Each month, Flora di Carlo unveils for Acumen New arrivals and her personal favorites: gourmet addresses, places to relax, and cultural events. For the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, she invites you to discover a special selection in the heart of Cannes.
Mondrian Cannes: Japanese-style Art Deco
On the Croisette, the Mondrian Cannes stands out with its modernist architecture and garden overlooking the sea. Inside, the Mr. Nakamoto restaurant develops a precise visual universe, inspired by a revisited Art Deco. The lines are clean, the materials refined: dark wood, lacquer, metallic touches, and plays of light create a hushed and cinematic atmosphere.
In the kitchen, the menu draws on a dialogue between different Asian traditions. The signature sushi demonstrates great technical precision: perfectly seasoned rice and delicately sliced fish. Examples include California rolls with yellowtail or Cians trout with cream cheese, and signature nigiri with bottarga or Wagyu beef.
You'll also find more elaborate dishes, where influences intertwine. A fish tartare is enhanced by tangy and herbaceous notes, while some hot dishes rely on quick flame or griddle cooking, preserving the delicate flavors of the ingredients. The plates are distinguished by their clarity: few flourishes, but a real focus on the balance of flavors. The sauces, often light, support without overpowering. At the bar, the mixologists' work extends this approach. The cocktails incorporate ingredients like sake, shiso, or Japanese plum (my personal favorite).
45, Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
Mondrian Mr Nakamoto
Five Seas: The Roof, gastronomy and panoramic views
Just a few meters from the Palais des Festivals, the Five Seas hotel offers an immediate contrast to the hustle and bustle outside. The interior architecture favors open spaces and a contemporary aesthetic, dominated by light tones, natural materials, and a touch of bohemian chic.
At the top, Le Roof fully embodies the identity of the place. The panoramic terrace is arranged around minimalist furniture, designed to let the view take center stage. In the kitchen, chef Lori Moreau develops a precise approach, rooted in a revisited French tradition.
The tasting menu opens with foie gras from the Southwest, prepared with a touch of acidity: a green apple chutney balances the richness of the product, while a delicate crisp adds textural contrast. The carefully steamed green asparagus is accompanied by a soft-boiled egg fried with herbs. The still-runny yolk coats the vegetables, while the sheep's milk cheese adds a milky and slightly salty note.
The tuna, seared on the griddle, reveals a perfectly cooked, almost pearly texture. It is served with broccoli and a basil vinaigrette, enhanced by lemon caviar, which brings a bright and slightly vibrant freshness to the palate.
The chocolate-themed dessert features a Breton cocoa shortbread topped with a Caribbean chocolate Namelaka cream. Candied rhubarb with lavender adds a subtle aromatic tension, balancing sweetness and acidity.
The whole thing forms a coherent journey, where each dish is part of a carefully considered progression.
1, rue Notre-Dame, Cannes
Shiso – Villa Belle Plage: One izakaya Contemporaneous
Just minutes from the city center, slightly removed from the hustle and bustle of the Croisette, Shiso is nestled within the more tranquil setting of Villa Belle Plage. The space is part of a complex designed around well-being, where architecture and landscape harmonize. The decor is uncluttered, featuring light wood, minimalist lines, and touches of linen.
The room opens generously to the outside, allowing natural light to flood in. Materials are chosen for their simplicity: wood, stone, and natural textiles. A few darker touches add structure to the overall look. The atmosphere is reminiscent of... izakaya, These are Japanese places where dishes are shared in a relaxed atmosphere, but the setting is revisited in a brighter and Mediterranean version.
In the kitchen, the menu revolves around small plates for sharing and more elaborate dishes, with particular attention paid to sauces, cooking techniques, and seasonings. Vegetarian gyozas often begin the meal. Filled with tofu, shiitake mushrooms, and napa cabbage, they are served with a slightly tangy ponzu sauce, enhanced by a touch of sesame. The thin, slightly crispy pastry contrasts with a meltingly tender and fragrant center. The prawn tempura plays on lightness: airy and lightly fried, the batter envelops the prawn without masking its texture. The tuna tataki offers a more structured dimension. The fish, seared quickly, retains a raw center and a dense texture. Smoky sea salt highlights its depth, while yuzu zest adds a vibrant freshness. The richer satay sauce introduces a slightly rounded and spicy note that balances the whole dish.
