Cannes… Can’t? An Honest Review of Cannes Lions Festival

On the surface, the buzz of the Cannes Lions Festival presents itself as a solid reason to travel with a purpose — make connections with people from all over the world, scout new career opportunities, and watch both your favorite brand executives and celebrities share business wisdom throughout the city. Add to that the possibility of invites to exclusive yacht parties and bumping into fellow creative peers in the wild, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a getaway that has the potential to uplevel (or at least inspire) your professional pursuits.

But not so fast. It’s not all quite what it seems, and the vastly different levels of engagement made this experience underwhelming and, at times, disappointing. While I didn’t attend the actual festival itself, I was one of the many visitors who came to enjoy the periphery of Cannes Lions. It’s not unusual for people to visit the city during the festival to enjoy the city takeover without committing to the hefty festival ticket. And with classic passes starting at 4,295 euros (about $4,864) to 10,945 euros for premium access ($12,395) this year, you can catch me outside (of the festival) every time.

While I’m probably spoiling the plot of my own blog, my final verdict on the entire production isn’t all bad. Beyond my palpable grievances, there were a few bright spots worth sharing. From expectations vs. reality and first-timer tips to where to eat and my overall outlook on Cannes Lions, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Cannes during the Cannes Lions Festival.

For the full play-by-play, watch the YouTube video for the whole story.

My Honest Cannes Lions Experience

Oh, Cannes. I’ve always wondered why I never felt drawn to certain spaces — whether it’s because I never saw people who looked like me enjoying the soft life in these locations or the destination had a preceding reputation that was the antithesis of the freedom I desire in my travels. Europe has long been one of those regions for me. To feel uncompelled by an entire continent is wild, I know, but as a Black traveler, it’s always given off a vibe that quietly whispers (and occasionally screams), “You’re not overtly unwelcome, but this wasn’t made for your enjoyment.”

Enter my first time in Cannes, France, during the Cannes Lions Festival.

I had visited Cannes once before, but only for a day during a Virgin Voyages cruise. My initial introduction to the city was brief but cute, considering I’d booked a photoshoot for my mom and me during the few hours we had to explore. But over the years, after hearing and seeing friends flock to Cannes each summer for the festival — and with my friend Ngozi planting the seed for our adventure — I decided to return, not as a cruise passenger but as a curious journalist and brand strategist.

What is the Cannes Lions Festival?

If you’re not familiar with the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the best way to describe it is as a global gathering of advertising, marketing, and creative professionals to celebrate, network with, and learn from the best in the industry. Most people are familiar with the film festival, but fewer are aware of this version, which claims to be the largest gathering in the creative marketing community. Each year attracts more than 12,000 registered delegates, along with a few thousand more in the city for the vibes (aka me and my friends). Professionals from more than 90 countries converge in Cannes, France, for a week of programming. Think informative and interactive workshops, big-brand consumer activations, and French Riviera-style parties and networking events. Emphasis on the parties — we’re talking everything from happy hours and lunch mixers to private yacht events and dinners.

Transparently, I went for everything but the festival — city vibes, events, and the culture around it. One of my goals this year was to spend more time with professionals who are traveling with intention while also finding time in my crazy schedule to travel with my friends. So, a casual jaunt through the South of France felt like a win-win for being a boss babe while still nurturing my friendships.

What Surprised Me

My YouTube vlog gives a day-by-day recap of how things transpired for those who enjoy the finer details, but here’s a brief version of the peaks and pits of my experience. Again, for clarity, I did not attend the actual festival; however, I participated in other events I was able to attend, either through peer referrals or by registering on-site. That said, here’s what I loved (and didn’t) about my Cannes vacation during Cannes Lions Festival week.

The Good

As someone who mildly obsesses over branding and marketing, the sheer size of the festival’s footprint is like being a nerdy kid in a candy store. The festival and surrounding events literally take over the city for the week, with nearly every building along La Croisette temporarily branded with a major company’s marquee signage and beach club takeovers, reimagining prime beachfront day clubs into immersive brand experiences. Think of your favorite marketing brand, and they were probably there — TikTok, Canva, Amazon, Netflix, Yahoo, you name it. That kind of access and proximity for networking is typically something you only find in Silicon Valley or major markets like New York City.

Bonus: The diversity of people in the city during the festival. While the crowd throughout the town was still pretty homogenous (read: Caucasian), I met business owners and professionals from all over the world. If you cherish having global connections, this is a great way to meet people from London to Lagos and everywhere in between.

