Inside the Carlton Cannes, the jewel of the Côte d’Azur
Words: Jemima Wilson
You are on the Côte d’Azur,, right in the middle of the Croisette in Cannes,, at the heart of the world,, in a truly outstanding setting., Iconic, stately and eternally contemporary., You are at the Carlton Cannes.
As one of the south of France’s first modern resort areas, Cannes initially became popular in the early 1900s, when European aristocracy started to enjoy their winters along the Mediterranean coast and the new craze for sea bathing began to emerge. Overlooking the prestigious beachfront promenade of the Croisette, which was completed in 1872, Carlton Cannes was famously the first luxury hotel to open in the city in 1913, hosting the established elite, from film stars to presidents. Over the past 110 years it has become an illustrious hotel with many tales to tell.
Indeed, all the best stories begin as love stories, or scandals, and the origin of the Carlton Cannes intermingles both love and scandal. Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich of Russia, grandson of the tsar, had fled Russia (and been banished) to pursue his forbidden love for Countess Sophie von Merenberg, a ‘commoner’ and granddaughter of novelist Pushkin. As the local hotels in Cannes didn’t meet his requirements in the level of comfort he desired and the events he wished to host during his stays on the French Riviera, he decided to virtually finance the entire construction of the hotel, which was named Carlton, meaning ‘free man’ in Scandinavian.
Since its opening, the Carlton Cannes has been at the centre of many notable events and historical milestones, such as the first League of Nations conference in 1922; the first official use of clay tennis courts was on the Carlton centre court during the final of the Cannes Tournament in 1926; Alfred Hitchcock filmed To Catch a Thief starring Grace Kelly and Cary Grant at the Carlton in 1954; and in November 2011, when Cannes hosted the G20 Summit, Barack Obama chose to stay in a fifth-floor suite at the Carlton Cannes. All this, before the hotel celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013. And we cannot explore the Carlton’s inimitable history without talking about the Cannes Film Festival, the most glamorous cinema event in the world. The celebrities who attend year after year cannot shine any brighter than when they are at the heart of the Côte d’Azur besides the most legendary hotel in Cannes.
Grace Kelly, Gordon White (left), chairman of Hanson Industries, and Gladys de Ségonzac (right), costume designer, on the terrace of the hotel at Cannes Film Festival, 1955
Launched by the French government in 1939, the Cannes Film Festival truly came into its own in 1946. That year, the Carlton welcomed just eight journalists. Fast-forward to the present day, and 5,000 representing more than 90 countries now descend on Cannes to provide a level of international media coverage of the film festival that rivals that of the Olympic Games and outshines the football World Cup.
To put the sheer scale of the event in context, during the Cannes Film Festival, the Carlton now handles: 800kg lobsters, 15kg caviar, 30 tons of fruit and vegetables, 10,000 breakfasts, 60,000 pastries, 1,500 bouquets of flowers and 5,000 bottles of champagne.
Amid the hustle and bustle of the Cannes Film Festival, where stars gather to attend exclusive press interviews in an exceptional setting, the legendary Carlton stands unperturbed and the most eminent celebrities, from Julia Roberts and Quentin Tarantino to Steven Spielberg, have either stayed at the hotel or have appeared in front of it.
Alfred Hitchcock during filming ‘To Catch a Thief’, 1954
Its recent two-year, grand-scale renovation has seen the grande dame of the Cannes hotel scene emerge from a momentous metamorphosis ready to write the next chapter in its history. The epitome of elegance, the property’s striking Belle Époque facade framed by twin domes has been breathtakingly restored, giving new life to the historic gem while skilfully preserving its celebrated features. No fewer than 750 craftspeople and artisans worked to breathe new life into the hotel.
Bar°58, Carlton Cannes
With 332 rooms – 72 of which have a sea view – and 37 residences, Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel has been reimagined by acclaimed French interior designer Tristan Auer in partnership with restoration specialist and architect Richard Lavelle, with the addition of two striking wings, measuring 20,000 square metres. What’s more, the famous ‘Carlton Hotel’ inscription located on the skyline pinnacle of the facade has been restored to exactly as it was when the hotel opened in 1913.
A scheme of Art Deco-inspired Venini chandeliers with Murano glass adorn the hotel’s lobby, while the chandeliers in the Grand Salon have been restored by expert artisans, who also worked on the Palace of Versailles. Fan-shaped faience Carrara marble scales were arranged by hand on the lobby floor and Raku ceramic pieces embellish the new bartop like a puzzle.
Designer Tristan Auer commented: “From the very beginning, the idea has been to preserve this listed icon skilfully, while still creating a masterpiece of modern times. The main objective was to give a refined modern touch. The inspiration for this transformation came from the sumptuous symbols of the French Riviera, such as the changing colours of the Mediterranean coastline as well as the mesmerising movements of the sea breeze. The spirit and sweetness of the French Riviera are present at all times. These ideas took shape thanks to the unmatched expertise provided by luxury craftsmen. I was lucky that my ideas and intentions were beautifully brought to life by these artists.”
One thing is for sure, the Carlton Cannes transcends simply being a hotel – it is a recurring presence in and witness of history, and it will remain a confidante of hidden scenes and secret moments for many years to come.
This feature was taken from Gentleman’s Journal’s Summer 2023 issue. Read more about it here…
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