New York Habitat Blog

By the time May rolls around on the French Riviera, it’s already beach weather - but the real action is at the Cannes Film Festival, held every year in this normally sleepy beach town in the South of France.  The 62nd edition is from May 13 to 24, 2009 - so, why not rent a New York Habitat vacation apartment and place yourself smack dab in the middle of it all?

Cannes, France vacation rental: 1-bedroom apartment (PR-916) pic

We usually only hear about the 20 films competing in the Official Selection, but the Cannes Film Festival is actually comprised of several different sections run by four separate film-based organizations who together screen hundreds of films for the thousands of attendees each year.

So, how do you get in to see a film in the running?  Sadly, you can’t! The theater passes for each film are severely regulated and securely held.  In fact, the only non-film industry viewers allowed in are card-carrying residents of Cannes proper and formally organized and accredited film education groups.  But, that doesn’t mean you can’t take your chances hobnobbing with the stars, or angling for a paparazzi shot on the gorgeous beaches!

This 2-bedroom rental in Cannes (PR-916) puts you at the heart of the action - just steps away from the stunning port, the high-fashion boutiques on La Croisette, and the world-famous red carpet at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, where the awards ceremony is held each year.  And when you’re not out stalking your favorite celebrities, you can whip up a light summer lunch in the rental’s new, sleek kitchen and enjoy it al fresco on the balcony.

If you prefer to be a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood on the French Riviera, opt instead for a 2-bedroom rental in Juan Les Pins, France (PR-598), just outside of Cannes. Light and airy and surrounded by greenery, this gorgeous little place lets you hit the beach in the morning, head into Cannes to check out the scene, and be home in time for dinner!

But if you really want to make the most out of a French Riviera vacation that coincides with the Cannes Film Festival, then this gorgeous 2-bedroom rental in Nice, France (PR-928) can be your hub for day trips to the Italian Riviera, a glamorous evening trying your luck at the tables in Monte Carlo, and zipping over to Cannes to see and be seen.  There’s lots to do in Nice, as well - and its international airport makes the city all the more convenient for the savvy traveler.

We hope you’re on your way to see what all the fuss is about! But, you might be an old hand at the whole celebrity scene - if you’ve had a fun celebrity sighting, at the Cannes Film Festival or elsewhere, brag about it in the comments!

Mention the name Cannes to anyone and he or she will immediately think of the world famous film festival. But there’s much more to this seaside town than the glitz and glamour that the celebrities bring once a year.  In fact, the best time to visit Cannes may be the fall, when most of the tourists have gone home, and you can truly explore the city and all that is has to offer.  A vacation rental apartment from New York Habitat is a wonderful way to get the real feel of the city.

Cannes, South of France

Of course, one of the top attractions in Cannes is the beach, which can be enjoyed year-round, thank to the region’s mild climate.  Set up camp in a lounge chair under a large umbrella and enjoy the views of the Mediterranean while relaxing the day away.  If you’d like a little more action, walk up and down the picturesque La Croisette, Cannes’ version of a boardwalk, lined with high-end shops, cafés, and restaurants.

Make sure to take a ferry out to visit the small islands off the coast, known as the Iles de Lérins.  The smaller one, Ile Saint Honorat, is home to a monastery that dates back to the middle ages, and many other medieval relics.  The larger one, Ile Sainte Marguerite, is a large forested island that was home to the infamous ‘Man in the Iron Mask’ for eleven years.  Visit the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea) on the island which features this mysterious man and his life, among other diverse exhibits.  The city of Cannes itself has numerous museums as well, including the Musée de la Parfumerie, dedicated to the history and making of perfume.

New York Habitat has some wonderful vacation apartment rentals for your time in Cannes, whether you want a view of the beach and the Mediterranean or prefer to stay in the center of town.  Some of their offerings include:

South of France Vacation Rental: 1-bedroom apartment in Cannes (PR-709)

•    This 1 bedroom rental in Cannes (PR-709) located near the beach.  The big feature of this bright apartment is the view from the terrace.  You’ll enjoy eating outside within sight of the Mediterranean and Lérin islands.

