Things to do in Cannes

Revisit the past at Musee de la Castre

Suquet Hill is Cannes’ old town quarter, and its diminutive, maze-like streets now serve as ground zero for shops, bars and restaurants. At the top is the charming Musee de la Castre (www.cannes.com/fr/culture/musee-de-la-castre.html) with its ethnographic history of Cannes. Even if you’re not into the relics, it’s worth the hike for the view.

Get dragged along the waves on a wakeboard

If windsurfing doesn’t provide enough of an adrenaline kick, get in touch with Ski and Wake Zone (tel: +33 (0) 6 63805274; www.swzteamcannes.com). Its speedboat will drag you across the water on all manner of objects: wakeboards, waterskis, inflatable bananas and, for the brave and leathery-soled, your own bare feet.

Work out those things with stand-up paddleboarding

To the bystander, this relatively new watersport might look about as taxing as a stroll along La Croisette, but balancing on oversized surfboards is a tough workout for the lower body. It’s also a novel way of exploring Cannes’ scenic coastline. Hire all the gear from Cannes Stand-Up Paddle (tel: +33 (0) 6 8217 0877; www.cannesstanduppaddle.fr)

Go hiking underground

Discovered by a local farmer in 1890, the Caves of Saint Cezaire (tel: +33 (0) 4 9360 2235) are an underground world of protruding stalactites and stalagmites, and a great starting point for a hike around the surrounding countryside.

Take a boat is Ile Sant Honorat

Reputation would have us think that Cannes is all about high-end shopping and champagne cocktails. If that is your vibe, all power to you. But if you want something a little more holistic, take the 15-minute boat ride to Ile Sant Honorat, home to 20 Bendictine monks. They’ll even let you join them for morning mass (1125 weekdays, and 0950 Sunday).

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