The
beginning of May is probably my favorite time to go for a trip to
Cannes and the Côte d'Azur. The weather is pleasantly warm and rarely
too hot, and there are far fewer visitors than later in the summer. Most
importantly though, this is when Cannes is at it's best.. the whole
town is ready and prepared to host the glamorous Cannes Film Festival
which usually starts Mid-May. Everything feels fresh and polished, with
gardens and flowers maintained and manicured to perfection. The
beaches have been replenished with fresh white sand and it seems that
even the
leaves of the Croisette's palm trees have been given a glistening coat
in
anticipation of the glamor and buzz to come. The weather forecast for
last week promised sun and blue skies, so the decision to spend my
birthday in Cannes was quickly
made.
The weather forecast was right, and the Côte d'Azur lived up to it's
name by displaying a dazzling array of sparkling blues.
White and yellow stripes... a French Riviera classic
Cannes'
main promenade, La Croisette, is lined with luxurious shops and
hotels, and the Carlton is undoubtedly the most iconic of them all. This
is where Hitchcock filmed 'To catch a thief' (some spectacular real
life jewelry heists took place at the Carlton in recent years too) and
where Grace Kelly encountered Prince Rainier III of Monaco during the
Film Festival in 1955. The Carlton's beautiful elegant terrace faces the
Croisette and the Mediterranean sea, and it is a wonderful place to
have breakfast, afternoon coffee or drinks before dinner.
Next
to the terrace, a 'Palme d'Or' palm leaf (symbol of the Cannes Film
Festival) is held by a golden angel statue. The angel's beautiful
feathered wings reminded me very much of Alice Shirley's 'Zebra Pegasus'
scarf from the AW2014 collection.
Other
favorite places in Cannes include the Gaston and Gastounette fish
restaurant in the old part of town (Suquet quarter), and the secluded
terrace of the Amiral bar at the Martinez Hotel (perfect for drinks
after dinner and the most buzzing place in town after midnight during
the festivals). Cannes' many beach clubs are wonderful places for lunch,
and you can also rent a sun lounger and parasol for the day. The
Zplage, the Miramar Plage and the Carlton Beach Restaurant are all
fabulous. The Palais Stéphanie (now JW
Marriott) has become a favorite place to stay. Built in 1992 it doesn't
ooze art deco glamour, but I love the modern, chic and stylish decor of
the rooms, and the location could not be better. The large rooftop
terrace has a pool, jacuzzi and sun loungers, with sweeping views over
the Bay of Cannes and the surrounding Esterel mountains.
Tunics are amongst my favorite summer wardrobe staples, they are so easy to wear and style. Teaming this beautifully embroidered and beaded sale find from Weills (from a couple of years back) with cool tones and a 'Ceintures et
Liens' cashmere shawl in a triangular fold.
Capsule pieces: embroidered/beaded tunic and jeans
Accessories:
Hermes 'Ceintures et Liens' cashmere GM, Clic-clac H enamel bracelet in bleu indiens and a Picotin 18 in
Bleu Sapphire.
Shoes: Castañer espadrilles wedges in turquoise
Capsule pieces: embroidered/beaded tunic and light ecru trousers
Accessories:
Hermes 'Fantaisies Indiennes' Mousseline GM in a basic bias fold and Picotin 22 in Sanguine.
Shoes: Hermes Oran sandals
Monsieur Le Seagull is definitely ready for the Film Festival!
A new favorite place in Cannes will be featured in the next post!
Hotels/Bars:
Carlton Cannes: 58 Boulevard de la Croisette, Tel: +33 4 9306 4006
www.intercontinental-carlton-cannes.com/
Martinez Hotel and Amiral bar: 73 Boulevard de la Croisette, Tel: +33 4 9390 1234
www.cannesmartinez.grand.hyatt.com
JW Marriott Cannes (Palais Stéphanie): 50 Boulevard de la Croisette,Tel: +33 4 92 99 7000
www.marriott.com/jw-marriott-cannes
Beach clubs and restaurants:
Miramar Plage Beach Restaurant, 64 Boulevard de la Croisette, Tel: +33 4 9394 2474
www.miramar-plage.fr
ZPlage: 73 Boulevard de la Croisette, Tel: +33 4 9298 7319
www.cannesmartinez.grand.hyatt.com/zplage
Carlton Beach Restaurant: 58 Boulevard de la Croisette, Tel: +33 4 9306 4006
www.intercontinental-carlton-cannes.com/
Fish restaurant:
Gaston et Gastonette, 6-7 Quai Saint-Pierre, 06400 Cannes, Tel: +33 4 9339 4944.
