"CANNES" a Cannes Travel Page by vibi68

Cannes, formerly a humble village at the edge of the Mediterranean, inhabited by monks and fishermen; close to there, the islands Sainte-Marguerite (Léro) and Saint-Honorat (Lérina) make the community a port where the sea traffic is intense and profitable. With the end of the 5th century, a strong crisis bursts out in the religious community, following the last traces of the Roman Empire's destruction by the barbarian Goths and Burgondes; but the monastery resists. In year 730, it is destroyed by the attacks of Sarrazins which leave five hundred victims among the monks. The Saint-Porchaire Chapel is devoted to their memory. A new attack by the Sarrazins in 891 devastates the town, they will be driven out of the country on ly at the end of the 10th century. The insecurity of the Islands pushes the monks to established themselves on the continent, in Suquet. In 1035 in the heart of the city, called Cannes a castle is built, the "Fief des Princes d'Antibes" not long after it is declared property of Cannes' monks and renamed "Castrum Francium" to be again renamed "Castrum de Canoas" not long after. The village had plague epidemics which made hundreds of victims and only after the war between François 1st and Charles Quint, around 1530, was Cannes detached from the monks and able to become autonomous. The integrate the Island Saint-Honorat in the Var department displeases Cannes residents and they oppose this projet without success since to this day the Abbey of Saint-Honorat is attached to the parish of Saint-Raphaël, in the Var. The Island of Sainte-Marguerite is better known for its fort which saw incarcerated several famous prisoners as the "Iron Mask", the "Bazaine Marshal", "Lestang", "Valsec" and "Guard".

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The Clews' Castle one of Cannes remainning

In 1834, Lord Brougham and Vaux, Chancelier of England "discovers" Cannes and builds a winter residence to his comfort. Under his impulse, the English aristocracy is quick to imitate him, constituting little by little a true colony of "winter" British, to which will be joining not long after the international aristocracy. It is the birth of winter tourism in Cannes. On April 10th 1863, the first train arrives in Cannes' station. With the installation of the railroad, the number of winter guests will increase considerably, forcing the reception facilities to develop into larger hotels and more activities. In 1878, Cannes became a "Health resort", since lots confer to the Cannes native climate, therapeutic virtues to face many evils: such as anemia, neurosis, rheumatisms, chronic infections and pulmonary problems particularly tuberculosis. Famous doctors of the city like Doctor Buttura, Valcourt and Gazagnaire praise the benefits of the town's winter sun, iodine and the "balsamic scents" through many publications as true "methods of care". From 1880, the French tourists, not so much attracted by the town' first winter seasons are increasingly visiting, thanks to the aristocratic influence of Prosper Mérimée, who since 1856 came to Cannes every winter to look after his asthma; 3 years later, Cannes counts five hydrotherapeutic establishments, whose patients came to take warm sea water baths, aromatic baths and steam baths. Cannes accomodated famous visitors like the Empress of Russia, Maria Alexandra, the Archduchess Marie-Antoinette of Austria and writer Guy de Maupassant. At the end of the century, more than 3000 families stay in Cannes each winter and at the start of the 20th century, the profile of Cannes winter guests is metamorphosed by aristocracy being replaced little by little by the upper middle-class of large cities; it is at that time that the winter season shortens.

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The famous Martinez on "La Croisette"

The beginning of the 20th century accomodates new dream hotels "de luxe" such as the Miramar, the Martinez... The city is modernized with the construction of the Palais des Sports, the installation of trams, the opening of post offices, the appearance of school establishments: the Carnot college and the Stanislas Institute. All these beautiful projects are only possible after the terrible WWI which transforms Cannes into a gigantic hospital. All the great establishments are thus requisitioned. With war being over, Cannes sees its German and English customers decreasing whereas American have gained affection for the Riviera. The luxury, elegance and the easiness are very appreciated in Cannes and gradually, winter tourism yields place to estival tourism, the Palm Beach summer Casino is built for this purpose. The municipality has then the idea of creating an "International Film Festival"; the project is born in 1946, after WWII, during which the residents of Cannes underwent multiple restrictions and sufferings but the city rectified its position and luxury took back its place within the community. September 20th 1946, was the inauguration of the 1st International Film Festival. it was held at the municipal Casino and was an immense success however, considered unsuitable for this festival, the Casino is replaced by the Palais des Festivals, completed in 1950, in the Nautical Circle and to draw up in his place the "Palate of the Festivals" which will be completed in 1950, to be again rebuilt in the municipal Casino's place in 1979. This "Film Festival", is the second universally recognized demonstration, after the Olympic Games, is the pride and the fame of Cannes, city of the thousand artifices!