Major redevelopment of Cannes’ Croisette to begin this autumn
Cannes City Council is preparing to launch a major redevelopment of La Croisette, with construction work beginning this autumn and continuing in phases until the end of 2028.
The project will transform the public spaces along the famous boulevard, with new landscaping, lighting and street furniture alongside improvements to accessibility, safety and pedestrian areas.
Listen to this article
Preparatory work will begin in mid-September, before construction starts in mid-October.
First works between Rue Macé and Boulevard Alexandre III
The initial phase will focus on the section between Rue Macé and Boulevard Alexandre III, following previous work to renovate the beaches and modernise underground infrastructure.
Preparations will include surveys, the installation of construction facilities at Square Reynaldo Hahn and the gradual removal of some street furniture.
Around 70 palm trees between Rue Macé and Rue du Canada will also be temporarily removed and kept in a nursery before being replanted on La Croisette once the redevelopment is complete.
The wider project will significantly increase the amount of greenery along the boulevard.
Mayor of Cannes David Lisnard said the aim was to make La Croisette “more beautiful, more elegant, greener, safer and more enjoyable for everyone”.
The project had originally been due to begin in autumn 2024 but was postponed because of financial pressures and contractor bids considered too expensive.
Following a new tender process, the council says it can now deliver the same plans for €15 million less than the initial offers.
Traffic maintained throughout the works
Construction will be divided into sectors to maintain access to businesses and keep traffic moving.
Vehicles will continue to travel west to east along La Croisette, with lanes switching to the opposite side of the boulevard depending on where work is taking place.
A diversion will also be introduced between Rue Macé and Rue Latour-Maubourg from mid-October.
The first main phase will run from autumn 2026 until summer 2027, before a second phase begins in autumn 2027 and continues until the end of 2028.
Work will be coordinated around Cannes’ major events and business activity, with the most disruptive pavement works concentrated during the winter.
Construction will be suspended during the Cannes Film Festival in May.
Alongside the redevelopment, work will also connect the Palais des Festivals to Cannes’ seawater-based heating and cooling network.
From autumn 2027, the system is expected to provide renewable, low-carbon energy to more than 50 public and private buildings.
The full redevelopment of La Croisette is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2028.