www.gaston-gastounette.fr
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Oh what a glorious post, thank you so much for sharing these beautiful pictures with us! I love them all but I think my favorite is probably the seagull, that is such a great shot! Thank you for taking me from Brooklyn to Cannes! Can't wait for the next edition. xx
ReplyDeleteThe seagull was so sweet, and shared a fair amount of our breakfast. I wondered if he'd be able to take off afterwards! Have a wonderful weekend x
DeleteDear MaiTai, this post is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for taking us to a short tripp to Cannes. I`m looking forward for part two.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful and lovely weekend. Gabriele
Sharing a trip always makes me feel like visiting again, so many thanks to you, too! Have a most fabulous and happy weekend.
DeleteWell, I'm sure that the residents of Cannes thought that Grace had come back from the dead and was "gracing" their streets once again.
DeleteYou look beautiful; Cannes looks beautiful; even the sill seagull looks beautiful. Must be that marvellous Mediterranean light. I must try some soon!
Looking forward to the next chapter and more glimpses of you and Cannes.
Jerrine
Your comments always nail it, dear Jerrine. Yes, our dear MaiTai certainly has the necessary grace!
DeleteEven if I have already enjoyed most of the pics on IG, it's still such a pleasure to read more details and see them aligned like this. I love going on little escapes with you, dear MaiTai, and how lucky you are to have so many of them right at your doorstep. I'm with Jerrine, looking forward to more.
Have a happy long Whitsun weekend,
Katja
Hello Katja! Don't you think that we should all have a little escape to Cannes? I think it would be the perfect place to host the Swan Convention, don't you? It's more personal than Paris and oh so posh. Perfect for us!
DeleteAnd, I really think that MT will have to design a piece of jewelry for all the Swans to wear. Perhaps, a copy of those lovely golden wings the angel is sporting. What a pretty brooch that would make, and it could be our "club" insignia. It could pass as a swan's wing, too.
Best to you,
Jerrine
Katja, I forgot to inquire - what is Whitsun weekend? Very intriguing. I'm for a long weekend regardless of what it's celebrating!
DeleteEnjoy,
Jerrine
Absolutely,I'm in! Will extend my soon-to-come trip to Paris by a few days at the Côte d'Azur. I am fascinated by your creative energy, you should ask MT for a job as design assistant. I'm officially preordering any wing Jewellery that will be launched in the near future:)
DeleteMaybe Whitsun was the wrong translation - do you rather call it Pentecost? Anyway, it's an official religious holiday and Monday is a Bank holiday, plus two weeks off from school. So very welcome:)
Looking forward to cruise La Croisette with you - and all fellow swans sporting wings of any kind!
Katja
Katja, in my next life, I want to be MT's design assistant, oh yes! A dream job for sure. Heck, I'd even settle for "packing assistant."
DeleteHmmmm - not to clear on the holiday. I don't think we celebrate it here. But you enjoy it for me, okay, and I will look forward to strolling La Croisette with you and our golden wings . . . next to our golden girl, of course.
Have fun,
Jerrine
Hey! I want in on this swan jewelry--what a wonderful idea! And a trip to the Cote d'Azur? Sign me up! All these pictures have me longing to pack my bags and hit the roads--even braving customs--to see some of these lovely sights. Wishing all the swans a lovely week--
DeleteGreta
Joining you girls! And Jerrine, I love your expression 'our golden girl'. That's really what she is to me <3
DeleteLooking forward to that trip to Côte d'Azur. A great week ahead to all of you! Hugs and kisses, Manuela
I figured you'd want in on the official Swan wing jewelry, Greta! I can picture a beautiful brooch or even a golden wing to clip on the end of one of those wonderful gemstone necklaces. Or, how about both!
DeleteCustoms and the chocolate-sniffing beagles won't scare me off, but the security wait lines just might.
Travelers waited in line for three hours and over at Atlanta Hartsfield last week. Hundreds of passengers missed their flights. It was one helluva a mess!
But still . . . I'd do it.
