In Cannes, there are a few iconic places that you absolutely must not miss, and...The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès It's one of them. Famous for its red carpet and steps graced by the biggest stars since 1997, this imposing building facing the sea isn't just the home of Cannes' film industry. It also hosts other major events, including MIPCOM, MIDEM, and the NRJ Music Awards. Luckily, it's open to the public according to the official schedule established by the Tourist Office.

Cannes Film Festival Palace: a story that is too quickly summarized

We associate the Palais with its steps, with its red carpet renewed every morning during the Festival. But its genesis... Cannes is less well-known and frankly more interesting.

It all started because of a space problem. The Palais Croisette, which was hosting the Cannes Film Festival Since 1947, the existing building had become too small and too old for an event that grew in size each year. Something new, worthy of the festival's ambitions, had to be built. The architects HuberBennett and François Druet took up this challenge and the first works began in 1977.

Since its inauguration, the building has undergone several changes. Renovations in 1999 and 2013 modernized the technical equipment and expanded the reception areas. Today, The Palace covers more than 35,000 m² : auditoriums, exhibition halls, panoramic terraces… A real labyrinth for those without a guide.

And then there's the staircase. Its 24 steps, covered in the famous red carpet—now replaced once a day during the Festival instead of three times previously—encapsulate a good part of the myth. Even knowing it's symbolic, climbing those steps for the first time is still something special.

Not just the Festival: a busy schedule all year round

This is undoubtedly the biggest surprise for those who only know Cannes through its May images: the Palais almost never closes. More than 150 events over 340 days a yearThat's the rhythm of this place, which has little in common with a seasonal resort.

Cannes festival It remains, of course, the most anticipated and publicized event. Alongside the Berlinale and the Venice Film Festival, it is one of the top three European film festivals. The Palme d'Or and the Grand Jury Prize were already the talk of the town long before the era of social media.

But the rest of the year is just as busy. The MIPCOM brings together audiovisual professionals who come to negotiate content on an international scale. The Cannes Lions, meanwhile, has become the global benchmark for advertising creativity. : more than 20,000 films and media analyzed and judged by a jury that includes leading figures in the industry. In March, the MIPIM It attracts some 20,000 participants each year from 90 countries focused on international real estate. And the MIDEM continues to bring together players in the music industry, between discoveries and major trends in the sector.

Not to mention events specific to the Palace: The International Games Festival, the Dance Festival, the Fools' Ball or, the spectacular Pyrotechnic Art Festival.

What visitors really experience

If you're not accredited for a trade show or the Festival, good news: the Palais des Festivals is still open to visitors. Guided tours are offered throughout the year, on dates that vary depending on the venue's schedule. It's a chance to discover the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumière, a hall with a truly impressive presence, and to learn about the ceremonies and hear anecdotes about the celebrities who have shaped the Festival's history.

And of course, to walk up the steps. Not during a ceremony, admittedly, but with enough emotion to want to take out your phone.

In front of the Palace, the Path of Stars deserves closer attention.The handprints of stars who have left their mark on Cannes are engraved there. A tangible, almost touching way to grasp the history of the place.

Location, an often underestimated advantage

There's something special about the Palais's location. Backing onto the Croisette, overlooking the Bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands, it enjoys a setting that many other event venues simply don't have. From its terraces, the view of the moored yachts and the Mediterranean has the kind of effect that makes conversation flow more easily.

Just in front, the Georges Pompidou esplanade is perfect for taking a break between appointments or simply sitting and watching the city go by.

Around the Palace: some addresses worth a visit

For walking: La Croisette It's essential, obviously. But the Suquet districtWith its sloping alleyways and panoramic views of the bay, it deserves an hour's visit. It's another side of Cannes, older, less expected.

To take a break: The Forville MarketJust a few minutes' walk away is a covered market that smells wonderfully of the region. Ideal in the morning, before the day picks up speed.

To escape: The islands of Lérins They are about twenty minutes by boat from the nearby port. Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat offer a rather striking calm, considering their proximity to the bustle of Cannes.

Where to sleep and eat? Some suggestions

For those staying in the area, the hotel offering is commensurate with the location.

Le Barrière Le Majestic Cannes (5 stars) is just a few meters from the red carpet. Sea view, attentive service: it's the option for those who want to experience Cannes in its most authentic form.

Le Gray of Albion (4 stars) is an elegant, slightly more discreet alternative, with access to a private beach — a real comfort when the days are long.

For other profiles and budgets, the splendid, Five Seas Hotel or Okko Hotels Cannes Center They complement the landscape well.

On the table side, La Mome Plage allows you to have lunch facing the sea, with your feet almost in the sand. Le Fouquet's Cannes offers a more formal experience, rooted in Cannes tradition. And New York New York is a relaxed address that will be suitable between two events.

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Useful information

Before climbing the famous steps of the Palace, here is everything you need to know to organize your visit with complete peace of mind.

Official address

Palais des Festivals and des Congrès
1 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France

Located at the eastern end of the Croisette, the Palace is right in the Cannes city center, opposite the Old Port and a stone's throw from the SNCF train station.

Access to the Palace

• By train : The Cannes train station is located only 5 minutes walk of the Palace. TER and TGV trains connect the city to Nice, Marseille, Paris…
• By bus : Several lines of the network Palm Bus serve the area (stop “Gare SNCF” or “Hôtel de Ville”).
• By car : Access via the A8 motorway, exit Cannes – Mougins. Please note: traffic is heavy during high season. This is why it is advisable to call a limousine service as EDEN CAB to ensure your travel on the Croisette.
• Parking : The Palace parking (underground, paid) is located just under the building. Other parking lots are available nearby (Ferrage, Lamy, Gray d'Albion).

Opening times

The Palace is not not open to the public continuously, because it hosts many professional events. However, guided tours are offered occasionally, particularly outside of major conference and festival periods.

• Guided tours : only by reservation or according to the calendar communicated by theCannes Tourism Office.
• For visiting periods, consult the official website or the Tourist Office:
  www.palaisdesfestivals.com

Tickets & prices

• Adult rate : about 6 to 10 € per person (guided tour)
• Reduced price : students, children, groups (see conditions on the site)
• Booking is recommended online or on site, during off-peak periods

Accessibility

The Palais des Festivals is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility (PRM) :

• Elevators and access ramps
• Adapted toilets
• Reserved parking spaces in the Palais car park
• Easy wheelchair access in auditoriums during events