Over the past few years, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has become way more than just an advertising festival. For one week, Cannes turns into a massive gathering of brands, agencies, creators, athletes, executives, media companies, and people shaping what’s happening across marketing, sports, entertainment, and culture.
The entire Croisette is nonstop meetings, beach activations, dinners, parties, panels, content shoots, and networking events from early morning until late at night. Some of the biggest companies in the world completely take over Cannes for the week.
If you’re heading there this year, here’s a few things worth knowing before landing in the South of France.
From a logistics standpoint, the easiest airport to fly into is Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. From there, try to stay as close to La Croisette as possible. Once the week gets moving, proximity matters way more than people expect.
Before flying out, make sure your passport is valid ahead of time. For travel to France, your passport should generally be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date.
Packing-wise, think lightweight and comfortable. It’s the South of France in the summer. Linen, lighter clothing, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes are essentials. You’ll be walking nonstop between meetings, activations, dinners, hotels, and events all week.
Bring a portable charger too. You’ll be on your phone constantly between WhatsApp, schedules, maps, photos, emails, RSVPs, and last-minute location changes.
Don’t forget a European outlet adapter and definitely pack a bathing suit. If you’re flying all the way to the South of France for work, you might as well enjoy it a little too. A lot of networking happens around beach clubs, hotel pools, yachts, and waterfront events.
At the end of the day, Cannes is really a relationship event. Brands, creators, athletes, agencies, executives, and media companies all go for the same reason: building relationships and doing business face-to-face.
While the panels and awards are a huge part of the week, a lot of Cannes happens outside of the Palais. Most of the action is along La Croisette around the hotels, beach activations, brand houses, restaurants, yachts, and private events all happening within walking distance of each other.
One thing people consistently underestimate is the amount of walking involved. Something that looks 10 minutes away on a map can easily turn into 25-30 minutes once Cannes fills up.
Networking in Cannes is honestly pretty chaotic in the best way possible. There’s events everywhere, people moving from meeting to meeting all day, random introductions happening constantly. Some of the best opportunities aren’t even planned. You grab coffee with someone and next thing you know you’re at a private dinner later that night meeting a completely different group of people. That’s what makes Cannes unique. The schedule changes constantly and some of the best networking happens organically.
Another thing you’ll realize pretty quickly is how many meetings happen casually over coffee or lunch. Some of my favorite spots for that were Hotel Martinez and Carlton Cannes. Both become major meeting spots throughout the week and are perfect for quick meetings during the day.
If you get a chance to explore outside of the main Cannes Lions footprint a little, Rue Meynadier in Old Cannes is definitely worth checking out. Great restaurants, local boutiques, cafes, and honestly just a different vibe from the chaos along the Croisette. One hidden gem I kept going back to was Salsamenteria di Parma (S/O Vinnie Butera for the rec), a small Italian restaurant tucked a few minutes off La Croisette in Old Cannes.
There are also certain activations that have become staples during Cannes Lions. Sport Beach, Female Quotient, TikTok, Microsoft Beach, Influential Beach, Meta Beach, just to name a few, consistently bring together brands, creators, executives, athletes, and agencies all week long.
Cannes moves fast, but some of the best opportunities usually come from conversations and relationships you weren’t expecting.
If you’re heading to Cannes this year, feel free to reach out. The Distinction team will be on the ground throughout the week meeting with brands, creators, athletes, agencies, and partners across the industry. Whether it’s a quick coffee, partnership conversation, or just connecting while in town, we’d love to meet.