Cannes is one of the most popular destinations in southern France and home to a dynamic variety of sport, cultural and artistic events, as well as over 40 trade fairs, conferences and business meets yearly.
If you’re looking for somewhere to visit with a lovely climate and plenty of things to see and do, book a trip to Cannes at any time of the year – you can never accuse Cannes of being a boring destination!
1. Illuminated Landmarks
Until January 22, landmarks in Cannes will be spotlighted at night by artist Gaspare di Caro whose beautiful illuminations have lit up the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, the Negresco Hotel in Nice and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Visit Cannes in January to see Gaspare di Caro’s illuminations
2. Dance & Choreography
Cannes is well known for its biennale Festival du Danse (the next edition is December 2019) but you can still find other dance shows year-round.
From the urban vibe of breakdancing, street dance and hip-hop at Break The Floor to classical dance performances during the Gala d’Étoiles, you can find exceptional choreography and expressive dance in venues around Cannes.
Gala d’Étoiles – classical dance performance in Cannes (image copyright: Eric Dervaux)
3. Festival des Jeux 2018
Held across 3 days (23 to 25 February 2018), the Festival International des Jeux is a family-friendly event at the Palais des Festivals where you can discover new board games, video games, fantasy and role play games, wooden toys and kids comics.
A number of tournaments and game demonstrations are onsite as well as boutiques, authors and illustrators for games.
Entry is free; there are also VIP Passes (paying) available which include early entrance to the show and goody bags.
Created in 1992, the Cannes Half Marathon (Le Semi de Cannes) will be held on 25 February 2018 with a course that starts and finishes at Pantiero near Vieux Port and follows a circuit along the Cannes seafront.
Around 4000 runners will hit the pavements on a Sunday morning – there is also a 10-kilometre run for participants who prefer shorter distances (or like me, still recovering from the excess of food consumed over Christmas!).
Entrants must supply a medical certificate as usual; entry is €20 per person for the 10km run and €25 for the half-marathon.
For other keen runners, you can also enter the Nice-Cannes Marathon which is staged in the last quarter of the year.
5. MIPIM 2018
MIPIM (Marché International des professionals de l’immobilier) is an international property market that brings together over 24,000 professionals from over 100 countries looking for new markets, those who want to exchange ideas, share insights about property hotspots and discuss real estate trends.
Cannes will host the 28th edition of MIPIM from 13-16 March 2018 with the theme ‘MAPPING WORLD URBANITY’ : What will urban life be like in 2030 and 2050?
Keystone elements of the 4-day schedule at MIPIM 2018 include the Startup Competition for those who seek to innovate within real estate, the invite-only Real Estate Institutional Investor’s Summit, a diverse range of conferences and the MIPIM Awards that celebrate the leading global property developments.
The MIPIM Awards celebrate outstanding global real estate projects, completed or yet to be built. (image: Twitter).
6. Cannes Sports – Running trails guided by a free app
Cannes is blessed with a mild climate and running outdoors year-round is possible with many different trails that take in city and sea views.
In September 2017, a new app was launched by the Mairie de Cannes which gives joggers and runners sixteen different trails to follow in and near Cannes.
The Cannes Sports app is available in French or English and trail options include Croix des Gardes, Le Suquet, Cannes La Bocca and Ile Sainte-Marguerite.
MIPDoc is the documentary-specific prequel and MIPFormats is focused on non-scripted formats. They both run just prior to MIPTV, and are set for 8 and 9 April 2018.
MIPDoc will be hosted at the JW Marriott Hotel on the Croisette, it involves over 1600 programmes of non-fiction that may catch the interest of 400 buyers. At-market screenings, co-production networking plus a print and online catalogue ensure good visibility for factual or documentary programmes supported by a dedicated MIPDoc Screening Library.
If you’re interested, the Top 30 MIPDoc programmes last year are found here: MIPDoc Top 30 Programmes
MIPFormats focuses on the changing trends with non-scripted shows and is a great place to find new talent and ideas. Held at the Palais des Festivals, there are a lot of distributors and production companies networking over reality TV concepts, game shows, quiz shows, dating shows and similar.
MIPTV (Marché International des Programmes de Télévision) is the global TV and digital content market which is held in Cannes every April.
MIPTV 2018 will run from 9 – 12 April 2018 and continue as the epicentre for producers and buyers hoping to find success with the next big show!
New for 2018, the Kids Live Action Pitch will be a platform for creators to pitch original kids live action series aimed at kids aged 6-12 years.
View the MIPTV 2018 trailer below (video: mipmarkets)
9. CANNESERIES 2018TM
The inaugural season of CANNESERIESTM (Cannes International Series Festival) will be held in the palm-tree lined resort from 4 – 11 April 2018 and feature an Official Competition that will showcase 10 world debut series – from any genre, any country and any format.
Dubbed as an incubator for international series, the event will cross-over dates with MIPDoc, MIPFormats and MIPTV creating the biggest week in TV.
The festival Patron is Danish actress Sidse Babett Knudsen and the event will feature the world premiere Out of Competition screening of ‘The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair’, a 10-part series from MGM Television, Eagle Pictures and Barbary Films which will screen in France on TF1 this year.
CANNESERIESTM Institute will begin prior to the festival proper and welcome 8 international students to a 5-week writing residency, overseen by teachers from the University of Cote d’Azur (UCA) and a Berlin-based writing residence, Serial Eyes. The ultimate aim is to give writers a platform to conceptualize and write a pilot TV series which may be developed by Canal+.
CANNESERIESTM Addict is a week of free public screenings of classic series, Competition series and digital selections. CANNESERIES TM Digital will focus on short formats.
In Development, the Cannes Drama Creative Forum is a 2-day mini session that takes place at the Gare Maritime and aims to accelerate new productions at an international level; the dates are 10 – 11 April 2018.
Don’t miss the emerging and established TV talent that will be present at CANNESERIES 2018TM
CANNESERIES (TM) and MIPTV will be held in April 2018
10. Red Bull Air Race Cannes 2018
For the first time ever, the Red Bull Air Race will be coming to Cannes from 21 – 22 April 2018 where the world’s best pilots navigate an aerial racetrack marked by air-filled pylons. Reaching speeds in excess of 350kph with forces up to 10G, the pilots need to be extremely skilled to fly at high speed, low altitude and perform tricky manoeuvres.
The series pilots come from Canada, Australia, China, Spain, Japan and South Africa (to name a few) and amongst them are 5 French pilots in the series – 3 Master Class pilots: Mikael Brageot, Nicolas Ivanoff and François Le Vot and 2 Challenger Pilots: Melanie Astles and Baptiste Vignes who will get the chance to show off their aerobatics in front of a home crowd.
Cannes is one of 8 global cities included in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship for 2018 (Race Calendar courtesy of Red Bull)
11. Cannes International Triathlon 2018
From 27 to 29 April 2018, the 5th edition of the Polar Cannes International Triathlon will be staged in Cannes incorporating a 2 kilometre swim off Bijou Plage, 100 kilometre cycle stage to Tanneron, Montauroux and Pegomas and 16 kilometre run based around Port Pierre Canto.
The triathlon attracts competitors from over 40 countries with the main Village Expo hosted at Square Verdun.
For the registration process, race schedule and information about volunteering, find out more at CIT2018
Watch the teaser video from Mikael Sport for Polar Cannes International Triathlon below:
12. Cannes Film Festival 2018
Undeniably the crowning glory of the annual events in Cannes, the world famous Cannes Film Festival will be hosted from 8 to 19 May 2018.
For the 71st edition, the opening day has moved forward one day and will start on a Tuesday. The organisers say the change in dates means they can also hold an additional gala evening before the Festival weekend, and organise previews of the opening film throughout France.
By bringing forward the announcement of awards by one day to Saturday evening, it is expected that this will increase its prestige while at the same time giving the closing film better exposure.
Cannes Film Festival 2018 is a world famous film festival (image: critique film.fr)
Australian actress Cate Blanchett, who won two Oscars for The Aviator and Blue Jasmine, has been named as Jury President of Cannes Film Festival 2018 and will join other jury members to decide the winner of the prestigious Palme d’Or.
As usual, Access Riviera will be publishing a full guide to Cannes Film Festival 2018 closer to the event including festival tips for Marché du Film.
13. Watersports in summertime
Cannes is making a strong effort to promote outdoor activities and watersports are always high on the list of things to do. Cannes occupies a wonderful location on the Mediterranean and has great views to the Iles de Lérins, the Esterels and beyond to Cap d’Antibes. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, there are plenty of companies where you can rent equipment and/or take lessons to learn a new on-water activity.
During summer, pontoons on plage du Midi, boulevard Jean Hibert and along the Croisette are open daily until around 7pm (weekends until approx. 6pm) and offer a range of watersports including waterskiing, jet skiing, stand up paddle boarding, kite surfing, wakeboarding, flyboard sessions, kayaks, dinghy hire, pirogue tours and more!
Watersports are popular in summer in Cannes (map: Cannes Destination)
14. MIDEM 2018
What is MIDEM? For the uninitiated, MIDEM (Marché International du Disque et de l’Edition Musicale) will take place from 5 – 8 June 2018 and unite leading players in the music industry.
It is the industry event to attend for rising talent looking for labels, musicians looking for licensees and distributors, bands to connect with creatives for advice about how to boost their marketing, tech innovators showcasing their products as well as publishers and agents looking for new talent and trends.
I’m always interested in Midemlab which is the startup competition as it is great to see innovative concepts for online promotion, tech or musical education. The Midem Artist Accelerator (MAA) is also interesting to see develop and is into its fourth year, it aims to continue supporting emerging talent; submissions close on January 28 so get in quick!
Some of the brands who will be attending MIDEM 2018 include Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Fox Music and Billboard. Find out more about the event at Reed MIDEM‘s official website: MIDEM 2018
MIDEM 2018 will run from 5 – 8 June 2018 (image: Flickr)
15. Guided tours in Cannes
Year round, visitors to Cannes can experience a number of guided tours bookable through the Tourist Office. Two popular options include :
Cannes and the Cinema – in French and English, this guided tour runs from October to May every Wednesday at 2.30pm ; from June to September every Wednesday at 9.15am. Duration: 1.5 hours. Adult price: €6 each, free for under 16 years of age. Note: Minimum of 5 people required.
Visit of the Croisette – in French and English, this guided tour runs from October to May every Wednesday at 2.30pm in French and English; from June to September every Wednesday at 9.15am. Duration: 1.5 hours. Adult price: €6 each, free for under 16 years of age. Note: Minimum of 5 people required.
One of the nicest places to visit when in Cannes are the Iles de Lérins (Lérins Islands) just a short cruise away. You can join a wine tasting experience on the first Friday of every month on Íle Saint-Honorat and sample some of the wine harvested by the Cistercian monks. Buy a wine tasting excursion here: Wine Tasting Abbaye de Lérins. Visit the island courtesy of a virtual tour viewable here: Ile Saint-Honorat
Visit the Lérins Islands when you come to Cannes (image: Atout France)
16. Cannes Lions 2018
Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity is a 5-day festival for branded communications, marketing, media, entertainment and tech which will be held from 18 – 22 June 2018.
The event has over 4500 attending companies however for the 2018 edition, the event length has been reduced from 8 days to 5 days amidst feedback from holding companies, stakeholders and agencies that Cannes Lions was becoming ‘too expensive’. Additionally, for Cannes Lions 2018 there will be a six-Lion entry limit for one piece of work.
Cannes Lions 2018 has been adapted to reflect feedback from previous years including restructuring of categories to win Gold Lions (image: Campaign Asia)
Again, the organisers have been shuffling around with the Categories; for 2018 they’re scrapping the Categories for Cyber, Integration and Promo & Activation and introducing new Categories including Social & Influencer and Creative E-Commerce.
To find out more about what’s in store this year for Cannes Lions, the official website is here: Cannes Lions 2018
17. Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique Cannes 2018
Firework enthusiasts will love the French Riviera in summer because Cannes is one of a number of places that hosts regular public firework displays through July and August. Other fireworks competitions are held in Antibes/Juan les Pins and Monaco.
Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique Cannes takes place over the bay of Cannes and features international pyrotechnic teams who create brilliant fireworks displays to music and a winner is chosen at the end of the summer series.
Panzera from Italy competed in the Cannes fireworks competition (image: Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique)
Each year in the square in front of the Notre-Dame de l’Espérance church at the top of Le Suquet, you can listen to open-air orchestral concerts under the stars in late July.
Featuring the Orchestra of Cannes and acclaimed soloists, the atmosphere is inviting and relaxing.
The 2018 Nuits Musicales du Suquet programme is yet to be released, so stay updated by subscribing to my blog on the right-hand side (you can unsubscribe at any time), or refer to the Orchestra of Cannes or Palais des Festivals websites regularly.
19. Les Plages Électroniques 2018
One of the French Riviera’s best summer festivals for dance music, Les Plages Électroniques is an annual electronic music festival that is held on the beach beside the Palais des Festivals and the rooftop terrace of the Palais.
This year, Les Plages Électroniques will be held from 10 – 12 August 2018.
Unfortunately as with many events here on the French Riviera, the organisers Panda Events have put no information about accessibility on the official event website but if you have restricted mobility and would like to attend this music festival, please do get in touch with me via my Contact Me page to obtain more information about accessibility options for this event.
Les Plages Électroniques organised by Panda Events is an annual electronic music festival held on the beach in Cannes (image: discothequemagazine)
20. Cannes Yachting Festival 2018
As Europe’s leading in-water boat show, Cannes Yachting Festival is one of the French Riviera’s most important nautical events.
Hosted across both Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto, Cannes Yachting Festival 2018 will run from 11 to 16 September 2018 and showcase new builds for motor yachts, sailing yachts, tenders and marine equipment.
In 2017, I was disappointed by the Luxury Gallery which was an uninspiring display zone that brought nothing dynamic to the event, and the Concours d’Elegance which seemed under promoted and underwhelming. A real shame, and I hope that the event marketing team take on feedback to boost these two elements of the show.
Within a short distance from Cannes, you can also visit the Musée Bonnard in Le Cannet, Chateau de la Napoule in Mandelieu-la-Napoule and the National Picasso Museum in Vallauris to get a cultural fix.
22. Cannes Régates Royales 2018
Staged in the bay of Cannes, the Régates Royales is an annual nautical fixture that brings the elegance of classic sailing to the French Riviera.
Founded in honour of King Christian X of Denmark, the Régates Royales Cannes are set for 22 – 29 September 2018, where you’ll see beautiful classic sailing yachts race amidst Dragons, Tofinous and International classes.
Don’t miss finding your vantage point to watch the action at sea! Here is the official website for the Cannes Régates Royales 2018
Régates Royales is an annual nautical fixture in the bay of Cannes (photo copyright: Guido Cantini/Panerai)
23. MIPCOM 2018
MIPCOM 2018 will be held in Cannes from 15 to 18 October 2018, where you can join around 4000 companies at the global event for programming for all genres across all sectors and meet international producers and production companies in one place.
It is deemed the world’s best entertainment content market and the place to go to secure licensees, pitch to broadcasters and finance or sell TV and digital content for shows, series and documentaries.
Previous companies who have been to MIPCOM include DreamWorks Animation, BBC Worldwide, Nickelodeon, FremantleMedia, NBC Universal Studios, MGM Studios, Viacom, HBO and Netflix.
MIPCOM 2018 will be hosted in Cannes from 15 – 18 October 2018
24. P’tits Cannes à You
For two weeks starting in late-October, P’tits Cannes à You is a family-friendly festival aimed at children 3 – 13 years of age offering puppet shows, cinema screenings, story telling, kids craft workshops and activities for free or low prices.
Timed to coincide with Toussaint school holidays, participating locations include Mediatheque Noailles, MJC La Raguin, Musée de la Castre and Theatre de la Licorne.
The P’tits Cannes à You programme will be released later in the year.
25. NRJ Music Awards 2018
Each November, the NRJ Music Awards are held at the Palais des Festivals and televised on TF1 French television. The award categories include French and international musicians, and they are handed out by well known French personalities such as actresses, DJ’s or fashion designers.
NRJ Music Awards Cannes 2018
In 2017, some of the attending musicians included Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, U2, Kygo, Amir, Soprano, Arcadian, David Guetta and Julien Doré.
Thank you for reading my post. As you can imagine this list is just a small sample of the events, activities and sightseeing that you can enjoy in Cannes in 2018. Other reasons to come to Cannes include Heavent Meetings, Tax Free Cannes, MAPIC, ILTM Cannes, traditional festivals and markets.
If you enjoyed my blog post, please share it on social media. Thank you!
Hosted at Vieux Port in Cannes, this summer families can enjoy free events that demonstrate the old tradition of provençale joutes.
Cannes : History of the Joutes Provençales
Joutes provençales originate from the Egyptian era; fishermen from the French Riviera originally set up a ladder on their boats and over time it has become a true festival with nautical combats and dives, practised in Provence.
The city of Cannes acquired two jousting boats in 1949, suitably named Le Sainte-Marguerite and Le Saint-Honorat, but with a lack of jousters the boats remained in storage from 2004. After the election of David Lisnard to the position of Mayor, he relaunched this Cannois tradition in 2014 to support local culture and encourage visitors to Cannes.
Today, the sport is hotly contested by 16 joutes provençales companies from the Var and Côte d’Azur including Cannes, Théoule, Agay, Fréjus, La Ciotat and Saint-Raphael with the ‘rules’ being that opponents stand on a boat and try to send their opponent into the water using a wooden spear (opponents wear a wooden breastplate to protect them).
The Joutes Provençales hosted at Vieux Port in Cannes
One opponent is the ‘jouster’ who stands on a raised platform called a teinteine; the other team member ensures the jouster does not catch the spear. Contestants must place their left food forward of a white line on the platform, otherwise if their right foot crosses the line at the time of joust they are disqualified.
Come to Quai St Pierre to watch the Joutes provençales in summer
When are the ‘Joutes Provençales’ in Cannes?
Starting from tomorrow (18 June) and running until 18 August, Cannes will host 5 Joutes Provençales events on various Friday nights and all-day selected Sundays.
One of the monks from Ile Saint-Honorat joins the nautical jousting
Organized by the Mayor of Cannes David Lisnard, in collaboration with L’association des Jeunes Jouteurs suquetans and CCI Nice Côte d’Azur, all are welcome to Quai Saint Pierre to enjoy this traditional activity. The 2017 Joutes Provençales programme is:
Sunday 18 June 2017 from 9am to 6pm (Round 1 of the Var-Côte d’Azur championship to qualify for the French championship staged in Istres, L’Estaque, Agay and Martigues this summer)
Friday 23 June 2017 from 7pm to 11pm (Challenge of the Rotary Club Cannes Pays de Lérins tournament sponsored by Rotary)
Sunday 23 July 2017 from 9am to 6pm (Another round of the Var-Côte d’Azur championship)
Friday 04 August 2017 from 7pm to 11pm (‘Tournoi de la St Sauveur’, in the presence of various teams of the region)
Friday 18 August 2017 from 7pm to 11pm (Challenge Le Mashou)
Watch a video of the Joutes Provençales in Cannes here (video: CannesWebTV):
The 70th edition of Cannes Film Festival (Festival de Cannes) will start next week in Cannes and run from 17 to 28 May 2017.
The Cannes Film Festival is one of the French Riviera’s biggest events and a major Festival for both film industry attendance and appearances by the world’s A-listers.
The 70th Cannes Film Festival 2017 will be one of the biggest events on the French Riviera
WHY VISIT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2017?
The Cannes Film Festival is famous worldwide and sees the most exclusive parties, eclectic people and luxury brands all merge into one frenzy of film-fuelled decadence in one of the Cote d’Azur’s most popular destinations.
For first-timers and casual tourists, it is exceptional for people-watching and you really do see all walks of life during the duration of the Festival.
Global journalists, photographers and television presenters ensure that the fashion, celebrities, charity events and films are filling media columns daily – aside from the glitz and opulence during the Festival, there are also the less glamorous side stories and un-newsworthy tales of cantankerous door staff, road closures, bar and restaurant staff with egos to rival a Palme d’Or and paparazzi crowding the Croisette.
Cannes Film Festival red carpet is highly anticipated for the fashion and celebrities
Cannes is used to luxury lifestyles (enter stage left the superyachts at Vieux Port and high-end boutiques along the Croisette), but Cannes Film Festival throws the definition of ‘luxury’ to the ground and well and truly tramples it. Expect every major luxury brand to fall over themselves for a piece of the action from dressing the beautiful people in the latest red carpet fashion and jewels, to premium supercars, rare Champagnes and every makeup brand Ambassador taking selfies with their ‘favourite’ lipstick for next season.
You’ll see the keenest Festival spectators in their finest suits and gowns outside the Palais des Festivals with signs such as ‘Premiere, s’il vous plait?’ and others perched on seats and ladders in the hope of chancing a celebrity on the famous red carpet; then immediately after a blacked-out vehicle with police escort will zoom past whisking some unknown passenger to a private soirée.
It’s a place where emerging talent sips cocktails beside established industry players, where having a glass of Champagne at 11am in haute couture is perfectly normal and headliners match hangovers.
Crazy, exciting, magic, super-hyped, bold and beautiful – I will be there again. If you get to experience Cannes Film Festival I highly recommend it!
CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2017 GUIDE
I have written this ‘Cannes Film Festival 2017 Guide’ for filmmakers, distributors, producers, film financiers, writers, film school students, international sales agents, press and casual tourists to help you understand the whole event and get value from your time in Cannes. It includes lots of inside tips from living here in the region as well as first-hand knowledge from attending the Festival.
Cannes is a unique opportunity to network with practically every main buyer and seller within film there.
Note: My guide is the only in-depth online guide for Cannes Film Festival that specifically includes information for persons with reduced mobility to enable them to visit Cannes and experience the Festival. I hope you find it a useful resource and kindly share it on social media. If you can’t find an answer within this guide, feel free to contact me here.
Cannes Film Festival Ultimate Guide 2017 by Access Riviera
THE LOW DOWN: HOW TO DO CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2017
First things first, if you’re planning on coming to Cannes Film Festival say goodbye to a good nights sleep. For accredited film industry professionals, media and celebrities, the action starts early – expect breakfast interviews, press junkets from early morning and lunches at the beach restaurants such as Le Plage 45, Z Plage and Carlton Beach.
If you don’t have an invite to the premieres, the same beach restaurants host nightly parties with endless buckets of rosé, Champagne and all kinds of entertainment. They are invitation-only, so unless you’re on the guest list or a plus-one, it’s nigh on impossible to blag your way in.
Getting press accreditation does not mean you’ll be welcomed with open arms because you posted a photo of your favourite A-lister on Instagram; there are around 4,000 global journalists representing 90 countries therefore you’ll be required to submit samples of credited work plus media distribution numbers and your press badge has your photo on it, so sadly it’s not transferable.
A new reception venue, the Terrasse des Journalistes, on the 4th floor of the Palais des Festivals, will be inaugurated on Wednesday 17 May and open to journalists every day from 10 am to 7 pm.
For nightlife, there’s loads of options…..some of the best parties are hosted on superyachts, so keep reading….
Cannes Film Festival 2017 Jury
The aim of the jury is to decide the award winners between the films in competition. The winners will be announced on Sunday 28 May at the closing ceremony, with the presentation of the highly-acclaimed Palme d’Or.
Spanish director, screenwriter and producer Pedro Almodóvar was named Jury President back in January and will be joined by other jurors:
Jessica Chastain (Actress, Producer – United States)
Will Smith (Actor, Producer, Musician – United States
Park Chan-wook (Director, Screenwriter, Producer – South Korea)
Paolo Sorrentino (Director, Screenwriter – Italy)
Gabriel Yared (Composer – France)
The jury of the 70th Cannes Film Festival
Italian actress Monica Bellucci will succeed French actor Laurent Lafitte in her 2017 role as the Mistress of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Romanian director, screenwriter and producer Cristian Mungiu will preside over the Cinéfondation and Short Film Jury. Mungiu shared last year’s Best Director Award for his film ‘Graduation’ (the award was shared with Olivier Assayas for his film ‘Personal Shopper’). Mungiu also won the Palme d’Or in 2007 with his feature ‘4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days.’ His ‘Beyond the Hill’ went on to win screenplay and actress prizes.
U.S. actress Uma Thurman and French actress Sandrine Kiberlain were previously named as presiding over the festival’s Un Certain Regard and Camera d’Or juries.
Cannes Film Festival 2017 : Full list of films
When does the red carpet action actually happen? For visitors and tourists hoping to see celebrities on the red carpet, the action outside the Palais des Festivals happens twice nightly at 7pm and 10pm when the Jury watch the films in competition and the industry stars show up.
Cannes Film Festival red carpet
The Festival is split into three main events, each with their own schedules – the Festival de Cannes, Directors’ Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs; this is a budget-friendly way for the public to see a film) and Critics’ Week (La Semaine de la Critique).
Included in this are screenings for Un Certain Regard, Cinéfondation, and Short Films In Competition. Entr’2 Marches runs alongside the main Festival from 21 to 26 May 2017 and screens short films with the themes of disability.
Cannes Film Festival is well known for its politics – the naming of the jury and awards always comes with debate. This year, the official poster was slammed for photoshopping and Festival organisers have said they’ll ban Netflix from entering the films in competition next year unless an agreement is reached on French theatre release.
Regardless, here is the line-up for 2017:
Official selection
Opening film – out of competition Les Fantômes d’Ismaël (dir: Arnaud Desplechin)
Competition (BPM) Beats Per Minute (dir: Robin Campillo)
The Beguiled (dir: Sofia Coppola)
The Day After (dir: Hong Sang-soo)
A Gentle Creature (dir: Sergei Loznitsa)
Good Time (dirs: Benny & Josh Safdie)
Happy End (dir: Michael Haneke)
In the Fade (dir: Fatih Akin)
Jupiter’s Moon (dir: Kornél Mundruczó)
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (dir: Yorgos Lanthimos)
Redoubtable (dir: Michel Hazanavicius)
Loveless (dir: Andrey Zvyagintsev)
The Meyerowitz Stories (dir: Noah Baumbach)
Okja (dir: Bong Joon-ho)
Radiance (dir: Naomi Kawase)
The Square (dir: Ruben Ostlund)
Wonderstruck (dir: Todd Haynes)
You Were Never Really Here (dir: Lynne Ramsay)
Un Certain Regard Barbara (dir: Mathieu Amalric) – opening film April’s Daughter (dir: Michel Franco)
Beauty and the Dogs (dir: Kaouther Ben Hania)
Before We Vanish (dir: Kiyoshi Kurosawa)
Closeness (dir: Kantemir Balagov)
The Desert Bride (dir: Cecilia Atan and Valeria Pivato)
Directions (dir: Stephan Komandarev)
Dregs (dir: Mohammad Rasoulof)
Jeune Femme (dir: Léonor Serraille)
L’Atelier (dir: Laurent Cantet)
La Cordillera (dir: Santiago Mitre)
Lucky (dir: Sergio Castellitto)
The Nature of Time (dir: Karim Moussaoui)
Out (dir: György Kristóf)
Walking Past the Future (dir: Li Ruijun)
Western (dir: Valeska Grisebach)
Wind River (dir: Taylor Sheridan)
Out of competition Based on a True Story (dir: Roman Polanski)
Blade of the Immortal (dir: Takashi Miike)
How to Talk to Girls at Parties (dir: John Cameron Mitchell)
Visages, Villages (dirs: Agnès Varda & JR)
Midnight screenings A Prayer Before Dawn (dir: Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire)
The Merciless (dir: Byun Sung-hyun)
The Villainess (dir: Jung Byung-gil)
Special screenings 12 Jours (dir: Raymond Depardon)
24 Frames (dir: Abbas Kiarostami)
An Inconvenient Sequel (dir: Bonni Cohen & Jon Shenk)
Carré 35 (dir: Eric Caravaca)
Claire’s Camera (dir: Hong Sang-soo)
Demons in Paradise (dir: Jude Ratman)
Le Vénérable W (dir: Barbet Schroeder)
Napalm (dir: Claude Lanzmann)
Promised Land (dir: Eugene Jarecki)
Sea Sorrow (dir: Vanessa Redgrave)
They (dir: Anahita Ghazvinizadeh)
Top of the Lake (TV – dir: Jane Campion)
Twin Peaks (TV – dir: David Lynch)
Top of the Lake (Photo Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh)
Children’s screening
Zombillénium (dir: Arthur de Pins and Alexis Ducord)
Virtual reality Carne y Arena (dir: Alejandro G Iñárritu)
Directors Fortnight
A Ciambra (dir: Jonas Carpignano)
Alive in France (dir: Abel Ferrara)
L’Amant d’un Jour (dir: Philippe Garrel)
Bushwick (dirs: Cary Murnion & Jonathan Milott)
Cuori Puri (dir: Roberto de Paolis)
The Florida Project (dir: Sean Baker)
Frost (dir: Sharunas Bartas)
I Am Not a Witch (dir: Rungano Nyoni)
Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc (dir: Bruno Dumont)
L’Intrusa (dir: Leonardo Di Costanzo)
La Defensa Del Dragón (dir: Natalia Santa)
Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (dir: Mouly Surya)
Mobile Homes (dir: Vladimir De Fontenay)
Nothingwood (dir: Sonia Kronlund)
Ôtez-moi d’un Doute (dir: Carine Tardieu)
Patti Cake$ (dir: Geremy Jasper) – closing film
The Rider (dir: Chloé Zhao)
Un Beau Soleil Intérieur (dir: Claire Denis) – opening film
West of the Jordan River (Field Diary Revisited) (dir: Amos Gitai)
Critics’ Week
Competition Ava (dir: Léa Mysius)
La Familia (dir: Gustavo Rondón Córdova)
Gabriel and the Mountain (dir: Fellipe Gamarano Barbosa)
Makala (dir: Emmanuel Gras)
Oh Lucy! (dir: Atsuko Hirayanagi)
Los Perros (dir: Marcela Said)
Tehran Taboo (dir: Ali Soozandeh)
Special Screenings Sicilian Ghost Story (dir: Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza) – opening film Brigsby Bear (dir: Dave McCary) – closing film Bloody Milk (dir: Hubert Charuel)
A Violent Life (dir: Thierry de Perretti)
For a copy of the screenings guide for Cannes Film Festival 2017, you can download it here.
Special mentions
ROBIN WRIGHT: at the opening of Cannes Classics on Thursday 18 May in the Buñuel screening room at 8 PM, the actress, producer and now director will come to present her first short, The Dark of Night, homage to film noir. It will be followed by the screening of the restored copy of Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz, winner of the Palme d’or in Cannes in 1980.
CLINT EASTWOOD, who was President of the Jury in 1994, and will be in Cannes from 19 to 21 May. On Saturday 20th May at 4:45 PM, he will be at the Debussy Theatre to present the restored copy of Unforgiven, which is celebrating its own 25th anniversary at the Festival with Warner. The following day, he will inaugurate the 70th ANNIVERSARYMASTERCLASS with a discussion in the company of American critic Kenneth Turan, in the Buñuel screening room at 4 PM.
KRISTEN STEWART: after starring in the last two years in the films of Woody Allen and Olivier Assayas and winning a Best Supporting Actress Cesar, the young American actress will come to present Come Swim – her first work as a director – on Saturday 20 May at 6:45 PM.
On Monday 22 May, the Debussy Theatre will host a TRIBUTE TO ANDRÉ TÉCHINÉ. The French director, who was a member of the Feature Film Jury in 1999, has presented 11 films in the Official Selection since 1975, including 6 in Competition. His new film, Nos années folles, will be screened to mark the occasion. Those who have accompanied him in his movies throughout the years will be present.
JANE CAMPION, who presided the Feature Film Jury in 2014 and remains to this day the only female director to have garnered a Palme d’or for The Piano in 1993, will present her latest work on Tuesday 23rd May, Top of the Lake: China Girl, which she co-directed with Ariel Kleiman.
Finally, in memory of the immense ABBAS KIAROSTAMI, winner of the 1997 Palme d’or for Taste of Cherry, who died on 4 July 2016, there will be a screening of his posthumous film 24 Frames. The session will take place on Tuesday 23 May in the presence of his friends and his son Ahmad Kiarostami.
ALFONSO CUARÓN, a member of the Feature Film Jury in 2008, director, producer and screenwriter, will also give a Masterclass, in the company of film critic Michel Ciment on Wednesday 24th May at 4:30 PM in the Buñuel screening room, during which they will discuss his career in Hollywood and Mexico.
DAVID LYNCH, 1990 winner of the Palme d’or with Wild at Heart, Best Director in 2001 with Mulholland Drive and President of the Jury in 2002, will return to the Festival to present Season 3 of Twin Peaks on Thursday 25th May at 7:30 PM in the Grand Théâtre Lumière.
Throughout the Festival, ALEJANDRO G. IÑÁRRITU, the visionary director of Birdman and The Revenant, and winner of the Best Director for Babel, will present his 6 minutes 30 seconds film Carne y Arena, an immersive experience within an incredible Virtual Reality installation.
First in, best served
The first weekend at Cannes Film Festival is traditionally the busiest and the first week is most preferred by buyers of film distribution rights at Marché du Film as attendance usually dips in the last few days of the Festival. So, in essence go early to secure the best chance for industry success.
For first timers, there are various accreditation types to gain access to the ‘salles’ (cinemas) screenings, pavilions and events ranging from Festival Accreditation, Market/Marché du Film, Producers Network, Cinéphiles, Press accreditation and pricey Market passes on the day.
The Market / Marché du Film
Marché du Film is the biggest film market in the world with thousands of screenings and over 12,000 attendees buying, selling and financing film.
Registration includes a hefty Marché guide with contact information for around 5,000 registered companies, access to the Official Selection of the Festival and Marché du Film screenings, company listing on Cinando.com and access to reserved areas for industry only.
The Short Film Corner is run by the Marché from 22 to 28 May – it is important to mention that Short Film Corner is not part of the Official Selection of short films.
The Producers Network and Producers Workshop are hosted under the Marché umbrella. Producers Network is reserved for producers who have recently produced feature films and focuses on networking sessions to develop their projects. The Producers Workshop is aimed at producers who want an introduction to the international market and provides practical sessions with tips for pitching, co-production and financing.
NEXT is part of the Marché and a venue for meetings and workshops. It aims to highlight alternative forms of storytelling so it’s no surprise that VR has crept up in the programme with a dedicated mini theatre to watch registered VR projects.
Don’t miss the Mixers – a series of cocktail events for Market badge holders invited in accordance with the theme. Three cocktails target the key players in documentary, genre cinema or festival and sales agents; hosted at Plage des Palmes.
The Palme d’Or
The Palme d’Or is the highest award at the Cannes Film Festival, awarded to the best film in competition from the Official Selection.
Since 1998, the trophy has been crafted annually at the Chopard workshops in Meyrin near Geneva, it takes 7 craftsmen around 40 hours for the process including injecting fair mined certified gold into the mould and mounting it to the rock crystal pedestal.
Cannes Film Festival Dress Code
I’m often asked what the dress code is during Cannes Film Festival. Unless you’re attending industry events, if you’re visiting Cannes in the day, smart casual is fine but in the evenings party attire is more acceptable.
Climate wise, the weather in May can be variable and alternate between hot days to rain so be prepared for all seasons!
For industry, smart casual during the day is fine but the evening is reserved for invitation-only events and gala screenings and you should dress appropriately. For the In Competition screenings, the dress code is black tie/evening wear (and your invitation will usually advise of this). Men, this means a tuxedo and ladies an evening dress. No visible brand labels emblazoned on clothing.
A special mention for the ladies: The Croisette is paved but you should be aware that Cannes has many cobblestoned streets and pavement surfaces such as marble tiles (i.e slippery!) so wear comfortable heels and invest in those genius anti-slip sole grips. You will thank me later.
What To Bring To Cannes Film Festival
Plenty of business cards. Mobile/charger and adaptors. Laptop / Pocket PC if you’re doing press. Sunglasses. Travel umbrella. Info from the main trades so you don’t hassle buyers who aren’t looking for new projects. Mints. Paracetomol and eye drops to ward off tell-tale hangover signs.
Don’t bring pages of screenwriting; people are too busy rushing between workshops, screenings and parties to read anything.
Read the Festival Daily distributed each morning at the Palais entrances and the guides from main trades as they detail key events and screenings.
Cannes Film Festival 2017 Party Guide
Cannes Film Festival throws some epic parties and everybody always wants to know where the hottest parties during Cannes Film Festival 2017 will be!
Cannes Film Festival has a number of high-profile parties at exclusive venues such as the stunning Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc
If your intention is to come to Cannes to gate-crash parties, then be aware that it is not as easy as the gossip magazines lead people to believe. Access is usually very restricted; the expense to host a party during Cannes Film Festival runs from €50,000-upwards for a few hours on the beach so invitations are selective.
Hotels and private events will check your accreditation pass and you will often need your business card and/or I.D. Press may not be guaranteed access; check first with each venue. Due to the security in place, if you book a private driver to/from a Croisette hotel, they may need authorisation from the Mairie (Town Hall) to pick you up and drop you off.
Parties at Cannes Film Festival 2017
One of the most star-studded events to attend every year is the amfAR Cinema Against Aids charity gala night which is hosted at the beautiful Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc on the Cap d’Antibes. This year, the amfAR night will be on Thursday 25 May. Every supermodel, producer, actor and member of high-society attends – here’s a video of last year’s amfAR event:
Here is a round-up of some of the other parties and top places to socialise during Cannes Film Festival 2017:
Wednesday 17 May – On the opening night, from early evening until late at night, Cannes Film Festival offers a welcome party to greet the Festival attendees and the press. The party will take place on the Plage du Majestic (Majestic beach) as well as on the Agora, with live music by the Fantasy Live Experience Orchestra and DJ Daddy Ryton.
Wednesday 17 May – Chopard’s ‘Glittering Prizes Exhibition’ presented by Chopard and Vogue featuring photographs of actresses and models on the Cannes red carpet.
Wednesday 17 May – L’Oréal at CanalPlus beach for open-air cinema
Wednesday 17 May – Swarovski party at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc hosted by Nadja Swarovski with special guest Naomie Harris.
Naomie Harris
Wednesday 17 May – Nikki Beach, Gotha Club and Baoli Cannes opening nights
Thursday 18 May – Magnum Beach party for Magnum x Moschino with special guest Cara Delevingne and featuring Moschino creative director Jeremy Scott.
Thursday 18 May – Mouton Cadet Wine Bar opening event.
Thursday 18 May – Rihanna Loves Chopard collection.
Thursday 18 May – Salute to Akiro Kurosawa media event and panel discussion at the Majestic.
Thursday 18 May – L’Oréal at CanalPlus beach for open-air cinema with Susan Sarandon’s ‘Thelma & Louise’.
Friday 19 May – Jeffrey Katzenberg Gala night in the Grand Salon of the InterContinental Carlton, a dinner for the film industry professionals present in Cannes. On this occasion, a tribute will be paid to American producer Jeffrey Katzenberg.
Friday 19 May – L’Oréal at CanalPlus beach for open-air cinema with Elle Fanning.
Friday 19 May – Mouton Cadet Wine Bar ‘Global Gift’ evening with Eva Longoria and Maria Bravo.
Friday 19 May – Charles Finch Filmmaker Dinner with Jaeger LeCoultre : Paolo Sorrentino will be feted at this cocktail party followed by dinner event and awards ceremony. Also on view: Series 3 of Finch’s “The Art Of Behind The Scenes” photography exhibition.
Friday 19 May – Chopard’s SPACE party under the big top at Port Pierre Canto with headline act Bruno Mars.
Saturday 20 May – At the Agora, the “Dinner of the Festivals” will reunite 150 directors of the greatest film festivals in the world.
Saturday 20 May – VIP Pool Party at Chateau Savant hosted by SmokexMirrors and Mia Moretti
Saturday 20 May – L’Oréal at CanalPlus beach for open-air cinema with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Sunday 21 May – Villa Golden Gate will host a Jamie Reuben and Michael Kives’ dinner with Arnold Schwarzenegger to celebrate Jean-Michael Cousteau’s Wonders of the Sea 3D, followed by a party hosted by CAA.
Sunday 21 May – Netflix party at Villa St George.
Sunday 21 May – Hollywood Foreign Press Association party at Nikki Beach with special guest Jake Gyllenhaal in aid of the International Rescue Committee.
Sunday 21 May – L’Oréal at CanalPlus beach for open-air cinema with Andie MacDowell’s ‘Sex, Lies and Videotape’.
Sunday 21 May – Private villa luncheon hosted by Three Six Zero and Champagne Armand de Brignac.
Sunday 21 May – Festival de Cannes and Kering Women in Motion Awards Dinner.
Monday 22 May – La Plage Royale luncheon (supported by YouTube) for the world premiere of Elton John: The Cut, followed by a screening and Q&A with the singer.
Monday 22 May – The annual Trophee Chopard event at Hotel Martinez.
Monday 22 May – L’Oréal at CanalPlus beach for open-air cinema with Eva Longoria’s ‘Lowriders’.
Tuesday 23 May – The 70th anniversary dinner at the Grand Théâtre Lumière. Under the presidency of Isabelle Huppert, the stage will feature screenings, edited archives and film extracts, musical interludes and presentations by artists. The traditional anniversary dinner will bring together all the major figures at Cannes that evening, including many artists who have won the Palme d’Or, or have left their mark on the history of the Festival.
Tuesday 23 May – Top of the Lake: China Girl pre-party in partnership with Grey Goose at Versini and special guestsElisabeth Moss, Nicole Kidman and the cast of ‘China Girl’.
Tuesday 23 May – Queer Night Party at the American Pavilion hosted by John Cameron Mitchell.
Tuesday 23 May – Timothy White x Julian Lennon soiree benefiting amfAR with a DJ performance by the Misshapes, Decora and Andrew Mancilla at Chateau Savant.
Tuesday 23 May – de Grisogono Dinner + After Party Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc
Bella Hadid at the de Grisogono party in 2016
Wednesday 24 May – Chopard Gents Night with Annabel’s at Hotel Martinez.
Wednesday 24 May – The Members Club at La Plage Royale is the venue for this charity event, Cinemoi Presents: Cannes Film Festival Fashion Charity Gala, that benefits Children United Nations. Revelers will be treated to a special fashion show straight from the runway of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Tokyo, presented by designers Keiichiro Yuri and Adolfo Sanchez. With performances by Maria Conchita Alonso, Ricky Rebel and American Idol’s Trenyce Cobbins.
Thursday 25 May – In the Grand Salon of the InterContinental Carlton, the Press Dinner will gather 250 international journalists and critics present in Cannes.
Thursday 25 May – The Haas brothers private reception to benefit The Art of Elysium by 1stdibs and Chateau Savant.
MTV
Wild Bunch
Variety
Vanity Fair Dinner
Naomi Campbell Birthday party
Horyou Charity Event
Belvedere Party
Hollywood Reporter
Villa Schweppes will feature performances by Atom, Breakbot & Irfane, Busy P, IAM, Kungs, Laurent Garnier, Para One and more!
Note: Hosting a party during Cannes and want to be included on this list? Contact me to be added.
How to get tickets to Cannes Film Festival parties
Some ways to get tickets to these parties include buying a ticket through registered sales agents such as Experience The French Riviera and Boutique Luxury International, approach the national pavilions at the Festival for an invite to their parties (for example, American, British, Canadian etc), make friends with publicists and PR agencies and try your luck with the door bouncers.
Of course, Cannes sees a flotilla of superyachts cruise into the region for May as many celebrities stay on for Monaco Grand Prix too. If you’re not lucky enough to have booked a yacht charter for Cannes, you can try and grab an invite to some of the most spectacular parties hosted on board including Paul Allen’s incredible themed yacht party and Leonardo DiCaprio’s yacht party.
Port Vauban in the yachting hub of Antibes is now under new management and will host a schedule of events throughout the Festival with a Champagne bar from Perrier-Jouet, exclusive wine tastings from Riviera Wine, a whisky and cigar lounge, vodka and caviar tastings, drive-in cinema with vintage cars and fashion shows on the IYCA. You can see the programme of events here: http://events.vauban21.com/dynamics/EVENTS%20PROGRAM%200205.pdf
Cinéma de la Plage 2017
Each year, Cannes Film Festival shows free films at an open-air cinema on the beach for the public and you can see Cannes Classics and out-of-competition films.
The Cinéma de la Plage is easy to find – it is held at Plage Macé which is the public beach beside the Palais des Festivals and opposite the Majestic Barriere Hotel. You can’t miss the giant screen set up on the beach!
Look for the scaffolding and sound system on the beach, you can’t miss it! (Cinema de la Plage, Cannes)
Various festival ‘how-to’ websites and the Cannes Office du Tourisme will tell you to reserve in advance, but it’s not necessary – entrance is free and you don’t have to show a physical ticket.
Films are listed as starting at 9pm but usually commence from 9.30pm nightly. The deckchairs are limited, so show up early if you want one (many people arrive before 7pm). If you miss out on a deck chair, take a picnic blanket to sit on the sand. There are no food facilities, but you are able to take a picnic; glassware and glass bottles are not permitted so leave the bottle of rouge for another time. Please respect the environment and take all your rubbish away with you.
The front row chairs are often reserved for film industry execs and often the Hollywood stars show up, so keep your eyes open for surprise guests!
It may be warm and sunny during the day, but Plage Macé can get chilly at night especially if there is a mistral blowing. Take warm clothes and rain protection as the entire zone is uncovered.
The nearest public toilets are located on the Croisette just past the children’s play ground, they are usually open late during the Cinéma de la Plage screenings.
Access notes: Persons with reduced mobility can access the beach at the Cinéma de la Plage site via a concrete ramp on the right-hand side at the entrance, there is no specific area set aside for wheelchairs but there is plenty of room for you. Accessible toilets are just past the public toilets by the children’s playground; look for the silver automated cubicle, access is by a 50 centime coin.
The Cinéma de la Plage schedule for 2017 is:
Thurs 18 May: All About My Mother by Pedro Almodóvar
Fri 19 May: Bugsy Malone by Alan Parker
Sat 20 May: Saturday Night Fever by John Badham
Sun 21 May: No movie just a free concert from -M- Matthieu Chedid
Mon 22 May: Bad Boys by Michael Bay
Tues 23 May: Missing by Costa-Gavras
Wed 24 May: Chariots of Fire by Hugh Hudson
Thurs 25 May: Film & concert DJAM by Tony Gatlif
Fri 26 May: Weekend at Dunkirk by Henri Verneuil
Sat 27 May: Un 32 août sur terre by Denis Villeneuve
Information points with directions and information about the Festival and Marché are located at various spots in the Palais and at the entrances to Riviera and Pantiero; look for the info points signalled by a yellow ‘I’.
A luggage cloakroom is located at the Barrière Bistingo (near the Casino Croisette) and open most days until at least 5pm.
Lost property is at the Gare Maritime (the port building next to the Palais) and open until 6pm.
Download the free bilingual (English and French) mobile application ‘Festival de Cannes’ available for iPhone, iPad and Android to stay updated with hour-by-hour coverage, film trailers, videos from the red carpet and more.
Radio Festival will be broadcast on the official Festival de Cannes website and mobile app and will also be available on Deezer. And you can catch up with previous broadcasts on podcast platforms (iTunes, SoundCloud). The radio studio will be located within the Festival enclosure and accessible to passing visitors.
On Twitter, you can follow @Festival_Cannes with hashtag #Cannes2017. You’ll also find official Festival updates on Facebook, Instagram and Festival TV.
TRANSPORT TO/FROM CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
The most popular option to arrive in Cannes is via train or bus. Central Cannes and the zones around the Palais and Croisette are flat and paved, and the distance from the train station or main bus station to the Croisette is only a few minutes walk.
If you’re driving, be aware that the large carparks nearby and under the Palais des Festivals are extremely busy. There are road closures frequently during Cannes Film Festival (particularly on the Croisette) and police will block roads for major stars entry and exits from hotels and restaurants.
Public transport schedules at night are limited and taxis are expensive; I highly recommend you to pre-book a transfer before you decide to stay out late. If you miss the last train/bus, don’t fret – you will not be the only Festival attendee doing the ‘walk of shame’ in the wee small hours of the morning.
Specialised transfers to/from Cannes
Helicopter transfers are by far the quickest way to get to Cannes from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, book via Azur Helicoptere. For bilingual English and French private chauffeured transfers, book via registered driver Djamel Bouzidi.
By train to Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes train station (Gare de Cannes SNCF) has ticket counters with attendants, but it is very easy and much quicker to buy your train tickets from the self-service ticket machines.
The self-service machines have English language as an option so you don’t need to be fluent in French to use them. Use coins for the self-issuing machines as they can be temperamental and often they can’t read non-French issued credit and debit cards.
If you are in Cannes for the Festival, rather than buying single fares get a ‘ZOU ! Hebdo’ pass. This is a train ticket valid for 7 consecutive days and gives you up to 75% fare discounts, they are available to tourists or residents. You must specify your origin and destination point – for example, Antibes to Cannes. TER SNCF, the regional train provider have a ton of fares including discounts if you’re under 26 years of age.
ALL tickets must be validated before boarding your train, look for the yellow validating machine (compostage de billets) at the entrance to the platforms.
Cannes train station has caféterias, a newsagent selling newspapers, phone credit, cigarettes as well as vending machines with snacks. There are also high tables with connections for tablets and smartphones.
Well-maintained and clean public toilets are located just outside the station, 50 metres along from the station entrance. These toilets are open Monday-Sunday 8am-9pm (excluding bank holidays), these toilets cost 50 centimes and you insert your coin into the automated turnstile and it opens the gate. There are 2 ladies toilets, 2 men’s toilets and an accessible parent’s room with baby changing facilities. There is a change machine there to swap notes for coins but it is often out of order so don’t rely on it or there being an attendant available.
Access notes: Persons with reduced mobility can contact ONET Accueil in the main hall of Cannes train station (service available Monday through to Sunday 7.30am-7.30pm) where they can assist passengers with luggage and access on and off trains. All interior facilities of the main train station including the public toilets are on flat ground and accessible.
Buses to and from Cannes Film Festival
From Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to Cannes you can take the following bus routes:
Express bus 210 line (between Nice Côte d’Azur Airport and Cannes via the highway)
Bus 200 (between Nice and Cannes)
Noctambus 200 (the night bus for weekends and bank holidays)
Bus 210 is the fastest bus from the airport, the journey from Terminal 1 to Hôtel de Ville close to the Palais takes just under one hour.
Bus 200 is a local bus and is particularly busy during peak hours with limited luggage storage on board. The journey takes around 1.5 hours for the full oneway journey from Nice to Cannes, but it is by far the cheapest option at €1.50 oneway.
The Cannes bus stops are the Gare Routiere (near Hôtel de Ville, the port and close to the Palais), and outside the train station (the 200 stop is opposite Hotel Ligure).
If you are staying in Le Cannet, Palm Beach and Mandelieu-La Napoule, local company Palm Bus will run night buses during the Festival. Their main website is in English, French and Italian with maps and timetables. For the timetables for the night buses during Cannes Film Festival, download them here NightbusesPalmBus
Access notes: Buses have kneeling ramp entrances and designated wheelchair areas midway on the bus. On bus number 200 there is lighted signage and sound calls advising of the next bus stop to assist hearing and sight-impaired travellers as well on board visual route maps. Wheelchair bound travellers also have an on demand service for regional buses called Access06 whereby you can pre-book a designated minibus ; more information is here (in French only) https://www.departement06.fr/accessibilite-des-transports/service-access06-4020.html
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
If you’re not invited to a party with free food and booze, don’t be put off from a few sundowners or a meal out in Cannes for fear of going home bankrupt. Here are Access Riviera’s recommendations for places to go for decently-priced food and drinks, good atmosphere or a true Cannois experience:
L’Epicurieux, 6 rue des Frères Casanova
A wine bar with excellent antipasti platters as well as pasta, salads and steak. The café gourmand is great and they regularly have live music.
rue Hoche
Rue Hoche is full of caféterias and restaurants so take your pick for somewhere to grab a coffee, drink or meal. I highly recommend Da Laura on the corner of rue Hoche and rue du 24 août.
The Palace Hotels
All of the bars at the Palace hotels on the Croisette are very good. My favourite is the terrace bar at the InterContinental Carlton, and Bar L’Amiral at Hôtel Martinez is also excellent with award-winning barmen.
Bar L’Amiral at Hôtel Martinez is one of Cannes best bars
Marché Forville
I can’t mention food in Cannes without telling people to go to Marché Forville. Fruit, vegetables, cured meat, seafood – this market has it all which is great for grabbing supplies for snacks or DIY dinners.
If you’re staying in a self- catering apartment, Marché Forville is surrounded by a couple of supermarkets, a boulangerie (bakery) and a few fancy shops selling caviar, salmon and foie gras. Try the socca or sit for a drink at one of the many bars and restaurants.
The market is open every day from 7am-1pm, except on Monday when it is a bric-a-brac flea market.
Access notes: The entire market is accessible and on flat paved ground. There is an accessible ground-floor toilet at Café de l’Horloge next to the market.
Croisette 72 a.k.a The Gutter Bar
Most popular during Cannes Lions, Croisette 72 is the proper name of the infamous Gutter Bar just across the road from the glitzy Hotel Martinez. This is one of the places to go at the end of the night during Cannes Film Festival where late night shenanigans morph into early morning shenanigans. Drink, network, be merry, repeat.
Le Tikawa, Allées de la Liberté
Just a few minutes from the Palais opposite the port, Le Tikawa is a snack kiosk selling tasty decent-sized salads, paninis and cold beers.
It’s by no means plush, just merely a few tables and chairs beside the pétanque pitch, but it is one of the best places in Cannes to have a quick bite to eat – all for a snippet of the price at neighbouring restaurants.
Access notes: Fully accessible on flat ground. Nearest accessible toilet facilities are automated pay toilets in the square.
Le Petit Majestic, corner of rue Tony Allard and rue Victor Cousin
Le Petit Majestic has fame as being one of the Festival’s swarming watering holes to drop by late at night. The owner has traditionally kept it open around the clock, closing for just one hour daily during Festival to allow for cleaning but this year he has a restriction and must close by 12.30am. It’s fairly certain this won’t deter Festival attendees.
Le Petit Majestic – a Festival favourite for pre and post-event drinks
Ma Nolan’s Pub, 6 rue Buttura
Irish pub Ma Nolan’s gets a lot of Festival foot traffic due to it’s location close to the Palais. They’ve had a bit of an issue with slowness of orders if you sit outside due to lack of staff, but the atmosphere is pretty good and if you’re not in a major hurry it remains one of Cannes best pubs. Head along for tap beers, pub food, live music, and screening of football on TV. www.manolans.com
Access notes: Ma’s is fully accessible outside with tables on flat ground, however there are stairs up to interior of the bar and toilet facilities.
Ma Nolans – one of Cannes best pubs
WiFi
I get quite a bit of feedback that the WiFi in and around Cannes venues is dubious and erratic, it’s a real shame because the city is competing with other global destinations for festivals and events. I have heard various explanations about network overloading due to attendee numbers, but for a major event it’s inexcusable in my opinion to have third-rate connection problems. The Palais and pavilions have WiFi zones but elsewhere in Cannes here are some places to find WiFi. If you go to any of these places to use their signal, please be courteous and buy a coffee/drink/meal:
Cristal Café on rue Felix Faure
Factory Café at the Gray d’Albion shopping arcade
La Potinière du Palais on square Merimee
Le Melting Pot at rue de la Rampe; the opposite side of the port from the Palais des Festivals
Mocca which is directly opposite the Palais des Festivals
New York New York on Allée de la Liberté Charles de Gaulle
Wifi in Cannes
WHERE TO STAY DURING CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2017
During Cannes Film Festival, accommodation prices increase dramatically with the most expensive accommodation lining the Croisette. If you want to book anything centrally located in Cannes you need to be prepared to pay top dollar.
The benefit of accommodation closer to the Festival is you have the option to return to your room/villa/apartment and save time when getting ready for other events. Staying further away you’ll have to commute, but you will save money for accommodation. Bear in mind, that over 60,000 people descend on Cannes so if you’re planning to get taxis to and from your accommodation you need to book in advance.
Staying in satellite suburbs and other nearby towns and commuting can be a more financially feasible option for many Festival attendees. Possibilities include Mandelieu la Napoule, Cannes La Bocca, Le Cannet, Golfe Juan, Juan les Pins or Antibes.
Accommodation during Cannes Film Festival 2017
I highly recommend Festival attendees to book through reputable sources or if you use third-party sites always verify their booking process and read some reviews.
Unfortunately, the Festival brings fraudulent companies to the scene who contact prospects with bogus offers using the logos of the Festival, Marché du Film and Palme d’Or so as to seem authentic accommodation providers. The fraud is often not discovered until the time of check-in when the reservation, company and payment are no longer to be found. Result = no refund and no reservation.
Check, check and triple check the authenticity of your accommodation source. French-registered rental businesses should have a physical address, contact details and a SIRET or SIREN number (business registration).
Overseas accommodation representatives should email you full booking details including local contact numbers, so take the time to check everything before transferring deposits or full payments.
Some fraudulent company names to avoid that have duped Festival goers in previous years include:
Business Travel International
Cannes Events
Euro-Events
Expos-International
Expo Travel Group
Global Living Group
Premier Destinations
Riviera Network
Splendor
Star Eventz
The Ultimate Living Group
Universal Events Solutions Limited
Universal Shows
If you’ve left your Cannes accommodation until the last minute, check with the Office du Tourisme at the Palais des Festivals as they often have updated information on hotel availability and partner hotels give them last minute rates to fill rooms.