Best,
Jerrine
Count me in darling Swans! T xx
DeleteYou better start practising the bows for the pink ribbon, dear Jerrine...they are done with such perfection! I tried to redo them after a sneak peek into a present - I failed:( Greta, I'm packing my bags as we speak, maybe I need to go shopping for some lovely Tory Burch tunics before I'm ready to hit la Croisette with you, my dear fellow swans and our leader!
DeleteSee you there,
Katja
Yes, Katja, those sweet little pink bows will be my downfall. I tried to re-tie with a present, too, and made a mess of it. Took be about six tries to get it right.
DeleteMust start practicing!
Yes, see you there, most definitely,
Jerrine
Blame Katja--she said the 's' word! "Shopping" and our love of beautiful things is what brings us all tougher--that and our love for our fab leader--the Golden Girl!
DeleteJerrine, I think a golden wing to clip on the gemstone necklace is inspired! I'd love a different look from the tassel, and that would be so lovely! MaiTai should hire you as her marketing and creative director!
Plane delays. Ugh. I just renewed my passport and am planning on signing up for the Global Entry program. It not only gives you TSA Pre-Check, but it speeds you through (US only, I guess) customs. Money well spent when I'd rather have that extra time with the swans in Paris. Or Cannes. Or anywhere!
You're in, Trudye, as long as you don't bring Willie with you!
DeleteBest,
Jerrine
Oh, wow, Greta, you promoted me from packing assistant manager to creative and marketing director. Thank you, I'm honored!
DeleteGuess I should get to work, lol.
Best,
Jerrine
Looks like we're getting a real party together for Cannes - and more wing-enthusiats:) Lucky you, Jerrine, after your promotion you won't have to worry about the pink ribbons any longer...
DeleteOops, so sorry I used the "s" word again. Will donate 10 cents to the piggy bank!
Looking forward to having fun with all of you and please make sure not to waste any extra time for airport-checks. No chocolate or other forbidden items (leave your croc bags at home :)
Katja
Honey, if I had a croc Birkin, I'd wear it around my neck and never take it off!
DeleteCheers,
Jerrine
You guys crack me up. But Jerrine, that talk of 3-hour waiting lines at the airport is disheartening. I'm traveling next month and dreading the airport. Heck, in 3 hours I'd be halfway there by car!
DeleteI was waiting to see you walking on the red carpet next to George!
ReplyDeleteThe French Riviera is even more magical through your eyes, another book idea with all the amazing stairs’ photos you take ;-)
Catherine xx
Catherine, I'm betting that Imal might have something to say or do about that! She looks pretty skinny, but I bet she's strong as a bull, especially when defending her "territory."
DeleteHope you and your Rocket Man are well.
Hugs,
Jerrine
And, of course, I had to spell her name incorrectly - out of subconscious spite and envy, no doubt.
DeleteSorry Amal.
Best,
Jerrine
Amal… Not sure she would dare eating one of your delicious chocolate temptation bars!
DeleteWhat are you saying? I’m jealous? Of course I am, and not because she is beautiful, elegant (that Valentino dress when she left Cannes can only be worn with MT’s legs) , clever (I just realize she is MT’sister!) but only because she is married to George!!!!!
This message will self destruct in 8 seconds, otherwise DH will ask to have custody of the Rocket Cat !
Sunny Monday hugs,
C.
P.S : I vote for Cannes, spring or autumn ?
C, if Amal ate even a bite of that Ducasse chocolate bar, it would show - there'd be a little bump under her skin!
DeleteNo, I'm not jealous. In fact, I think she's rather admirable and a huge upgrade from George's past three, errrr - women (I don't know the polite word for bimbo!) She has substance, smarts, and like MT, she looks great in anything she puts on. I guess that's what I'm envious of, lol. That and the ability to afford Valentino couture and okay, I'll admit it - George.
Give Rocket Cat a big hug from me . . . that is, if you can catch him.
Love,
Jerrine
PS - Our resident songstress, Trudye, will no doubt start humming Elton John's "Rocket Man" most any minute now.
Who me? Sorry, but most things bring a tune to mind;) I had not started with Rocket Man,yet, but if it sticks, I will pass it on to dear Greta!
DeleteT xx
Trudye, you keep your earworms to yourself! I'm all for musical entertainment, but enough is enough!
