More elegant, safer, greener, and better lit, and with a renovation of the underground networks, the Croisette in Cannes gets a significant makeover. The large-scale renovation started with the major urban architecture competition launched in April 2021. The assignment was to give the Croisette, the most famous boulevard in the south of France, a new look.
With all the festivals and the daily flow of tourists, it is often a matter of slaloming between the fences when another event is being built. The new layout should make it easy to optimize the multifunctionality of the area so that everyone can enjoy going there. Transformable is the magic word.
The image and dynamics of the famous boulevard had to be conceived and executed by a renowned architectural firm. A design competition was launched in 2021, and the winner was announced in September 2022; Atelier d’Urbanité Roland Castro and the international architectural firm Snøhetta. Their reference list included Times Square in New York, the coast of Thessaloniki in Greece and the National Opera of Oslo in Norway.
David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes:
“La Croisette is a strong symbol of Cannes and one of its economic engines. However, there has been no structuring development there for 60 years. It is essential to upgrade this legendary promenade, which hosts the most important and prestigious trade fairs, congresses and cultural events worldwide.
For this, the city of Cannes has chosen to call on the expertise and know-how of the architects of the Atelier d’Urbanité Roland Castro and Snøhetta. Their project was the best and most beautiful. It is qualitative, visionary and high-end at the same time. It considers all the complexity of the entrusted space shared by pedestrians, bicycles, cars, and buses. It was essential to be able to reconcile all this. Today, La Croisette has to respond to a quality of life, energy, and dynamism.
This location will reflect the identity of Cannes: a city on a human scale, proud of its French and Provençal roots and open to the world. Today we take a historic step for the future of Cannes. La Croisette must enter the era of the 21st century!”
Red Granite Flooring
To enhance the elegance, the promenade will be covered with red granite, echoing the old district of Le Suquet, the tapestry of the Cannes festival, but also the intense terracotta colour of the Massif de l’Estérel. Various Art Deco-inspired patterns will adorn the floor. In the form of golden details, these decorations inlaid on the ground indicate the main attractions for walkers, such as the grand hotels, the access to the beaches or the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes. They also mark the bike path.
A line of custom furniture designed specifically for the Croisette will also be installed. Benches with a round and curved design will be installed along the boulevard. They allow you to take advantage of privileged viewpoints on the enlarged boulevard and the bay up to the Massif de l’Estérel. Fully integrated into the landscape, they will also serve as vehicular protective barriers to secure the promenade.
Strolling like you never did before on the Cannes, Croisette
After strolling in your best hat, you will be extra happy with the new shadow corners with Art Deco accents for shade and freshness. To take advantage of all this, Cannes residents and holidaymakers will have to wait until the end of the planned work in the spring of 2026.
What do you think of the dark red sidewalk? Is it fresh or cumbersome? And it is not yet known where the famous Blue Chairs will be placed. Maybe they will disappear. Knowing the French, a ‘Preserve our culture and the Blue Chairs’ action group will be set up by then.
Do you want to buy an apartment or villa in Cannes? Then take a look at our selection of almost 800 properties in Cannes. Or contact us for a personal selection of exclusive off-market penthouses.
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