Within the ancient walls of a hilltop medieval castle is the Castre Museum, a fascinating repository of antiquities, primitive art and musical instruments. See masks and votive statues from the Himalayas, 19th-century paintings and Egyptian sarcophagi.
The old castle overlooks the harbor and is a magnificent sight. It was built by the monks of Lérins from the 11th century onwards and is one of the few medieval vestiges of the city.
Explore the museum’s five permanent collections. At Voyage Pittoresque, study paintings of 19th-century Riviera landscapes that are similar to views seen by modern eyes. Go to Voyage Ethnographique for its pre-Columbian ceramics and small ivory figurines from the Inuit peoples of the Arctic.
Inside the castle’s 12th-century Saint Anne Chapel, browse historical musical instruments from Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania in a collection of more than 400 objects. View Sumerian clay tablets and Etruscan and Egyptian sarcophagi in Voyage Historique. There is also an exhibition of objects from the Qajar dynasty, a royal family that ruled Iran from the late 18th to the early 20th century.
After poring over the exhibits, walk through the courtyard to the old square tower. Climb its 109 steps for magnificent views of Cannes Harbour and the rest of the city’s historic center. Then unwind in the attractive gardens, home to large pines and many Mediterranean species.
The museum is in Le Suquet on a hill just to the west of Cannes Harbour. Several bus lines run close to the museum. Parking is available for a fee in garage nearby.
The Castre museum is open every day except Monday and major holidays and hours vary according to the season. During July and August, it also opens on Mondays. Admission charges apply, with discounts for groups. Guided tours in English are available every Friday afternoon during the summer. On Wednesdays and Saturdays kids can take part in creative workshops.
