Places

A summer in Cannes: eat, drink and explore beyond the world-famous film festival

12.05.2025
Published by
Ultima Collection

Set on the glittering Côte D’Azur, Cannes has long been synonymous with glamour – a place where cinematic magic and timeless Riviera style collide.

Beneath the parasols and behind the art deco façades of La Croisette, the city hums with anticipation each May as the world’s most famous red carpet unfurls once again. From 14 to 23 May 2025, the Cannes Film Festival returns for another season of premieres, power lunches and Champagne-soaked soirées. The guest list promises a who’s who of international cinema – names immortalised on the Chemin des Étoiles, Cannes’ answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Just offshore, on the pine-dotted island of Sainte-Marguerite, Le Grand Jardin Cannes by Ultima Collection offers a rare counterpoint to the city’s buzz. This private estate, set within 3.5 acres of botanic gardens and encompassing seven historic buildings with multiple entertaining spaces, is the Riviera’s most exclusive base for enjoying the festival – or slipping away from it entirely. 

Lights, camera, Cannes

It’s impossible not to feel the electricity of Cannes in full festival swing. With its elegant promenades and picture-perfect marina, offering ample space for megayachts, the city provides the perfect stage for some of the world’s most influential figures. Expect to see the likes of Cate Blanchett, Jaoquin Phoenix, Emma Stone and Wes Anderson gracing the steps of the Palais des Festivals – the perfect embodiment of this historical festival, which has been held in Cannes since 1946.

But beyond the cameras and couture, Cannes rewards the curious. Climb the cobbled alleys of Le Suquet for postcard views over the bay or browse the designer ateliers of Rue d’Antibes for a first glimpse of the latest collections. Art lovers will find respite in the calm of the Centre d’art La Malmaison, while a stroll through Marché Forville – with its truffle-scented Tomme de Provence, sun-blushed figs and fresh lavender – offers a slice of Provençal life at its most authentic.

 

Michelin stars & sea views

The French Riviera may be known for its sunsets and cinema, but the real star of Cannes is the food. Opening just in time for the festival, the revival of Palm Beach brings fresh glamour to the city’s shoreline, joining a constellation of favourites such as Le Baoli – beloved by insiders for its after-hours energy – and the Michelin-starred Table 22 by Noël Mantel, a must for reimagined Riviera classics. 

Let our team at Ultima Collection secure the most coveted tables, from an intimate terrace overlooking the harbour to a seafood bistro known only to locals. And for a quintessential Riviera experience? Arrive by boat at La Guérite, the barefoot-luxury lunch spot tucked into the rocks of Île Sainte-Marguerite, and feast on platters of fresh crab, lobster and langoustines.

A private island paradise

While La Croisette pulses with energy during festival season – the terraces of beach clubs filled with film-goers and and the signature Bellini at Le Martinez as much a fixture as the flashbulbs – the island of Sainte-Marguerite offers another rhythm entirely.

Perfumed with olive, eucalyptus and pine, Le Grand Jardin Cannes offers a beguiling French escape. Here, days unfold at your pace: a morning yoga session in the gardens; an afternoon exploring the island’s secluded coves by boat; a poolside celebratory meal expertly curated by your private chef. As dusk settles, toast to the star-studded night sky before settling in for a private cinéma en plein air – an only-in-Cannes experience tailored entirely to you.



For more information on your exclusive experience of the Cannes Film Festival staying with Ultima Collection, please get in touch with our team.

 

Images, from top: La Croissette and Palais des Festivals (Photo: Herve Favre); Marche Forville, Cannes Office de Tourisme; La Guérite; Le Grand Jardin Cannes by Ultima Collection.

 

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