Go to the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes is a popular destination spot on the French Riviera all year round, but the turquoise ocean, the beautiful scenery and special Je-ne-sais-quoi takes on an added, otherworldly dimension every May when the city plays host to stars and filmmakers for 12 days. Here's what to keep in mind if you want to soak up the excitement.
Instructions
1. Book your trip early. Flights fill up quickly and don't hope to book accommodation in the town when you arrive. It's certain that every spot in town is spoken for.
2. The most convenient route to Cannes is via Nice International Airport (NCE). The airport is about 45 minutes by road from Nice, and you can take the local shuttle bus to Cannes. It runs about every 30 minutes.
3. The really big challenge for a visitor during the festival is finding a place to stay. Book before you arrive. One good accommodation option is to use the free message board run by Cannes - A Festival Virgin's Guide (a link is provided in the Resources box) where you can run an ad looking for an apartment or share.
4. The Palais des Festivals on esplanade Georges Pompidou is where the festival takes place. You can't miss it. It's gigantic and peach-colored and on the grounds surrounding the Palais are handprints of many famous European and American actors.
5. Since the festival is an event for film industry professionals, don't expect to get tickets for any movie screenings unless you are a member of the media or a filmmaker. Even then you've got to register to attend during February and March each year to get your tickets.
6. Since you don't want to leave Cannes during festival time without seeing a movie, check out the nightly screenings at the Cinema de la Plage (The Beach Cinema), which are free. This open-air cinema shows movies from the official selection, out of competition and Cannes classics' sections of the festival. They start around 9.30 p.m. and you have to get an invitation from the tourist office to get in.
7. The next best thing to not seeing movies is checking out the stars and celebrities so hit the Ritz Carlton where many of them stay. Security is tight during the festival, but you may be able to slip into the hotel lounge. The Bar des Celebrities is where all the action happens. Alternatively, in the evenings, you can crowd the barricades along the red carpet leading to The Palais des Festivals where the big movies are shown. Get there early before the paparazzi take up all the good spots.
8. The best place for you to be seen is Boulevard de la Croisette, named for its crescent-like shape. La Croisette has a fashionable beach, designer boutiques, five-star hotels, and an abundance of cafes and restaurants.
9. Cannes' unbroken sunshine and warm temperatures are ideal for going to the beach, and the city has 3. The main beach is along Boulevard de la Croisette. The second is past le Vieux Port, opposite Sofitel Hotel. The third is past le Palm Beach at the other end of Cannes (opposite Cap d'Antibes and iles de Lerins).
10. A must for shoppers is La rue d'Antibes, a long narrow street that runs parallel to la Croisette that offers everything from expensive luxuries to tourist souvenirs.
11. Although Cannes has many superb restaurants; it has plenty of lackluster tourist traps as well. Then again, they're French so what they lack in food quality they make up for in atmosphere. Some of the most popular are L'Ondine on la Croisette for lunch at the beach, Gaston Gastounette by Vieux Port for seafood and the wallet lightening La Palme d'Or.
12. If you get sick of the crowds and the beaches, there are several Provencal villages near town that are worth the effort, especially St. Paul de Vence, a walled Medieval hilltop city.
