With its imposing bell tower and Provençal Gothic design, Notre Dame d’Espérance Church is one of the highlights of Cannes Old Town. It was built in the 16th and 17th centuries and today dominates the partially walled Place de la Castre. Take photos of the large classic clock faces marking the sides of the Romanesque bell tower that connects to the old city ramparts.
Enter the church via the Renaissance portal to find yourself in the single nave, which is bordered by eight side chapels. Notice how light penetrates the church through the Gothic windows. Admire the many religious works of art hanging on the internal walls.
One of the outstanding pieces is the 17th-century statue of Our Lady of Hope above the main altar. Study the adjacent stained-glass windows depicting the Annunciation.
Stroll along the plaza outside the church and admire the spectacular panorama of the city and the sea. Cool your hands in one of the fountains by the viewing deck. Arrive in December for the Nativity Scene that is set up in the church. In July, the festival Les Nuits Musicales du Suquet is held in the plaza.
The church was completed in the 17th century, after more than a century of construction. The work on the building was interrupted many times by military attacks and plague outbreaks. Note that upon completion, this church replaced the Saint-Anne Chapel, parts of which can now be seen in the adjacent Castre Museum.
Notre Dame d’Espérance Church is located in the heart of Cannes Old Town. Take a bus to one of the nearby stops a little east of the church. The church opens to visitors daily from morning until late afternoon, with a brief closure at noon. While you are in this area, stop at some of the other nearby sights, such as the Mairie de Cannes, the Chapelle Saint-Roch and the Tour du Masque de Fer.
