Where to stay during the Cannes Film Festival?

The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most globally renowned French events. For 12 days, directors, producers, technicians, actors, and stars head to Cannes to present their films, some hoping to win a Palme d'Or, others simply looking to get noticed. The films in the Official Selection are chosen from all over the world with the goal of highlighting high-quality works to renew cinema each year.

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The Cannes Film Festival is closely linked to the Palais des Festivals and, above all, its legendary red carpet, which we all dream of walking up. If you are planning a weekend or vacation in Cannes during the Festival but don't know where to stay, you've come to the right place!

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Where can you find a vacation rental during the Cannes Film Festival?

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Updated in February 2026 to reflect the most recent information regarding the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, which will be held from May 12 to May 23, 2026.

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When thinking about where to stay during the Cannes Film Festival, it is natural to consider staying in the host city of this cinematic event. For your vacation in Cannes, you can rent a vacation rental that meets your needs.

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From a villa with a pool that can accommodate 12 people, to an air-conditioned house with all the comforts of home, to a wide range of apartments with varying capacities and amenities, you will find the property that suits you to experience the magic of the Festival right in your own rental.

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Do you own a property in or around Cannes?

Take advantage of the Cannes Film Festival to maximize your rental income! Welkeys, a professional Airbnb concierge service, handles the complete management of your seasonal rental during this high-demand period. From optimized pricing to welcoming guests, we take care of everything so you can rent out your property with complete peace of mind.

Find out how to list your property for rent during the Cannes Film Festival.

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If you don't want to stay in the city where the Festival is held but prefer to get away from the hustle and bustle of the event while remaining close to Cannes, it's possible! The advantage of France is that the cities are close together, and sometimes it only takes a few minutes of travel to find some peace and quiet. In that case, we recommend renting a vacation rental in Cagnes-sur-Mer, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, or even Villeneuve-Loubet. By choosing one of these destinations, you stay very close to the Cannes Film Festival while getting away from the glitz and glamour.

Discover all our rental properties

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How can you attend the Cannes Film Festival?

Watching the red carpet arrivals from afar

The easiest way to "attend" the Cannes Film Festival is to watch the red carpet arrivals from a distance, among the crowd of spectators who have gathered on the Croisette to see their favorite stars pass by. Indeed, all along the Croisette, you can catch a glimpse of actors and actresses from all over the world who have come to present their films.

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However, you will need to arm yourself with patience and potentially arrive early to secure a spot near the Palais des Festivals. Spread over 12 days, you will have the luxury of choosing one or more days to dedicate to this activity and soak up the Festival atmosphere. Also, take advantage of your stay in Cannes to enjoy other activities—the city is full of them!

Obtaining a "Cinéphile" accreditation

Some are content to catch a glimpse of the stars from afar, but for others, that is not enough. If you are one of those cinema lovers who want to experience the Cannes Film Festival from the inside, you will need to obtain an accreditation.

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This accreditation comes in the form of a badge, which is your golden ticket to seeing the Festival films. However, it is not as simple as that, and unfortunately, it is not possible to attend every screening. Let us explain!

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As someone completely outside the Festival, the accreditation you will need to obtain is the "Cannes Cinéphiles" program. Each year, 3,000 accreditations are reserved for dedicated film buffs, film students, and school groups. But even then, only certain people can obtain one after submitting a specific application. This includes school groups, film students, members of a film or cultural association, and members of a cinema.

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For example, if you are an UGC member, you will need to write a cover letter, provide proof of your membership, and send a copy of your ID. Applications can be submitted online from February 2 to March 15, 2026, on the Cannes Film Festival accreditation portal.

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Access the Cannes Film Festival ticket office

Once you have received a response and been granted the holy grail, you will be able to access the online ticket office to book your seats for screenings during the Festival. All accreditation holders must now use this platform to reserve their seats. To obtain your physical badge, you will need to pick it up on-site at the start of the Festival.

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Please note, however, that even with a badge, it remains very difficult to get seats in the Grand Théâtre Lumière, where Official Selection films are screened in the presence of the film crews. Nevertheless, with a Cinéphile badge, you can still get tickets to see these films in other Cannes cinemas or attend screenings in other categories.

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In short, planning an exceptional stay during the Cannes Film Festival and experiencing the event from the inside is entirely possible; you just need to plan a little in advance.

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