THINGS TO SEE & DO IN CANNES
If you are not an accredited Festival badge holder, you can still visit Cannes and enjoy the atmosphere. Here are a few local tips of things to see and do during Cannes Film Festival 2017:
Film-related sightseeing
Cannes connection with film goes beyond the 12 days that the Festival will be hosted; there are a number of film-related sites to visit around town.
At the base of the Palais des Festivals, you can see the ‘Allées des Étoile’s du Cinema’ which is a trail of handprints from film stars. Unfortunately, there are no plaques with information to match the handprints but you can grab a few photos of Angelina Jolie, Sylvester Stallone, Jodie Foster or Sophia Loren’s hands.
Access notes: Fully accessible on paved flat surface.
Allées des Étoiles, Cannes
As well as the handprints, Cannes has a series of film-themed murals scattered around the city on walls of buildings. The most prominent one is right near the port at the Gare Routiere bus station. The murals include Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin and cars from films.
For directions to find each mural and descriptions, download this map : Murs peints de Cannes
Access notes: Fully accessible on flat paved surfaces.
Two new murals were added recently at Pont Alexandre III of Pulp Fiction and the Piano.
The Croisette
Outside of Festival time, it is one of the best seafront promenades on the Côte d’Azur but ‘La Croisette’ is undeniably the hub of all the action during Film Festival.
It is a supremely entertaining strip of road to visit with an eclectic variety of people found there during Film Festival – hardy tourists, wannabe stars with their own ‘rent-a-photographer’ escorting them, men in tuxedos at 9 a.m, champagne swiggers at beach clubs, and every dressed-up fashionista in town strutting along with the chance to be snapped by any one of the many photographers.
Stroll along the Croisette and you will see all of the promotional billboards at the entrances and on the façades of the hotels. Security is tight for all the hotels, but you can join the spectators and paparazzi crowding the road frontages for free. The top hotels for star spotting are the Hotel Martinez, InterContinental Carlton and the Majestic Barrière.
For families who are visiting, there is a small public playground with fairground area and carousel (fee applies) near to the Palais, and another small public playground at the other end of the Croisette before Port Pierre Canto. All of the kiosks along the Croisette sell ice-cream, snacks and drinks.
Access notes: The Croisette is paved and flat all the way from the Palais des Festivals to Port Pierre Canto, and there are accessible public toilets along the Croisette.
‘Games, Chance & Cinema’ at Palm Beach Casino
Situated at the far end of the Croisette, the legendary Palm Beach Casino was built in 1929 and welcomed all the jet set personalities including stars from the world of cinema.
It will be closing soon to move to Hotel-Casino 3.14 in Cannes and therefore to honour its legacy there will be an exhibition from 150 painters, sculptors, visual artists and photographers on the theme “Games, Chance and Cinema”. The includes works from fine art photographer Justin Gage, Italian painter Giacomo de Pass and French artist Patrick Moya. The 10 Colossi statues have been customised by artists and will be sold at the end of the exhibition.
The exhibition has started already and will run until Sunday 4 June 2017. At the closing of the exhibition, over 400 historic items will be auctioned off at 10am including the roulette tables, chandeliers, a bronze Sphinx statue from the Carlton, photographic portraits of film stars, light fittings, plush armchairs (for just €50!) and a very special Steinway & Sons piano (Lot 166) which has accompanied concerts by Charles Aznavour (a frequent performer at the Moulin Rouge), Louis Armstrong and Django Reinhardt. For the auction lots, see here PalmBeachCasinoAuctionLots
Le Suquet
Charming Le Suquet is the Old Town quarter of Cannes, interspersed with terraced stone houses with flower boxes, small alleyways and many restaurants.
To get to the top of the hill where the church is (fee applies to enter the museum Musée de la Castre , excluding the 1st Sunday of the month when entry is free), walk up rue Saint-Antoine, rue du Suquet, and then Traverse de la Tour. The views from the top are excellent and reach across Cannes, the Lérins Islands and the Ésterels.
Access notes: Wheelchair bound or tourists with reduced mobility can still visit the top to enjoy the views, though the streets are steep! Follow rue Saint-Antoine, rue du Suquet, rue du Pré then rue Louis Perrisol. This route follows paved flat roads and avoid the many stairways in Le Suquet. Or jump onboard the Petit Train tourist train that departs from near the Palais des Festivals as it chugs it way up there too.
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The beauty about living in this region is that festivals and events aren’t limited to peak seasons or summertime. You can find something to do year round!
This coming weekend 17 – 18 September there’s no shortage of things to do now la rentrée has well and truly passed:
– European Heritage Days (Journées Européennes du Patrimoine) is an annual weekend whereby monuments, gardens, museums, art galleries and other sites of cultural or historical significance open their doors to the public for free; many with guided tours though click on the links below to check if pre-reservation is necessary. Some of the participating locations this weekend are:
– Les Régates Royales begins on Sunday 18 September and features the largest and best known classic yachts who will race in the bay of Cannes and La Napoule. Visit their website here for more info: http://www.regatesroyales.com/en/ Alongside the race, Port Pierre Canto is hosting a free festival ‘Cannes fête le Port Canto’ from 10am to 6pm on Sunday 18 September with stands, workshops and an orchestra performance.
Les Regates Royales de Cannes (Image: Alexis Courcoux)
– Mougins presents another weekend of their Apéros Food nights that have been held every Friday and Saturday throughout July, August and September. On Friday 16th and Saturday 17th September you can head to Place des Patriotes between 6pm and 10pm for a Vietnamese food truck and concert from BlAst (pop, rock, disco, funk).
Apéros Food is every Friday and Saturday night in Mougins
– The 25th Festival d’Art Sacré begins Friday 16 September and runs until Sunday 25 September in Antibes. The festival features chamber music, choirs and orchestral music at the Antibes Cathedral, Chapelle Saint-Bernandin and N0tre-Dame de la Garoupe.
– This weekend is your last chance to see the Nicolas Lavarenne sculpture exhibition in Antibes. It has been great to see these fantastic sculptures placed around Antibes old town and the town remparts, try to get along to see them.
– The Theâtre de la Photographie in Nice has one remaining week until the finish of the exhibition ‘Un monde flottante’ featuring around 200 photos from French photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue. Well known for his black and white images of race cars, aviation and the Belle Époque the exhibition has never been shown in France before.
The annual Cannes Film Festival (Festival de Cannes) is hosted each year in May at the Palais des Festivals beside Vieux Port and is one of the French Riviera’s primary events and a major Festival on the global film circuit.
The 69th Festival starts on 11 May and runs until 22 May 2016.
Cannes Film Festival 2016 – official festival poster
The Cannes Film Festival is iconic and Cannes itself is a fitting backdrop to the proceedings – luxury hotels are booked well in advance and fashion boutiques line the Croisette, while the same designer garments are draped over the celebrities on the red carpet. Every big name luxury brand wants a piece of the action from diamond-dripping jewellery to luxe supercars, expensive liquor to makeup brands.
I have curated this post ‘Cannes Film Festival 2016: Insider Tips No One Tells You’ with local tips and advice to help Festival attendees get the most out of your visit whether you are in Cannes for the first time or a regular attendee.
Note: This guide is the only online guide for Cannes Film Festival that specifically includes supplementary ‘Access Notes’ after most sections giving information for persons with reduced mobility to enable them to enjoy the Festival. I hope you find this informative and share it on social media.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2016
Woody Allen’s Café Society starring Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Steve Carrell and Parker Posey will open the Festival and it signals the third time the director has kicked off the Festival, following 2002’s Hollywood Ending and 2011’s Midnight in Paris.
Woody Allen’s ‘Café Society’ will open Cannes Film Festival 2016
The Festival Jury & La Palme d’Or
This year’s Festival Jury is presided over by Australian screenwriter, producer and director George Miller (of Mad Max credit) who will be joined by other jury members that include Mads Mikkelsen, Vanessa Paradis, Donald Sutherland, Kirsten Dunst, László Nemes and Valeria Golino and their aim is to decide the award winners between 21 films in competition including the winner of the coveted Palme d’Or.
The Palme d’Or is the highest accolade at the Cannes Film Festival, awarded to the best film in the official selection. Since 1998, the trophy has been crafted annually at the Chopard workshops in Meyrin near Geneva, it takes 7 craftsmen around 40 hours for the process including injecting fair mined certified gold into the mould and mounting it to the rock crystal pedestal.
Get in early
For first timers to Cannes, the first weekend is traditionally the busiest and the first week is most preferred by buyers of film distribution rights at Marché du Film as attendance drops off in the last few days of the Festival. So, in essence go early to bag the best chance for industry success.
There are various accreditation types to gain access to screenings, pavilions and events ranging from Buyer passes to Producers Network accreditation and of course, highly sought after Press accreditation.
Screenings
For spectators (i.e. visitors / tourists hoping to see celebrities), the red carpet sashaying happens twice nightly at 7pm and 10pm when the Jury watch the films in competition at the Palais and the main stars show up.
Other screenings include Un Certain Regard, Cinéfondation, Quinzaine des Réalisateurs (also known as the Director’s Fortnight and a budget-friendly way for the public to see a film), and Short Films In Competition. A sidebar festival is Entr’2 Marches which runs alongside the main Festival from 15 to 20 May 2016 and screens short films with the themes of disability.
Cannes Film Festival Parties
As well as a hub for business networking, Cannes hosts some epic parties including those thrown by Wild Bunch, Variety and Film 4.
THE event to be at each year is the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS gala night; 2016 sees the 23rd gala fundraiser hosted at the legendary Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc on the Cap d’Antibes on Thursday 19 May. Every supermodel, actor and producer in town attends – here’s a video of last year’s amfAR event:
Dress Code
I’m often asked what the dress code is for tourists to Cannes during Film Festival – if you’re going in the day, smart casual is normal but in the evenings party attire is perfectly fine. For those lucky enough to get to the gala screenings, the dress code is black tie/evening wear. The weather in May can swing from baking hot to rain storms so be ready for all seasons!
Cinema de la Plage 2016
Each year, free screenings are held on the beach for the public and you can see Cannes Classics and out-of-competition films.
To find the Cinema de la Plage open-air cinema, go to Plage Macé which is the public beach beside the Palais des Festivals and opposite the Majestic Barriere Hotel. You can’t miss the huge film screen and sound system on the beach!
Look for the scaffolding and sound system on the beach, you can’t miss it! (Cinema de la Plage, Cannes)
The Cannes Office du Tourisme will tell you to reserve in advance, but it’s not necessary, entrance is free and you don’t have to show a physical ticket.
Screenings are listed as starting at 9pm but usually commence from 9.30pm nightly. If you want one of the deckchairs, show up early (many people arrive before 7pm).
The front row chairs are often reserved for film industry execs and sometimes the Hollywood stars show up (in 2014, I spotted Adrian Grenier from Entourage, Quentin Tarantino, John Travolta and Uma Thurman who showed up for Pulp Fiction). Keep your eyes open for surprise guests!
Cinema de la Plage, Cannes
If you miss out on a deckchair, there is plenty of room on the right-hand side of the screen on the sand so take a picnic blanket.
It may be warm and sunny during the day, but Plage Macé can get chilly at night especially if there is a mistral blowing. Take warm clothes and rain protection as the entire zone is uncovered.
There are no food facilities, but you are able to take a picnic. We have taken a bottle of wine and plastic glasses before also with no problems; please respect the environment and take all your rubbish away with you.
The nearest public toilets are located on the Croisette just past the children’s play ground, they are usually open late during the Cinéma de la Plage screenings.
Access notes: Persons with reduced mobility can access the beach via a concrete ramp at the Cinema de la Plage site, there is no specific area set aside for disabled people but there is plenty of room for you.
The Cinema de la Plage schedule for 2016 is:
Thursday 12 May Purple Rain – Albert Magnoli, 1984, duration 1 hour 50 minutes
Friday 13 May King of Hearts (Le Roi de Coeur) – Philippe de Broca, 1966, duration 1 hour 42 minutes
Saturday 14 May Coup de Tête – Jean-Jacques Annaud, 1979, duration 1 hour 32 minutes
Sunday 15 May Surprise film
Monday 16 May The Endless Summer – Bruce Brown, 1966, duration 1 hour 35 minutes
Tuesday 17 May The Great Dictator (with Charlie Chaplin) – 1940, duration 2 hours 5 minutes
Wednesday 18 May Sorcerer – William Friedkin, 1977, duration 2 hours
Thursday 19 May The Easy Life (Il Sorpasso) – Dino Risi, 1962, duration 1 hour 45 minutes
Friday 20 May Kiss Me Deadly – Robert Aldrich, 1955, duration 1 hour 46 minutes
Saturday 21 May We All Loved Each Other So Much (C’eravamo Tanto Amati) – Ettore Scola, 1974, duration 2 hours
WHY VISIT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL?
Cannes Film Festival may appear a crazy mix for first-timers; international media focuses on the red carpet, the awards, the charity galas, the fashion and the celeb sightings but you won’t find much reporting of road closures, numerous security personnel, wait staff with attitude to boot and photographers and camera crews clawing for their space on every spare inch of pavement on the Croisette.
However, it’s a fantastic place for people-watching and you really do see all walks of life during the Festival. Festival spectators bring their own seats and ladders to the Croisette in the hope of seeing a movie star on the red carpet – frequently, their view is of the back of someone else’s head, but we can all dream of a slice of cinema magic.
Cannes Film Festival is a magic event where cinema welcomes the big names and emerging talent to this glossy town that once was a fishing village – if you get the chance to visit the French Riviera during Film Festival I highly recommend it.
PRACTICAL DOWNLOADS FOR CANNES
If you’re attending the Festival, click onto this pdf link for the map of the Festival sites
Access notes: For persons requiring disabled access, download this accessmap for entry points to the Palais
For a tourist map of Cannes, click on this link Cannesmap
Download the free bilingual (English and French) mobile application ‘Festival de Cannes’ available for iPhone, iPad and Android to stay updated with hour-by-hour coverage, film trailers, videos from the red carpet and more.
On Twitter, you can follow @Festival_Cannes with hashtag #Cannes2016. You’ll also find official Festival updates on Facebook, Instagram and Festival TV.
TRANSPORT
The most popular option to arrive in Cannes is via bus or train. Central Cannes and the zones around the Palais and Croisette are flat and paved, and the distance from the train station to the Croisette is only 5 minutes walk.
