By the 2nd century BC, the Ligurian Oxybii established a settlement here known as Aegitna (Ancient Greek: Αἴγιτνα).

In 154 BC, it became the scene of violent but quick conflict between the troops of Quintus Opimius and the Oxybii.

During the 18th century, both the Spanish and British tried to gain control of the Lérins Islands but were chased away by the French.

After several failures in 1850s, the late 1860s saw an expansion of casino, villas, hotels, roads and railway (the distance from Paris to Cannes reduced to 23 hours).

In the 20th century, new luxury hotels such as the Carlton, Majestic, Martinez, and JW Marriott Cannes were built.

In 1931, Karan Singh the crown prince of Jammu and Kashmir was born at the Martinez Hotel.

[12] The city council had the idea of starting an international film festival shortly after World War II.

Both seasons see a relatively low rainfall and most rain occurs during October and November when over 100 mm (3.9 in) falls.

The fortified tower and the Chapelle Sainte-Anne house the Musée des Explorations du monde.

It took the Man in the Iron Mask 11 years to leave the tiny, forested St Marguerite Island.

His cell can be visited in the Fort of St Marguerite, now renamed the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea).

Monks have inhabited the island since AD 410 and, at the height of their powers, owned Cannes, Mougins, and Vallauris.

Medieval vestiges remain in the stark church, which is open to the public, and in the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the seashore.

The monks inhabit the Lérins Abbey and divide their time between prayer and producing red and white wines.

The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence houses artifacts from prehistoric to present, in an 18th-century mansion.

The Musée de la Castre has objects from the Pacific Atolls, Peruvian relics, and Mayan pottery.

[22] Local theaters include the Théâtre Debussy, the Espace Miramar[23] and the Alexandre III.

The formers occasional Thello (Italian train) from Marseille St Charles to Milan no longer operates since December 2021.

Coach services arrive at the Gare Routière de Cannes, in the centre of the city, near the Town Hall.