Cannes has the inherent romantic charm of just about any French city, but its location along the French Riviera makes for especially memorable coastal adventures. Whether you and your partner are looking for fun in the city or in the surrounding nature, you'll never have to go far for an unforgettable experience.

This city is home to quite a few stunning gardens and historical sites, though you can additionally see brilliant natural features and charming islands. Check out the best things to do for couples in Cannes for the ultimate holiday experience with your partner.

  • 1

    Îles Sainte-Marguerite

    Visit the largest of the Lerins Islands

    Îles Sainte-Marguerite
    • Couples
    • History

    Îles Sainte-Marguerite is an island where you and your partner can enjoy natural splendour and stunning historical sites in addition to fun watersports. If you're interested in history, you can visit Fort Royal, a historic prison made famous for holding the Man in the Iron Mask.

    On the landward side of the island, you and your partner can enjoy a variety of watersports like water skiing and parascending. In the village here, you'll also find boat tours and establishments where you can grab a drink. You'll find it all about a 15-minute boat ride away from the Cannes port.

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    Location: 06400 Cannes, France

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  • 2

    Molinard Perfume Factory

    Take in alluring aromas

    Molinard Perfume Factory
    • Couples
    • History

    The Molinard Perfume Factory is a historic institution you and your partner can tour to immerse yourself in the world capital of perfumery. The tour will show the detailed process of perfume creation, and you can even learn how to create your own unique scent.

    This factory was founded in 1849, so you'll be exploring a piece of history when you visit. The process of blending and extracting scents is also fascinating, and you can learn about soap making as well. It's all located a few miles north-west of the city centre in Grasse.

    Location: 20 Bd Fragonard, 06130 Grasse, France

    Open: Daily from 9 am to 6.15 pm

    Phone: +33 4 93 36 44 65

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  • 3

    La Croisette

    Enjoy the beauty of a stunning promenade

    La Croisette
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    La Croisette is a promenade in town that links the beach and the city, offering easy access to both as well as picturesque views of the surrounding area. Along this area, you'll find plenty of room to walk or drive with wide pavements and well-kept streets.

    Visiting the promenade will put you close to a variety of viewpoints of the beach and the city itself. This street is also home to shops and restaurants to indulge in while you're taking in the sights. It's located just west of the city centre right by the beach east of Le Suquet.

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    Location: 06400 Cannes, France

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  • 4

    Notre-Dame d'Espérance

    See a historic church

    Notre-Dame d'Espérance
    • Couples
    • History

    Notre-Dame d'Espérance is a magnificent historic structure that's architecturally brilliant and serene whether you're religious or not. When you and your partner visit this 16th-century building, you can take in the impressive design with a combination of Gothic, Renaissance and Romanesque styles throughout.

    Visiting the church at night offers a unique experience of its own. The city lights up the walls of this church, rendering it like a beacon in the dark with its historic yet imposing stonework shining brighter than the surrounding buildings. See it for yourself on the west side of town in Le Suquet.

    Location: 1 Rue de la Castre, 06400 Cannes, France

    Phone: +33 4 93 99 55 07

    Map
  • 5

    Le Suquet

    Stroll through Cannes old town

    Le Suquet
    • Couples
    • History

    Le Suquet is the old town neighbourhood of Cannes, where you'll find steep and intertwined roads among a network of historic buildings and sites. The neighbourhood is best explored on foot considering how narrow a lot of the roads are.

    When you visit, you'll find quite a few old buildings, with many dating back centuries. This is the area of town where you'll find highlights like the ramparts, the church and the Musee de la Castre. It's located just west of the city centre near the harbour.

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    Location: 06400 Cannes, France

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  • 6

    Abbaye de Lérins

    Explore an old monastery

    Abbaye de Lérins
    • Couples
    • History

    The Abbaye de Lérins is an old monastery that you and your partner can explore to immerse yourself in the local culture and history. The monastery itself dates back to the 11th century, though the space it occupies has been home to a monastic community for more than 1,000 years.

    When you visit the monastery today, you can take a tour of the historic structure and serene ambiance around the occupying monks. You can also try the wine and liqueur that the monks here produce. It's located on Saint-Honorat, which is the southernmost of the Lerins Islands south of Cannes.

    Location: Île Saint-Honorat, 06400 Cannes, France

    Phone: +33 4 92 99 54 00

    Map
  • 7

    Rue d'Antibes

    Go shopping

    Rue d'Antibes
    • History
    • Shoppers

    Rue d'Antibes is one of the most popular shopping streets in the city, where you'll find a variety of high-end and affordable shops with several cafes and restaurants too. You can check out more moderately priced brands like Mango and Zara during your visit.

    Shopping is always popular here, but you'll find that the street itself is quite impressive, as it's lined with 19th-century buildings along with ironwork and sculptures by the iconic Pellegrini. It's all located in the city centre just a few blocks north of the beach.

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    Location: 06400 Cannes, France

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    photo by qwesy qwesy (CC BY 3.0) modified

  • 8

    Couples spa/massage

    Experience next-level relaxation

    Couples spa/massage
    • Couples

    A couples spa and massage is one of the most popular activities for couples in Cannes, with facilities that offer luxurious relaxation and pampering. Stepping inside one of the local spas will put you in a den of tranquillity where you'll find not only massages but other features like hot tubs and saunas.

    When visiting as a couple, you can often find package deals, making this kind of pampering easier than you might think to fit into your itinerary. Consider body treatments as well for experiences that are just as healthy as they are relaxing. Spas are available all over town, though most are located near the city centre.

  • 9

    La Croix-des-Gardes

    Relax in a vibrant park

    La Croix-des-Gardes
    • Couples

    La Croix-des-Gardes is a park where you can find walking trails as well as a massive chateau, all with a view of surrounding natural splendour. To maintain its luxurious ambiance, this park is remarkably well-maintained, with vibrant greenery and spotless historic structures.

    When you and your partner visit, you can enjoy several walking trails among the 80 hectares of space here. Viewpoints of the Bay and Esterel Massif Mountains are also available here. It's located on the west side of town among forested hills.

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    Location: Cannes, France

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    photo by Florian Pépellin (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified