Despite spanning just a few kilometers from end to end, Cannes is packed with cafes, culture, and a vibrance not to be missed.
Whether you’re coming for just a few days, or are hoping to squeeze a small vacation out of your trip, here are the top 5 ways to spend whatever free time you have during MIPCOM.
La Croisette is Cannes’ most iconic destination. Your trip would be incomplete without a stroll down the Promenade to soak in the stunning views of the mediterranean sea, or window shop designer labels like Balenciaga, Valentino, or Giorgio Armani. La Croisette is also home to a handful of luxurious hotels like Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, the Carlton or le Grand hotel, each with private beaches and endless amenities. Known as the posh heart of Cannes, la Croisette absolutely cannot be missed.
There are two stretches of beach within walking distance of Cannes. The most easily accessible of the two is, of course, the beach stretching along la Croisette! Each major hotel will have their own private beach with amenities like towels, umbrellas, and loungers. If you’re looking for luxury, but aren’t a guest of any of these posh hotels, many offer access to their beach for a fee.
Otherwise, you can visit any of the several public beaches, starting with the Plage Macé located near the Palais and the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic. If you’re willing to walk a little further, head west through le Suquet to Plage du Midi for a long stretch of beach, with a more relaxed atmosphere than those along la Croisette.
West of the Palais you’ll find Le Suquet. In this historic neighborhood, expect to traverse narrow, winding cobblestone streets and steep stairways to discover excellent views of the entire city of Cannes. Le Suquet is also the historic quarter of the city and offers a selection of cafes and restaurants to choose from. This is an area you shouldn’t leave without exploring. We suggest visiting twice, once during the day and once at night, so you can experience this panoramic view in full.
What better way to celebrate your successes at the market than by experiencing the local culinary scene first-hand. Grab a few colleagues and book a cooking class at la serviette blanche for an evening of fun and authentic French/Provencal cuisine. You’ll want to schedule this in advance - reservations will fill up quickly. This is a great activity for any extra days you have before or after the market, as it’s a full day affair.
Cannes has a lot to offer, but if you’ve taken Linda’s advice from our previous article on making the most of your time at markets like Marché du Film, and given yourself extra time in France, there are a number of neighboring cities worth at least a day trip.
Just 10 kilometers up the road from Cannes, Antibes is by far the easiest excursion. The train ride between the two cities takes just around 10 minutes, making it an accessible option for any festival or marche du film attendees looking to avoid Cannes’ steep hotel prices. In Antibes you can enjoy stunning beaches, visit Musée Picasso, or walk along the winding coastal paths.
Between the beaches, monastery, panoramic views, local cuisine, and Musée Marc Chagall, it’s hard to know what to do first in Nice. With a train running hourly between Nice and Cannes, this is another destination that may be too convenient to pass up.
If you find yourself with time to spare following Cannes and you’re ready for another world class event, you may want to hop on a train to Monaco to catch the Monaco Grand Prix which will be taking place between the 26th and 29th of May. If Formula 1 racing doesn’t interest you, Monaco has a plethora of attractions like the Monte Carlo Casino, the palace, or the Monaco Cathedral.
You may be in town for business, but in a city as glamorous as Cannes, it would be a crime not to dedicate at least some of your time here to leisure.
If you’re concerned about the mountain of work surrounding markets like MIPCOM, you’re not alone. Many organizations heading to the market this year rely on streamlined operations on the MOLTEN Cloud to save time before, during, and after the market. Meet our team and learn more about how we can make your next market feel a little more like vacation!
