Considering its relatively small size, Cannes has an outsized impact on the collective imagination of the world. Each year the city manages to reinvent itself, shuffling boutiques in the chess game of Croisette real estate and shining up its beachside bars. It’s not just rosé tinted glasses. Ahead of the film festival, the city is buzzing with renewed boutiques and eateries.
SHOPS
Fendi has taken over an expansive space at the base of the shiny new JW Marriott hotel with a store that houses the full range of the brand’s lines including accessories and men’s by creative director Silvia Venturini Fendi and the women’s collection from artistic director Kim Jones. Sleek marble floors and white walls frame the first floor, which has bamboo seating and big blue couches, plus a fluorescent version of the brand’s iconic double F logo on display. The interior boasts nautical touches, such as porthole-shaped mirrors, wood paneling and blue marble that recalls frothy waves. Elsewhere the house teamed with ceramist Olivia Cognet on several pieces dotted throughout the 5,500-square-foot space, including a sculpted tile wall on the second floor. Upstairs, the two-story boutique houses a VIP suite with Fendi Casa goods in a cozy display and dining area, while a neighboring private terrace boasts a bar and sprawling sea views. The space is available for private events, as well as welcoming clients for fittings during the film festival.
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50 Boulevard de la Croisette, 04 93 38 05 00
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Self-styled King of Cannes (his hillside villa is notably named La Jungle du Roi), German designer Philipp Plein has opened a new outpost in his adopted hometown. Plein’s 2,700-square-foot store spans two floors featuring his men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections, as well as eyewear and his new Swiss-made timepieces, which are available through a private client experience. The interior reflects his boisterous design sensibility, with lots of glitz and glam in white marble and chrome. Plein will party the week away: He’ll host a splashy opening fete the first weekend of the film festival to inaugurate the store, his Magical Summer Night’s Dream-themed party in nearby Cap Ferrat during the week, culminating with his traditional fashion extravaganza cruise collection runway show on May 24.
65 Boulevard de la Croisette
Every summer Dior takes its show on the road, with its Dioriviera collection popping up in destinations around the world. This year the brand will make a stop in Cannes for the first time at the Nammos resort in the new Palm Beach complex, with a seasonal boutique dedicated to warm-weather clothing as ephemeral as the summer sun. The pop-up boutique will be an oasis of calm in cool, neutral tones with bamboo furniture and raffia decoration. It will bring a bit of jungle inside, with lush tropical flora throughout and sculptures of fauna that echo the animals printed on the house’s updated take on Toile de Jouy. Pieces from women’s artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri will be rendered in vibrant summery shades that reflect the colors of the Med in navy blue, aqua green and coral, with pops of powder pink and lemon yellow. The boutique will be open from May 18 to Sept. 15, and the brand will host an intimate cocktail during the festival.
The Palm Beach, Place Franklin Roosevelt, 04 28 70 18 01
SWEETS
The design team behind Paris’ Hotel Florida and Printemps rooftop restaurant Perruche has brightened up My Boule, a new ice cream shop poised to satisfy your sweet tooth – even with sugar free and vegan versions. The shop is just steps from the Croisette and done up from floor to swirling ceiling in a juicy lemon pop of color and a floor of aqua verde marble to evoke the sun and sea shades of the Med. “As soon as you step through the threshold you’re transported into a universe,” said interior architect Maxime Liautard of design firm Liautard and the Queen. “This bold design choice sets the tone for an extraordinary sensory experience, where every detail is thoughtfully crafted to evoke escape and freshness.” The brainchild of Djula jewelry brand founder Alexandre Corrot, My Boule offers unconventional toppings such as chocolate crumble and honey syrup and savory touches like sesame seeds. Hot drinks including tiramisu coffees or rose lattes dusted with fresh petals are on offer to take away or sip on the 35-seat terrasse.
