Cannes' history dates back to Roman times, when the city was known as Aegitna and was an important trading port on the Mediterranean coast.
During the Middle Ages, the city was controlled by the lords of Grasse and later by the Lérins family, who built a monastery on the nearby islands that bear their name.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Cannes began to attract the attention of the European nobility, who discovered the benefits of the Mediterranean climate and sandy beaches. The city became a popular destination for elite tourists and celebrities, such as Queen Victoria of England, who visited Cannes on several occasions.
In the 1920s, the city experienced a major construction boom, with the construction of luxury hotels, villas, and casinos. Cannes became one of the most popular tourist centers in Europe, and its marina became home to some of the largest and most luxurious yachts in the world.
Cannes also became home to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, which began in the year 1946 and has become one of the most important events on the world film calendar. The festival has attracted some of the world's biggest movie stars, as well as filmmakers and producers from around the world.