Cannes

Since 1946, The Festival de Cannes (Cannes Film Festival to most of us) has been attracting the rich, famous and fabulous crowd. The film festival runs from May 14-25, 2008, and during this time there is plenty of glamour and glitz, movie premieres and outrageous parties.

Amidst the outrageously affluent and attractive, the galas and the regattas, the town lives up to its motto, "Life is a festival." This is people watching at its best.

The hotel lined La Croisette is a fine promenade and is full of

upscale shopping. The beaches are a huge draw and uber mega yachts fill the bay where they almost obscure the view.

Popular stars such as Bono frequent the hot spot, Le Baoli, which looks like a scene from the Arabian Nights. You can dine on Asian cuisine under billowing canopies and a garden of palm trees. Le Baoli hosts many film parties and the disco doesn't get going until after midnight.

Famous Cannes hotels include the Intercontinental Carlton which was the setting for "To Catch A Thief." It has rated a perfect location score from Conde Nast and has "to die for" views of the bay. The Bar des Celebrites is quite popular.

The Hotel Majestic Barriere is a legendary hotel on LaCroisette and home to many of the stars during the film festival. Hanging out at the beach bar B. Sud's is a great way to see and be seen.

The Martinez is also centrally located along the La Croisette promenade and boasts one of Cannes best restaurants, the two Michelin star, La Palme d'or. The restaurant specializes in elaborate creations using local fresh produce. The hotel boasts breathtaking views of the Cannes coastline and some consider this 1920's gem to be the "coolest hotel." It also houses original lithographs by Picasso and Duffy.

To balance out the lofty lifestyle of Cannes you must take in some down home local spots. The March Forville market is a favorite. These berries were sooo good.

And I couldn't pass this up...

No, the people of Cannes love their dogs and do not throw them away. This is a "doggie waste disposal receptacle." Pretty cool!

Now, for the "real celebrities" and "properly rich" as they are referred to, the place to stay is the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc located at the very tip of Cap d' Antibes. On 25 acres of manicured lawns and fragrant pine forested land, it is halfway between Nice and Cannes and positively unbelievable! A definite uber boudica pick.

If you are going to live like a rock star this is the way to go. Built in 1870 in the Napoleon III style, it was originally baptized Villa Soleil (Sunshine Villa). The Hotel du Cap Eden Roc boast a who's who list of notables who have stayed there from the Kennedy family, Picasso, Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, to more modern time and Madonna, Tom Cruise, Hugh Grant, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Johnny Depp, Robert DeNiro and the list could go on and on. It is a favorite with royals and the political, artists, movie and the monied uber elite.

After the swimming pool was dug out of the rock, the Eden Roc Pavilion became the restaurant. In the 1980's, a suite was built leading directly onto the rocks. This suite has proven popular with Madonna, Sharon Stone, Jacque Chirac, to name a few.

The Residence Deux Fontaine is a recent addition and offers incomparable views of the Bay of Juan-les-Pins, the beaches and the harbour.

Come on, you have to stay here once in your life. Just remember, they only take cash or a bank draft!

Until next time...