Visit Le Cannet, a small village overlooking the sea

In the 16th century, Le Cannet was part of Cannes. After numerous conflicts between the people of Cannes and Cannet, a royal council separated the two communes in 1774. A veritable balcony overlooking the sea, tourism in the south of France arrived in force in Le Cannet in the 19th century. Tourists loved this singular destination, this Provençal and artistic village just 2 km from the lush beaches of Le Cannet. Like Rome or Lisbon, the village of Le Cannet was built between 7 hills. Its unusual streets and squares offer panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Saint-Sauveur district, the historic centre

This district is rich in cultural and architectural heritage. There are chapels, churches and other reminders of Le Cannet's past.

Rue Saint-Sauveur is the economic heart of the old town of Cannet and is lined with greenery, making it a peaceful and pleasant street. It's packed with restaurants, boutiques, artists' studios and art galleries. Forgotten trades such as leatherwork and basketry have found their place in the heart of the stone houses, in this Provencal setting. This is the most popular street for tourists and the heart of Le Cannet.

The Saint-Sauveur chapel: a work of art

This chapel was once used to watch over and warn the inhabitants of Le Cannet of enemy attacks from the sea. It was miraculously preserved and renovated in 1989 by Théo Tobiasse, an Israeli artist who loved Provence.

The chapel was completely dedicated to art. It was covered inside and out with the artist's paintings. On large wooden panels that cover the walls of the building, the artist depicts the towns of his childhood, the departure, the joy and the gladness in large burning suns. Marked by a period in his life when he had to live hidden in a cellar to escape the round-up at the Vélodrome d'Hiver during the Second World War, he sees the Saint-Sauveur chapel as a symbol of renewal and the celebration that is life.

Musée Pierre Bonnard: an artist in love with Le Cannet

Works by Pierre Bonnard are on display in this museum with its Belle Epoque-style architecture. Just as Aix-en-Provence inspired Cézanne, Le Cannet was the French painter's main inspiration. His life's work can be seen in numerous canvases depicting the Mediterranean and the hills of Provence, and the museum also offers temporary exhibitions and workshops for children and adults.

Pierre Bonnard's residence, La villa Le Bosquet, is also in Le Cannet. If you're a painting enthusiast, check out the Renoir museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer during our two-day wine tour of Cannes.

Tour des Danys du Cannet, the town's oldest building

Built by the monks of Lérins on the island of Saint-Honorat. This 16th-century tower was used to close the entrance to Le Cannet on the road to Cannes. It is the oldest surviving building in the town.

As the story goes, Prosper Mérimé, a French writer, gave the tower its name after asking a man in the streets of Le Cannet where it came from. Not understanding his answer, because it was in Provençal, he spotted the word "brigand" and named it the "tour des brigands".