I was feeling very despondent about the outcome of the EU referendum, so my visit to Cannes (albeit only for three nights) was a welcome diversion. I went to spend time in an apartment with my daughter, who was working there, and her young family.
Whilst in Cannes we took a boat trip to the Ile Saint-Honorat, which is a small island inhabited by monks who produce wine and lavender oil. I sampled and bought both and they were excellent, although not particularly cheap (8 euros for the wine and 10 euros for the lavender oil). However they were well worth the money. Whilst on the island we visited a delightful restaurant where there was a wide selection of dishes, including vegetarian; we also went to the old monastery which might not be suitable for all travellers due to the amount of steep steps inside. I managed to get to the top but it was an effort! We also walked amongst the pine groves which was a very peaceful and calming experience, and the lavender was a sight to behold.
Cannes itself is of course very glamorous and a magnet for celebrities. We loved the old town and the choice of excellent restaurants. We also enjoyed the shopping in the Rue d’Antibes although I wasn’t rich enough to spend much money – but did have an excellent iced coffee!
If visiting Cannes I would definitely take a boat trip to the Ile Saint-Honorat for the calm and tranquillity, not to mention the wine and the lavender. I definitely found it a very calming experience at a time when I was feeling very stressed.
