Travel to CANNES and ANTIBES, French Riviera: A Designer’s Guide to Sourcing Vintage, Sipping Coffee, and Trying Not to Buy Everything

Traveller beware—if you find yourself in Cannes during MIPIM (a week-long real estate conference), be prepared to navigate through a sea of sharp suits, serious handshakes, and the unmistakable hum of high-stakes networking. But it’s this very conference that gave me the opportunity to visit Cannes, rummage through some wonderful vintage stores, and explore the utterly charming town of Antibes.

Cannes: luxury and lost opportunities

We stayed at Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes, perched right on the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette, facing the sparkling Mediterranean and flanked by high-end designer boutiques.

It’s everything you’d expect from a five-star hotel—elegant, opulent, wonderfully soundproof (a big win in my books), and with most rooms offering sea views. And yet, I have to admit, while it was a perfectly lovely stay, I wasn’t entirely swept off my feet. Perhaps I just didn’t uncover its full pampering potential—or maybe I was too distracted by the lure of vintage finds to indulge properly.

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Now, let’s talk about old town Cannes. I’ll put this as delicately as possible—it’s not quite the old-world charm I had hoped for. The historic streets have been somewhat overtaken by the likes of Monoprix and a collection of little stores selling unbranded fast fashion, which left me feeling a little deflated. Even the one antique shop I stumbled upon, Relics Antiques, had prices that made my thrifting heart sink—a pair of small brass candlesticks for €80? Any seasoned vintage hunter will tell you, that’s a $20 find at best.

But! All was not lost, as I have a quick coffee tip: Amamo Specialty Coffee. Trust me, good coffee isn’t always easy to find in France, but this spot delivered.

Where to find vintage gems in Cannes

Venture above the old town, away from the touristy waterfront, and you’ll find the real treasures.

• Centrale d’Achat Mobilière – A mix of vintage furniture and eclectic finds.

• Collection Zaza – This is where my heart skipped a beat. Stunning, unique vintage pieces that made me rethink my luggage allowance.

The pièce de résistance? A stunning bronze sculpture, “Nudo Femminile” by Jean Laniau (produced in 1931)—only the second of eight ever made. Originally listed at €3,800, the dealer was ready to part with it for €2,500. Did I manage to convince my husband? Reader, I did not.

Then there was a rare vintage ceramic trio (a pair of candlestick holders and a large vase) by Marius Guige from Vallauris, France. I was this close to taking them home for €400, knowing that 1stDibs has the 3-piece set priced over $1900. But alas, practicality won—because, as much as I love a good deal, I was not prepared to become the person who boards a flight clutching oversized fragile ceramics for dear life.

Antibes: The vintage lover’s dream

Ah, Antibes—a town that does live up to its old-world charm. A fellow blogger and I set off on a little old town adventure, and, by pure luck, we visited on a Thursday—also known as Antique Market Day in Place Nationale.

This small but delightful market is exactly what a designer dreams of when visiting the Côte d’Azur. Amongst the treasures, I picked up a sweet little painting—because if there’s one thing I’ll always make space for in my suitcase, it’s art.

For those who love linen everything (totes, tableware, aprons, you name it), make a beeline for L’épingle à Linge. And just around the corner, where the fresh food market spills into the streets, you’ll find Le Panier d’Antibes, a haven of French-made straw hats, baskets, locally made soaps and all sorts of charming goodies.

A few parting words

While Cannes and I had a slightly rocky start, I did manage to uncover some truly wonderful vintage finds beyond the tourist-heavy streets. Antibes, on the other hand, stole my heart immediately—its quaint markets, timeless charm, and hidden boutiques made it an absolute delight.

Would I return? Absolutely—preferably with an extra suitcase, a well-rehearsed argument for why we need a bronze sculpture in our lives, and a promise to myself to stop being so practical when it comes to vintage ceramics.

👀 Missed the first French Riviera blog post about Nice, France? It's a goodie, filled with links and travel ideas.

Until next time, French Rivera

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