Cannes Film Festival: A Special Visit

Le Palais des Festivals et des Congres is better known as the site of the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival, and it is only open to the public for attending events (400 per year).  I had the chance to be part of a private guided tour of the building and a chance to sit in the theater where the stars sit for the film festival & walk on the stage – oh, la la!

Some interesting facts:

• the triangular building consists of 9 floors, two of which are underground with 950 parking spaces; each triangular floor is 1400 m2
• the total space size is 80,000 m2 & was inagurated in 1982
• the original casino (see photo gallery) was too small and torn down in 1978 to build a site more modern and harmonious to help highlight the city
• the building is 20% privately owned and 80% by the city
• In the smaller Theatre Debussy, with 1068 seats, the wood panels on the walls are made of “bois de poirier” (wood from pear trees) which provides such special acoustics that no microphone is needed on stage
• the “tapis rouge” (red carpet) that the stars walk up on consists of 24 steps and during the festival is changed (560 m2 middle section only) two times per day
• otherwise, there are red LED lights in the steps, creating a faux red carpet
• the film festival is the 3rd largest media event worldwide, behind the Olympics and World Cup
• there was no film festival in 1948 and 1958 due to lack of sponsor funds and it was stopped mid-way in 1968 out of respect for the demonstrations taking place in Paris
• there are 8-12 people on the film festival jury, who must view each film at least once and sign as proof – there are around 90 films entered in the competition
• the goal of the film festival is to help promote unknown films that have not yet been seen by the public
• there is a special row of seats in the main theater for the actors who are in the film being shown to sit
• the flat screen is 18 x 10m and is the largest in Europe
• the sound comes from behind the screen which is perforated to allow sound to pass through – there are “grandes oreilles” who are sound specialists to test the sound in case of needing any adjustments (like “les nez” perfume specialists but for sound)
• films are sub-titled in French and English only
• it costs 9,000 Euros to rent the film theater

Who is the largest sponsor for the Cannes Film Festival?  (guess in comments box)

Do you know these stars ?

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PHOTOS: (some photos courtesy of Jean Mellinger)

 

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The view on the ride home on the train was splendid as well!

sunset from the train

Traveller’s Guide: French Riviera

“Yes, it’s pricey. Yes, it can be crowded. But this corner of France is still the place to go for a little glitz and glamour,” says Aoife O’Riordain.

This sun-soaked corner of south-eastern France is a quintessential summer playground. For tourism purposes, the universally acknowledged extent of the French Riviera is contained within the Alpes-Maritimes department, stretching from Théoule-sur-Mer in the west via the Principality of Monaco to Menton in the east close to the border with Italy.

Photos and full article HERE

 

Credit: Aoife O’Riordain for www.independent.co.uk

 

Grace of Monaco

Grace of Monaco To Open Cannes Film Fest.

 

I am anxiously awaiting the public release of this film and can’t wait to see it, especially since Princess Grace’s family does not approve of/wasn’t happy with the film.

Read more HERE

Quai 21 – Business Apartment in Cannes

I recently attended a Riviera Business Club/International Club of the Riviera networking event at Quai 21 (English link) on Quai St. Pierre in Cannes. This relatively new venue, ideally situated across from the port, was beautifully decorated and felt warm and inviting in ambiance.

The modular apartment is equipped with the latest technology, for presentations and videoconferencing, and has a lovely terrace to add that special touch to business or event gatherings.

Merci Nicolas & Caroline for such a lovely setting and your warm & gracious welcome to your business home!

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Boats, Cars, & Stars – Upcoming Events

The Antibes Yacht Show in 2013, with its 200 exhibitors and 150 yachts over 20 meters long, attracted 15,000 visitors. This year’s show is touted to be bigger and better than ever for the vendors and yacht service providers.  Show information in English HERE

 

The Historic Grand Prix of Monaco will be held May 9-11, 2014, and has existed since 1997. It’s organized two weeks before the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco.

It takes place on the same circuit as the Formula 1 Grand Prix with the charming old cars that propose a travel back in time. With more than eighty years of racing history, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique on May 10th will commemorate and celebrate the history of the Monaco racing heritage.

The Grand Prix of Monaco Formula One race will be held May 23-25, 2014, with historical beginnings on April 14, 1929. Both events should get you reved up and ready to start yours engines in a beautiful location!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cannes Film Festival (English link) will be from 14 to 25 May, 2014 – Discover the films of the 2014 Selection at the press conference on 17th April and access the detailed film and Jury notes one week before the opening of the 67th Festival.

Last year’s jewelry heists during the festival were headline news, making for cinema-like plots and suspenseful events – I don’t think there will be a repeat performance this year, but then on sais jamais (you never know)!

In any event (pardon the pun), the French Riviera remains lively and festive!

 

French Riviera dreamin’ on such a winter’s day

In case you haven’t yet visited the French Riviera, here’s where I live – a dream-come-true paradise all year ’round!   Where do you call home?

What’s your take on Monaco?

Most visitors to the French Riviera express a desire to see two places in particular: Cannes (due to the famous film festival) and Monaco (due to its reputation for fame & fortune). Interestingly enough, the majority of my friends, who have visited Monaco, were not impressed/disappointed, even referring to it as a “concrete jungle.”

