People from all over the world flock to the French Riviera.
Its turquoise blue waters, dramatic cliffs, and historic towns are nothing short of stunning.
One town in particular stands out from the pack is Cannes.
Cannes is primarily a resort town that is famous for the international film festival that is held there each year.
But beyond the festival, there are so many fun things to do in the region, especially for families.
Check out 19 fun things to do in Cannes with your family.
1. French Riviera Discovery Flight
There’s no better way to see Cannes than from up above!
This family-friendly activity will allow you and your kids to embark on a private plane tour.
Your unforgettable flight will take you around the Lérins islands and Esterel massif.
As you fly above the French Riviera, your expert pilot will discuss the scenic sites below.
All flights are operated by the flight sharing platform, Wingly.
Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
Tour details
- Duration: 1 hour
- Inclusions: Private transportation, licensed pilot
2. Bay of Cannes Catamaran Cruise
When in Cannes, hit the water!
There’s nothing more relaxing than cruising on the Bay of Cannes.
Your family will board a luxury catamaran.
Tours are half-day or full-day and available during the daytime or at sunset.
Beyond the ride itself, you’ll get to swim, snorkel, and tan on the boat’s deck.
You’ll even have the option to purchase a gourmet lunch buffet, available on the boat.
Tour details
- Departure Point: Quai Laubeuf, 06400 Cannes
- Inclusions: Use of snorkeling equipment, lunch, glass of wine, orange juice, or water
3. Cannes E-Bike Guided Tour
Get the lay of the land in Cannes on this e-bike guided tour.
Tours are between 2 and 3 hours in length and will have you riding all over the town.
You’ll visit the old port, the Suquet neighborhood, the famous La Croisette boulevard, and La Californie.
In addition, you’ll bike by some of Cannes’ most famous hotels and the Palace Festival.
There will be plenty of options to stop for pictures.
Bikes are also available to rent if you would prefer to do your own thing.
Tour details
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Departure Times: 9:30 am or 4:00 pm
- Inclusions: All taxes and fees, use of e-bike, driver/guide, use of helmet
4. Vespa Guided Tour
When in Europe, do as the Europeans do!
This Cannes Vespa Guided Tour will have you whizzing around town on a colourful, European-style vespa.
You’ll explore the old port, La Croisette boulevard, and the Palm Beach area.
A lot of the tour will take you along the beautiful sea and many beaches.
A professional guide will teach you about the city throughout your trip.
And there will be frequent stops so you can snap pics along the way.
Tour details
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure Times: 10:00 am or 4:00 pm
- Inclusions: All taxes and fees, use of gloves, vespa, and helmet, fuel
5. Segway Tour
If you only have one day in Cannes, then you better make the most of it!
This segway tour allows you to see as much of Cannes as possible in just 1 hour.
Your tour will take you through the most famous street, La Croisette Boulevard.
You’ll pass by historic monuments like the Palais des Festival.
Much of the tour will also have you gliding by the picturesque Mediterranean Sea.
All tours begin with a short training session, so not to worry if you’ve never ridden a segway before!
Tour details
- Duration: 1 hour
- Departure Point: 16 Boulevard du Midi Jean Hibert, 06400 Cannes
- Inclusions: 15 minute training session, segway coach and guides, helmet rental
6. Medieval Village of Gourdon
Go off the beaten path on your trip to Cannes and explore Gourdon.
This medieval village is a must-visit for all history loving families.
It is located in near the Loup River and is set on a mountaintop.
The unique village is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
It is surrounded by ramparts and can only be entered via the Roman Gate.
Once you’ve entered the town, you can explore the town square, church, and of course, the 17th century castle.
Inclusions for most tours
- Bottled water
- Entry fees
- Private transportation
- Air-conditioned vehicle
7. Old Town of Antibes
Antibes is only a short drive from Cannes.
This is a great town to explore if you wish to see more of the French Riviera while you’re visiting Cannes.
Antibes is one Mediterranean city that is rich in history.
Even though it is a part of France today, in the past, it was conquered by both the Ancient Greeks and the Romans.
In the last two centuries, it has mostly been a resort town.
Some of the most famous people in France and beyond travel here to spend their summer.
Inclusions for most tours
- Bottled water
- Entry fees
- Private transportation
- Air-conditioned vehicle
8. Ile Saint-Marguerite
For those that don’t know, the Lérins islands are a group of Mediterranean islands located just off the coast of Cannes.
Ile de Sainte-Marguerite is the largest of the islands.
It is truly a sight to behold, bursting with natural beauty.
It also happens to be a great place to spend the day with your family.
Museums, historic forts, and pristine beaches await.
There are many tours that visit this island, either by boat or even helicopter.
Inclusions for most tours
- Bottled water
- Entry fees
- WiFi
- Entry fees
- Alcoholic beverages
9. Chateau de la Napoule
Go for the castle or stay for the gardens.
Chateau de la Napoule is the perfect site for a family outing.
This castle was first constructed in the 14th century.
Explore the interior and learn what life was like over 7 centuries ago.
Even better than the castle itself are its impressive gardens.
The gardens are listed by the French Ministry of Culture as one of the Notable gardens of France.
Tour details
- Duration: 6 hours
- Departure Point: Château de la Napoule, 453 Avenue Henry Clews, 06210 Mandelieu-la-Napoule
- Inclusions: Lunch, entry fees, painting materials, all taxes and fees
10. La Croisette Boulevard
When you go to Cannes, you can’t miss La Croisette Boulevard.