If you’re driving, be aware that the large carparks nearby and under the Palais des Festivals are extremely busy. There are road closures during Cannes Film Festival, notably the Croisette, and police frequently block roads for major stars exits from hotels and restaurants.
It’s a given that Festival combines business with pleasure and you’ll experience some memorable (and forgettable) parties, however be aware that if you decide to stay out late you may end up for paying pricey cab fares. Public transport schedules at night are limited and taxis are expensive; try to pre-book a transfer before you hit the nightlife.
Cannes train station
The Cannes train station (Gare de Cannes SNCF) has ticket counters with attendants, but you can also purchase your train tickets from the self-service ticket machines.
TOP TIPS: Use coins for the self-service ticket machines as they can be temperamental and often they can’t read non-French issued credit and debit cards. The self-service machines have English language options so you don’t need to be fluent in French.
ZOU ! Hebdo is a train ticket valid for 7 consecutive days and gives you up to 75% fare discounts and they are available to tourists or residents. You have to specify your origin point and destination point – for example, Juan les Pins or Antibes to Cannes. These passes give you super savings if you’re in the region for Cannes Film Festival. TER SNCF, the regional train providers offer many different fare discounts including discounts if you’re under 26 years of age so ask at the ticket counters as they don’t willingly sell them unless you ask!
ALL tickets must be validated before boarding your train, look for the yellow validating machine (compostage de billets) at the entrance to the platforms.
The train station has a newsagent selling newspapers, phone credit, cigarettes, snacks. There are caféterias and vending machines onsite, and high tables with connections for smartphones and tablets.
Well-maintained and clean public toilets are located just outside the station, 50 metres to the left of the station entrance. These toilets are open Monday-Sunday 8am-9pm (excluding bank holidays), these toilets cost 50 centimes and you insert your coin into the automated turnstile and it opens the gate. There are 2 ladies toilets, 2 men’s toilets and a parent’s room with baby changing facilities. There is a change machine there to swap notes for coins but it is often out of order so don’t rely on it.
Access notes: Persons with reduced mobility can contact ONET Accueil in the main hall of Cannes train station (service available Monday through to Sunday 7.30am-7.30pm) where they can assist passengers with luggage and access on and off trains. All interior facilities of the train station including the public toilets are on flat ground and accessible.
Buses
Getting to Cannes you can take the following bus routes:
Bus 200 (between Nice and Cannes)
210 line (between Nice Airport and Cannes via the highway)
200 line Noctambus (a night service exclusively for Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights and bank holidays between Nice Airport and Cannes)
The journey on Bus 200 takes around 1.5 hours for the full oneway journey from Nice to Cannes, but it is by far the cheapest option at €1.50 oneway. To compare, the train journey from Nice to Cannes takes about 40 minutes. It should be noted that Bus 200 is a local bus that is particularly busy during peak hours and luggage storage is limited onboard.
The Cannes bus stops are the Gare Routiere (near Hôtel de Ville and the port), and outside the train station (the 200 stop is opposite Hotel Ligure).
Local Cannes buses with Palm Bus cover the greater Cannes area and nearby zones of Le Cannet, Palm Beach and Mandelieu-La Napoule. Their website is in English, French and Italian with maps and timetables – visit it here www.palmbus.fr
Access notes: Buses have kneeling ramp entrances and designated wheelchair areas midway on the bus. On main route number 200 there are on board visual route maps, lighted signage and sound calls advising of the next bus stop to assist hearing and sight-impaired travellers. Wheelchair bound travellers also have an on demand service for regional buses called Access06 whereby you can pre-book a designated minibus ; more information is here (in French only) https://www.departement06.fr/accessibilite-des-transports/service-access06-4020.html
Specialised transfers
For helicopter transfers, private chauffeured transfers or classic car rental, I recommend using registered businesses that know the region well. Find out more in my Cannes Film Festival 2016: Supplier List
WINE AND DINE
Don’t be discouraged from a few sundowners or a meal out in Cannes for fear of breaking your bank balance during Film Festival. Here are Access Riviera’s suggestions for places to go for well-priced food and drinks, great atmosphere or a true Cannois experience:
La Boulangerie par Jean Luc Pelé, 3 rue du Vingt-Quatre Août
If you need a snack on the run, head here for artisan breads, salads (most priced around €6-€7), sandwiches, fruit salad and yoghurt, open Monday-Saturday 7.30am-7.30pm.
Or grab some chocolates and macarons at Jean-Luc Pélé’s patisserie-chocolatier shops on rue de Meynadier and rue d’Antibes.
Access notes: Fully accessible on flat ground. No toilet facilities.
Le Petit Majestic, rue Tony Allard
Le Petit Majestic is a lounge bar that actually is a Festival street party. Festival attendees rock up here pre and post-event to mingle and network, and the French authorities don’t bat an eyelid at people drinking beer in the street.
Le Petit Majestic – a Festival favourite for pre and post-event drinks
L’Epicurieux, 6 rue des Frères Casanova
A wine bar first and foremost, they serve excellent antipasti platters as well as pasta, salads and steak. The café gourmand is great and they regularly have live music.
L’Epicurieux café gourmand
Le Jardin Secret, 2 rue Frères
Le Jardin Secret is located in Le Suquet (Old Town) and is a low-key place with entry through a narrow bar area/art gallery. Open from 7pm (also open for weekend brunches) if you’re looking for white table linen and silver service dining don’t go there – they serve tapas-style dishes in a laidback manner.
Lovely little garden courtyard and Wifi. Look for the entrance on rue Frères through the old door and the sign with the key. Follow them on their Facebook page for current news on opening times as they close for private events.
Access notes: Accessible but can get crowded in the garden.
Le Jardin Secret, Cannes
Le Tube, 10 rue Florian
Super stylish, modern with a slightly industrial feel with brickwork, exposed pipes and graffiti artworks Le Tube offers French food with a modern twist. The steak is good, but be warned its pricey. An excellent choice for pre or post-Festival meet ups.
Access notes: Fully accessible.
Le Tube, Cannes (letube.fr)
Le Tikawa, Allées de la Liberté
It may not be the hub for industry wheeling-and-dealing, however this local snack kiosk sells tasty decent-sized salads, paninis and cold beers – all for a fraction of the price at neighbouring restaurants.
My favourite salad costs a wallet-pleasing €7 and its an under-the-radar option where you can get a table beside the plane trees, have a quick bite to eat and watch the locals playing pétanque.
Access notes: Fully accessible on flat ground. Nearest accessible toilet facilities are automated pay toilets in the square.
Ma Nolan’s, 6 rue Buttura
One of Cannes better pubs and found on a corner site close to the Palais des Festivals, Ma’s gets a lot of Festival foot traffic. Head there for tap beers, pub food, live music, and sports coverage such as football on TV. www.manolans.com
Access notes: Fully accessible outside tables on flat ground, however there are stairs up to interior of the bar and toilet facilities.
Ma Nolans – one of Cannes best pubs
Marché Forville
I can’t mention food in Cannes without a tip to go to Marché Forville.
As well as fruit, vegetables, cheese, cured and fresh meat, seafood etc there are specialty shops around the perimeter of the main covered market including a shop selling regional products and duck, a Fish and Chips shop, a salmon and caviar store, a bakery (boulangerie), a roast chicken store, and a socca vendor.
Marché Forville, Cannes
Many bistros and bars are around the Marché Forville, and there are also a few supermarkets there – LeaderMarket, SPAR, and Picard for frozen foods (good for people staying in apartments who are self-catering).
The market is open every day from 7am-1pm, except on Monday when it is a bric-a-brac flea market.
Access notes: The entire market is accessible and on flat paved ground. There is an accessible ground-floor toilet at Café de l’Horloge next to the market.
Philcat, promenade de la Pantiero
Head to promenade de la Pantiero beside the port to the unassuming blue and white snack kiosk where Philcat serves one of the best pan-bagnats in Cannes. For those not already in the know, a pan-bagnat is a regional specialty (of Nice) and comprises of a pain de campagne (French sourdough) or white bread bun filled with salad Niçoise.
Access notes: Fully accessible on flat ground. Nearest accessible toilet facilities are automated pay toilets in the square across the road.
Philcat on the promenade de la Pantiero (accessriviera.wordpress.com)
rue Hoche
Rue Hoche is a great place to grab a meal, coffee or drink. I can recommend:
Le Cirque with lots of seating outside or indoors upstairs if you need a quieter space, most mains cost under €15 and they have good coffee. Access notes: Fully accessible outside terrace on flat ground, however toilet facilities are located upstairs.
Volupte Anytime is a tearoom but has some of the best coffee in Cannes! Great cakes, sandwiches and salads for reasonable prices.
WIFI
Here are some places in Cannes to find Wifi:
Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) gardens across from the port. For details on how to log on, click ẀifiCannes
Mocca (directly opposite the Palais des Festivals)
La Potinière du Palais (on square Merimee)
New York New York (Allée de la Liberté Charles de Gaulle)
Cristal Café (rue Felix Faure)
Le Melting Pot (rue de la Rampe; the opposite side of the port from the Palais des Festivals)
Factory Café (Gray d’Albion shopping arcade)
Wifi in Cannes
LAST MINUTE ACCOMMODATION
Cannes is a money pot for rental companies and generally any accommodation centrally located in Cannes will increase room rates dramatically for Film Festival.
I’d advise Festival attendees to book through reputable sources or if you use 3rd-party sites check out some reviews.
This can be difficult to avoid, however sadly when Festival arrives it brings fraudulent companies to the scene so check, check and double check the authenticity of your accommodation source. French-registered rental businesses should have a physical address, contact details and a SIRET or SIREN number (business registration).
Overseas accommodation representatives should email you full booking details including local contact numbers, so take the time to check before parting with your cash.
Some fraudulent company names to avoid that have duped Festival goers in previous years include: Business Travel International or Expo Travel Group, Cannes Events, Euro-Events, Global Living Group, Premier Destinations, Riviera Network, The Ultimate Living Group, Universal Shows or Splendor.
Staying outside central Cannes can be a more financially feasible option for many Festival goers. Possibilities include Mandelieu la Napoule, Cannes La Bocca, Le Cannet, Golfe Juan, Juan les Pins or Antibes.
Here are some suggestions for last minute Festival accommodation for attendees who may have a smaller budget, are travelling solo or are happy to commute:
Juan les Pins is 12 minutes by train to Cannes – Hotel Astor is 5 minutes from the Juan les Pins train station and bus stop to Cannes, and located in a quiet residential street. It is run by a friendly bilingual French couple who have a number of clean and comfortable spacious rooms and studios. Free Wifi, flat screen TV’s, free parking and some accommodations with balcony or patio terrace. Bookings and enquiries via http://astorhotel.fr/
Le Cannet
Just off boulevard Carnot, close to Cannes there is a studio with own entrance with some availability for the end of Festival, sleeps 2. Wifi, and 1 minute from bus route which takes 5 minutes to get into Cannes (or walkable in 25 minutes). Bookings via https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/741466
Mandelieu la Napoule
Villa Béthanie has two bedrooms with king-sized beds, Wifi, parking, it’s on the bus route to Cannes and Nice Airport and large outdoor entertaining space with BBQ. Book via https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/8751253?guests=4&s=3XZ7rXAx
Mouans Sartoux
Villa sleeping 6 located in Mouans Sartoux with short distance to local restaurants, golf course and shopping. Book via https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5079395?s=8
Mougins
Le Club Mougins Diamond Resorts have single and duplex accommodation in a resort-style hotel close to golf courses, restaurants and just 8.6 kilometres from Cannes. There are some renovations being undertaken so enquire at time of booking if this affects your room.
Roquefort les Pins
Perfect for a post Festival stay to wind down, there are rooms (bookable per night) and apartments (minimum 3 night stay) available in a 17th-century restored manor located between Cannes, Grasse and Nice. Bookings and enquiries via Mas Shabanou
If you’ve left your Cannes accommodation until the last minute, you can also ask at the Office du Tourisme at the Palais des Festivals as they often have updated information on hotel availability and get last minute rates to fill rooms at partner hotels.
FREE THINGS TO SEE & DO
If you are not an actor, crew, director, or have a Press Pass or Festival badge, you can still visit Cannes and enjoy the atmosphere at the Film Festival for free (or a low budget). Here are a few inside tips:
Allée des Étoiles du Cinema
Outside the Office de Tourisme at the base of the Palais des Festivals, you can see handprints from movie stars but it is nowhere near as extensive (or publicised) as the Hollywood Walk of Fame and there’s no plaques with information.
If you’re spending a few days on the French Riviera and really into immortalised handprints, Juan les Pins also has a Walk-of-Fame of jazz stars from the annual Jazz à Juan Festival, and Monaco has a Champions Promenade which pays tribute to some of the world’s best footballers.
Access notes: Fully accessible on paved flat surface.
Allées des Étoiles, Cannes (accessriviera.wordpress.com)
Cannes cinema murals
For over a decade, Cannes has been developing a series of film-themed murals scattered around the city on walls of buildings.
There are 15 in total, including murals of Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, and cars from films.
For the map of where to find each mural and descriptions, download this pdf the Murs peints de Cannes
Access notes: Fully accessible on flat paved surfaces.
La Croisette
The Croisette buzzes during Film Festival and is one of the best seafront promenades on the French Riviera, with a huge cross-section of people found there during Film Festival – keen tourists, wannabe celebrities with their own ‘rent-a-photographer’ following them, men in tuxedos at 9 a.m, champagne guzzlers at beach restaurants, and every dressed-up fashion addict in town strutting along hoping to be snapped by any one of the many photographers.
Spectator seats for red carpet viewing on the Croisette
It’s all great fun and superbly entertaining.
Walk along the Croisette and you’ll see the promotional billboards draping down the façades of the hotels from the film production companies.
The top hotels for star spotting are the Carlton Intercontinental, Hotel Martinez and the Majestic Barrière. Security is intense for all the hotels, but you can join the spectators and paparazzi crowding the road frontages for free; enter inside you better have a hefty credit card limit. The beach restaurants are set up with marquees for the private events.
To break up the frenzy for families, there is a small fairground area with carousel (fee applies) and a public playground near to the Palais, and also another small public playground at the other end of the Croisette.
Access notes: The Croisette is paved and flat all the way from the Palais des Festivals to Port Canto, and there are accessible public toilets along the Croisette.
Le Suquet
Le Suquet is Cannes Old Town, interspersed with old houses spilling over with flower boxes, brick-vaulted entrances, small alleyways and numerous restaurants.
