In the Cannes: New Festival Hot Spots
Mondrian Cannes is the latest addition to the luxury hotels on the Croisette.
Courtesy Mondrian Cannes
The 77th annual Cannes Film Festival (festival-cannes.com) kicks into gear May 14 with Barbie helmer Greta Gerwig as the first American female director to serve as president of the jury at the prestigious gathering. “Cannes has always been the pinnacle of what the universal language of movies can be,” Gerwig said after the announcement. “I can’t wait to see what journeys are in store for all of us.” In between the screenings and events that run through May 25, here’s how to make the most of the festival experience.
1. Mondrian Cannes
» The latest addition to the luxury hotels on the Croisette, the Mondrian boasts 75 guest rooms nestled between the beach boulevard and the town’s vibrant shopping street. A 43,000-square-foot garden affords seclusion, while Japanese-fusion restaurant Mr. Nakamoto, the hotel’s terrace bars and the private Hyde Beach — all overseen by new head chef Pierrick Cizeron — offer a respite from the bustling festival.
» 45 Blvd. de la Croisette, mondriancannes.com
A recent renovation restores the Palm Beach Cannes, which opened in 1929, to its former glory.
Courtesy of Palm Beach Cannes
2. Palm Beach Cannes
» Cannes’ inaugural casino opened its doors in 1929 and established itself as an iconic venue for events attended by the likes of Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy and Grace Kelly. A recent renovation, four years in the making, aims to restore the Palm Beach property to its former Hollywood glory, featuring a new casino, upscale restaurants, luxury retail shops and a members-only waterfront saltwater pool with unparalleled vistas of the French Riviera.
» Place Franklin Roosevelt, palmbeach-cannes.com
Bar Fouquet's at Hotel Le Majestic serves signature cocktails like Lavandou, featuring an edible lavender- and mandarin-scented perfume.
Courtesy of Bar Fouquet's at Hotel le Majestic
3. Bar Fouquet’s at Hotel Le Majestic
» Across the street from the Palais, mixologist Emanuele Balestra grows the ingredients for his infusions and bitters in a garden on the rooftop of the five-star hotel. Balestra’s concoctions are used in signature cocktails like Lavandou, featuring an edible lavender- and mandarin-scented perfume, and even in his new bespoke beer, La Blanche du Majestic, with rose geranium.
» Hotel Barrière Le Majestic, 10 Blvd. de la Croisette, hotelsbarriere.com
Michelin-starred chef Jean Imbert helms the newly reopened fine-dining restaurant La Palme d'Or at Hotel Martinez.
BOBY
4. La Palme d’Or Restaurant at Hotel Martinez
» Last year, Michelin-starred chef Jean Imbert joined the famed Cannes establishment as executive chef, launching the redesigned La Plage restaurant with an emphasis on Mediterranean and French cuisine. This year, Imbert expands his repertoire with the anticipated reopening of La Palme d’Or, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant that traditionally hosts the festival jury for an exceptional experience.
» 73 Blvd. de la Croisette, lapalmedor-restaurant.fr
Visit neighboring Saint-Paul de Vence for a modern art collection that's been the backdrop for festival fetes.
Olivier Amsellem
5. Fondation Maeght
» In anticipation of the reopening of Cannes’ La Malmaison in 2025, take a day trip to neighboring Saint-Paul de Vence for a modern art collection that has served as the backdrop for exclusive festival fetes. Perched on a hill, the museum — currently displaying works by Miró, Chagall, Giacometti and Braque — is a place where artists have come together to exchange ideas.
» 623 Chemin des Gardettes, Saint-Paul de Vence, fondation-maeght.com
