We all know Cannes is synonymous with glamour. The port is lined with impressive superyachts from April through to September, with those onboard there to attend the bevvy of glitzy events that fill the summer calendar. Events like the Cannes Yachting Festival and the Festival de Cannes draw in crowds from all over the world, filling the town with an unmistakable buzz. However, if you prefer to see Cannes without quite so many hordes of people, there are also a number of events that will show you the Cote d’Azur in a new light. Below, we check out the Cannes Lions Festival, the Suquet Musical Nights and the Pyrotechnic Art Festival.
Cannes Lions Festival, 17th to 21st June
Join 6,000 of the world’s most inspiring speakers at this year’s Cannes Lions Festival, otherwise known as the festival of inspired marketing, bringing together advertisers and budding creatives from the world over to discuss the latest issues and trends. Booking luxury yachts for charter at Cannes Lions may not seem like an obvious choice, but with so many businesses in attendance, it is the perfect way to impress potential clients and treat employees. Plus, when you’re not busy expanding your mind at one of the fascinating seminars, you can take in the sights of Cannes with your peers – eat at Restaurant La Palme d’Or for celebrity-approved fine dining before heading to the 360 terrace bar for panoramic views of the city.
Hotly-anticipated Cannes Lion Festival talks include ‘How can we drive the diversity of thought to deliver more positive and better work?’ and ‘How can you infiltrate popular culture and stay relevant at scale?’, with speakers ranging from US singer John Legend to Olympic Gold Medalist Dwyane Wade.
Suquet Musical Nights, 18th to 23rd July
Every July in Cannes’ beautiful old town Le Suquet, music fans gather for a few choice days to appreciate exquisite live music under the stars. The courtyard of the Notre-Dame d’Esperance church transforms into an alfresco concert hall, with some of the most prestigious international musicians and orchestras invited to perform.
These concerts are a must for lovers of classical and world music, and this year’s lineup is set to be particularly spectacular – check-in nearer to the time to find out who will be playing. Held in mid-summer, it is the perfect time for a yachting holiday. Spend the days admiring the Suquet architecture, lazing on the stunning Plage Macé, and making a pilgrimage to Music3000 Cannes, the town’s beloved music store.
Pyrotechnic Art Festival, 13th, 21st, 29th July & 7th, 15th, 24th August
This festival of firework artistry has been running since 1967, and is unmistakably one of the most visually-exciting festivals in Cannes. Spread out over July and August, visitors can expect to see colourful displays and accompanying music that blows all other shows out of the water, designed by the world’s best pyrotechnicians.
The fireworks are held in a beautiful setting, on the bay between the Iles de Lérins and the Pointe de l’Estérel. This festival may not be quite the ‘best-kept-secret’ we promised, with over 200,000 people known to attend in previous years, but the event draws mostly a local crowd, meaning you get a taste of the real Cannes while appreciating the spectacle. The best way to avoid the crowds? You can either book your own Cannes luxury villa rental, or have your own luxury yacht charter, taking in the sights from the aft deck as you quaff Champagne.
Hopefully, this has given you some inspiration as to yacht charter events that offer something a bit different. Check out the Cannes Lion Festival, Suquet Musical Nights and the Pyrotechnic Art Festival websites for more information.