While the Croisette, Palais des Festivals and the seafront hotels are famously busy (and expensive) during the Festival, Le Suquet goes about each day almost unaware an international festival is happening mere minutes away.
Traverse de la Tour, Le Suquet, Cannes (accessriviera.wordpress.com)
To get to the church and Musée de la Castre at the summit (fee applies to enter the museum, excluding the 1st Sunday of the month when entry is free), walk up rue Saint-Antoine, rue du Suquet, and then Traverse de la Tour. The views from the top are some of the best in the area stretching across Cannes, the Lerins Islands and the Esterels.
View from Le Suquet (accessriviera.wordpress.com)
Access notes: Wheelchair bound or tourists with reduced mobility can still visit the top to enjoy the views, though the streets are steep! Follow rue Saint-Antoine, rue du Suquet, rue du Pré then rue Louis Perrisol. This route follows paved flat roads and avoid the many stairways in Le Suquet. Or jump onboard the Petit Train tourist train that departs from near the Palais des Festivals as it chugs it way up there too.
Vieux Port (old port)
Stroll for free along the port admiring the expensive superyachts berthed there. Many yachts host private parties in the evening so it’s a good time to wander past for a nosey.
Access notes: Fully accessible on paved flat surface.
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Cannes has been voted Number 10 place in the list of 2015’s unfriendliest cities of the world as rated by a Readers’ Choice Awards survey by Condé Nast Traveler (and in 2014 they did not fare much better; they claimed Number 2 spot of global unfriendly cities).
What did readers say about Cannes?
Bloated simply by the prestige of its famed film festival
Lots of lovely yachts and fancy hotels, but filled with very wealthy, thin snobby people
A tad rude
Cosmopolitan but too much glitz
Get out of town to find secret quiet places nearby
Ask for prices if they aren’t listed on menus. We ordered a two-pound lobster, which we shared, and the bill was €240. It must have been made of solid gold!
Not exactly a glowing reference for regional tourism – which I might add is not down to my sterling efforts 🙂
I love Cannes so I’m wondering who actually voted in this survey. Yes, there are snobby people and wait staff in Cannes – but there are in every city. Paris has been labelled previously as having ‘dirty streets and rude people’ and Marseille as ‘a hotbed of crime and gang shootings’ so Cannes is not alone in the occasional lack of global love shown for French cities.
So, to show my support for the Cannes I know (and love) – the Cannes where the sunset over the Esterels seems to last forever some days, where the vendors at Marché Forville animatedly talk about their fruit harvest, where the ice cream along the Croisette tastes the best in summer etc – here is my open letter to Cannes to prove this city has a glass that’s half full, not half empty.
Cannes has many summer events and festivals happening so if you are in town as a tourist or you are a local looking to find out what’s happening in one place – read on!
From classical concerts to dance parties on the beach, traditional festivals to trendy art exhibitions there is something for all interests and budgets.
My top 5 picks for free Cannes events:
Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique (free fireworks displays – various dates)
Cine-Quartier (free open-air cinema screenings – various dates and locations)
Anniversaire de la Libération de Cannes (WWI commemoration with military parade, ball and fireworks – 24 August)
Pages a la Plage (book lending library at Plage Macé – until the end of August. Note: €10 refundable bond/caution must be given to borrow books)
Night market at Cannes Vieux Port (Thursday evenings)
Cannes has flourished from its origins as a small fishing port, and now stamps a firm mark as one of the major tourist destinations in this region.
Every year, the red carpet is rolled out again for the annual Festival de Cannes (Cannes Film Festival) being held this year between 13 May – 24 May 2015.
Cannes Film Festival 2015 official poster (festival-cannes.fr)
The Cannes Film Festival is iconic and epitomises the glamour of Cannes – celebrities dressed in haute couture dripping with jewellery from the leading jewellery houses, photographers clicking away incessantly on the red carpet outside the Palais des Festivals, and tourists jostling on the Croisette for a glimpse of a celebrity.
Whether you’re a first time visitor or a regular stalwart, Access Riviera has curated this ‘Advanced Guide to Cannes Film Festival’ with local tips and advice to help you get the most out of your visit.
Note: This guide features supplementary ‘Access Notes’ after most sections specifically giving information for persons with reduced mobility to enable them to enjoy a Festival experience. I hope you find this information useful and share it on social media.
What’s included in the 2015 Programme?
French drama La Tête Haute (Standing Tall) opens the festival with the director Emmanuelle Bercot becoming the first woman to launch the event in over 25 years.
Controversial films include ‘Amy’ about the life story of singer Amy Winehouse, and ‘Carol’ a lesbian drama starring the beautiful Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. It seems Woody Allen and Emma Stone can’t stay away from the French Riviera – they filmed ‘Magic in the Moonlight’ here in 2014 and are at Cannes Film Festival this year for out-of-competition mystery drama ‘Irrational Man’.
Un Certain Regard, a section of the official competition features global films from countries including Japan, Italy and the Philippines.
The Palme d’Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival. . The palm design is a tribute to the coat of arms of the City of Cannes.
Cannes coat of arms
The trophy has been crafted annually in the Chopard workshops since 1998 and is now created with ‘fairmined’ certified gold. In tribute to the 60th anniversary of the trophy, Chopard has designed two jewellery lines inspired by the palm leaf with one collection being showcased at a special release lunch on 17 May at the Chopard Rooftop at the Hotel Martinez. There will also be the gala evening at Port Canto on 18 May with a concert by Robbie Williams.
The Palme d’Or crafted by Chopard (image: Chopard)
Why visit the Cannes Film Festival?
For first-timers to the Cannes Film Festival it may seem like a crazy place with road blockages, numerous security personnel and photographers and camera crews occupying every spare inch of pavement on the Croisette.
However, it’s a fantastic place for people-watching and you really do see all walks of life during the Festival. Spectators bring their own seats and ladders to the Croisette in the hope of seeing a movie star on the red carpet – frequently, their view is of the back of someone else’s head, but we can all dream of a slice of cinema magic.
Film and fashion combine to bring the big names and undiscovered stars to the streets of Cannes, if you get the chance to visit during Film Festival I highly recommend it.
Useful downloads for visitors to Cannes Film Festival
If you’re attending the Festival, click onto this pdf link for the layout of the Palais
Access notes: For persons requiring disabled access, download this accessmap for entry points to the Palais
Download the free bilingual (English and French) mobile application ‘Festival de Cannes’ in partnership with Orange that is available on the App Store and Google Play for Festival news, hour-by-hour coverage, videos from the red carpet and more. The app link is here http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/apps.html
If you need a general map of Cannes for orientation (a tourist map), click on this link Cannesmap
Can you get tickets to the films?
The official Film Festival and the Main Marketplace are closed to the general public, so unfortunately you’re out of luck if you were hoping to buy a ticket and sit beside someone famous.
The Director’s Fortnight and International Critics Week have a small allocation of public tickets, and residents of Cannes can win a ticket to a free screening; they apply to the Mairie (Town Hall) and they are entered in a lucky dip.
Things to see and do during Cannes Film Festival
If you are not a producer, actor, production crew or have a Press Pass or Festival badge, you can still enjoy Cannes and the atmosphere at the Film Festival for free (or a low budget). Access Riviera has many tips and snippets of advice:
La Croisette
Undeniably, one of the best seafront promenades on the Côte d’Azur, the Croisette throngs during Film Festival.
The Croisette offers an incredible mix of people during Film Festival time – imagine eager tourists, ladies in haute couture cocktail dresses, champagne at terrace restaurants, and private parties on superyachts.
Seats and ladders for red carpet viewing on the Croisette
Wander along and check out the huge promotional billboards draping down the façades of the hotels from the film production companies. The top hotels for star spotting are the Carlton Intercontinental, Hotel Martinez and the Majestic Barrière. Security is intense for all the hotels, but you can join the spectators and paparazzi crowding the road frontages for free; enter inside you better have a hefty credit card limit. The beach restaurants are set up with marquees for the private events.
To break up the frenzy for families, there is a small fairground area with carousel (fee applies) and a public playground near to the Palais, and also another small public playground at the other end of the Croisette.
Access notes: The Croisette is paved and flat all the way from the Palais des Festivals to Port Canto, and there are accessible public toilets along the Croisette.
Allée des Étoiles du Cinema
Outside the Office de Tourisme at the base of the Palais des Festivals, you can see handprints from movie stars but it is nowhere near as extensive (or publicised) as the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
If you’re spending a few days on the French Riviera and really into immortalised handprints, Juan les Pins also has a Walk-of-Fame of jazz stars from the annual Jazz à Juan Festival, and Monaco has a Champions Promenade which pays tribute to some of the world’s best footballers.
Access notes: Fully accessible on paved flat surface.
Allées des Étoiles, Cannes (accessriviera.wordpress.com)
Cinéma de la Plage (Open-air cinema)
Every evening during the Film Festival, there are free public film screenings at the open-air cinema at Plage Macé opposite the Majestic Hotel.
Screenings start from approximately 9.30pm nightly, but due to its popularity Access Riviera recommends you arrive early to have any chance to grab a deckchair.
The Tourist Office advises tourists to prebook an invitation, but it’s not necessary. The 2015 schedule of films is here
Access notes: The open-air cinema is on the beach so direct access is tricky. There is a concrete ramp with small landing at the entrance where you can watch but no designated area for persons with wheelchairs or reduced mobility. The Croisette is raised from the beach though, and the projection screen is huge so you can also watch from the promenade.
Cinéma de la Plage (festival-cannes.fr)
Vieux Port (old port)
Stroll for free along the port admiring the expensive superyachts berthed there. Many yachts host private parties in the evening so it’s a good time to wander past for a nosey.
Access notes: Fully accessible on paved flat surface.
Le Suquet
While the Croisette, Palais des Festivals and the seafront hotels are frenetic (and expensive) during the Festival, Le Suquet awakens each day almost unaware an international festival is happening mere minutes away.
Le Suquet is Cannes Old Town, interspersed with old houses spilling over with flower boxes, brick-vaulted entrances, small alleyways and numerous restaurants.
Traverse de la Tour, Le Suquet, Cannes (accessriviera.wordpress.com)
To get to the church and Musée de la Castre at the summit (fee applies to enter the museum, excluding the 1st Sunday of the month when entry is free), walk up rue Saint-Antoine, rue du Suquet, and then Traverse de la Tour. The views from the top are some of the best in the area stretching across Cannes, the Lerins Islands and the Esterels.
View from Le Suquet (accessriviera.wordpress.com)
Access notes: Wheelchair bound or tourists with reduced mobility can still visit the top to enjoy the views, though the streets are steep! Follow rue Saint-Antoine, rue du Suquet, rue du Pré then rue Louis Perrisol. This route follows paved flat roads and avoid the many stairways in Le Suquet. Or jump onboard the Petit Train tourist train that departs from near the Palais des Festivals as it chugs it way up there too.
Cannes cinema murals
Since 2002, Cannes has been developing a series of film-themed murals scattered around the city on walls of buildings.
There are 15 in total, including murals of Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, and cars from films.
For the map of where to find each mural and descriptions, download this pdf the Murs peints de Cannes
Access notes: Fully accessible on flat paved surfaces.
A pop-up TV stage is set up on the Croisette, with presenters interviewing stars, directors and other industry notables. If it all gets too much ‘on location’, you can still watch the Film Festival action from your Cannes hotel room. TV Festival de Cannes will be broadcast in French and English throughout the Palais complex and in most hotels along the Croisette on the TV Orange, Canal 30 and Canal 32 channels in the CANAL+ and CANALSAT packages.
On Twitter, you can follow @Festival_Cannes for all the latest Film Festival news.
TV Festival Cannes (accessriviera.wordpress.com)
Transport
My recommendation is to arrive via bus or train. There are road blockages during the Festival, notably the Croisette, and police frequently block roads for major stars exits from hotels and restaurants.
The large carparks nearby and under the Palais des Festivals are extremely busy.
Cannes is walkable, and the distance from the train station to the Croisette is only 5 minutes.
Outside of Film Festival season there is a small minibus (called City Palm) that travels a circuit regularly between Hôtel de Ville, the Croisette, rue Latour-Maubourg, eastern end of rue d’Antibes, the train station (Gare SNCF), and rue Félix Faure. However, it doesn’t operate during Film Festival time due to the Croisette closures.
Cannes train station
The Cannes train station (Gare de Cannes SNCF) is still undergoing renovations – it’s much lighter and brighter than it’s predecessor, with ample glass to let in more natural light and more seating but you’ll find construction vehicles and pedestrian detours outside the entrance.
There are ticket counters with attendants, but you can also purchase your train tickets from the blue ticket machines and then validate them in the yellow machine at the platform entrance. TOP TIP: Use coins for the blue ticket machines as often they can’t read non-French issued credit and debit cards.
As at 12 May 2015, there is just one yellow validating machine – located at the entrance to the westbound platform (Voie 2) – so ALL tickets must be validated here whether you are using either platform.
The train station has a Relay newsagent selling newspapers, phone credit, cigarettes, snacks. There are caféterias and vending machines onsite.
Well-maintained and clean public toilets are located just outside the station 50 metres to the left of the station entrance. These toilets are open Monday-Sunday 8am-9pm (excluding bank holidays), these toilets cost 50 centimes and you insert your coin into the automated turnstill and it opens the gate. There are 2 ladies toilets, 2 men’s toilets and a parent’s room with baby changing facilities. There is a change machine there to swap notes for coins but it is often out of order so don’t rely on it.
Access notes: Due to ongoing renovations including new installation of elevators at Cannes train station, persons with reduced mobility can contact ONET Accueil in the main hall of Cannes train station (service available Monday through to Sunday 7.30am-7.30pm) where they can assist passengers with luggage and access on and off trains. All interior facilities of the train station including the public toilets are on flat ground and accessible.
Buses
Cannes is on the following bus routes:
Bus 200 (between Nice and Cannes)
210 line (between Nice Airport and Cannes)
210 line Noctambus (a night service exclusively for Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights and bank holidays between Nice Airport and Cannes)
The journey on Bus 200 takes around 1.5 hours for the full oneway journey from Nice to Cannes, but it is by far the cheapest option at €1.50 oneway. The train from Nice to Cannes takes about 40 minutes.
The Cannes bus stops are the Gare Routiere (near Hôtel de Ville and the port), and outside the train station (the 200 stop is opposite Hotel Ligure).
