Boulevard de la Croisette (Croisette Boulevard), Cannes (must see)

As you step onto Croisette Boulevard, you immediately understand why it defines Cannes. Stretching for about two kilometers along the Mediterranean, the boulevard has followed this curve of coastline since 1857. Its location alone explains its status: open sea on one side, grand hotels and boutiques on the other. Protected as part of France’s cultural heritage, it remains one of the country’s most recognized waterfront promenades.

Walking along, the architecture tells the story of Cannes’ rise as a resort destination. Landmark hotels such as InterContinental Carlton Cannes and Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic reflect the Belle Époque era, when European aristocrats wintered here. Their façades, domes, and balconies were designed to impress, and they continue to frame the boulevard’s skyline. The Carlton Beach Club, set directly on the sand, extends this tradition into the present — fine dining and private beach service reinforce the boulevard’s reputation for elegance. Film history is also part of the setting: Alfred Hitchcock filmed scenes from "To Catch a Thief" here, linking the seafront directly to cinematic storytelling.

At the western end stands the Palace of Festivals and Congresses, where the Cannes Film Festival takes place. During festival season, the boulevard transforms into an international stage filled with premieres, photographers, and visitors. Even outside those weeks, the red-carpet staircase remains a symbol of the city’s global identity.

Between hotels and boutiques, you’ll notice public beach access points that make the space more inclusive than its polished image suggests. Sunbathers, swimmers, shoppers, and those simply out for a promenade share the same stretch of pavement. If you later climb to Le Suquet above, the view looking down over the boulevard and the sparkling Riviera coastline reveals how this single road has come to represent the city itself.