What’s on in Cannes this April

1 April 2016

April Marks the Start of the Outdoor Season: Attend Triathlons, Car Rallies and Fashion in Cannes

April marks the start of the season when the Côte d’Azur really comes alive. The weather begins to warm up, often to temperatures of around 16 °C in Cannes, so coats and hats can be put away and replaced by the light jackets and sweaters we’ve been longing for. With the rising temperatures, April also brings the Cannes International Triathlon, the Tour Auto – starting in Paris and ending in Cannes – and the famous Cannes Shopping Festival. So whether your sport of choice is jogging, swimming, cycling, motor sports or…shopping – there’s something for every visitor this spring.

A Triathlon with the Most Beautiful Backdrop

This event draws athletes from the world over, expecting thrills, spills and some of the most stunning scenery Europe has to offer. Professionals and amateurs alike can be seen along the Riviera taking part in the swimming, cycling and jogging event and it’s quite a sight for people visiting the area. Participants are offered two challenges – the Long Distance “LD” or Medium Distance “MD” events.

The MD starts with a 1km swim, 50km bike ride then 8km run. The LD doubles the swim to 2km, includes an 80km bike ride and finishes with a mere 16km run. The most celebrated and fascinating highlight of the competition is the LD which is structured so that it passes through plenty of celebrated places in the area, making it easy to attend as a spectator. This route makes it a pleasurable one for athletes as they take in varied scenery and ever-changing terrains.

Starting at the crystal clear waters of Bijou Beach and ending with four laps of the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette, no matter which point you choose as your spot to cheer, you’re guaranteed incredible Riviera views. By the finishing stretch, the participants need all the support and enthusiasm they can get from spectators. The atmosphere is electric and runners somehow find their last ounce of energy, spurred on by the cheering crowds. This event comes to Cannes on 17th April and mustn’t be missed by tourists, locals and athletes alike.

Tour Auto 2016: Paris to Cannes

This April marks the 25th anniversary of the Tour Auto, a vintage car rally which travels the length of France each year. It begins on 18th April in Paris and ends 24th April in Cannes. In between these locations, the vintage cars, dating from between 1951 – 1973, will stop off at four different overnight ‘pit stops’ along the route – Beaune, Lyon, Valence, Marseille.

The rally is invitation only, but spectators are more than welcome to attend. The cars themselves – which must be free of modern alterations – are the pièce de résistance for car-lovers and vintage enthusiasts. These stunning cars compete in time trials against one another, on tours and along closed roads – it’s all in the name of fun but participants get seriously competitive all the same!

Visitors will see the likes of the Ferrari GT250, the Aston Martin DB4, the Jaguar XK150 and the Ford GT40 – beautiful cars to admire, even for those who are novices. There are opportunities for onlookers to get a close-up view of the cars and ask the owners questions about the different models – expect lashings of nostalgia and a yearning for your own vintage car to be fuelled!

The final event of the tour, once the cars reach the Riviera, is a night rally along the roads around Cannes and is quite a sight – picture hundreds of timeless cars sweeping around the bends of the Côte d’Azur, their headlights like fireflies reflecting off the sea. They finally arrive along the same route as the athletes in the triathlon, ending on the Croisette for prizes and a day of celebrations.

Shop up a Storm in Cannes

Cannes Shopping Festival is celebrated every year during late March. In the South of France, there’s no better herald of spring than the upmarket boutiques of Cannes throwing open their doors to well-heeled shoppers, flashing their credit cards, eager to give their seasonal wardrobes an update. This year, it starts on 25th March and ends 28th.

The programme involves a combination of discounts and gifts from the wide array of shops in Cannes – you’ll find a booth with 25% off eyebrow threading, 10% off jewellery purchases and discounted cocktails across the town. Big names like Missoni and Casadei can be found amongst those fashion brands offering discounts on clothing, shoes and accessories – but if it’s shopping for edible purchases you’re more interested in, crêperies, bistrots and bars across Cannes will also offer delectable discounts on food and drink.

For those serious about fashion, tickets to a range of events will be available for general purchase. Catwalk shows and exhibitions of designers’ collections will run during the festival – it’s not Paris fashion week, but it’s the next best thing in France! Local designers will showcase their clothing ranges, amateur models will be given their chance to shine and audiences can learn more about the upcoming Spring-Summer trends. Shows focus on themes such as European Young Designers and Your Street Fashion Shows – some events are more exclusive with invite only access, but plenty are ticketed or even free – check out the list here.