The Wagyu beef tenderloin is one of the most memorable dishes. Served with an anticucho sauce, it develops grilled and subtly smoky aromas. The exceptionally tender meat is accompanied by sweet potato fries cooked in black garlic oil, which add a touch of sweetness and a crispy texture. For dessert, the assortment of mochi provides a light and refreshing end to the meal. The soft textures contrast with the fresher, often fruity, fillings, offering a simple yet satisfying finale.
The venue also offers a spa-related package, designed as an extension of the wellness experience. Shiso thus succeeds in offering a contemporary interpretation of...izakaya : a place for sharing, precise but relaxed, where Japanese cuisine adapts to a sunnier rhythm, by the sea.
9, rue Jean-Dollfus, Cannes
Rüya – Carlton Cannes: an Anatolian restaurant on the Croisette
Since its reopening in 2023 after extensive renovations, the Carlton Cannes has regained its status as the epicenter of the Festival. On April 3, 2026, Rüya launched a new season there, bringing to the Croisette a cuisine inspired by Anatolian roads.
The restaurant owes its name to the Turkish word dream Meaning "dream," an idea that structures both the experience and the décor. As night falls, the terrace becomes almost monochromatic, a blend of warm beige, tobacco brown, and amber hues. Inside, brass pendant lights diffuse a golden glow that highlights the textures of the walls and the thick fabric banquettes. The overall effect is more reminiscent of a cozy lounge than a restaurant, with carefully crafted visual depth and an atmosphere that invites lingering.
The cuisine extends this logic, with the same precision of intention. It opens up to dishes meant for sharing, such as theantep fıstıklı rafik, a goat cheese cream flavored with pistachio and served with toasted sourdough bread, or even the kaşık salata, A Turkish salad with finely sliced raw vegetables, punctuated with pistachios and a pomegranate vinaigrette. The dishes then develop around subtle cooking techniques and sharp contrasts: the zeytinyağlı ahtapot, marinated octopus with chili, then grilled, served with black-eyed peas and a green apple vinaigrette, or the siş tavuk kebap, Chicken thigh skewers marinated in yogurt and chili, then grilled, retaining all their tenderness. The menu also features revisited classics, such as the lahmacun with a crispy crust, topped with spiced lamb, peppers and fresh herbs.
At the bar, certain cocktails have become signature items, such as the Grand Bazar Spritz, which combines Aperol, Campari, coconut liqueur, beetroot puree, sugar, and prosecco. During the summer, particularly during the Pyrotechnic Art Festival (July-August), the restaurant hosts evenings with a direct view of the fireworks, often accompanied by live music. It's a rather unique way to combine dinner and entertainment without leaving your table.
58, Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
Lakerda © Carlton Cannes Infinite Trust
BABA: a sunny lunch
BABA is located directly on the beach of the Beach Hotel in Cap d'Antibes. Guests sit facing the sea, often in groups, around large tables. Time seems to stand still, punctuated by a lunch that naturally stretches into the afternoon. The decor is simple: light wood, deck chairs, parasols. Everything is open, with a view of the sea.
In the kitchen, chef Assaf Granit offers sharing plates placed in the center of the table. We start with a Lima bean hummus, dressed with a chili vinaigrette. shifka, Pine nuts and parsley, served with pita bread. Next comes white fish sashimi, paired with caramelized pears, lemon yogurt, basil oil, and pomegranate sauce. Then the more substantial dishes take over, such as the shredded chicken served in laffahwith its eggplant caviar and peppers, sauce zaatar, Onions with sumac and fresh herbs. Alongside, a roasted cauliflower with pink tahini nicely complements the dish.
The meal ends with a revisited pavlova: frozen nougat, red fruit and rose coulis, meringue flavored with baharat. The dishes keep coming, the plates pass from hand to hand, and the meal continues, carried along by the light and the sound of the waves.
10, Boulevard Maréchal-Juin, Cap d'Antibes
Baba Restaurant @JulieCharvin @CdeSaint-Exupéry
Rasputin at the Palm Beach: a legendary Cannes nightlife spot
On the occasion of the 79e For the Cannes Film Festival edition, Raspoutine temporarily leaves Paris to set up shop at the Palm Beach, in a space called FLASH. Designed by architect and designer Hugo Toro, the venue follows a very structured logic, that of an exclusive club.
