Cannes Film Festival – Travel tips and facts

Cannes is the biggest film festival in the world, it is certainly the only one that I have ever heard of. For all you film buffs out there I’m sure you can think of many more. The festival conjures up images of glitz, glamour and beautiful people. So, this is a short guide to get to the festival, stress free and feeling fabulous.

The city of Cannes is only 40 minutes from Nice by train and is 6€60 each way. Here is a handy table to list the first and last trains from each destination. (To check the online timetable visit: Timetable and type Nice Ville into Ma gare de depart then choose Ligne 3)

There is also the option to take the bus. However, it is a long journey lasting about two hours, which would eat into valuable exploration time! But if you do decide on the bus you take the No.200 next to the Jardin Albert 1er. There are 3 busses an hour from Nice, (Bus Timetable).

The famous ‘allee des etoiles’ (Stars’ Walk)
Surrounds the Palais.

Before you set off on your travels, I would advise downloading the app for daily info about the screenings. There is also the Le Marché du Film website where it is possible to access information about film screening times and a whole range of information.

Although the main areas will be off limits to non badge holders, do not fear! It is still possible to indulge your love of films. There is the Cannes Cinephiles , where four cinemas will be showing films for free, tickets go on sale between 09.00 and 17.30. Make sure you turn up about 45mins before each showing to secure the perfect seat. If you fancy something a bit different (certainly for us Brits) there is the open air cinema on the Plage Mace. Classic films will be shown, for free, each evening, with no need to queue for a ticket, just grab a deck chair or blanket and enjoy.

Plage Mace

Guide to which films will be showing on the Plage Mace:

There are certain faux pas that can easily be made during the festival. Strolling around in a two piece anywhere other than the beach will be frowned upon. Furthermore, if you fancy attempting to blag your way into a showing, remember a smart casual dress code for the day time, that means NO flip flops!

Now for some the fun bits and some random facts. If you are anything like me you’ll be keeping your eyes peeled for celeb spotting. We have a list here of some of the stars that you could bump into:

Steven Spielberg, Leonardo Di Caprio, Matt Damon, Ryan Gosling, Clive Owen, Orlando Bloom, Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Carey Mulligan, Audrey Tautou, Berenice Bejo, Jane Campion, Forest Whitaker, Emma Watson, Marion Cotillard, Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston, Lea Seydoux, Benicio del Toro, Mathieu Amalric, Tahar Rahim, Guillaume Canet, Clive Owen, Mila Kunis, just to name a few!

Brad Pitt will be attending the film festival this year, he has two films which will be released in the Autumn. Fact: The vineyards from Brad and Angelina’s French home have produced their first batch of rose wine which has gone on sale for only €15 a bottle under the name of Miraval Provence. Get your hands on a bottle if you can, it would be the perfect gift!

This is the average number of actors, producers, directors, agents and fans who gather each year for the event… This is 3 times Cannes normal population.

Roughly how many handprints are on the Allee des Etoiles de Cinéma.

The number of journalists who attended the event last year, causing Cannes to become the second largest media event after the Olympics.

Cannes Film Festival saw Brigitte Bardot’s first brief appearance which brought about her rise to fame.

of red carpet used for the festival and is changed 40 times over 12 days.

Murals dedicated to film dotted around Cannes.