Triathlon Tour Guide: Cannes, France
The glamorous French Riviera is also one of the best places to tackle a challenging triathlon.
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The glamorous French Riviera is also one of the best places to tackle a challenging triathlon.
Go: Spring or fall, when temperatures are in the 60s–70s, but be sure to avoid the famous film festival that brings in the masses in May. Fly into Nice and rent a car, take a 45-minute cab to Cannes or take a train from Nice Ville to Cannes (approximately 40 minutes), starting at 5 euros, with departures every 30 minutes (Voyages-sncf.com).
Stay: The centrally located, 265-room Hôtel Majestic Barrière has the elegant touches suited for a luxurious stay on the French Riviera (think branded chocolates on your bed). Rooms start at around 175 euros per night (Lucienbarriere.com). Or check Airbnb.com to live like a local in a rented apartment.
Dine: Get a takeaway, wallet-friendly lunch at Philcat, where you can order a massive salad or a Pan-bagnat sandwich—a local specialty that resembles a Niçoise salad (vegetables, eggs, anchovies or tuna and olive oil) on French sourdough. Indulge in the three-course dinner for 30 euros at the intimate Restaurant Mocca (Moccarestaurant.com), which features modern fish dishes with a hint of Asian influence.
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Run This Town
Promenade de la Croisette
Cannes’ famous tree-lined stretch along the water is brimming with spectacular city and water views, beachside cafés and endless people-watching opportunities.
To The Sea
Lunch on Saint Honorat Island
Take a 20-minute boat ride (around 14 euros, Cannes-ilesdelerins.com) to Saint Honorat, a small, green island sitting in the middle of the Mediterranean that is home to a small community of monks. Wander into one of the chapels or the island’s distillery or winery, and grab a seasonal, gourmet lunch by the water at Restaurant La Tonnelle (Tonnelle-abbayedelerins.fr).
Towering Views
Get Your Art Fix
Walk to the Musée de la Castre (Le Suquet, Rue de la Castre, 06400) to browse its collection of artifacts and take in the view from the fortress overlooking the city, all for only 6 euros.
Race It!
The beautiful, challenging Cannes International Triathlon will take place on April 15, 2015, with two course options: Long distance is 2K swim, 80K bike, 20K run and middle distance is 1K swim, 40K bike, 8K run. The calm sea swim is one of the most enjoyable we’ve done, and the bike course is absolutely one of the most difficult—90 percent of the field chose road bikes for the heavy amounts of climbing and technical descents. Mirroring the glamour of its locale, the race spares no expense when it comes to details—especially the post-race spread, which has overflowing French pastries, fresh fruit and local cheeses.
Cannesinternational-triathlon.com