The entrance is discreet. Inside, the palette is deliberately dark: black, deep brown, purple, vermilion red. The central bar, clad in backlit aluminum panels, seems to pulse like a heart beating to the rhythm of the dance floor, while the metallic surfaces catch the light unevenly. The pleated leather banquettes are reminiscent of certain clubs. speakeasys from the 1920s and 1930s, but reworked in a more contemporary version. The rugs, inspired by mangroves, add an almost organic dimension to the floor.
The music remains true to the DNA of the Parisian Raspoutine, which opened in 1965 and was relaunched in 2010. House, disco, electronic music, but always with a discerning selection. Each evening follows a gradual build-up of intensity, with a clientele that blends film professionals, artists, and regulars.
Place Franklin-Roosevelt, Pointe Croisette, Cannes
instagram.com/palmbeach_cannes
Silencio Cannes: in the shadow of Mulholland Drive
Like an echo of Mulholland Drive, Silencio has taken up residence in Cannes in a hushed and slightly surreal atmosphere. Designed by David Lynch in 2011 in Paris, the venue is presented here in a more temporary manner, on the occasion of the Festival.
The space incorporates elements associated with the club atmosphere: dark tones, gold accents, and plays of light. The indirect lighting remains discreet, revealing the volumes without ever directly exposing them. The programming remains eclectic, blending DJ sets and performances.
1, Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
Akili Mirari Cannes 2026: A creative hub on the Croisette
In 2026, a new name will appear in the highly codified landscape of the Festival: Akili Mirari. Conceived by Floriane Fosso Thiéblin, founder of the agency Akili Partners, this project marks a clear evolution: moving from the role of agency to that of creator of experiences.
Just minutes from the Palais des Festivals, the Akili Mirari loft, located in the Five Seas Hotel, stands out as a strategic hub during the festival. Spanning approximately 100 square meters and extended by a panoramic terrace, the space has been designed as a hybrid, serving as a showroom, studio, and workspace.
The beauty area adopts the style of a backstage area. Makeup stations are lined up, mirrors have cool lighting, surfaces are clean, and chairs are low. Makeup artist Fred Mécène regularly prepares celebrities and guests there, often just hours before they walk the red carpet.
On the fashion front, a selection of pieces by Anya Ayoung Chee and Keur-Amy Langseth is displayed on minimalist racks. What truly distinguishes Akili Mirari is its function. Content is produced there, public appearances are prepared, and recordings are made. More than a showroom, the space operates as a tool, designed for the often unpredictable rhythm of the Cannes Film Festival.
1, rue Notre-Dame, Cannes
Croisette Beach – May 13, 2026: an evening blending Riviera and Afro Fusion
The official launch of the Cannes Film Festival takes place on May 13th, on the private Croisette Beach. Approximately 250 guests are expected: talents attending the Festival, creators, producers, as well as international media.
The evening's decor exudes Riviera elegance: light wood, airy structures, and warm lighting. A few more vibrant touches hint at the "Afro Fusion" theme: colorful textiles and patterns inspired by the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean. The music sets the tone for the evening. Mosimann, a regular on major electronic music stages, alternates between dynamic sets and more accessible moments. Alongside him, GYAEG offers a more sophisticated selection, blending Afro and electronic influences. It's likely to be a short night.
65, Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
instagram.com/croisettebeachmgallery
Palais Bulles: Pierre Cardin's architectural utopia
Just a few minutes from Cannes, the Palais Bulles, acquired by Pierre Cardin in the 1990s, remains one of the most unique architectural landmarks on the French Riviera. Designed by architect Antti Lovag, the complex develops a radical vision of living, made up of spherical volumes and circulation without angles.
Facing the sea, the ochre bubbles cascade down the terraces, between patios, pools and panoramic openings. More than a villa, the place functions as a manifesto, somewhere between experimental design and a cinematic set.
33, Boulevard de l'Esterel, Théoule-sur-Mer
Ecoprod Prize
Le Blue Panda, another face of the Festival
On May 15, 2026, a more discreet but meaningful event will take place in the port of Cannes. The Ecoprod Prize, launched five years ago, will be awarded aboard the sailboat Blue Panda, WWF France ship. The setting alone changes the usual perception of the Festival: no red carpet, but a ship's deck, a direct view of the sea, and a more compact format.
