Category: MIPIM

The glittering coastal town of Cannes welcomes thousands of visitors every year for high profile French Riviera events. They include the Cannes Film Festival in May, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June, the Cannes International Yachting Festival in September and the International Luxury Travel Market in December.

In May, all eyes turn towards the French Riviera and its fascinating neighbour Monaco as they deliver a double dose of glamour. The month’s festivities – attended by the global glitterati –  begin with the Cannes Film Festival, which will be held from 14 to 25 May in 2019. The dazzling event will coincide with the practice races of the Monaco Grand Prix, with the main race taking place on 26 May.

Cannes Film Festival: premieres and parties

The Cannes Film Festival is considered to be the world’s most prestigious film festival and has premiered most of the greatest films ever released. In the words of Alejandro González Iñárritu, the Mexican director who will preside the jury of the 72th Cannes Film Festival: “Cinema runs through the veins of the planet and this festival has been its heart.”

The world’s film industry heads to Cannes for the star-studded red carpet premieres, screenings, meetings, networking and parties that make up the event. 

Many of the films selected to be premiered at the festival are in competition for the Palme d’Or (golden palm) and other awards. Films that don’t meet the competition criteria premiere out of the competition.

Although taking home a prize from what is one of the most famous French Riviera events is no guarantee of commercial or critical success, hugely important deals are sealed for funding and distribution. The festival’s nightlife is renowned: wealthy investors and producers host lavish parties in luxurious hotel suites and aboard yachts.

Although the Cannes Film Festival is an industry-only event, the public heads to the beach to enjoy the films screened there every evening. Some people queue for tickets for the Critics’ Week part of the festival to see films by emerging directors.

The Croisette, the road where the festival venue is located, attracts a public eager to see the stars stepping onto the red carpet as they arrive for the black-tie screenings.

Monaco Grand Prix: prestige and logistical acrobatics

The Monaco Formula One Grand Prix has a history that dates back to 1929 and is part of the FIA Formula One World Championship. It is one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world and contributes to the image of Monaco as a glamorous destination.

The Monaco circuit challenges drivers with tight corners and elevation changes between the iconic yacht-filled Port Hercules and Monte Carlo and back. As the event approaches, the second-smallest country in the world is taken over by it and the tension begins to mount. In just six weeks – to keep disruptions to everyday life to a minimum – grandstands are erected, roads are resurfaced and kilometres of barriers are built. Some yachts are moved from the harbour to make space for floating VIP hospitality areas.

Some 200,000 spectators attend the Grand Prix in Monaco, a country that counts less than 39,000 residents. The event runs over four days, with practice runs preceding the main race and the atmosphere is electric. Balconies with views over the track are crowded with spectators, the rich and famous take to VIP terraces with gourmet catering and DJs, and invite-only yacht parties continue into the early hours of the morning.

A world of opportunity on the French Riviera

The frenzy of the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix is followed by the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, which will take place from 17 to 21 June in 2019.  Monaco and the French Riviera are renowned yachting hotspots and, with a large fleet of luxury yachts available in the Mediterranean all year round, an increasingly popular choice of accommodation for attendees is a Cannes Lions yacht charter.

Attendees who are considering a luxury yacht charter for French Riviera events will find quality vessels from top yacht charter companies ranging from 24 to more than 60 metres available in Cannes and Monaco. A luxurious day charter provides the perfect setting for a critical business meeting or party, while week-long charters offer the ultimate superyacht experience.

On all luxury yacht charters for the top French Riviera events, experienced professional crew are on board to ensure a seamless experience – including a private chef trained to create only the most extraordinary culinary delights. Throughout the day the experienced chef may serve up delicious canapes and refreshments during important meetings and conferences, while at night, a feast of fine dining awaits, ready to be enjoyed under the stars with friends and colleagues.

For companies looking to make an impression, the option of a yacht charter offers unrivalled brand visibility. Many exclusive yacht charters are available in the port directly next to the Palais des Festivals, the iconic building that hosts both the Cannes Film Festival and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

With luxury yacht charters in Cannes an increasingly popular accommodation option for attendees of French Riviera events, booking well ahead is essential. For those looking for a superior experience for both business and pleasure, nothing beats a taste of the French Riviera via superyacht.

