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Some 30,000 film professionals attend the world’s main cine-gathering, to do business and, incidentally, see a few movies. The atmosphere is glamorously electric. But, as a member of the public, don’t expect to meet stars, or even see them, except as they mount the stairs of the Festival Palace for a screening.

The classic trip is to canoe down the Verdon Gorges – a two-day, turbulent, 24-km (15-mile) trip from Carrejuan Bridge to Lac de Ste-Croix (see Lac de Ste-Croix). Slightly calmer spirits might prefer canoeing La Sorgue, from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (see Fontaine-de-Vaucluse).

The exhilarating sport of descending torrents and canyons by abseiling, jumping and swimming has taken off big time. Try it in the Roya valley near Saorge or in any of 70 sites in the Ubaye and Verdon valleys. There are easier descents for beginners in the Pennafort and Destel gorges.

On the seventh floor of this very smart hotel, formal dress is required to gain access to the exclusive gaming rooms. Celebrate winning with a glass of champagne, or drown your sorrows in a very dry martini – shaken, not stirred, of course.

The Carlton is a Cannes landmark, home of the stars during the Film Festival and appropriately luxurious, with its own private beach and high standards of service. Part of an international chain, it retains an individual character.

The terrace of this restaurant-bar, in an attractive 19th-century villa, is shaded by leafy vines and has live music almost every evening in summer.

The epitome of Riviera glamour, luxury and gambling excess (see Casino de Monte Carlo).

This monument to belle époque splendour is also the heart of the region’s famous gambling industry – well worth a look whether you want to play the stakes or simply soak up some glamour (see Casino de Monte Carlo).