Saint Tropez for lunch, the old Carrera-designed promenade and the biggest DJ event Cannes has ever hosted.
During the Cannes Film Festival, the coastline turns into a playground for luxury yachts, champagne-fueled beach clubs, high-traffic helicopter tracks and pop-up velvet rope parties.
here THRTips for some things to do outside the usual Croisette areas.
By land: Cruise on the Corniche
Nothing embodies the romance of the Côte d’Azur quite like driving the famous Three Corniches – the trio of winding coastal roads that connect Nice to Menton over the Mediterranean – in a vintage convertible (classicdrivers.co). With top-to-bottom and sea air rushing in, the road that passes through towns like Ezey, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Beaulieu-sur-Mer looks like something out of an old Hollywood movie. Sunlight flashes across the cliffside villas while the coastline below sparkles in stunning shades of blue.
By Air: Explore the Riviera by helicopter
In just 20 minutes by helicopter (blade.com), Cannes is connected to the most glamorous destinations on the Riviera. Travel to Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière (filming location for season 4 of The White Lotus) to spend a beachside afternoon at Jardin Tropezina or lunch at Matsuhisa Saint-Tropez overlooking Pampelonne Beach. Or head east to Monaco for champagne and people-watching at the Paris Café Monte Carlo, the legendary bar overlooking Casino Square that has attracted celebrities, royalty and visitors to the Riviera for more than 150 years.
By sea: yachting days along the Côte d’Azur
During the festival, yachts become private floating clubs and exclusive event venues, where Cannes can be best experienced from the water (arthaudyachting.com). The Lérins Islands offer a peaceful escape from the Croisette, where luxury yachts anchor in turquoise coves for rosé-filled lunches, champagne-infused sunset cocktails and afternoons spent swimming off Sainte-Marguerite Island. Nearby Saint-Honorat offers peaceful vineyard tastings of wines produced in the abbey by the sea. Visit the legendary La Guérite restaurant on the sand for Mediterranean seafood, DJs and great lunches under the pine trees.
Day: Beach clubs
The Croisette turns into a long Riviera runway where sunflowers flit between beach clubs. Plage du Martinez embodies old Hollywood elegance with striped lounge chairs, pink flowers and great people watching. Each chair bears the name of an iconic celebrity. Nearby, La Môme Plage captures the spirit of 1950s Riviera glamor with Mediterranean cuisine, champagne lunches and a La Dolce Vita-inspired atmosphere. Meanwhile, Ciro’s Cannes, the legendary Hôtel Deauville redesigned on the Majestic’s private beach, serves signature bouillabaisse and cocktails in a nautical-chic setting.
By night: Palm Beach Cannes
Reimagined for 2024, the nearly century-old Palm Beach Hotel Cannes is now the Riviera’s signature after-dark destination. During the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, the waterfront complex is transformed into a glamorous nightlife playground with the arrival of Raspoutine Cannes FLASH, a hidden pub-inspired bar designed by Hugo Toro. Nearby, KLUB Cannes takes over the historic Alain Delon Ballroom with performances by Peggy Gou, Black Coffee, RÜFÜS DU SOL and Adriatique, while Medusa offers seductive cabaret shows, theatrical performances and glamorous late-night dining by the Mediterranean.
