Cannes (pronounced /kan/) (Provençal Occitan: Canas in classical norm or Cano in Mistralian norm) is a city and commune in southern France, located on the Riviera, in the Alpes-Maritimes département.
DemographicsPopulation of the city (commune) of Cannes at the 1999 census was 67,304 inhabitants (69,700 inhabitants as of February 2004 estimates). Cannes is part of the Nice metropolitan area (aire urbaine) whose total population was 933,080 inhabitants at the 1999 census.
GeographyCannes lies on the Côte d'Azur within easy reach of the Maritime Alps. It is noted for its gorgeous sandy beaches which are mainly public, particularly as one moves west to Cannes La Bocca.
EconomyThe area around Cannes has developed into a high-tech cluster. The technopolis of Sophia-Antipolis lies up in the hills beyond Cannes.
The Cannes Film Festival, held annually in May, is a major event for the world film industry. There is an annual television festival, airing in the last week in September, also the Mipim is a major commercial real estate exhibition, taking place in March, other major festivals are Mapic, Lions, Mipcom, TFWA.
Cannes also hosts the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.
CultureBetween Festivals and major events, Cannes lives to the beat of the arts year around, thanks to the many organisations contributing to its reputation and teaching. Cannes Municipal Music and Drama Conservatoire promote the awakening and introduction to music since the age of three years old for viola, violin and cello students and since five years old for those registered to musical awakening.
Cannes lies on the main railway line from Italy to Marseille and is well served by the TGV, national and regional trains. The railway station is close to the centre; buses leave from both there and the Hôtel de Ville.
Bus services are provided by Bus Azur and operates an electric bus system called É-lo around the town center as well as a double-decker bus service between the Hôtel de Ville and the Palm Beach Casino.
Cannes is located about 25km west of Nice, and easily reachable by bus from Nice's international airport. Shuttles run every half hour from 8am through 8pm (hourly early in the morning and after 6pm). The ride takes approximately 30 minutes. Taxi rides from the airport cost 60 euros one way.
Miscellaneous Sister cities