This strip is an iconic part of the town.
From luxury shops to 5-star hotels, La Croisette is the place to be in Cannes if you’re looking for a fun day out.
On one side of the street are the sandy beaches the area is famous for.
On the other side, you’ll find a mish mash of hotels and fun attractions.
One such attraction is the historic Grand Carousel (a must for families travelling with kids).
Inclusions for most tours
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Driver/guide
- Entry fees
- Bottled water
11. Les Murs Peints
When in Cannes, you’ll come across Les Murs Peints, otherwise known as the Painted Walls.
This famous open-air street art exhibit first opened in 2002.
Since then, it has grown to include a giant collection of murals.
The murals almost all relate to French and world cinema.
You can expect to find murals of Marilyn Monroe, Alfred Hitchcock, and James Dean.
Day or night, navigating your way through the city’s cinematic murals is something your family is sure to love.
Details
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Address: 06400 Cannes
12. Painting Party with a Famous Artist
France is known for its incredible art scene.
This makes Cannes a great place to try your hand at painting!
Painting parties for people of all ages are offered.
In a 2 hour session, you’ll get to paint your own masterpiece with the help of an expert instructor.
A professional artist in Cannes runs each class and will teach you the basics of painting.
All sessions come with paint, canvases, and paint brushes.
Tour details
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Departure Point: 16 Rue Saint-Dizier, 06400 Cannes
- Departure Times: 12:30 pm or 6:30 pm
- Inclusions: Painting materials, coffee or tea, alcoholic beverages
13. Petit Train de Cannes
Families will adore the Petit Train de Cannes.
This miniature train is by far the cutest way to get around town.
Train tours run every hour from 10:00 am until 11:00 pm and depart from the Palais des Festivals.
Visitors are able to choose between two tours, a history tour or the Croisette tour.
You can learn all about the rich history of Cannes or receive information about its many shops and luxury hotels.
Tours are available in English, Russian, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Japanese.
Details
- Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm daily
- Address: 6 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes
14. Go Karting
Spend an afternoon whizzing around one of the most beautiful go-kart tracks in the world.
This adrenaline-inducing activity promises to be fun for the whole family.
There are 40 karts to choose from and the course itself spans 8 hectares.
There are 3 circuit options for adults and one children’s circuit.
The track is only a 30 minute drive from Cannes.
There is also a restaurant on-site in case you get hungry in between races.
Details
- Opening Hours: 9:30 am to 7:00 pm daily
- Address: Plateau de la Sarrée, Route de Gourdon, 06620 Le Bar-sur-Loup
15. L’Occitane Factory
Are you a L’Occitane fan?
This is the tour for you!
L’Occitane famously comes from the French Riviera.
So while in Cannes, why not visit its factory with your family?
Hidden among the region’s famous lavender fields, between Avignon and Nice is where you’ll find the factory.
A tour of the L’Occitane Factory includes the production rooms.
You’ll also get to see how it distils its organic ingredients into the creams and perfumes they sell worldwide.
Inclusions for most tours
- Bottled water
- Entry fees
- Professional guide
- Air-conditioned transportation
16. Musee de la Castre
Take your family to the most unique museum in the area!
Musee de la Castre is housed inside a beautiful historic building located in the Le Suquet district.
Inside, you’ll find 19th century landscape art, musical instruments, and more.
Artifacts come from France, as well as Oceania, pre-Columbian America, Africa, and Himalaya-Tibet.
And be sure to check out the medieval tower while you’re there!
From the tower, you’ll be able to see the Croisette, the bay, and the Lérins Islands.
Details
- Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 1:00pm; 2:00 pm – 6:00pm daily except Mondays
- Address: 6 Rue de la Castre, 06400 Cannes
17. Film Festival Palace
You’ve likely heard of the Cannes International Film Festival.
While you might not be in town during the actual festival, it’s still worth visiting the Film Festival Palace.
This building was built in 1982 and hosts events year round.
During the film festival, it is where the world’s biggest stars walk the red carpet.
Throughout the rest of the year, it hosts other events like the international music trade show and the International Television Programme Market.
The building is 25,000 square meters and features 18 auditoriums.
Inclusions for most tours
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Entry fees
- Soda/pop
- Alcoholic beverages
18. Musee Victor Tuby
Musee Victor Tuby is one of the best places to learn about the history of Cannes.
It combines fun, history, and education and is suitable for people of all ages.
The museum is actually housed inside a 14th century mill that is fascinating to see in and of itself.
Victor Tuby was a biologist and sculptor who founded the Academy of Provence.
He had a private collection of Provencal objects that are now on display in the museum.
Families will also be able to walk through his sculpture workshop and lab.
Details
- Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturdays only
- Address: Forville Street, 06400 Cannes
19. Mougins Museum of Classical Art
Not far from Cannes lies the quaint village of Mougins.
In Mougins is where you’ll find the Mougins Museum of Classical Art.
This museum is one of the newest attractions in the area, only opening to the public in 2011.
The collection is mostly made up of antiquities, like sculptures, vases, coins, and jewellery.
Artifacts come from the Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians.
However, there are also some more modern paintings by painters like Matisse, Chagal, and Rodin.
Details
- Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily
- Address: 32 Rue du Commandeur, 06250 Mougins
As we hope you can see, Cannes is bursting with fun activities for the whole family.
Whether you prefer to spend your time soaking up the sun or exploring the area’s rich history, it’s hard to be bored in this French Mediterranean paradise.
Find more Things to do in Cannes