The prize rewards a film presented at Cannes for its efforts in eco-production: reducing its carbon footprint, managing waste, eco-designing sets, and optimizing transportation. It's a concrete way of highlighting that film production is also evolving on these issues. In 2025, the main prize was awarded to Young mothers by Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne.
Curtain. : A club like a nighttime backstage
The ephemeral and ultra-private club rideau. is one of those places you only truly understand once you're inside. During the Festival, it becomes an almost unofficial meeting point, a space where the night truly begins once the screenings are over. Behind its discreet doors, the decor embraces a decidedly theatrical aesthetic. But what truly defines rideau. is the unexpected: unannounced DJs, artists taking to the decks, parties that stretch on without a set program. It's a place where the Festival continues, but far removed from any official staging.
curtain. by Théo Narcisse © Frederico Stauffer
Spa Villa Belle Plage: Architecture of tranquility designed by Raphaël Navot
Just minutes from the hustle and bustle, the Spa Villa Belle Plage offers an almost radical counterpoint. Designed by Raphaël Navot, the space is based on a very soft, mineral aesthetic. Sand, light stone, and blond wood colors blend seamlessly into one another. The lines are rounded, the transitions fluid, the light diffused. Everything is designed to slow down the pace.
The sensory journey unfolds gradually. The eucalyptus-scented hammam opens the experience, followed by the sauna with its Himalayan pink salt walls, and then the ice fountain, which creates an immediate contrast. A dedicated pool then allows for aquatic treatments inspired by Watsu, where the body is supported and guided in the water. During the Festival, certain treatments are particularly popular. Kobido, a Japanese facial massage, is chosen for its visible effect on facial features. Deep tissue massage, with its deeper pressure, addresses accumulated fatigue. Lymphatic drainage is sought after for its ability to quickly revitalize the body's energy. Facial treatments like Hydrafacial complete this approach. A true haven of peace!
9, rue Jean-Dollfus, Cannes
"Demons and Goddesses": Diving into the world of mythological female figures
The Museum of World Explorations presents the exhibition "Demons and Goddesses: From Life to Death," a captivating immersion into 25,000 years of myths and representations of femininity. The journey begins with prehistoric figures associated with fertility, before moving through the major mythologies. Ishtar, Isis, Venus, Kali, and Lilith appear as incarnations of a multifaceted feminine power, by turns creative, desirable, protective, or destructive.
What is striking is the gradual transformation of these images. In the 19th centurye century, they become more ambiguous, sometimes disturbing, influenced by Western fantasies and perspectives. Then, from the 20th century onwardse century, they are reinterpreted through contemporary artistic and feminist movements. The exhibition connects eras, creating unexpected correspondences between ancient and contemporary works, and leaving it to the visitor to chart their own course.
Museum of World Explorations
Place de la Castre – Le Suquet, Cannes
GERMAIN Venus at the Mirror
"The spectacular put to the test of matter" – Mougins Photography Center
Just fifteen minutes from Cannes, the Mougins Photography Centre offers a peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of the Croisette. On display until June 7, 2026, the exhibition "The Spectacular Tested by Matter" brings together André Villers, Clara Chichin, and Elsa Leydier around a shared reflection: rethinking photography as a living, breathing entity.
The journey originates in the trajectory of André Villers, marked by his decisive encounter with Pablo Picasso in 1953 in Vallauris. From this relationship emerged an experimental practice that runs throughout his work, from the Daytime (1962) to Folding'Shadows (1977), where the image is cut up, superimposed, transformed. Influenced by Michel Butor, Villers shifts photography from the documentary register towards an open visual writing, where matter and process take precedence over representation.
In dialogue, Clara Chichin and Elsa Leydier extend this approach by reintroducing a sensitive and artisanal dimension. Chichin develops a practice rooted in the experience of landscape and walking, with an ecopoetic attentiveness to living things. Leydier explores the power of contemporary images, blending aesthetics and activism, particularly through her research on ecofeminism.
The exhibited works blur the lines between image and object. The venue thus attracts, particularly during the Cannes Film Festival, those seeking to escape the surrounding frenetic pace and enjoy a more contemplative experience.
43, rue de l'Église, Mougins
© Elsa Leydier_The Imposter
