Cannes Film Festival 2026: dates, complete guide and experience on the French Riviera with Virginie in Provence
- virginieinprovence
- Apr 14
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 15
For those who don’t know me yet, my name is Virginie. When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming an actress or a singer. I could easily imagine myself walking up the famous red carpet steps of the Cannes Film Festival.
In fact, I became a French immersion teacher, my passion job, after working for 10 years in the tourism industry.
Today, I’m taking you with me to discover the Cannes Film Festival, one of the most prestigious events in the world.
Read also: what to do in Provence and around Aix-en-Provence
To help you plan your stay in Provence and explore the region in more depth, I also recommend these articles:
The Cannes Film Festival – More details
1. What is the Cannes Film Festival?
The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. It was founded in 1946.
Its history goes back to the end of World War II, when European film organizers wanted to create an international event to promote cinema. Since then, every year, hundreds of films are submitted to the official selection, but only about twenty are chosen to compete.
2. Where does the Cannes Film Festival take place?
The Cannes Film Festival always takes place in the city of Cannes.
Cannes is located on the French Riviera, in the south of France. It has more than 70,000 inhabitants.
It is famous for:
its Film Festival
the Croisette, a seaside promenade
its beaches
its rich history and unique atmosphere
3. What is the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival?
The Palme d’Or is the award given each year to the best film in the official competition.
It was created in 1955 and is crafted by more than 40 artisans in Switzerland.
Today, it is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the film industry.
4. What are the famous “Red Carpet Steps” at the Cannes Film Festival?
Do you know the expression “to roll out the red carpet”?
It means welcoming someone with great honor. The color red symbolizes the importance of the event.
This concept was introduced to the Cannes Film Festival in 1961.
The red carpet steps have become iconic. It is the dream of many artists to walk up these steps and be photographed. Fashion designers and jewelers also lend their creations to guests. There is no better publicity.
The Cannes Film Festival is a true accelerator of visibility and recognition for those who walk these famous steps.
5. When does the Cannes Film Festival take place?
The Cannes Film Festival 2026 will take place from May 12 to May 23, 2026.
The Cannes Film Festival – My experience
We go to Cannes once a year, either as a family or as a couple, but never during the Cannes Film Festival.
I’m interested in the films presented, but I don’t feel the need to see actors, actresses, or directors up close. Also, hotel prices are extremely high during the Cannes Film Festival, and it’s very difficult to find parking.
I prefer a more intimate and peaceful Cannes, outside of the busy festival period. If you would like to visit during the Cannes Film Festival, I highly recommend booking your hotel and tickets in advance.
And if this excursion interests you during your French immersion stay in Provence, I would be delighted to take you there.
Read also to prepare your stay in Provence
👉 Excursions around Aix-en-Provence: what to do during your stay
👉 Visit Cassis and the Calanques: complete guide
👉 Que faire à Aix-en-Provence : mes incontournables
👉 Immersion en Provence : apprendre le français en vivant sur place
What happens at the Cannes Film Festival?
1. What are the most memorable moments of the Cannes Film Festival?
The Cannes Film Festival is also a very emotional event. It can be the scene of controversies, like in 1988 with the screening of The Last Temptation of Christ by Martin Scorsese, or very moving moments, such as the standing ovation for Agnès Varda in 2015.
2. What happens at the Cannes Film Festival in 2026?
In 2026, the Cannes Film Festival celebrates its 79th edition.
Each year, the festival brings together the biggest names in international cinema, including directors, actors and actresses from around the world.
The opening film of the Cannes Film Festival 2026 is:
👉 La Vénus Électrique by Pierre Salvadori (out of competition)
This is always a highly anticipated moment, setting the tone for the entire festival.
Personally, I love discovering new directors during this time. For example, I discovered Quentin Dupieux with his film Rubber in 2010, a unique and captivating film that I really enjoyed.
This 2026 edition promises once again to be remarkable, with major names in cinema and highly anticipated films.
3. What is the film selection at the Cannes Film Festival 2026?
The official selection of the Cannes Film Festival 2026 has been revealed:
Amarga Navidad by Pedro Almodóvar
Parallel Stories by Asghar Farhadi
A Woman’s Life by Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet
La Bola Negra by Javier Calvo & Javier Ambrossi
Coward by Lukas Dhont
Das Geträumte Abenteuer by Valeska Grisebach
Suddenly by Ryusuke Hamaguchi
The Unknown Woman by Arthur Harari
Garance by Jeanne Herry
Sheep in the Box by Hirokazu Kore-eda
Hope by Na Hong-jin
Nagi Notes by Koji Fukada
Gentle Monster by Marie Kreutzer
Our Salvation by Emmanuel Marre
Fjord by Cristian Mungiu
Stories of the Night by Léa Mysius
Moulin by László Nemes
Fatherland by Pawel Pawlikowski
The Man I Love by Ira Sachs
El Ser Querido by Rodrigo Sorogoyen
Minotaur by Andrey Zvyagintsev
These films are part of the official competition for the Palme d’Or.
Other sections also complete the program:
Un Certain Regard
Cannes Première
films out of competition
👉 This diversity makes the Cannes Film Festival a unique event.
IV. Vocabulary of the Cannes Film Festival
Here are some key words and expressions to help you better understand the Cannes Film Festival and enrich your vocabulary in both French and English.
Cannes Film Festival:It is a famous film festival that takes place every year in Cannes, on the French Riviera in France. It started in 1946. Many films from all over the world are shown there.
Palme d’Or (Golden Palm):This is the most important prize of the Cannes Film Festival. It is given to the best film in the competition.
Red Carpet / Red Steps:These are the famous steps covered with a red carpet in front of the Palais des Festivals. Actors and directors walk up these steps and take photos.
To roll out the red carpet:This expression means to welcome someone in a very special and important way.
Official Competition:This is the main part of the festival where films compete to win the Palme d’Or.
Official Selection:This includes all the films shown at the festival, in competition and outside competition.
Croisette:The Croisette is a famous street in Cannes next to the sea. It has beaches, hotels, restaurants, and shops.
French immersion stay in Provence with Virginie in Provence
If you come to stay with me for a French immersion experience in Provence, I will help you discover all the different aspects of the region: landscapes, scents, culture, and gastronomy…
…while helping you improve your French in real-life, natural situations.
See you soon in Provence!
Virginie in Provence