Cannes

The city of Cannes is alive and bursting with energy as people from all over the world anticipate the excitement that is the Cannes International Film Festival!  People of all ages, nationalities, and professions are here to experience the grand 60th annual event that pulls in celebrities and film makers of the highest calibur.  When walking around the small Provencal town, one can feel the celebratory ambiance.  Summer is in full bloom here on the Cote d'Azur (French Riviera), and the tourists have arrived.  The streets are saturated with film crews, producers, directors, promoters, and press.  Although these people are clearly here on business, many are enjoying the town like tourists.  Some film makers have brought their families along for the trip.  It has been rumored that Jude Law himself has rented a chateau in Antibes, a small town between Cannes and Nice.  This is the busiest and most exciting time for the city of Cannes.  Businesses thrive from all of the temporary residents, and the restaurants businesses are constantly slammed.  As one walks along the rue d'Antibes (Antibes Street), one can spot all the people involved with the festival.  Many crew members and interns can be found in the food markets and the most popular clothing stores (i.e. Zara); all can be easily spotted thanks to their badges used for access into the Palais of the festival.  In fact, the town seems to be covered with these "badge" people.  When speaking of the nightlife of Cannes, it is imperative to note the importance of the badge status.  The most upscale nightclubs will motion a person in at the sight of the ever-important badge.  One could even go as far to say that the badge signifies a certain status within the city.  With all of the hustle and bustle in the city of Cannes, it is easy to forget the true beauty of the old town itself.  Along the beautiful blue Mediterranean Sea, the streets are lined with giant palm trees and the air is fresh with provencal-style cooking.  The restaurants radiate the scents of delicious Italian-influenced foods, including rich olive oil and herbes.  Local residents show off with their chic fashion sense.  While it is easy to lose site of the true culture of Cannes, the city's ambiance continues to radiate all over, giving its visitors a wonderful experience of the life here in the south of France.