Where to Eat, Shop & Escape During the Cannes Yachting Festival

As the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival brings the world’s finest yachts to the French Riviera from September 9 to 14, the city itself comes alive with an unmistakable energy. While the spotlight shines on the yachts lining the Vieux Port and Port Canto, including a curated selection of Northrop & Johnson’s premier yachts available for sale and charter, Cannes offers a wealth of experiences for those looking to explore beyond the docks. From legendary dining, world-class shopping, and island escapes, here are the top things to do during your stay.

Indulge in Riviera Fine Dining

Cannes is a true culinary playground, offering everything from iconic Michelin-starred restaurants to relaxed seaside vibes. Reserve a table at La Palme d’Or inside the iconic Hotel Martinez for a two-star Michelin experience that blends precision, creativity, and Riviera heritage.

If you prefer a more relaxed setting, try La Môme Plage, a local favorite for rosé-fueled lunches with your feet in the sand. Miramar Plage, La Plage Du Festival, Mademoiselle Gray, and RÜYA at the Carlton are also standout choices for a refined lunch or dinner with serious ambiance.

Le Speakeasy Cannes is another top dinner spot just across from Hotel Martinez. This sultry, old-world venue offers cabaret-style dining with live singers and a piano player, turning your evening meal into a chic party.

Shop the Croisette

The Boulevard de la Croisette is a haven for high fashion. Designer boutiques like Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier sit alongside curated French labels such as Claudie Pierlot and Ba&sh. Loro Piana, Hermès, and Van Cleef & Arpels are also must-visits, especially for those following the latest luxury trends. It’s the perfect place to browse between yacht viewings or to pick up a piece of Cannes to take back with you.

A few blocks inland, the Rue d’Antibes offers a different vibe with high street elegance, galleries, and artisanal finds. For a taste of Provençal life, stroll through Marché Forville, where local produce, flowers, and delicacies spill across the stalls.

Beach Clubs & Rooftops

When the sun dips below the horizon, Cannes reveals its sultry side. For cocktails and DJ sets, La Guérite on Île Sainte-Marguerite is a must-visit. Back on the mainland, everything now centers around the new Palm Beach complex, the city’s luxury beach and dining hub.

Here you’ll find Zuma on the rooftop, Le Petit Maison, Nammos, and Medusa, where dinners flow seamlessly into late-night parties.

Carlton Beach Club is the perfect daytime scene for relaxed waterfront lunches. Come evening, RÜYA Carlton is the place to be for a stylish dining experience.

Explore the Cultural Side of Cannes

Escape the festival buzz with a walk through Le Suquet, Cannes’ historic old quarter. Wander up its cobbled lanes to Eglise Notre-Dame d’Espérance, where sweeping views await.

Nearby, the Centre d’art La Malmaison showcases rotating exhibitions from contemporary art greats. For an extended day trip, visit Grasse, the famed perfume capital. Just 30 minutes from Cannes, it offers immersive tours of Fragonard and other maisons, where you can even create your own bespoke fragrance.

See You on the Docks

Cannes is a city that rewards those who explore beyond the obvious. There’s no shortage of ways to enrich your experience at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival.

Northrop & Johnson will be showcasing a curated collection of yachts at this year’s event, available for both sale and charter. To arrange a private viewing or onboard meeting, reach out to your preferred N&J broker or visit our Cannes Yachting Festival event page to learn more.

We’ll see you in Cannes.