Cannes Lions is a whirlwind of rose-fueled client meetings, talks at le Palais and late-night parties between La Croissette and Hôtel du Cap — but a busy schedule isn’t an excuse to not pencil in some leisure time, according to travel expert Brendan Monaghan.
Monaghan, a former publisher of Condé Nast Traveler, who founded Coolidge & Co., a luxury travel consultancy in 2024, offered up some tips to squeeze in some fun for any schedule.
DAY TRIP OUT OF CANNES
Monaco and Èze
If you have a few hours to explore outside of the festival, Monaghan suggests checking out Monaco and spending some time at the iconic Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo at Casino Square.
The historic Belle Époque-style hotel, which boasts 99 rooms, and the world-famous 3 Michelin Star restaurant Le Louis XV and wood-paneled Le Bar Américain, is a must-visit — or stay if you have the time.
“Hôtel de Paris is the classic for a reason — the grandeur is genuinely jaw-dropping, and Le Louis XV (Alain Ducasse) is one of the most iconic restaurant experiences anywhere,” Monaghan said. “Sunset drinks at the Bar Américain are timeless.”
Be sure to also check out Gustave, the new cocktail lounge at the Hôtel Hermitage. The Belle Époque-inspired bar sits beneath a Gustave Eiffel-designed cupola.
Belle Époque-inspired watering hole. Courtesy of SBM
For a moment of rejuvenation, he recommended a trip to the Thermes Marins spa, just steps from the hotel. “The Thermes Marins spa is among the best in Europe,” he said, noting that the 71,000 square-foot facility overlooking the Mediterranean includes a salt water pool, a sauna and a fitness center.
“A day trip worth mentioning is going to Èze village, which is a stunning detour — perched dramatically above the sea between Nice and Monaco, relatively untouched, and breathtaking,” Monaghan said. “Pair it with a stop at Château Eza for a drink or lunch and the views are unforgettable.”
Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Théoule-sur-Mer
If you need to stick closer to Cannes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of the oldest medieval towns in the French Riviera, is just a 40-minute Uber ride and it’s a must-see. It is known for its modern contemporary art museums and an enclave for famous artists like Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall and American writer James Baldwin, as well as a Provençal flair.
When explaining the concept of their hotel, the brothers said, “Guests will forget what you said, forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. When we create, we don’t just want to build something beautiful — we want to make something that makes people feel.”
Another hidden gem just 15 minutes outside of Cannes is the seaside town of Théoule-sur-Mer.
The town not only boasts hiking trails and jaw-dropping cliffside views overlooking the Bay of Cannes, but it is also home to Château de Théoule, a luxury property that opened in the spring of 2024.
Originally operating as a soap factory when it opened in 1630, Château de Théoule changed hands a few times and owes its Tudor-style turrets to Scottish Lord M. Harry Crowford, who owned it in 1913. That structure has become part of the latest incarnation — a 44-room boutique hotel, which weaves neo-Art Deco-style interiors that nod to the color palette of the surrounding landscape and vegetation.
The Château boasts its own private sandy beach — a rarity for the area (ask for a day pass) — a relaxing spa, and Mareluna, the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant overlooking the sea.
A WEEKEND JAUNT: PARIS
Paris is always a good idea. If you weren’t able to snag a direct flight to Nice for the festival and have a stop in the French capital, Monaghan suggested taking some time to soak in the city.
The travel guru recommends Dorchester properties Le Meurice and Plaza Athénée for an ultimate luxurious hotel experience.
“Le Meurice and Plaza Athénée are both extraordinary in completely different ways. Plaza Athénée is drama and romance on the Avenue Montaigne — the kind of address that feels like Paris distilled into a single building,” he said.
During the summer, the Athénée opens its courtyard for romantic nighttime dining or snag a reservation at the hotel’s buzzy Relais Plaza, where Chef Jean Imbert serves up classic French fare.
Le Meurice, which some call a modern-day Versailles in the heart of Paris, is a more “quietly elegant experience,” Monaghan said. For an opulent dining experience, reserve a table at Restaurant Le Dali, which pays tribute to frequent guest surrealist artist Salvador Dalí.
Inside this luxurious dining room, guests can marvel at the 145-square-meter floating artwork, created by French artist Ara Starck, daughter of the restaurant’s designer, Philippe Starck.
Monaghan recommends grabbing a late-night drink at Bar 228, the hotel’s chic, live jazz watering hole. Or for a fine-dining experience, try Le Meurice’s opulent Alain Ducasse restaurant.
The highly Instagrammable hotel feels like you’re stepping into a Wes Anderson movie with its whimsical, colorful decor. The hotel’s restaurant, La Boubalé, is a lively, must-try spot where the food blends Mediterranean flavors with the vibrant colors of the Orient.
For a more classic dining experience, Monaghan suggested Le Voltaire on the Left Bank. “It’s an enduring institution — wonderful food, beautiful crowd, and the kind of room that never goes out of style,” he said, before listing off a few other favorites.
“Cherry is the sort of intimate, buzzy discovery our clients come home raving about. And for lunch, Le Cherche Midi in Saint-Germain is simply wonderful — unfussy, beautiful Italian-inflected cooking in a room that feels entirely Parisian,” he said.
