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La Castre Castle and Tower The hill of Le Suquet was always seen as an excellent defensive position and was the location of many forts. The present castle was built around the 10th centuries as a means of protecting the coastline and harbor. It was owned by the abbots of Lérins and has maintained religious links for much of its history. Over the centuries the castle has changed hands many times, had its walls increased in strength, was used as a prison, a residence and more. It absorbed the Museum of Cannes in 1952 and has been a thriving visitors' attraction ever since. The first collections were gathered by two 19th century travelers and began its reputation as a storehouse of exotic displays. It now host displays from Asia, Africa and North America. While the museum is worth visiting for its exhibits, its castle and tower are also worth visiting in their own right. The Suquet's tower is the highest point in the old town and offers visitors a chance for panoramic views. This tower is so imposing that it was used for centuries as a landmark by fishermen and sailors - so much so that when in 1823 the then owner (the son of the local Mayor who bought it from the Revolutionary Government who in turn had confiscated it) decided to remove the keep, that protests forced him to abandon his plans- although not before the tower's castellation was removed. |