Cannes will launch the surface-level redevelopment of La Croisette in mid-October, once the MIPCOM trade fair has cleared the boulevard, marking the start of the most extensive remodelling of the seafront promenade in over 60 years.
Preparatory operations will begin in mid-September before construction starts between rue Macé and boulevard Alexandre III. Four work fronts will operate simultaneously, with the sections included in the current programme scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.
Originally planned to run from November 2024 until the end of 2025, the project was postponed after contractor bids exceeded the city’s estimates and new state levies placed additional pressure on municipal finances.
In November 2024, the Ville de Cannes estimated that the measures would remove €18 million from its finances by the end of the current municipal mandate. Rather than increase local tax rates, the municipality chose to revise the construction timetable and launch a new tender process.
According to the city, the new procurement process will allow the same project to proceed for €15 million less than the initial bids.
Wider footpaths, more trees and a continuous cycle route
The winning design was unveiled in September 2022 following an international architectural competition. It was developed by the Atelier d’Urbanité Roland Castro and Snøhetta, working with WSP, Observatoire International, JML Water Feature Design, Manifesto, Transitec and Cronos Conseil.
The project will widen pedestrian areas and introduce new paving inspired by the red tones of the Estérel massif and the historic Le Suquet district. Art Deco-influenced “Spotlights” will mark key points along the boulevard, while new benches, shaded structures, lighting and landscaped spaces will be installed.
A three-metre-wide, two-way cycle track separated from road traffic will run from the Palais des Festivals to La Roseraie. Once connected with the existing route to Palm Beach, it will provide 3.1 kilometres of continuous cycling infrastructure.
Pedestrian crossings will be widened and raised, the northern pavement will be enlarged and additional LED lighting and video surveillance will be installed. The Croisette’s familiar blue chairs will be retained.
By the end of the scheduled works, the redeveloped sections are expected to contain 692 trees planted in the ground, including 295 new plantings. Seventy palms removed during preparatory works will be kept in a nursery before being replanted on the boulevard.
The municipality also plans to use groundwater collected beneath the Lamy municipal car park to irrigate the landscaped areas, reducing the use of drinking water.
The wider master plan includes the Miroir des Lauréats, a reflecting pool at the foot of the Palais des Festivals, and an open-air Théâtre de la Mer at Square du 8-Mai-1945. These elements form part of the broader long-term vision for La Croisette rather than the initial construction section beginning in October.
According to the Ville de Cannes, the objective is to preserve the boulevard’s identity while improving accessibility, safety, mobility and comfort throughout the year.
A redevelopment under way since 2017
The wider transformation of La Croisette has progressed through several stages since 2017. The first phase expanded 1.4 kilometres of beach between Zamenhof and Macé using 80,000 cubic metres of sand. That work ran from November 2017 to March 2019, followed by a further 33,500 cubic metres added to the two public beaches between September 2019 and March 2020.
A separate programme to renovate the boulevard’s 22 private beach establishments was carried out between September 2018 and March 2020.
Underground works followed from January 2022 until spring 2024, replacing drinking-water, wastewater and sanitation networks serving the hotels, residences, shops and beachfront establishments.
A marine thermal-energy network is also being installed across seven work areas in the city centre and eastern Croisette. The project, developed by the Cannes Lérins Agglomeration, is expected to begin entering service from October 2027 and will eventually provide heating and cooling to more than 50 buildings, including the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, using energy recovered from the Mediterranean.
Construction organised around Cannes’ events
The surface redevelopment will be completed in two principal stages while maintaining access to hotels, businesses and residences.
From autumn 2026 to summer 2027, work will focus on the southern carriageway between rue Macé and rue du Canada and the northern carriageway between rue du Canada and boulevard Alexandre III. The section between rue Pasteur and rue du Docteur Zamenhof will be incorporated into the second stage.
Between autumn 2027 and the end of 2028, construction will switch to the opposite sides of those sections. Work will also extend to both sides of the boulevard between the Palais des Festivals and rue des Serbes.
Traffic will be maintained in the west-to-east direction, with temporary lane changes introduced according to the area under construction. A diversion will operate between rue Macé and rue Latour-Maubourg from mid-October.
The most significant pavement works will be concentrated during winter, while construction will stop during May to accommodate the Cannes Film Festival. Subsequent phases will address Pointe Croisette, Square de la Roseraie and the Port Canto gardens.
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All images are provisional project renderings, subject to change. All heritage features will be preserved. Image credit: A’U Roland Castro & Snøhetta/MIR