Palais des Festivals et des Congrès (Palace of Festivals and Congresses), Cannes (must see)

The Palace of Festivals and Congresses stands at the western end of the waterfront and represents the modern face of Cannes. The first version of the building was completed in 1949 to host the growing Cannes Film Festival. As the event expanded and the city attracted increasing numbers of business conventions, a larger and more functional complex became necessary. The current structure opened in 1982 and was further extended in 1999, allowing it to accommodate major international gatherings.

Today the building offers approximately 35,000 square meters of exhibition space and includes 18 auditoriums equipped for conferences, screenings, and performances. One of its most recognizable highlights is the wide ceremonial staircase at the main entrance, which becomes the world-famous red carpet during the annual film festival. Visitors often stop here for photographs, even outside festival season. Inside, the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumière serves as the principal screening hall for competition films, making it a central space in the festival’s program.

Although best known for cinema, the venue functions year-round as a cultural and business center. It hosts international congresses, trade fairs, and large exhibitions, as well as public cultural programs such as “Summer in Cannes” and “Going Out in Cannes.” Festivals including Jazz at Domergue and the Festival of Russian Art take place here, alongside theatre performances, concerts, dance events, opera, and other live productions.

For visitors, the Palace highlights the contemporary identity of Cannes. Its scale, facilities, and constant activity reflect the city’s role as both a global film destination and an international meeting point.