A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Cannes for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Cannes?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Cannes. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Cannes

Cannes is a opulent , luxury, and lavish resort city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Saint-Etienne and Cannes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Cannes?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Cannes than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Cannes, Cannes has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cannes is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is known for its museums and hiking. Cannes is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. It is also home to Boulevard de la Croisette. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Cannes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cannes and Saint-Etienne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Cannes?

Saint-Etienne is very good for its sights and museums. However, Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Cannes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cannes is an amazing resort city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Cannes, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Cannes Better for Nightlife?

Cannes is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Cannes for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Cannes Better for Music?

Cannes is an amazing resort city to visit for its live music scene. However, Saint-Etienne is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Cannes. The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Saint-Etienne is not a live music destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Cannes Better for Resorts?

Cannes is an amazing resort city to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Saint-Etienne is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Cannes for its luxury resorts. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Saint-Etienne is not a resort destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Cannes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Saint-Etienne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Cannes. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Saint-Etienne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Cannes Better for Beaches?

Cannes is great for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Cannes for it's beautiful beaches. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Cannes Better for its Old Town?

Cannes is great for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Cannes. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Cannes Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Cannes is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Cannes is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Cannes?

Cannes is an amazing resort city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Cannes draws large crowds to its stores. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Cannes Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Cannes are good family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Cannes is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Cannes Better for Couples?

Cannes is an amazing resort city to visit for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Cannes is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Cannes Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint-Etienne and Cannes both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Cannes has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.

Is Saint-Etienne or Cannes a more walkable city?

Cannes is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Cannes is a very walkable resort city. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Cannes Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cannes or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Cannes?

It's fun to spend time in either Saint-Etienne or Cannes. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Cannes due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint-Etienne, and 2-4 days is enough time in Cannes.

Families should spend more time in Cannes than Saint-Etienne. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cannes, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cannes than Saint-Etienne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cannes that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cannes than Saint-Etienne if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cannes.

One day in Saint-Etienne or Cannes?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the glitzy destination of Cannes. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Cannes?

Saint-Etienne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cannes. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Cannes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the lavish destination of Cannes. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Cannes?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the undiscovered destination of Saint-Etienne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful resort city of Cannes. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint-Etienne and Cannes, we can see that Cannes is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cannes would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cannes than you might in Saint-Etienne.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Cannes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Cannes?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Cannes, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Saint-Etienne or Cannes?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Cannes in the Summer?

Both Cannes and Saint-Etienne during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cannes in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Cannes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Etienne in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Cannes averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Cannes. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Cannes in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Cannes. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cannes for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Cannes. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Cannes receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Cannes. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Cannes in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Cannes. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Cannes because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Saint-Etienne can be very cold during winter. Saint-Etienne is much colder than Cannes in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Cannes fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Cannes. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Cannes in the Spring?

Both Cannes and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cannes this time of year.

In the spring, Saint-Etienne is cooler than Cannes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Etienne in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Cannes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cannes. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cannes and Saint-Etienne