The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès stands at 1 Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes, close to the old port. Established in 1982, it is the main venue of the Cannes Film Festival, held each May. Its red carpet staircase is the classic photo stop, and the Allée des Étoiles nearby carries the handprints of celebrities. Inside are several auditoriums, exhibition halls and event spaces used for festivals and conferences all year. Most visitors come for the steps, the harbor and the Croisette around them. Access inside is limited outside events, so plan the visit around what you can see from outside.
The home of the Cannes Film Festival
The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès was established in 1982 and sits on Boulevard de la Croisette, near the old port. It is the main site of the Cannes Film Festival, which dates from 1946 and takes place every May. The festival's red carpet premieres, press conferences and award ceremonies are centered here.
The festival is for film professionals, so the public cannot walk into most screenings, and tickets for the private ones are very hard to get. The general public can watch the opening ceremony from the sidelines. Along the front of the building, the Allée des Étoiles shows handprints of celebrities, a quieter stop than the steps.
A venue that works all year
Outside the festival, the Palais is a working congress center. It has several auditoriums, exhibition halls and event spaces. Besides the film festival it hosts trade events such as MIPIM for real estate, the Cannes Lions advertising festival, MIDEM, MIPCOM, MAPIC and the Cannes Yachting Festival.
One source ranks it second only to Paris in France for the number of events held under its roof. If you plan to attend an event, buying tickets in advance is recommended.
Seeing the steps and the carpet
The red carpet staircase leads to the main entrance and is the part most people come for. The walk along the carpet takes about two minutes. The wait for a photo is the longer part, and the steps are busy with people taking many pictures, so a shot without other people in it is rarely possible.
The building looks different depending on the date. In the days before the festival, barricades surround the steps and the carpet is not yet laid. Outside festival weeks, the place is quiet and may seem smaller than it looks on television. Public access inside is limited to a few days in the year. When the doors do open to visitors, they can see the theaters, the press zones and backstage areas that are normally closed.
Practical details for event visitors
If you are attending the festival with accreditation, bring your QR code and your passport or ID. Self-service badge machines let you print and collect your badge yourself, and they are faster than the pickup queues, which can be very long on the first day.
The entrance, restrooms, seating and car park are wheelchair accessible, and there is an assistive hearing loop. Both paid and free parking are available nearby, and the basement car park is easiest early in the morning.
Next to the Palais, on Macé beach across from the Hotel Majestic, the Cinéma de la Plage shows a Cannes Classic film at 9:30 pm. It is free and needs no ticket. Arrive early for a chair or bring a towel. Not every film is subtitled, so check the program first.
FAQ
Can you go inside the Palais des Festivals?
Public access is limited and the building is open to tourists on only a few days in the year. On those days you can see theaters, press zones and backstage areas. Check the Palais website for current dates.
Can the public attend the Cannes Film Festival?
The festival is for film professionals, and tickets for the private screenings are very hard to get. The public can watch the opening ceremony from the sidelines.
How long do you need at the Palais des Festivals?
Allow 30 to 90 minutes to see the steps, the Allée des Étoiles and the waterfront. The photo queue on the steps can take close to an hour.
Where is the Palais des Festivals?
It is at 1 Boulevard de la Croisette, on the Croisette near the old port. Parking is in a basement car park and on the street, both paid and free.
Is the Palais des Festivals wheelchair accessible?
Yes. It has a wheelchair accessible entrance, restroom, seating and car park, as well as an assistive hearing loop.
