La Croix des Gardes, Cannes

La Croix-des-Gardes is a prestigious area in Cannes, situated along the beautiful French Riviera in the Alpes-Maritimes region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. It lies to the west of the city center, bordered by La Bocca, Petit Juas, Le Suquet, and the commune of Le Cannet, with the bay of Cannes to the south. Its main feature is the Croix-des-Gardes massif, reaching 213 meters high, making it the second highest point in Cannes after the California district's peak at 260 meters. The area includes localities such as Vallon Provençal, Pierre-Longue, and Font-de-Veyre.

The history of La Croix-des-Gardes is closely tied to British influence, starting from December 1834 when Lord Henry Brougham, a prominent British politician and writer, and his daughter Éléonore-Louise, arrived in Cannes unexpectedly due to a cholera outbreak at the Nice border. This event led to the beginning of the British presence in Cannes, with Lord Brougham acquiring land and building the villa Éléonore-Louise in 1835, setting a trend for holiday homes in the area. Following his lead, British General John Taylor had Saint-Georges Castle built in 1837, sparking further development by the British aristocracy and establishing La Croix-des-Gardes as an "English quarter" and contributing to Cannes' reputation as a sought-after seaside resort since the early 19th century.

Today, La Croix-des-Gardes epitomizes Cannes' evolution into a prestigious resort town, shaped by its British influence and scenic beauty. Its upscale streets boast lavish mansions nestled among wooded hills. The Croix des Gardes nature park offers hiking trails with stunning views of the Bay of Cannes and the Estérel Massif mountains. Visitors can stroll through the picturesque Villa Rothschild gardens from the 19th century. Nearby Riviera beaches feature trendy bars and clubs, including those near the palm-filled Square Mistral.