Deletexx
Love it when ya'll head South to Cannes to kick up your heels for your birthday darling MT! I actually think they spiff her up just for you and your special day! It looks as if she did not disappoint and neither have you given the beautiful pics and wardrobe selections! Thank you for taking us along,yet again, and for all of the tips and tidbits<3
ReplyDeleteNow, I have Willie Nelson on repeat in my mind singing " Blue skies looking at me,nothing but blue skies do I see "...Chin chin darling to blue skies, you and part two! Mwahs, T xx
Trudye--
DeleteArrgh! Earworm! Now I'll have that song stuck in my head all week! It's almost as bad as "It's a small world!"
Greta
Haha Greta...Glad to pass it on;) I was getting a little tired of the replay! T xx
DeleteThat was such a lovely post, beautiful weather, and that beaded tunic is delightful.
ReplyDeleteDear Tai, the first thing I did after I saw your picture of the golden angel was to take out my Zebra Pegasus to compare the wings! Glad you had a good time and a belated "Happy Birthday!" to you! Emily :-)
ReplyDeleteDearest Mai Tai,
ReplyDeleteI agree with dears Trudye and Jerrine; it is as if Cannes was prepared to welcome you on your very special day. You are so gracious and beautiful in all the pictures and I can almost feel the sun shining on La Croisette and on the 'azur' Mediterranean...
Your description is marvellous and so accurate and it was worth waiting for this new post. Thank you for taking us with you, dear friend. Have a fabulous weekend! Hug and kisses, Manuela
Manuela, you, too, are invited to stroll La Croisette with Katja and me . . . and our golden wings.
DeleteBest to you,
Jerrine
Dear Jerrine, thanks so much! I definitely will love that! And I love the idea of the wing as a piece of jewelry.
DeleteHave a great week ahead! Love, Manuela
You, too, Manuela. In regard to the wing jewelry, if we all start chanting, she won't be able to ignore us, right?
DeleteWE WANT WINGS . . . WE WANT WINGS . . . WE WANT GOLDEN SWAN WINGS.
Love to you, too, my dear,
Jerrine
:-) First of all BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, dear MaiTai!
ReplyDeleteYour lovely pictures make me want to pack my bags and travel to the Mediterranean on the spot. It's been far too long since I've been there.
I've just worn my medium sized Picotin yesterday, such a lovely bag - light weight and packs well. All I have to do is order an insert for it from you.
Have a very HAPPY weekend :-)
Wishing the happiest of birthdays to our fearless leader--the woman who can bring together any outfit to the height of fashion and still grounded enough to share her breakfast with a seagull!
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for MaiTai!
Dear MT, you are so beautifull....
ReplyDeleteCannes is almost our second Home, so I am looking forward to seeing and reading your appréciations on the second part of travelogue.
Your capt so well the light and you were really lucky with this magnifique weather....
Amities
Dearest MT,
ReplyDeleteLoved reading Cannes Part I and the pictures are gorgeous and of course you look absolutely stunning. Reading through the comments I always have to laugh, you ladies are so funny, witty and entertaining. would love to meet all of you ----- 'It's a small world after all'!!!!
Barb xx
You are welcome to join us dear Barb. I'm sure the other girls don't mind. What a party we would make.., big hug tl you, Manuela xx
DeleteEveryone is welcome, dear Barb! And you're a France expert now, right?
DeleteSee you there,
Katja
Dear Manuela & Katja,
ReplyDeleteYou lovely ladies are so kind and sweet. Hopefully are paths will cross someday. Not sure about the France expert, think we need our dear beautiful MaiTai. Xx Barb
Dearest MT, thanks for sharing your magical birthday trip with us. What a beautiful place. And as usual, I so enjoy how you put colors together with an expert eye. The yellow of your tunic is like sunshine, and very flattering! I'm so glad you enjoyed your birthday trip. May there be many more happy ones in your future!
ReplyDeleteMuch aloha,
Fifi
Oh, you look stunning. I have a few friends in film and I'm always envious they get to spend time in such a lovely place. Enjoy Cannes!
ReplyDeleteDear Mai Tai,
ReplyDeleteWas too busy the last couple months for comments but wanted to let you know that 10 days ago I re read all your travel wardrobe posts and with this in mind packed my suitcase. I am happy to say, never had a better prepared wardrobe for vacation then now. Thanks to your tips always perfectly dressed for all occacion in our resort. Ha! I have received so many compliments for my outfit - thanks for your tips and wise words.
I am now re reading the posts and comments of the last 3 months and send you warm greetings from the beautyful Greek Island, Rhodes.
Rita