Carlton Cannes
58 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France
The Story
The headquarters of the Cannes Film Festival
The belle epoque palace dominating La Croisette is the hotel that Alfred Hitchcock used as the centrepiece of To Catch a Thief, and it has been the unofficial headquarters of the Cannes Film Festival since the festival began in 1946. Grace Kelly's character, Frances Stevens, stays here in the film, and Cary Grant's John Robie arrives at the hotel's private beach after escaping by boat. During festival season every May, the hotel becomes the most exclusive address on the coast — essentially the most glamorous office building in the world, with every suite occupied by a studio executive, a producer, or someone pretending to be one.
" The most famous hotel on the Croisette, and the traditional headquarters of the festival held every May.
Where a princess was made
It was here, during the 1955 festival, that Grace Kelly met Prince Rainier III of Monaco for the first time. She married him the following year, ended her film career, and began the Monaco fairy tale. She never made another film. The coincidence has haunted To Catch a Thief ever since: Kelly, who was not a confident driver, did her own driving for the white-knuckle scene on the Grande Corniche above the coast. She died in 1982 from injuries suffered in a car crash on a similarly winding Riviera road.
Signature Experiences
The private beach
The hotel's private beach on La Croisette is where Grant's John Robie arrives by boat in To Catch a Thief after escaping his pursuers.
Suites overlooking La Croisette
The suites facing the seafront promenade set the scene for the film's famous fireworks-and-seduction sequence between Grant and Kelly.
Famous Connections
Who Came Here
As Seen In
Plan Your Visit
Good to Know
- How to Book: Book direct at carlton-cannes.com or by phone. Book well ahead for May — the festival fills the hotel and rates climb steeply.
- Best Time: Open year-round. May brings the Cannes Film Festival and peak glamour (and peak prices); the shoulder months are quieter and far more affordable.
- Accessibility: Contact the hotel directly to confirm access requirements.
- Tip: During festival season in May the hotel is essentially the most glamorous office building in the world, with every suite occupied by a studio executive, a producer, or someone pretending to be one. For the To Catch a Thief pilgrimage, the private beach and the Croisette-facing suites are the spots to seek out.
Nearby
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