What you should know before hiring a car in Cannes
| Cannes city centre | ||
| Cannes-Mandelieu Airport (CEQ): 3 mi from city centre | ||
Car hires in Cannes: practical information
Where to rent a car in Cannes
It’s hard to believe that Cannes started out as a small fishing village. Today it’s a super-expensive seaside resort town. Touch down on flights to Cannes and pick up a rental car at the airport, you’ll need it to whip around town and out on day trips in the French Riviera. Europcar is the only supplier located in the terminal building.
In the city centre, stop by the Cannes car hire company JKL for a 5-star rental. Compare the offers before you book however, as it could be considerably cheaper to rent from Europcar or other international agencies like Budget, Avis and Hertz.
Driving in Cannes: parking and other tips
Driving in Cannes is fine, except during the summer months when it feels like the city’s population grows four-fold. Then it’s a full-on contact sport to get a city central parking spot and traffic can be horrendous. When in the city, leave your car parked at your Cannes hotel and explore on foot.
Take advantage of your rental car in Cannes to make day trips in and out of the city. You’ll find a number of car parks around Cannes, including in the Palais underground car park near the tourist office. You can even park here, and use their free bicycles instead!
Road trips from Cannes: what to do, what to see
Nice
Nice is always a good idea, with its famous Promenade des Anglais and the city’s impressive waterfront. This really is one of France’s premiere cities and one that’s very ethnically diverse. Don’t miss the Colline du Chateau for views over the Baie des Anges and the harbour. For art lovers, stops at the Musee Matisse and the Musee Chagall are essential.
Monaco
Head east for 45 minutes with your rental car from Cannes and you’ll find yourself in Monaco, the second smallest state in the world (after the Vatican). The state is divided into four sections: the old city, the port quarter, Monte Carlo and Fontveielle. You’ve got everything here from casinos to palaces, museums and beaches so it’s really up to you how you spend your day in Monaco.
Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Cannes and is a great day trip if you want to experience a typically French Provençal town. It’s famous for being home to Cezanne and thanks to a high-speed train station, it attracts more and more visitors every year. The city is famous for its fountains, the largest being on the Cours Mirabeau.