The Bad

So, about the homogenous nature of the crowd at large … yeah, that’s a thing. It honestly felt like getting a high-level view of just how much the marketing and advertising industries lack diversity, particularly in the U.S. (considering most of the companies on display are American-based brands, even if their reach is global). And, overhearing conversation after conversation about brand initiatives centered around Black cultural figures or trends rooted in Black creativity, it’s disorienting to see how few of these discussions actually involve Black professionals — but maybe those team members are holding down the fort while everyone else gallivants around the French Riviera?

On another note, when events take over a city, it can be fun and welcoming, particularly when the destination’s infrastructure can withstand the influx of visitors (trying not to reminisce over Essence Fest in this moment). Hence the name of my vlog title, Cannes Can’t, because, if we’re being honest, the festival has grown beyond what the city it’s named after can handle. The restaurant employees seem overwhelmed and overworked (and they likely are). A subtle tension between locals and visitors thinly lingers, and the traffic is as bad as any major highway during rush hour. While I eventually encountered people who seemed genuinely welcoming, the general vibe was more of tolerance than anything else.

Also, when we talk of feeling safe, both as a woman and a Black person while traveling, being called out of your name while simply existing is undeniably on my list of hard lines. I don’t feel called to re-hash the details, though I share them in the vlog. However, some encounters remind me why certain destinations or regions never resonated with me. 

The WTHelly

Being in Cannes during the Cannes Lions Festival can be dizzying in so many ways. Watching brands spend thousands of dollars, or even millions, to roll out extravagant displays and activations while staffing cuts and economic worries plague the workforce back in the States leaves me without words. Not to mention the everything-happening-everywhere-all-at-once feeling of nonstop events from morning to late night — and no centralized way to keep up with it all.

Between the summer heat and the gatekeeping, whether invite-only or general, it’s an amusing and exhausting experience that regularly brought me back to the question, “Is this really worth it?”

Traveling While Black In Cannes, France

Being Black at Cannes is an interesting experience that requires intentionality if you’re trying to find community. The demographic of the city during the festival, as plainly as I can put it, is overwhelmingly white — and exclusionary. There’s still a long way to go on the diversity front, but we’re there, representing and taking up space.

If you’re trying to find where we are, the two organizations you need to stay connected with are Black at Cannes and the Cannes Can: Diversity Collective (CC:DC). If I’m honest, both organizations don’t seem to share much information about Cannes Lions happenings ahead of the festival, so I’d sign up for any communications while also tapping into your network for referrals or introductions. The events held by Black at Cannes — I’m told — were impactful and not super packed, which would have been nice to know… before they happened.

Alternatively, CC:DC hosts Inkwell Beach each year, which was “created to bring DE&I to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.” I’m not sure if it’s always hosted at a beach club, but I really enjoyed their daily programming, centered on us. Our stories, our creativity, our innovation — and the Mediterranean Sea as the backdrop. This was the largest footprint of diversity I saw on display during Cannes Lions week. If finding creators and innovators of color is a goal, I highly encourage you to plug in where you can.

What to Expect in Cannes During Festival Week

Navigating the city during Cannes Lions is like a sport, with crowded streets, numerous activations, yachts everywhere, and networking at every turn. If I were to return to Cannes during this time of year, there are a few know-hows I’d keep in mind during planning and on the ground to make getting around the city and into events easier.

Navigating Cannes

Many of the Cannes Lions events are located along Boulevard de la Croisette, the city’s waterfront promenade. The festival’s official activities take place at Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, a large convention center on La Croisette. However, well-known brands use almost every hotel, beach club, and open space along the 1.2-mile stretch for their own events. These events are usually invite-only, for meetings, or open to the public with registration. This is where you can experience brand activations from companies like Pinterest, Amazon, Google, LinkedIn, and Spotify, among others.

The good news is that the city is walkable, which is a relief considering how traffic can be heavy during the day. Although the summer weather peaks in June, it’s often best to walk when you can. Rideshare services and taxis are available, but sometimes you’ll end up sitting in traffic when walking would be faster. That’s why I can’t stress enough the importance of packing comfortable walking shoes.

Accommodations

Since most of the activity is in the same area, you’ll want to be mindful of where you choose to stay. Staying closer to La Croisette is better — but it will probably cost more. However, if you can walk everywhere, you’ll save on transportation costs, which might be worth it.

