, this never goes below 13°C (55 F), so when the sun shines, there are always a couple of courageous people taking a swim!
Things to Do in Cannes in Winter
This list of what to do in Cannes in winter includes sightseeing, winter festivals, and fun day trips. This Cannes winter list is valid for Cannes in December, January, and February.
For more ideas, check out this article about the best things to do in Cannes all year round.
Explore the Old Port and Le Suquet without Crowds
A must-do in Cannes is visiting its old port and town. The Vieux Port boasts a mix of traditional charm and glamour. In winter, you will have the opportunity to walk around without the crowds, enjoying the view of the fishing boats and a couple of luxury yachts that usually dock at the port in the summer months.
Then, head to Le Suquet, the charming neighborhood in the heart of Cannes’ historic center. Climb its narrow cobblestone streets to Place de la Castre, where you will find a medieval castle, now the Musée des Explorations du Monde, to enjoy the best views of Cannes.
Check out this free walking tour to explore Cannes’ captivating historic center following an English-speaking guide.
Sunny Stroll along La Croisette
When the winter sun shines, you can take a lovely stroll along La Croisette. This is Cannes’ seaside promenade, stretching for 2 km (1 mile) and lined by palm trees and beaches.
In town, the beaches are never empty: if it is too cold for a swim, you will still see people sunbathing or playing volleyball. Join them, or take a relaxing walk along La Croisette while admiring the blue sea and the architecture of some of the best hotels in Cannes.
Once you are ready, sit in one of the beach restaurants, open for lunch on weekends, and enjoy an apéritif or a delicious meal while soaking up La Croisette’s unmatched glam vibe.
Morning Hike to La Croix des Gardes
Sunny days call for outdoor adventures! One of my favorite spots in Cannes for a winter morning hike is the Croix des Gardes. This stunning natural park spans over 80 hectares and is home to 20 kilometers of well-marked hiking trails.
The Croix des Gardes is classified as a sensitive natural area, which means it is a reserve for the flora and fauna of Provence. The park is located on a hill overlooking Cannes, and its hiking trails have many viewpoints from which you can marvel at unforgettable panoramic views of the city.
To get to the park from the Old Port and Le Suquet, take bus numbers A, 1, or 2, and you will be in the park in around half an hour.
Discover Cannes’ Local Food
A fundamental part of every trip to France is tasting the local cuisine. The food in Cannes is an exciting mix of Provençal food and dishes typical of the French Riviera, such as Salade Niçoise, Socca, and Pissaladière. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the Tarte Tropeziènne, available in most of the bakeries in the city.
A great place to visit to browse local and seasonal food is the Marché Forville, Cannes’ largest market. Bustling with locals shopping for groceries, the Forville Market is just a short stroll from the Old Port. The market has stalls selling everything from French cheese to local honey to artisan bread, as well as stalls preparing hot dishes.
Another fun way to discover the local cuisine is by doing a food tour like this one.
Marché de Forville: 6 Rue du Marché de Forville, Cannes. Opens from Tuesday to Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Go to a Concert or a Show
Cannes has an interesting cultural season year-round. From theater to one-man shows to concerts to movie-related events, you won’t get bored while in town!
If you don’t speak French, the Palais des Festivals has events everyone can appreciate, like classical music concerts, ballet, and contemporary dance.
Check out the program of the Palais des Festivals so that you can choose your preferred show and book the tickets for the dates you will be in Cannes.
Visit the Lérins Islands
Off the coast of Cannes are the gorgeous Lérins Islands – Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat. Both boast exceptional flora and fauna and are ideal for a relaxing time.
You can reach the Lérins Islands in just 15 minutes by ferry, so they are perfect for sightseeing and hiking outside Cannes.
The Island of Sainte-Marguerite has a rich natural and historical heritage, with its main gem being the Royal Fort, famous for one of its prisoners, the Man in the Iron Mask.
Life on Saint-Honorat Island revolves around the Lérins Abbey and its wine, liqueurs, and olive oil production.
To get to the Lérins Islands, take the ferry departing from the Old Port (Terminal de Croisières), which runs from morning to evening throughout the year. If you are a group of up to 5 people, you can also arrange a private boat tour of the Lérins Islands for a luxurious experience.
Take a Day Tour
Visiting Cannes in winter is a fantastic idea to explore this town and others on the French Riviera without the crowds!
Cannes is a great gateway to Nice and Antibes, both easy to access by regional (TER) train. This type of train always has seats available, so there is no need to book the tickets in advance.
There are many fun things to do in Nice in winter, while Antibes is less attractive during the coldest months. If you want to explore beyond these two cities, I highly recommend this guided tour to get a complete overview of the French Riviera. Get ready to explore many beautiful places like Eze, Monte-Carlo, and Saint-Paul de Vence for a fantastic day trip!
Grasse is another day trip that is easy to organize from Cannes. Considered the world capital of perfumes, stroll around the Old Town and visit the famous Molinard perfume factory. At this time of the year, the area around Grasse is dotted with mimosas in full bloom, which makes this Grasse day trip even more pleasant.
Enjoy the Regional Winter Festivals & Events
Many festivals and events animate Cannes and the towns nearby during winter.
If there is one event not to be missed on the French Riviera, it is the Carnival of Nice. This is France’s most famous carnival, and each year has a different theme for an ever-changing experience. The 2025 Carnival of Nice edition will be held from 15 February to 2 March, and the theme will be “King of the Seas and Oceans.”
Another must-see festival I suggest you attend is the Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) in the lovely town of Menton. This festival is all about Menton’s main product, the lemon, and will be hosted from February 15 to March 2, 2025.
As part of the carnival celebrations, Villefranche-sur-Mer hosts the Combat Naval Fleuri. This unique show, taking place in the town’s Port one of the Mondays of February, is a playful “flower battle” among traditional wooden boats. The next Combat Naval Fleuri will be on Monday, 17 February 2025.
From Cannes, you can also drive the beautiful Route du Mimosa, running from the towns of Grasse to Bormes-les-Mimosas. From January to March, this road is covered in full-blossomed mimosa flowers, and there are many mimosa festivals in the towns along the road.