This star-studded, glitzy city on the water definitely has its pricey
side, especially during the film festival. If you plan your trip carefully, though, Cannes
is probably one of the cheapest places for backpackers to go on the French Riviera.
Defined by a distinctly laid back atmosphere for 10 months out of the year (July and
August see massive swells in millionaires and their paparazzi, of course), Cannes harbors
some of the best that Cote d’Azur has to offer in shopping and beaches, not to mention the
fresh shellfish at any of its open air markets. The club scene can be a little
intimidating at first, but dressing up just a little bit will go a long way when it comes
to getting past the bouncers. In fact, dressing up in general is a good idea here, if only
to fit in. Between the hours of 7 and 8pm, locals and tourists magically go from topless
and nude (always in vogue here) to full makeup or sports jackets. Don’t get caught on the
wrong side of this unspoken dress code.

Everyone knows about the Cannes Film Festival, and the city’s residents benefit
from it; local movie theaters here are able to show Palme d’Or winners before anywhere
else in the world. The Palais des Festivals hosts additional expos and concerts throughout
the year, which puts Cannes in the party mood almost all the time. You might have to
splurge on accommodations—a centrally located place in the city and near the beach is
worth the price. Hostels have yet to find their way to the pricey coast of southern
France.