Star Gazing in Cannes

  France, France
Friday, October 24, 2008

The glamorous seaside city of Cannes is famous for the International Film Festival in May when A-listers gather to schmooze and pose on the red-carpeted steps of the Palais des Festivals.



The summer months also attract the big names from Euro royals to rock royalty, to Hollywood legends such as George Clooney and Tom Cruise who slip in on their private yachts, for lunch or a spot of sunbathing on Majestic beach.



In fact, the designer stores, top Provencal restaurants lining the famous promenade and the super glitzy casinos and nightlife of this sparkly, yacht-filled hub on France's Côte d'Azur attracts a steady flow of beautiful people throughout the year.



The warm temperatures and famously lovely quality of light make short breaks and weekends in Cannes an appealing choice in the autumn months as well as the place to see and be seen in the bustling summer season. And for dedicated star-gazers, there are plenty of opportunities for hanging out with the rich and famous whatever time of year you visit.

Pick the right hotel bar, and star-spotting opportunities abound. Built in 1911, the Carlton is the ultimate symbol of luxury and glamour. Its cream exterior, with its distinctive conical domes, is adorned with bay windows, french doors opening on to small terraces and cornices of flowers and figurines. Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief was filmed here and it's easy to feel a bit starry as you swish through the grand lobby. Pull up a stool and keep your eyes peeled...



La Croissette, the boutique and restaurant-studded promenade that lines the shore is the glamorous heart of the city and home to most of the action night and day. If you are planning to visit during the Cannes Film Festival, rent a chaise lounge and umbrella on the waterfront for a ringside view of famous faces. Or lunch at one of the top restaurants such as La Villa Délices or La Palme d'Or, where moguls gather to cut deals and young lovelies come to pose.




For beach action, Majestic Beach and the Plage du Mouré Rougé, are among the hot favourites. Even better, mere mortals can access some of the private beaches as long as they buy cocktails - it's a tough life!



When the sun goes down, the Casino Croisette, in the Palais des Festivals and the Palm Beach Casino are the most lavish, star-studded venues. And if you can stomach the snootiness of the staff (and jaw-dropping prices) - have a night out at the ultimate starry haunt, Le Baoli, This super chic lounge bar, club and restaurant on the Pointe Croisette pennisula is the place to dance til dawn.



And if you fail to get up close a personal with a living, breathing star, sample the next best thing. At the end of La Croisette, you can stroll along the Allées des Stars, which - rather like the Walk of Fame and Mann's Chinese Theatre in LA, is imprinted with handprints and signatures of the great and glamorous.



Whilst here, you can stay at PV-Holidays Residence Villa Francia