Local Cannes buses with Palm Bus (previously known as BusAzur) cover the immediate Cannes area and extend to nearby areas of Le Cannet, Palm Beach and Mandelieu-La Napoule. Their website is in English, French and Italian with maps and timetables – check it out here www.palmbus.fr
Access notes: Buses have kneeling ramp entrances and designated wheelchair areas midway on the bus. On main route number 200 there are on board visual route maps, lighted signage and sound calls advising of the next bus stop to assist hearing and sight-impaired travellers. Wheelchair bound travellers also have an on demand service for regional buses called Access06 whereby you can prebook a designated minibus ; more information is here (in French only) https://www.departement06.fr/accessibilite-des-transports/service-access06-4020.html
Specialised transfers
If time is the essence, make use of a helicopter transfer with Uber and Helipass between Nice Airport and Cannes. Available from 8am-9pm for the duration of the Film Festival, the trip duration is less than 7 minutes, cost €160 per passenger which includes a private driver from Nice/Cannes to the heliport and then to central destination (maximum of 4 passengers). There are 7 helicopters on call. To book your Ubercopter transfer:
From Nice airport to Cannes downtown or vice versa
Open the Uber app and request ‘UberCopter’ at the bottom right of the screen.
Go to the Hélipass desk, following the indications at the airport.
A private driver will take you from the heliport to your final destination.
From Cannes downtown to Nice downtown or vice versa
Open the Uber app and request ‘UberCopter’ at the bottom right of the screen.
Request your driver. He will get in touch with you to confirm the flight.
Benefit from a private drive to the heliport.
Upon your arrival, another private driver will take you from the heliport to your final destination.
For something a bit different and to stand out on the Croisette, book one of the stunning cars from Riviera Classic Car Hire. The rental fleet includes head-turning cars such as a Morgan 4/4, Fiat 124 Spider and a Triumph TR3. www.rivieraclassiccarhire.com
Where to find Wifi hotspots
France is cottoning on that the world likes 24/7 online access. Here are some places in Cannes to find Wifi:
Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) gardens across from the port. For details on how to log on, click ẀifiCannes
Mocca (directly opposite the Palais des Festivals)
La Potinière du Palais (on square Merimee)
New York New York (Allée de la Liberté Charles de Gaulle)
Cristal Café (rue Felix Faure)
Le Melting Pot (rue de la Rampe; the opposite side of the port from the Palais des Festivals)
Factory Café (Gray d’Albion shopping arcade)
Where to wine and dine
Don’t be discouraged from dining in Cannes for fear of breaking your bank balance during Film Festival. Here are some of Access Riviera’s favourite places for well-priced food and drinks, atmosphere or a true Cannois experience:
Le Jardin Secret, 2 rue Frères
Le Jardin Secret is an eclectic place in Le Suquet with entry through a narrow bar area/art gallery. Open from 7pm (also open for weekend brunches) if you’re looking for high-end fine dining don’t go there – they serve tapas-style dishes in a laidback manner.
Lovely little garden courtyard and Wifi. Look for the entrance on rue Frères through the old door and the sign with the key. Follow them on their Facebook page for current news on opening times as they close for private events.
Access notes: Accessible but can get crowded in the garden.
Le Jardin Secret, Cannes
Marché Forville
I’m always promoting Marché Forville – why? Because I think it’s one of the French Riviera’s best markets for ambience, food stores and convenience – the people-watching is great too!
Drop by to buy fruit, vegetables, fresh pastas, tapenades, sun-dried tomatoes, sauces, cheese, cured meats, fish, eggs, honey, olive oils.
You will also find products here that are sold much cheaper than a supermarket such as courgette flowers, morel mushrooms and Fleur de Sel de Camargue, the salt harvested near the town of Aigues-Mortes.
There are specialty shops surrounding the main covered market including a shop selling regional products and duck, a salmon and caviar store, a bakery (boulangerie), a roast chicken store, a Fish and Chips caféteria and a socca vendor. There are also a number of supermarkets there – LeaderMarket, SPAR, and for frozen foods go to Picard (good for people staying in apartments who are self-catering).
Many restaurants, bistros and bars fringe the Marché Forville including an oyster/wine bar. My pick is Café de l’Horloge with it’s French bistro-style with clocks adorning the walls. A café noisette costs €1.60 or stop by for a glass of wine after your shopping.
The market is open every day from 7am-1pm, except on Monday when it is a bric-a-brac flea market.
Any day is great to visit, but my tip is on Sunday as that is when the farmers and growers go to the market to sell their produce.
Top Tip: Take cash in small change (avoid €50 notes) and take your own shopping bags.
Access notes: The entire market is accessible and on flat paved ground. There is an accessible ground-floor toilet at Café de l’Horloge next to the market.
Astou et Cie Brun, 27 rue Felix Faure
If you’re feeling partial for seafood, head here where you can gorge yourself on seafood platters piled with clams, prawns and oysters or fresh sea bream. Reservations recommended as it gets busy.
La Boulangerie par Jean Luc Pelé, 3 rue du Vingt-Quatre Août
Grab your fill of artisan breads, salads (most priced around €6-€7), sandwiches, fruit salad and yoghurt, open Monday-Saturday 7.30am-7.30pm.
Or for sweet tooths, drool over the store windows filled with chocolates and macarons at Jean-Luc Pélé’s patisserie-chocolatier shops on rue d’Antibes and rue de Meynadier.
Access notes: Fully accessible on flat ground. No toilet facilities.
Le Cirque, 30 rue Hoche
This café/bistro has a modern cosmopolitan vibe that wouldn’t see it out of place in New York, Melbourne or London.
Situated on a corner site, it has a modern décor (design geeks will love their quirky logo, and interior fittings) with good coffee and most mains are under €15. A café noisette cost €2. Plenty of seating – indoors includes a second-level, or outdoors with terrace tables. There is a high-chair for babies, and a baby change table in the toilet facilities upstairs. Recommended.
Access notes: Fully accessible outside terrace on flat ground, however toilet facilities are located upstairs.
Le Bouche a Oreille, 7 rue des Gabres
Cosy wine bar serving tapas platters. A good diversion from some of the overhyped, overcrowded Croisette eateries.
Access notes: Accessible with outside tables.
La Bouche a Oreille, Cannes
Le Tikawa, Allées de la Liberté (next to Le Grand Café)
Whoever thinks grabbing food from a snack kiosk is not ‘de rigeur du jour’ during Cannes Film Festival is missing out!
Le Tikawa may not have the prestigious surrounds to finalise film deals, but they sell tasty decent-sized salads, paninis and cold drinks – all for a fraction of the price at any of the neighbouring restaurants.
My favourite salad costs a wallet-pleasing €6.50.
Grab a table beside the plane trees, have a quick bite to eat and watch the locals playing pétanque.
Access notes: Fully accessible on flat ground. Nearest accessible toilet facilities are automated pay toilets in the square.
Philcat, promenade de la Pantiero
Head to promenade de la Pantiero beside the port to the unassuming blue and white snack kiosk where Philcat serves one of the best pan-bagnats in Cannes. For those not already in the know, a pan-bagnat is a regional specialty (of Nice) and comprises of a pain de campagne (French sourdough) or white bread bun filled with salad Niçoise.
Access notes: Fully accessible on flat ground. Nearest accessible toilet facilities are automated pay toilets in the square across the road.
Philcat on the promenade de la Pantiero (accessriviera.wordpress.com)
Ma Nolan’s, 6 rue Buttura
Looking for a decent pint? Head to Ma Nolan’s. It can get rowdy, but it escapes the pretentiousness that sometimes sniffs around Cannes bars. Good range of tap beers and pub food, and only a hop, skip and a jump from the Croisette action and the Palais des Festivals. www.manolans.com
Access notes: Fully accessible outside tables on flat ground, however there are stairs up to interior of the bar and toilet facilities.
Factory Café, 17 la Croisette Gray d’Albion
Situated in the arcade for the Galerie du Gray d’Albion shopping centre between rue des Serbes and rue des États-Unis. They serve burgers, meat dishes, pasta ranging up to €15 and most are served with fries and coleslaw. Friendly staff. Seating indoors, or outside including a small patio area with wine barrels as tables (perfect for resting a pint of beer). Has played non-intrusive jazz/lounge music in the background on my last few visits. A café noisette cost €1.80. Mainly corporate clientele. A bonus is they have free Wifi.
Access notes: Accessible outdoors but a tight squeeze indoors and one step down.
Le Tube, 10 rue Florian
One of my top picks for Cannes. If traditional French bistros aren’t your thing, Le Tube will inject some oomph into your gastronomic search. Stylish, modern with a slightly industrial feel with brickwork, exposed pipes and graffiti artworks Le Tube offers French food with a modern twist. Try their menu du marché and café gourmand. A good option for pre or post-Festival cocktails too.
Access notes: Fully accessible.
Le Tube, Cannes (letube.fr)
Things to avoid
Big notes at Marché Forville – take small denominations of Euros; avoid €50 or higher denomination notes. French market vendors are none too pleased when you buy a slice of cheese or a bottle of truffle oil and pay with a €100 note.
Driving – avoid driving if at all possible, especially anywhere near the Croisette. During festival time, there are many road blockages and unannounced road diversions. Park at Port Canto, find a car park on the outer rim of central Cannes or catch a train or bus.
Booking accommodation through non-reputable sources – this can be difficult to avoid however check, check and double check the authenticity of your accommodation source. French-registered businesses should have a physical address, contact details and a SIRET or SIREN number (business registration). Overseas accommodation representatives should email you full booking details including local contact numbers. Some fraudulent company names to avoid that have duped Festival goers in previous years include: Premier Destinations, Cannes Events, Euro-Events, Global Living Group, The Ultimate Living Group, Riviera Network, Business Travel International or Expo Travel Group, Universal Shows or Splendor.
Bear in mind, that any accommodation centrally located in Cannes will increase room rates dramatically for Film Festival – if you can stay outside Cannes at other towns it may be a good option. Possibilities include Mandelieu La Napoule, Cannes La Bocca, Le Cannet, Golfe Juan, Juan les Pins or Antibes. If you’ve left your Cannes accommodation until the last minute, ask at the Office du Tourisme at the Palais des Festivals as they often have updated information on hotel availability and get good rates to fill rooms at partner hotels.
Partying till late if you’re not staying in Cannes – It’s a given that Festival goers will enjoy a sundowner or two, however be aware that if you decide to prolong the party action you may end up for paying pricey cab fares. Taxis are expensive on the French Riviera and public transport schedules at night are limited.
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The Toussaint school holidays begin this weekend, and if you are searching for ideas to keep your kids entertained on the French Riviera, try one of the many activities organised by the Mairie of Cannes.
From 15 October until 05 November 2014, they are running a festival for children – P’tits Cannes à You aimed at ages 3-13 years. Activities include:
Circus school
Film screenings including Frozen, Planes 2, Pinocchio
Dance
Theatre
Marionnette shows
Creative workshops like ‘The Secret World of Fairies’ and painting, collage, drawing, ceramics
Concerts including Babar the elephant with Cannes Regional Orchestra
P’tits Cannes à you (images: cannes.com)
My top pick is Weekend Fotokine with shadow silhouettes.
The festival will be held at various Cannes venues (note: some activities a cost applies). Click here for festival programme, venue details and booking site.
When I was a child I received a large poster tube as a gift, and inside was an A3-sized colouring poster complete with colouring pens. The image was of a vintage Absinthe advertisement – I can’t remember who gifted me this colouring set (and certainly the choice of topic seems a strange choice to give a child!) but in my youthful innocence I thought it was one of the prettiest colouring pages I had ever seen. From that day, it ignited a great interest in art, design and vintage posters.
Whether combing the displays at flea markets, or trawling online for a bargain purchase I am enthralled by the simplicity and appeal of vintage posters, especially travel posters. Of course, many are reproduced as postcards in this modern day, but original vintage posters are sought-after and very collectable.
Some of my favourite vintage travel posters are by French illustrator, Roger Broders. Many of his posters were commissioned by the Paris-Lyon-Mediterranée rail company (PLM) to promote tourism, and highlight the attractions of popular ski and seaside resorts of the 1920’s and 1930’s including Chamonix and the Côte d’Azur towns.
Here are some examples of travel posters for the Côte d’Azur:
Roger Broders (1883-1953), Grasse, c. 1930
Roger Broders (1883-1953), Le Soleil Toute L’annee
A.M Cassandre (1901-1968), La Route Bleue, 1929 (image copyright moma.org)
Roger Broders (1883-1953), Juan les Pins, c. 1929 – a version of his Antibes poster that was commissioned for a casino in Juan les Pins. Note: The change in text and colour and the initials PLM from the top right corner that are not on this poster.
Roger Broders (1883-1953), Vence, c. 1930
Adolphe Cossard (1880-1952), Nice Coni, c. 1929
Roger Broders (1883-1953), Villefranche-sur-Mer, c. 1930
One of my favourite posters is this beautiful design by David Dellepiane (1866-1932), Antibes Côte d’Azur, c. 1910. I think the point of view is from the Garoupe Sanctuary on the Cap d’Antibes.
Christie’s Auctions has recently announced a new annual summer sale of vintage travel posters celebrating the golden age of tourism, The Art of Travel.
With the arrival of the railway in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, artists, writers, and aristocrats flocked to the Côte d’Azur to experience the unique landscape, light, and luxury of the region. The beautiful Art Deco style posters that were commissioned by the railway companies remind us of the timeless appeal of this glamorous and enticing region.
A selection of the works on offer will be on view at a special public exhibition in the lobby of the JW Marriott hotel in Cannes throughout the Cannes Film Festival from 14 May – 25 May 2014 and the auction will take place at Christie’s South Kensington on 18 June 2014.
Whilst my own piggy-bank won’t extend to bidding on one of these travel posters, I will be attending this small public exhibition as it presents a rare opportunity to see original vintage posters that promoted travelling in style during the golden age of tourism. Highlights will include spectacular posters by A.M. Cassandre and of course, Roger Broders.
Public Exhibition: JW Marriott hotel lobby, 50 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes from Wednesday, 14 May 2014 – Sunday 25 May 2014. Open to the public 10am – 6pm
Auction: Christie’s South Kensington, The Art of Travel, Wednesday 18 June 2014 at 1pm. Catalogue http://www.christies.com
The Art of Travel public exhibition and auction will showcase original posters such as:
Roger Broders (1883-1953), The French Riviera for Perpetual Sunshine, c. 1930 (estimate: £4000-£6000)
Roger Broders (1883-1953), Antibes, c. 1928 (estimate: £6000-£8000)
Robert Falcucci (1900-1989), Monaco, c. 1932 (estimate: £15000-20000)
Access Riviera 