A Film Buff's guide to Cannes

  France, France
Tuesday, May 5, 2009

All showbiz eyes turn to the South of France in May as the coastal captial of chic plays host to directors, producers and movie stars for the sparkling Cannes Film Festival.

In the space of a fortnight, films are screened, works are distributed and careers are made or broken. And all under the intense gaze of the media and public.



Launched in 1946, this renowned and exclusive event has attracted the Hollywood elite and is known for its legendary parties as well as its screenings. The Cannes Film Festival has been an focal showcase for directors, new and old. This year's event, the 62nd Festival de Cannes, will bring in such big names as Pedro Almodóvar, Quentin Tarantino and Francis Ford Coppola.....and many more.

You'd be mistaken in thinking the festival was only for luvvies and stars. In fact, spending the weekend in Cannes during the festival could mean you can enjoy the good weather and possibly spot your favourite star whilst getting caught up in the A-List atmosphere in town. But aside from the festival- what else is there to do in Cannes?



Here are P&V's top tips for UK film buffs on how to enjoy Cannes and the festival, on a budget:

Sun, sea and star spotting
Cannes is a stylish and scenic resort that's rich in history, culture and wine! Take in the amazing atmosphere by promenading on the iconic La Croisette. This waterfront avenue of Cannes is littered with paparazzi trying to catch a glimpse of the rich and the famous. Who will you see?



Pedro Almodóvar and Penelope Cruz, both Cannes favourites, team up once again and showcase his psychological thriller, Broken Promises at this year's festival. Cruz, no stranger to Best Dressed lists, gave the paparazzi plenty to flash about at last year's festival and doubtless will be doing the same this year.



Boasting playboy beaches, with a nearby array of restaurants, cafes and boutiques, La Croisette is the number one location to visit when staying in Cannes. La Croisette stretches along the shore of the balmy Mediterranean, with the Lerins islands off the coast and the Esterel mountain range, making it a scenic location to start your star spotting

Revel in Romanticism
Jane Campion, a Golden Palm winner for the film 'The Piano' and the only female winner to date, returns to Cannes with her film 'Bright Star'. Bright Star is a dramatisation of the love between the great Romantic poet, John Keats and his muse, Fanny Brawne.



Featuring rising stars, Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish, it is set to be well-received at the festival this year. Meander along to the old town of La Suquet, where you can take in the views of La Croisette. It took The Man in the Iron Mask 11 years to leave the tiny, forested Îles de Lérins and it is here you can visit his cell in the Fort of St Marguerite, now renamed the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea), a perfect accompaniment to Keats' poetry




Peace and Quiet
Make St. Honorat Island another spot to explore when visiting Cannes. A contrast to the wanton celebrities who are drawn to the resort during the Cannes Film Festival, this island has been inhabited by Cistercian monks since AD410.



At the height of their powers the Cistercian monks owned Cannes, Mougins and Vallauris. However, between prayer these monks are well-known for producing fine red and white wine.



The peaceful and holy environment of St. Honorat Island is a far cry from daredevil auteur, Quentin Tarantino's latest offering to Cannes, Inglourious Basterds. Tarantino's intriguingly-titled Second World War epic, starring Brad Pitt, tells the tale of a leader of a squad of Jewish-American soldiers in Nazi-occupied France.

Whilst recent films have not been well received by film critics, Tarantino hopes to repeat the success of his 1994 Palme d'Or awarded film, Pulp Fiction.



Cannes enjoys an average of 12 hours of sunshine a day during summer and sees a relatively low rainfall. The resort is worlds away from the rainy streets of Britain but flying the flag for our fair isle is former Palme d'Or winner, Ken Loach.

Loach returns to Cannes with his social-realist fable, Looking for Eric. This film is centred on the trials and tribulations of a football mad postman, who seeks guidance in life from former Manchester United star, Eric Cantona.



The Hot Dates: 13th - 24th May 2009

Many of P&V's properties are ideally located for both celebrity spotting at the 'Palais des Festivals' in Cannes and exploring the beaches and towns along the French Riviera, including the lively harbour of Antibes and picturesque Mandelieu.



P&V are offering a range of affordable accommodation on the French Riviera, for those who want to experience the glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival whilst staying within an affordable budget. Find a full list of P&V's apartments in Cannes on the PV-Holidays website.

Accommodation includes centrally located properties just 50m from Cannes Beach, with prices starting from as little as £32 per person, per night. Located just 50m from the beach and with stunning sea views, the Pierre & Vacances Cannes Beach property is in an ideal location for a short break on the French Riviera.






PV-Holidays.com are offering three nights in a studio apartment sleeping two people, starting from £328 per apartment from the 13th - 16th May 2009 - just £55 per person, per night.

The Palais des Festivals, which hosts the film festival, is less than 10 minutes away from the residence and the Cannes-La-Bocca shopping quarter is on the property's doorstep. We recommend you stock up in local supermarkets for tasty treats for the week and retire back to your apartments after a day filled with celeb hunting!



Another top offer is Résidence Pierre & Vacances Mandelieu, P&V Holidays are offering three nights in a studio apartment sleeping two people starts from £310 per apartment from the 13th - 16th May 2009 - just £52 per person, per night.

For more information and other latest deals, visit www.pv-holidays.com.