May is a very busy month on the French Riviera with two huge events taking place, the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix! Both events bring huge crowds to the Côte d’Azur and make the month of May one of the most exciting times to be in Monaco and the south of France!

Cannes Film Festival – 13-24 May 2015

The Cannes Film Festival needs very little introduction as the world’s most high profile film festival. From LA to Shanghai, when people think of Cannes, they think of the Cannes Film Festival. Every May, the world of cinema comes to Cannes. Actors, producers, directors and distributors descend on the French Riviera in their thousands for 11 days of screenings, competition and parties. The Cannes Film Festival has its origins in the 1930s. France is a nation with a great cinematic heritage and was looking to host a film festival to rival the renowned Venice Film Festival in Italy. The first Cannes Film Festival was held in 1946 with the introduction of the Palme d’Or award in 1955. From humble beginnings, the event has grown to become the world’s preeminent film festival. In 1983, the Palais des Festivals was constructed on the Croisette next to Cannes Port to host the event, which had outgrown its previous home. This rather brutal building known as “the bunker” is  loved by some and loathed by others, but the building and its red carpeted steps have become legendary and for many it is the defining image of Cannes.

Cannes is an industry event and as such not really open to members of the public. The screenings are reserved for those in the film business and journalists, but Cannes or Bust lets you into various secrets as to how you too could enjoy a film or two at Cannes. The hotels in Cannes are booked up years in advance by companies in the film business and restaurants are often closed for private parties. But this doesn’t mean that Cannes is not a great place for members of the public to come during the Film Festival. If you’re looking for a bit spring sunshine and the chance to glimpse a star or two, a day in Cannes during the Film Festival can be enormous fun! Anyone can come and have a glass of champagne or two on the Croisette and do some serious star spotting. And you never know, if you meet the right people, you may even get invited to a party or two! The nightlife in Cannes during the Film Festival is also fantastic, and for the most part, open to all. A walk around the Port of Cannes to look at all the fabulously glamorous yachts on charter is also an experience!

Cannes Film Festival has played a very important role in the success of the town as an international year-round destination, both for holiday makers and for business travellers. The facilities and infrastructure that have been developed for the festival have allowed Cannes to establish itself as a major player for international trade shows such as the MIPIM real estate event in March, the Cannes Lions advertising festival in June and many other very important events. Because of this, Cannes is not just another French Riviera resort that is packed to the gunnels in July and August and dead the rest of the year. Cannes is very much alive year round!

Monaco Grand Prix – 21-24 May 2015

The Monaco Grand Prix ties in perfectly with the Cannes Film Festival with the race taking place on the last day of the Film Festival, meaning that all the stars can helicopter over from Cannes just in time for the race! After all it is the glamour and famous faces that make the Monaco Grand Prix so much more than just another motor race! Monaco is the original street circuit and for many, it is the highlight of the F1 calendar, the “jewel in the crown” as it were. Run since 1929, the experience of seeing driver and machine on the limit around the streets of the Principality is something everyone should do at least once in a lifetime. Whether you’re interested in motor racing or not, the Monaco Grand Prix is a huge occasion. As the event is run on a street circuit, this opens up a lot of viewing opportunities beyond the usual grandstand seats found at every other motor race on traditional circuits. The race can be watched from apartment terraces, hotels and restaurants and of course yachts. Some exceptional vantage points include La Rascasse bar and restaurant on the corner of the same name, the Hotel Miramar on the Port of Monaco, where guests have a view of a huge part of the circuit and the elegant Cafe de Paris where you can watch the cars dance across Monaco’s legendary Casino Square!

But the ultimate way to watch the Monaco Grand Prix in style has to be to do so from the deck of a luxury yacht! The Port of Monaco is slap-bang in the middle of the Monaco circuit with nearly 40% of the track running around the harbour. Yachts can berth on key parts of the track including Piscine, Tabac Corner, Quai des Etats Unis and the Nouvelle Chicane. No other motor racing experience comes close to watching the Monaco Grand Prix from the deck of a yacht, glass of champagne in hand! The fact that the Monaco Grand Prix is centred around the port is in many ways the reason this is such a special race. The port is very much the heart and soul of Monaco, with events and parties taking place on the lavish yachts all weekend! This is so much more than just a motor race, “it’s Monaco Baby!”.