Boulevard de la Croisette

The Boulevard de la Croisette is the seafront promenade of Cannes, on the French Riviera in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France, running along the bay from the Palais des Festivals to Pointe Croisette. It is about two kilometres long and lined on the inland side with palm trees, luxury hotels such as the Carlton, the Majestic Barrière and the Martinez, designer boutiques and cafes. On the sea side, a wide pavement runs beside beach clubs and public beaches, with views across the bay to the Lérins Islands and the Esterel hills.

Most visitors walk the full length in one to two hours, stopping at the hotels' terraces or the beaches. The beach clubs in front of the grand hotels charge for sunbeds and meals, while public stretches of sand in between are free to use. The inland side has shopping streets such as Rue d'Antibes one block back, which offer more affordable shops and restaurants than the Croisette itself. At the western end the Palais des Festivals and its red steps are the most photographed landmark, and at the eastern end the Pointe Croisette and its gardens give a quieter finish.

Good photo angles include the palms framing the Carlton facade, the beach and sea toward the islands, and the sunset behind the Esterel from the water's edge. Early morning is calm and popular with joggers and cyclists, with the best light for photographs. Afternoon crowds in summer are thick, especially during July and August, and the Film Festival in May brings road closures, barriers and intense crowds.

The promenade is open at all hours and free to walk. It can be reached on foot from the station in about ten minutes, by Bus 8 along the length of the boulevard, or by bike. Prices at seafront cafes and beach clubs are among the highest on the Riviera, so many visitors pick up a picnic from a market and sit on the public beach.