For my 2nd Cannes chronicle, I wanted to give you an overview of the 2014 spots on the Croisette that I was lucky enough to discover.
Because even if Cannes is essentially about cinema, no one is fooled and everyone knows we also flock here for its parties and its pop-up venues where we toast to the glory of the 7th art and more…
Here is a random selection of places I was lucky enough to visit during this 2014 edition of the Cannes Film Festival. Some places are accessible to everyone, while others are much more exclusive, and it was only thanks to good connections that I was able to get in, but I would almost need another article to tell you all about that…
Table of Contents
Melle Bon Plan’s selection of 2014 Cannes posts:
Le Silencio Cannes
This is the 3rd year that the ultra-select Parisian cultural club has set up a chic “pop-up” during the festival.
On the top floor of a renovated former casino, you can find a place open during the day and also in the evening, with 3 terraces, a restaurant, a club, and it hosts some of the most sought-after parties of the fortnight.
However, I will warn you right now: you can’t get in without knowing someone who knows someone, who…
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The VIP Room in Cannes
It is the trendy club of Cannes during the festival, the place where everyone wants to get in. If you don’t have a contact to get you into the holy of holies of Cannes nights, a trendy and sexy outfit for the girls and a bit of money for the men (it’s a cliché, but it’s the truth) can also work quite well from what I’ve gathered…
For my part, I mostly went out of curiosity and because an invitation like that cannot be refused. But honestly, it’s not really the type of place I like to frequent; however, you have to see it at least once in your life, because the show (and the word is fitting) at the Cannes VIP Room is worth the detour.
The little extra: I had the immense privilege (because it is apparently reserved for very few people) of even being invited to the very private Louis XIII lounge, from the Rémy Martin family (a Cognac brand that partnered with Silencio and the VIP Room for the festival).
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La Villa Schweppes in Cannes
This year, Schweppes made a big splash by setting up on the largest sailboat in the world, a bit away from the Cannes harbor.
On the program, quite a bit of music, with great lineups like Kavinsky, Sébastien Tellier, or even Booba for those who like it. In short, a great program, except that to set foot on this boat in the evening, it was better to be extremely patient or accept the fact of spending the whole afternoon at sea to be among the lucky ones in the evening.
Indeed, the disadvantage of a boat is that the number of guests is really limited, and even with my beautiful sailor bracelet, getting onto the boat was not easy.
A great idea, then, but one that ultimately must have frustrated a large number of guests who were never able to enjoy the Schweppes parties…
I still had the chance to go for a quick look during the day and bring back a few photos of the boat.
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La Boulangerie Bleue by Grey Goose in Cannes
The bar of the French vodka brand hijacked the decor of a bakery (with the complicity of Gontran Cherrier) to offer tastings of its delicious cocktails (exclusive creations by mixologist Claudio Bedini), accompanied by artisanal rolls.
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The Magnum beach in Cannes
Well, we can easily admit that eating a Magnum ice cream by the seaside, there are more difficult moments in life…
Magnum has therefore installed its private beach on the Croisette every year for the Cannes Film Festival. On the program: a machine for taking funny photos (including some memorable ones of Mélanie and me), another for printing your Instagram photos, and finally a corner to enjoy a customizable limited-edition Magnum ice cream.
I also want to point out that it was also on this beach that I had the opportunity to have my most fun party of the festival during the 35th anniversary of Metropolitan FilmExport.
The DJs of the evening had the good idea to make us dance all night long to film music, and shaking your hips with gusto to Flashdance at 1 AM in Cannes is priceless!
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The Nespresso beach in Cannes
Another brand, same concept: a very nice place to go and have a quality coffee while watching the blue vastness.
Nespresso is also a partner of the Critics’ Week and awards a prize at the end of the Cannes fortnight.
The good tip: members of the Nespresso club can collect an invitation to taste a Grand Cru of their choice (as well as their guest), at the Nespresso boutique in Cannes (21 rue des Belges, 06400 CANNES; open Monday to Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM).
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Le Pain Quotidien in Cannes
The Belgian brand opened a new restaurant in Cannes for the start of the 67th film festival, on the Croisette, right in front of the famous Steps, for the greatest pleasure of festival-goers.
Alain Coumont, the founder of Le Pain Quotidien, whom I had the chance to meet, was even present for the occasion at the stoves from May 14th to 17th.
Le Pain Quotidien in Cannes follows the codes that have made it successful for 25 years: the large communal table made of reclaimed wood, bread that is organic and kneaded by hand, jars of jam, tarts, cakes, salads, quiches, soups, juices, vegetarian and vegan or even gluten-free menus… all using seasonal produce from local producers.
For the launch, and throughout the duration of the festival, Le Pain Quotidien is adapting its menu and even offering a custom scenario with special recipes.
A musical aperitif every day from 6 PM to 9 PM is also on the program for the Pain Quotidien festival.
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L’Hotel Gray d’Albion, Cannes
The Hotel Gray d’Albion in Cannes, currently owned by Lucien Barrière Hôtels & Casinos, is one of the city’s 4-star hotels and is primarily the dean of hotels on the Croisette.
One of the aspects of the hotel that struck me the most is the efforts invested by the establishment in sustainable development; the hotel is actually a holder of the first international label for eco-friendly accommodation.
With this in mind, 4 beehives have been installed on the roof of the hotel (like at the Hyatt Madeleine in Paris, which I will tell you about very soon), in an eco-responsible spirit. The honey produced is obviously served at breakfast and used in the preparation of desserts.
During my quick visit, I also had the chance to discover the panoramic suite, at the very top of the hotel, with a magnificent view of the city.
Personally, I would have gladly stayed in the suite for the duration of the festival, but hey…
Le 38, the hotel’s restaurant, which I didn’t have the opportunity to test, looked very nice, especially the terrace, which made me want to sit down just to have breakfast in the sun.
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L’hôtel Martinez, Cannes
This is the stars’ palace; every day, hundreds of onlookers gather, waiting impatiently to see a star exit the hotel, and in the end, they often don’t see anything interesting…
Of course, when you go into the Martinez (which is entirely possible when you have a badge/accreditation for the festival), you inspect every hallway to see if there are any stars hanging around, but often you don’t see anyone.
The absolute must (and I’ve already done it) is to enjoy the pool at the Martinez if the weather permits.
This year I also went to the palace to discover the Swarovski showroom, installed in one of the hotel suites, with a magnificent view of the Croisette. Many brands have their displays during the festival to present their new products.
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The Steps of the Cannes Festival
And then obviously, who says Cannes says walking the red carpet, and if there is one Cannes spot not to miss, it’s the red carpet of the Palais des Festivals.
It’s the perfect place to see the stars (that’s where I saw the most of them this year: Marion Cotillard, Catherine Deneuve, Guillaume Canet, Viggo Mortensen, Sophia Coppola, Benjamin Biolay, Monica Bellucci, Jane Campion,…) and it’s also the place where you have to be seen.
I’m going to walk up them again tonight, as I’m lucky enough to have an invitation to the closing ceremony, an important moment of the festival since I will have the opportunity to discover the winners live and certainly give you a little live tweet.
The festival is coming to an end soon, and I still have this feeling, even if I did a lot of things during this 2014 edition, that I would still have so much to discover in this beautiful celebration of the 7th art. So maybe see you next year?…
Find all my articles on Cannes and the Film Festival below:
⇒ All my articles on Cannes
⇒ All my articles on the PACA region
MY ARTICLES ON CANNES
⇒ The Cannes Film Festival
⇒ Visiting the city of Cannes
Photo credits: Melle Bon Plan Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization is mandatory before any use