In our case, we stayed a bit farther away, in the hills of Le Cannet, about a 15-minute drive from the main area. Cost, space, and limited availability were the main reasons for our choice, but our apartment was actually a good deal and perfect for our group of four. The downside was that, since we were in a mostly residential area, there were several times when my friends’ Uber drivers canceled or didn’t show up. They ended up meeting someone at Aldi — after hiking to the store — who was between jobs and offered to be our driver for the week (not all heroes wear capes!). Without him, we would have struggled to get to La Croisette each morning, but returning home each evening was much easier.

The lesson: Don’t choose your accommodation assuming ride-sharing will always be easy. Pick a place you can walk to or from if needed. Also, book your lodging early. The city isn’t that big, and hotels can be expensive, so places that are conveniently located tend to be in high demand and often fill up fast.

Tips for Non-Badge Holders

For curious creatives who want to visit Cannes but can’t or aren’t interested in investing in a festival ticket, there are still many events you can access. Many brand events are separate from the official programming, so it’s a matter of figuring out which ones are open to the public and which ones you can network your way into.

My two favorite brands activated during the festival and open to the public were Canva and TikTok. From daily communication to on-site registration, both brands earn a star in my book for delivering great programming, good vibes, and no gatekeeping — though you do need to register. Not all events are equal, so figuring out early which ones you can attend and which are off limits early is key.

Which brings me to one of the most valuable resources you can get your hands on — the coveted spreadsheet of events. This year’s festival spreadsheet was shared with me by a close friend and fellow travel journalist, whom I won’t name to avoid flooding her inbox with requests next year. The spreadsheet isn’t exactly secret; it’s just a matter of obtaining it. This shareable document included details of around 500 events, including their open or private status, website links, registration info, and other notes. It was a treasure trove of centralized info, allowing us to see what was happening each day and quickly sign up for the public events. Since event info is usually scattered and not centralized, it saved us time and hassle as first-timers.

And if you decide not to deal with registration forms, lines, and rushing from one talk to another, that’s perfectly fine, too. You can still enjoy the energy of Cannes Lions without the stress of tight schedules and venue hopping in 80-degree weather.

Managing Expectations

If you’re dreaming of a peaceful escape in the French Riviera, visiting during Cannes Lions isn’t that. If that’s what you want, add a few days before or after Cannes to your trip when the crowds aren’t around. You can also make it a multi-city visit by checking out Antibes, Monaco, or Nice, all of which are nearby.

It won’t feel like the glossy brochure, but it can still be worthwhile. Bring your patience and comfortable business casual clothes so you can explore the city all day and handle the occasional hectic moments. Don’t let the chaos overwhelm you — stay hydrated, focus on your must-see events, and enjoy as many moments as you can.

Where to Eat in Cannes

If there’s one area I refuse to be defeated in while traveling, it’s dining. As a foodie since birth, I take my culinary adventures very seriously, since a good meal can bring comfort in uncomfortable or unfamiliar situations. And beyond that, I’ve never met anyone who takes pleasure in eating bland or bad food.

Like I mentioned before, the general feeling at the restaurants along La Croisette is one of overwhelm — too busy to stop and help you find a table. The capacity of some restaurants is lower than normal as brands set up shop for meetings at dining tables. As much as I wanted to try a few of the restaurants featuring local cuisine, I found the most success (and best service) at international restaurants. Here are the spots within walking distance of La Croisette that weren’t overcrowded or overpriced and delivered the kind of service that makes you want to leave a positive online review.

Le Jade (Vietnamese)

24 Rue Pasteur, 06400 Cannes, France

If I ever make it back to Cannes, Le Jade will be on my list of must-visit-again restaurants, if for nothing else than making me feel welcomed in a sea of being overlooked. I stumbled upon the restaurant, located on a side street a few blocks from La Croisette, and the gentleman working greeted me with several open tables and a smile. The restaurant has a dozen or so tables indoors, and just as many in the sidewalk seating area.

Le Jade’s menu is a flavorful collection of classic Vietnamese dishes made from family recipes. Seeking a meal that would stick, I opted for a stir-fried noodle dish with vegetables and shrimp. Not only did it come out pretty quickly, but the flavor was great and the price was reasonable for the portion. Other menu highlights include the crispy ginger lemon chicken and a selection of curries.

All in all, accidentally finding Le Jade brought me an afternoon lunch of peace in the midst of hot and hectic Cannes Lions confusion. 9/10 – Highly recommend.

