The Cannes Film Festival and Beyond
Originally posted on & updated on 2nd February, 2024
The Cote d’Azur resort of Cannes has been synonymous with glamour since the 1950s when Hollywood celebrities such as Cary Grant, Brigitte Bardot, Kirk Douglas and Sophia Loren began to make regular appearances at its annual film festival.
More than half a century later this stunning seaside resort on the French Riviera still exudes decadence, particularly during the 12 days in May when it hosts the world famous Festival de Cannes (Cannes Film Festival).
If money is no object, celebrity spotters can join the 30,000 or so film producers, directors, celebrities and movie stars at festival time as they compete for the limelight to promote their latest film. Find a spot by the Palais des Festivals to catch a glimpse of the celebrities on the red carpet or take a stroll down La Croisette during the day as the Hollywood glitterati rub shoulders with the tourists among the boutiques and cafés. To increase your chances of getting close to the stars book a room at their favourite lodgings, the Carlton InterContinental, but it’s probably fully booked-up with celebrities from Hollywood!
For those who prefer to avoid the crowds and the high prices, Cannes out of season is beautiful. It basks in a Mediterranean climate with long hot summers and mild winters, high season temperatures regularly reaching 35°C or more. June and September are warm and peaceful and many villa owners opt to let their properties during May, July and August to miss the mania of the peak months and take advantage of high rental incomes. The nearby resorts of St Tropez and Antibes are also renowned celebrity haunts. Those seeking a less star-studded location as a base for enjoying this beautiful part of the Cote d’Azur should head for Marseille or Nice, towns which share the climate, charm and culture of their more glitzy neighbours but without the A-list price tag.
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