•    Or you might prefer this 1 bedroom rental in Cannes (PR-767), located in town, but also near the shore.  This charming penthouse apartment, with its exposed ceiling beams and two working fireplaces, is the perfect home away from home.

•    If you need some more space, you might want to check out this 3 bedroom vacation rental in Cannes (PR-887), located in the center of town, but still within walking distance of the beach.  This spacious apartment gets plenty of light thanks to its many windows.  It also features a large eat-in kitchen, modernized bathroom and magnificent views of Cannes and the sea.

Those who think that the annual film festival is the only thing that Cannes has to offer are mistaken.  On your next vacation, take the time to explore the town and its surroundings for what it truly is, a fabulous French Riviera town.  And with the help of a vacation apartment rental from New York Habitat, you’ll really feel like a local, and not just another tourist!

Please share your own Cannes experiences with us in our comments section.

Topping our list of the top destinations in the South of France is the city of Cannes, which, 150 years ago, was nothing more than a small fishing town.

Today, Cannes has becomes a hot spot in the French Riviera. Attracting visitors from all over the world, the city has become the ‘star’ of the South of France.

1 Bedroom Rental Cannes - French Riviera - PR-683

Every year Cannes hosts many world-renowned festivals and shows such as: the Cannes Film Festival, the Cannes Boat and Yacht Show, the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, and many more.

Most known for its picture-perfect port, Cannes boasts miles of sandy beaches from which visitors can look out onto the blue of the Mediterranean Sea. Fishing boats and pleasure yachts float side by side, both contributing to the cultural and economic influence of the city.

New York Habitat has some great apartments available in the trendy city of Cannes, French Riviera:

· Studio in Cannes (PR-748) with private garden in a residential neighborhood
· One-bedroom apartment in Cannes (PR-683) with views of the Mediterranean Sea
· Three-bedroom apartment in Cannes (PR-737) that can accommodate up to 6 people

To recap the countdown here is a full review:

• #5 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
• #4 Nice, French Riviera
• #3 Aix-en-Provence
• #2 Avignon, Provence

New York Habitat has taken care of the hard part. All you have to do is pick your favorite towns, book an apartment (or many!), and enjoy a fantastic vacation in Provence, the French Riviera or any where else in the South of France. Don’t forget to send us a postcard.

Are there any towns that you think should have made the list? Tell us about it below.

Once again the Cannes Film Festival preparations are in full swing in the South of France.

This year’s event is from May 16th to May 27th.

With the town of Cannes transforming from a seaside village into a bustling jet set location for this 10-day stretch, finding housing in the area can be difficult for the independent movie buff looking to screen the latest and greatest.

New York Habitat offers apartment and villas throughout the South of France, stretching from Montpellier in the west all the way east towards the Italian border and running along the southern Mediterranean coast.

Apartments and villas available in the Cannes area:

New York Habitat is in the unique position of offering furnished accommodations throughout the world, including Paris, London, New York and the South of France. With the festival so close, finding quality villas nearby can be challenging, but New York Habitat has some unique properties to choose from if you are making the trip.

One apartment, a four-bedroom villa on the French Rivera in Cannes (PR-739), is available for 3,105 euros per week during the festival and includes a pool and gardens. The drive to Cannes is about five minutes from the villa. Another possibility in Cannes is a two-bedroom accommodation (PR-625) that sleeps six and has a terrace with BBQ for 2,025 euros per week.

2007 Cannes Film Festival:

The festival expects to draw crowds of over 30,000 film professionals to screenings of movies at over a dozen theaters within Cannes. Movies which are selected as top award winners from the festival are generally recognized as some of the top independent films of the year and many go on to be top cinema hits. For more details about this year’s festival, visit The Cannes Film Festival website.

New York Habitat has many choices in Cannes and the surrounding area and with a few properties still remaining we would be happy to help you find a place to call home during your journey to the exciting Cannes Film Festival.