32, Rue du Commandant André
PLATES
Nikki Beach has made its commitment to Cannes official. After nearly two decades of hosting a pop-up during the film festival, the group has launched its restaurant Lucia on the beach just across from the Hermès store. Color bursts through at this new concept, the namesake of group co-founder Lucia Penrod, anchored by works from Italian illustrator Chiara Perano. The artist’s Dolce Vita-inspired concept extends from the logo and menu to the tableware in her bright maximalist style. Those colors carry through to the plate, with seasonal selections that lean on sunny vegetables and local seafood. Chefs Alessandro Pizza and Yvon Mbiavanga execute a pan-Mediterranean menu that is inspired not only by the South of France and Italy, but also pulls in Lebanese and Turkish touches. Nikki Beach has long been a festival favorite for events and afterparties, and this year Lucia will be no different with nights sponsored by Veuve Clicquot, Perrier-Jouët and Château Minuty among other invite-only events.
Seaside across from the Hermès store at 52 Boulevard de la Croisette, 04 93 38 17 47
PAMPER
Following a facelift last year, the Carlton Hotel has reopened its C Club Spa. It’s brought on Swiss luxury skin care brand Dr. Burgener’s famous facial treatments with green caviar just for the festival. The 45-minute signature treatment is designed for red carpet prep. It utilizes regenerative ultrasound to penetrate the skin with pearls sourced from Okinawa, Japan, then finishes with a gold mask to add a glow. There’s also a 30-minute refreshing eye treatment from Dr. Burgener on offer that incorporates 24-carat gold leaf elixir, which focuses on the orbital area to de-puff after you de-plane. Both treatments will be available for the duration of the festival by appointment only from May 14 to 31.
58 Boulevard de la Croisette, 04 93 06 41 00
SIP
Hospitality powerhouse Experimental Group has taken over Bijou Plage, the hidden gem of a beach club on the quieter side of the Croisette that traditionally hosts Chanel’s intimate film festival dinner. In true Experimental style – the group started with a cocktail club in Paris in 2007 and now boasts 15 imbibing establishments across Europe plus a handful of hip hotels – it added a beachside bar featuring cocktails such as the TikTok fave Negroni Sbagliato. Founders Olivier Bon, Pierre-Charles Cros, Romée De Goriainoff and Xavier Padovani brought on Le Safranier chef Olivier Gaïatto, who has created a menu of dishes like prawn carpaccio with citrus drizzle, stuffed mussels and calamari paired with San Marzano tomatoes, olives and capers. The restaurant hosts 120 seats, while 100 seaside chaise longues are buried in the sand. The interior has been revamped with walls of warm ochre and terracotta, while exterior dressing huts boast bright stripes for a quick costume change. The calm, protected cove is perfect for a pre-dinner dip.
Square Verdun at the far end of Port Pierre Canto, 04 93 45 31 50
SPAR
The Carlton Hotel has officially opened its boxing center – and even had Mike Tyson on hand to ring the opening bell. Sessions can be scheduled with France’s former flyweight champion Redouane Asloum. Following the sparring match, the fitness club offers cryotherapy to aid in recovery. Softer sports such as yoga and Pilates are available, and any workout routine can be customized by coaches during the festival.
58 Boulevard de la Croisette, 04 93 06 41 04
SLEEP
It’s the go-to getting ready spot for those prepping for the red carpet (its film festival pop-up Dior beauty bar helps cement that status). Sitting directly across from the Palais des Festivals, Hotel Le Majestic hosts several brand styling suites as well as the Kering talks, and this year will have an all-new décor revamped under interior architect Isabelle Stanislas. The Parisienne started her career designing the Zadig & Voltaire boutiques but moved on to more prestigious addresses, such as the French president’s Elysée Palace residence. She looked to the Art Deco roots of the hotel and its historically significant spot on the Croisette to create a “harmonious flow from the past to the present.” Stanislas set out to “subtly glide through this building so full of history, while adding a touch of modernity and sparkle, and continue to provide guests with a unique experience,” she said. The designer mixed textiles and textures in calming shades of cream and blues to reflect the French Riviera.
10 Boulevard de la Croisette, 04 92 98 77 00