Of course, Monte Carlo has many beautiful sites: the ports, casino square, the rock, and local parks. So, just wondering what’s your impression?

National Day of Monaco – 19 november

Photo credit: Michelle Locke, Associated Press – philly.com

New News Nuggets from Nice

•        As of May 3, 2013, bus & tram fares are 1,50 € (instead of 1€) for a one-way ticket; however, buying a group of 10 tickets still costs 1€ each (buy at tram stops or at Lignes d’Azur shop)

•        The Cannes Film Festival runs from May 15-26 and the Monaco Grand Prix is May 25-26, 2013

•        The Nice Jazz Festival will run from July 8-12, 2013

•        “Mirazur” restaurant in Menton is #28 in the 2013 list of the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants“ (http://www.mirazur.fr/en)

•        AutoBleue stations are under construction in Villefranche and Beaulieu, with 28 stations targeted to be ready in 2013

•        The newly constructed green park (Coulée Verte) in the center of Nice will be officially named the “Promenade du Paillon”

•        A new tunnel is being constructed between Nice and Monaco, projected to be completed in two years

•        By 2020, high speed broadband will reach remote communities in the PACA region, with all of France having Internet before 2022

•        The Musée Oceanographique in Monaco will host a permanent exhibition all year long, themed “The Mediterranean Splendid – Fragile Living”

•        Nice airport has a full body scanner for checking international travelers, reportedly the only French airport with one, so only volunteers are scanned, instead of the typical walk-through metal detectors

•        Nice’s airport is in the top ten listing for the world’s most scenic airplane landings, from a survey by an air charter company

•        Virgin Megastore in Nice will be closing

•        IKEA will be opening in the Eco-Nice Saint Isidore area, targeted for 2016

•        The Palais Mediterranée was voted 18^th best luxury hotel in Trip Advisor’s list of best hotels in France

•        The Palais de la Mediterranée hotel and casino in Nice will be renamed Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Mediterranée, and Hôtel Martinez in Cannes will be officially named Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez,following a new management agreement under the Hyatt family of hotels; both hotels will also be renovated

•        A new site shows where you can drop-off electronic equipment for recycling, as well as where to donate other goods (www.eco-systemes.fr )

•        Renault Twingo and the Smart Fortwo are the two top cars in France for thefts

•        France has been repeatedly voted to have the world’s best quality of life by International Living magazine, with 79 million tourists last year

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Source: Riviera Times, Connexion, Riviera Reporter

 

Travel Focus Book – Now in Paperback!

FORGET THE FLUFF!

A comprehensive, travel information book that focuses on the French Riviera. Includes concise transportation information, itinerary suggestion, website links, cultural tips, my personal recommendations, a recipe from my French family, and much more – even a visit to a village house.  Information at your fingertips, to easily access what you need to know and the savoir-faire for how to navigate the Côte d’Azur!

” When I realized I would see that light every morning, I could not believe my happiness … I decided never to leave Nice and remained here for my almost my entire existence.”                         Henri Matisse

View Book Trailer here

Paperback & E-book at:  Amazon

Paperback at:  Createspace

Note:  Ebook has a different cover image

Brad Pitt & Pink Floyd

As an update to my previous post, apparently Brad Pitt in in town & in the pink (floyd, that is) !

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Film star Brad Pitt caused a stir at the Marseille Provence airport on Monday, flying in from Los Angeles to launch the newly christened ‘Pitt & Jolie’ rosé wine, fresh from his new co-owned vineyard in Correns. The first bottles of wine sold out within hours online, and buyers will have to wait a few more weeks until it reaches the shelves.

American actor Brad Pitt has branched out from his career in film to strengthen his role in the wine industry

“He was on seat number 4A, a few places away from from me and he was travelling alone,” recounted Nadia, an excited witness to Brad Pitt’s cross-continental journey, to local newspaper Var Matin.

According to a passenger from Montpellier, Dominique, the 48-year-old actor was “dressed very casually” and did not receive any trouble from fans aboard the international flight from Los Angeles to Marseille, via Paris Roissy.

On the evening of Monday 4th March, Brad Pitt arrived at his residence in Correns in the Var to prepare for the official launch of his new rosé cuvée, produced by the Miraval vineyard.

Brad Pitt and wife Angelina Jolie entered into 50:50 ownership of the Correns-based vineyard with the Perrin family, who own the château de Beaucastel of Châteauneuf du Pape in Vaucluse, as well as 200 hectares of vineyards on the Rhône sud valley. The 40-hectare Miraval vineyard produces an average of 150,000 red, white and rosé wines each year.

The online sale of the ‘Pitt & Jolie’ rosé, formerly known as Pink Floyd, was inaugurated at 9pm on Thursday 7th March. The first 1,000 six-bottle boxes were available to buy at 105 euros each from the Châteaux Miraval website, but sold out within hours of going online. The wine’s official launch in shops will not take place for another 15 days.

Although Pitt will only be in the Var until the end of the week, he is expected to appear at the Cannes Film Festival in May to present his latest acting exploit as Ridley Scott in The Counselor, due for release in November this year.

Source: Riviera Times by Isabelle Younane
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I have added this Video about their chateau from French TV news .