Pro tip: Le Jade is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner but closed from 3 to 7 p.m. Also — and this is major — when I dined there, the only card they accepted for payment was Discover (no Visa, Mastercard or Amex), so bring cash if you don’t own one.

Mumbai Café (Indian)

18 Rue des Frères Pradignac, 06400 Cannes, France | Website

We ate at Mumbai Café for dinner one night while waiting for a nearby club to pick up, and after several attempts to dine elsewhere. I ran into a friend from Atlanta who suggested we give it a try, especially considering we were striking out without reservations. On arrival, you could quickly tell it was the kind of place that turned tables quickly without rushing seated guests, which we were more than grateful for. The surrounding setting is also pretty buzzy, with neighboring bars and restaurants with crowds that flow onto the sidewalks and into the street.

Mumbai Café is located two blocks from La Croisette, an easy stroll when hunger calls. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and the street on which it’s located seems to be blocked off to cars in the evening, which means plenty of people-watching while enjoying your meal. In terms of price, the food and drinks were a little costly, but for excellent, speedy service, I’ll pay it every time.

On the menu, you’ll find many of the traditional items available at Indian restaurants — tandooris, biryani and masalas. The variety of naan is a must, with waiters recommending the savory garlic cheese option as a favorite among guests. I went for the butter chicken, my Indian cuisine go-to, and shared a portion of rice with my friend, who ordered her own main. If you’re looking for a guaranteed good meal, where the neighborhood vibes pick up as the night progresses, this is the place to go.

Pro tip: The restaurant is open seven days a week but temporarily closes between lunch and dinner, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., so plan your visit accordingly.

La Libera (Italian)

17 Rue du Commandant André, 06400 Cannes, France | Website

This Italian trattoria was the dinner pick on our final night, and I’m so glad we found it. Pasta is my not-so-guilty pleasure, so I take any chance to say yes to my favorite cuisine. After surviving each day with one decent meal, we decided to eat here because many of the other restaurants were packed, and, personally, I’m not a fan of sitting at tables that are virtually touching the next one (fully aware this is part of European culture).

The service was spot-on, and the food was excellent. La Libera’s menu consists of antipasti, salads, risottos, pasta, and meat and seafood mains. I went for the cacio e pepe with a glass of Chianti, and it did not disappoint.

La Libera is located on a side street about two blocks from La Croisette, in the heart of Cannes’ Golden Square. Open for lunch and dinner, except on Sundays, the restaurant offers menus in English, French and Italian.

Pro tip: The décor aesthetic here is lovely if you want a picture-worthy spot to eat.

General Tips For Dining in Cannes

• Reservations will be your best friend, whether you visit the festival or not, but ESPECIALLY during it. We should have played a game for every restaurant that couldn’t accommodate us because we didn’t have a reservation. If we had, it would have at least made the repeated rejections more entertaining.
• Large groups should definitely pre-plan reservations whenever possible. Many restaurants in Cannes don’t have a lot of dining space, making seating large parties a tall challenge for some businesses. If you’re traveling in a group of more than four, consider confirming the most important dining nights in advance to avoid confusion at the door.
• Have your image translation app ready to read menus in French. Go in with the expectation that most menus won’t have an English translation, so prepare to practice your French or use an app for that. I don’t expect to be accommodated in any destination where English isn’t the primary language, but it’s always helpful to have it. If the thought of using context clues to navigate your order stresses you out, download the offline version of the local language.

Final Thoughts + Would I Go Back?

Here’s an obvious fact: not every trip is a dream, but that’s part of real traveling. In this case, Cannes during the Cannes Lions Festival didn’t do it for me, so I don’t see myself going back anytime soon, especially uninvited. But my experience didn’t make me want to shout from the rooftops to stay away. I just dedicated an entire vlog and wrote this 3,000+ word blog documenting my thoughts for the record — NBD.

While the trip left me less than impressed in many ways, there’s still value in going if you have a good reason to be there. Want to see what the hype is all about AND create content for your French Riviera travel vlog? Go for it. Want to meet marketing and advertising pros with global reach? That’s a real possibility. Need an excuse to be outside again? I can think of a few feel-good alternatives, but why not check it off the list?

Cannes couldn’t for me, but maybe it can for you. If anyone reading this had a positive experience, I’d love to hear about your Cannes stories (in the comments).

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