So, Cannes Film Festival has just started and it’s not too late to get a flight / eurostar over to enjoy the festivities. In lieu of us being there this time last year – Red Carpet in the Riviera - we received a few emails about tips and recommendations of ‘how to do’ this famous festival. Let’s face it, unless you’re a celebrity, are in the film industry or have money you’re happy to throw around, you’re basically an outsider looking in.
Like us, you would have read some other articles of ‘How to do Cannes’ but they all basically list the expensive hotels to stay at and expensive restaurants to eat at for some celebrity spotting. And then you will get there, and be so thrown off you will want to resort to hiding out in your $1k a night suite, and hug your empty wallet. You may then even entertain the idea of putting on your best suit or gown with a ‘I need tickets’ sign hanging off your neck (yes, these people exist and many of these articles suggest you do this). You’re better than this, and the sooner you let go off the idea you may walk down the red carpet, or get invited to a ‘celeb’ only party, the more you will actually see and enjoy this festival.
Here’s our take on the whole festival, within reachable budgets without resorting to sleeping in the camera crew caravan parks (coz we all know shared bathrooms are not the way to slip into that glamorous outfit of yours). Enjoy the read, accompanied by our instagram snaps (no selfies with celebrities though as much as we wanted to, coz we can still pretend that we are cooler than that)
Accommodation
Staying on Croisette (the main boulevard) is the best way to kill your funds.
But you don’t want to stay in a hostel, come on you’re classy that’s why you’re here. Getting dolled up is difficult in a 2x2 bathroom, or shared room.
Find an amazing apartment, on Airbnb, there’s still some available here for the upcoming long weekend!
Shopping
Of course shopping on the Croisette is high end. But we would suggest splurging on that one piece of luxury item you can afford once a year, and purchase it here. Dress well, and revel in the service as you are spoilt with delightful irresistible sweet treats on silver platters, colourful canapés and glasses of the best champagne from the south of France. Make them work for you, and once you have found the best sales person, treat them back with your purchase, by this stage they have secretly warned a paparrazi, and you’ll be snapped leaving the store with your newly bought luxury purchase.
Rue d'Antibes is a street back from the Croisette and has some high street stores and local designer brands at more affordable prices, and converting the pounds to euros - bonus!
Eating
If you’re like us, you’re smart with your money. Pic a splurge night and eat on the Croisette to taste some delightful seafood, and marvel at the people and fancy cars as they drive by.
Pick another night to enjoy one of the pop up bars on the beach, the views are worth it!
Then every other night, walk 100m inland, and you’ll find a million restaurants and cafes with amazing food at half the price. There are even pop up fast food places, our fave was ‘Steak & Shake’
Chat to fellow diners too - you never know who will be sitting at the table next to you at lunch - a new intern at a PR company may just have spare VIP party tickets for you if they like you.
Celebrity Spotting & Film Premieres
Check your social media feed for new announcements - who’s in town, who will be walking the carpet and which parties will be the hottest. Some to follow are:
Twitter - @festival_Cannes @screendaily @cannescoverage @fashion_critic_
We suggest joining the crowds out the front of the premiere venue, arrive half hour to an hour early to get a decent spot – the best being in front of the paparazzi ladders at the start of the carpet, where you will see celebrities arrive by car, and walk around to say hi and take pictures with the crowd.
After all the commotion head down to the beach to Cinema de la Plage by 8pm, where you can have your own film screening on deck chairs on the sand, for free! It’s a must do! Fireworks go off just before the film and watching some of the best classic films under the stars in Cannes is just magical. This year, the Cinéma de la Plage is paying tribute to Warner Bros, 85th anniversary. See the nightly film schedule here.
For the hottest nights, check out VIP Room Cannes & Gotha Club for the latest parties and celeb features. Like everywhere else in the world, be prepared for a line, or head to the front and bluff your way in - remember walk the walk, as well as talk the talk.
That's it! Remember you're in Cannes, take a second look past the hustle and glitz, and enjoy the beautiful beachside views every now and then!
