Cannes Lions is a whirlwind of rose-fueled shopper conferences, talks at le Palais and late-night events between La Croissette and Hôtel du Cap — however a busy schedule isn’t an excuse to not pencil in some leisure time, in keeping with journey expert Brendan Monaghan.
Monaghan, a former publisher of Condé Nast Traveler, who based Coolidge & Co., a luxury travel consultancy in 2024, supplied up some tips to squeeze in some fun for any schedule.
DAY TRIP OUT OF CANNES
Monaco and Èze
If you will have a number of hours to discover exterior of the pageant, Monaghan suggests testing Monaco and spending a while on the iconic Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo at Casino Square.
The historic Belle Époque-style lodge, which boasts 99 rooms, and the world-famous 3 Michelin Star restaurant Le Louis XV and wood-paneled Le Bar Américain, is a must-visit — or keep when you have the time.
“Hôtel de Paris is the classic for a reason — the grandeur is genuinely jaw-dropping, and Le Louis XV (Alain Ducasse) is one of the most iconic restaurant experiences anywhere,” Monaghan stated. “Sunset drinks at the Bar Américain are timeless.”
Be positive to additionally try Gustave, the brand new cocktail lounge on the Hôtel Hermitage. The Belle Époque-inspired bar sits beneath a Gustave Eiffel-designed cupola.
Belle Époque-inspired watering gap. Courtesy of SBM
For a second of rejuvenation, he advisable a visit to the Thermes Marins spa, simply steps from the lodge. “The Thermes Marins spa is among the best in Europe,” he stated, noting that the 71,000 square-foot facility overlooking the Mediterranean features a salt water pool, a sauna and a health heart.
For lunch, Page Six recommends going to La Vigi Zanoni Monte-Carlo, a seaside Italian restaurant tucked away on the very tip of the Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel’s peninsula. The new idea by chef Simone Zanoni is rooted in contemporary, seasonal substances. To full the afternoon, reserve a chair on the lodge’s seaside membership afterwards.
“A day trip worth mentioning is going to Èze village, which is a stunning detour — perched dramatically above the sea between Nice and Monaco, relatively untouched, and breathtaking,” Monaghan stated. “Pair it with a stop at Château Eza for a drink or lunch and the views are unforgettable.”
Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Théoule-sur-Mer
If it’s essential stick nearer to Cannes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of many oldest medieval cities within the French Riviera, is only a 40-minute Uber journey and it’s a must-see. It is understood for its fashionable modern artwork museums and an enclave for well-known artists like Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall and American author James Baldwin, in addition to a Provençal aptitude.
While inns La Colombe d’Or and Château Saint-Martin are standard amongst vacationers, Page Six recommends eating or staying at Toile Blanche, an enthralling boutique lodge set under Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The 22-suite lodge, which homes two eating places, is the brainchild of latest artists and brothers, Gilles, Gregory and Nicolas Leroy, who’ve created a singular rustic enclave that blends artwork, farm-to-table cooking and family-style hospitality.
When explaining the idea of their lodge, the brothers stated, “Guests will forget what you said, forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. When we create, we don’t just want to build something beautiful — we want to make something that makes people feel.”
Another hidden gem simply quarter-hour exterior of Cannes is the seaside city of Théoule-sur-Mer.
The city not solely boasts mountain climbing trails and jaw-dropping cliffside views overlooking the Bay of Cannes, however additionally it is residence to Château de Théoule, a luxurious property that opened within the spring of 2024.
Originally working as a cleaning soap manufacturing unit when it opened in 1630, Château de Théoule modified arms a number of occasions and owes its Tudor-style turrets to Scottish Lord M. Harry Crowford, who owned it in 1913. That construction has develop into a part of the most recent incarnation — a 44-room boutique lodge, which weaves neo-Art Deco-style interiors that nod to the colour palette of the encompassing panorama and vegetation.
The Château boasts its personal personal sandy seaside — a rarity for the realm (ask for a day cross) — a soothing spa, and Mareluna, the lodge’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant overlooking the ocean.
A WEEKEND JAUNT: PARIS
Paris is at all times a good suggestion. If you weren’t in a position to snag a direct flight to Nice for the pageant and have a cease within the French capital, Monaghan recommended taking a while to soak within the metropolis.
The journey guru recommends Dorchester properties Le Meurice and Plaza Athénée for an final luxurious lodge expertise.
“Le Meurice and Plaza Athénée are both extraordinary in completely different ways. Plaza Athénée is drama and romance on the Avenue Montaigne — the kind of address that feels like Paris distilled into a single building,” he stated.
During the summer season, the Athénée opens its courtyard for romantic nighttime eating or snag a reservation on the lodge’s buzzy Relais Plaza, the place Chef Jean Imbert serves up traditional French fare.
Le Meurice, which some name a modern-day Versailles within the coronary heart of Paris, is a extra “quietly elegant experience,” Monaghan stated. For an opulent eating expertise, reserve a desk at Restaurant Le Dali, which pays tribute to frequent visitor surrealist artist Salvador Dalí.
Inside this luxury eating room, friends can marvel on the 145-square-meter floating art work, created by French artist Ara Starck, daughter of the restaurant’s designer, Philippe Starck.
Monaghan recommends grabbing a late-night drink at Bar 228, the lodge’s stylish, dwell jazz watering gap. Or for a fine-dining expertise, attempt Le Meurice’s opulent Alain Ducasse restaurant.
For a boutique lodge expertise, Page Six recommends Le Grand Mazarin, a brand new five-star lodge within the coronary heart of the Marais.
The extremely Instagrammable lodge feels such as you’re stepping right into a Wes Anderson film with its whimsical, colourful decor. The lodge’s restaurant, La Boubalé, is a energetic, must-try spot the place the meals blends Mediterranean flavors with the colourful colours of the Orient.
For a extra traditional eating expertise, Monaghan recommended Le Voltaire on the Left Bank. “It’s an enduring institution — wonderful food, beautiful crowd, and the kind of room that never goes out of style,” he stated, earlier than itemizing off a number of different favorites.
“Cherry is the sort of intimate, buzzy discovery our clients come home raving about. And for lunch, Le Cherche Midi in Saint-Germain is simply wonderful — unfussy, beautiful Italian-inflected cooking in a room that feels entirely Parisian,” he stated.