The Chemin des Étoiles in Cannes

In Cannes, cinema goes far beyond the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals. Throughout the city, some of the biggest names in film have also left their mark.

The Chemin des Étoiles in Cannes gives visitors the chance to discover these handprints and follow in the footsteps of actors, directors and other figures who have shaped the history of cinema.

 

What is the Chemin des Étoiles in Cannes?

Inspired by Hollywood’s famous Walk of Fame, the Chemin des Étoiles pays tribute to personalities who have helped make Cannes an important destination for the film industry.

The idea is simple: artists from around the world have left their handprints and signatures on plaques placed throughout the city centre.

As you walk along the route, you can find the names of some of the biggest stars in French and international cinema. Some have become icons of the silver screen, while others are closely associated with memorable moments in the history of the Cannes Film Festival.

Today, the Chemin des Étoiles offers a different way to discover Cannes, away from the cinemas and official events.

 

Where can you find the stars’ handprints in Cannes?

The handprints are mainly located around the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, close to the Croisette.

This makes the Chemin des Étoiles easy to include in a walk through the centre of Cannes.

After visiting the Palais des Festivals, you can continue towards the Croisette and the surrounding streets, keeping an eye out for the different plaques along the way.

For film lovers, it is a chance to slow down, look at the names, take a few photos and discover the personalities who have left their mark on generations of cinema.

 

French and international stars

The Chemin des Étoiles perfectly reflects the international character of the Cannes Film Festival.

The route brings together some of the biggest names in French cinema alongside stars from Hollywood and other parts of the world. Actors, directors and major figures from the film industry are all represented.

Some handprints recall legendary careers and iconic films, while others are connected to memorable moments on the Croisette.

That mix of French and international cinema is what makes the walk particularly interesting. Within just a few minutes, you can move from one generation of actors to another and get a sense of the role Cannes has played in the history of film.

 

A walk to enjoy all year round

Unlike the Cannes Film Festival itself, the Chemin des Étoiles can be explored throughout the year.

There is no need to wait until May or for celebrities to arrive on the Croisette to experience this unique side of Cannes.

The route fits easily into a walk around the city centre and can also be combined with several of Cannes’ other landmarks, including the Croisette, the Palais des Festivals, the Old Port and the historic streets of the city.

For first-time visitors, it is a simple way to combine cinema with a walk around Cannes.

 

Cannes and its enduring connection with cinema

The Chemin des Étoiles is a reminder that cinema is part of the fabric of Cannes.

Every year, the Festival brings some of the biggest names in the industry to the city, turning Cannes into one of the world’s most famous destinations for cinema. But that connection remains long after the red carpets have been rolled away.

The handprints left behind by the stars help keep a part of that history alive in the streets of Cannes.

Whether you are a lifelong film fan or simply curious to see another side of the city, the Chemin des Étoiles in Cannes is well worth adding to a walk along the Croisette. It is an easy way to discover Cannes through the people who helped make the city one of the world’s most recognisable names in cinema.

 

Credit : 

@Sophie Nadeau