Business Travel Guide
Nice & Cannes, Done Right.
For travelers coming for the meetings, the panels, or Cannes Lions itself, here is how to get the most out of the French Riviera without wasting the trip on logistics.
Getting there and around
The logistics, so you don't have to think about them twice.
Landing
Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE) is the region's airport, a 20 to 25 minute drive from central Nice and around 30 to 40 minutes from Cannes depending on traffic. It's the second-busiest airport in France, with direct connections to most major European and several long-haul hubs.
Nice to Cannes
The regional TER train runs along the coast between Nice and Cannes in about 35 to 40 minutes, with departures roughly every 15 to 30 minutes. It's often faster and cheaper than driving during festival weeks, when the coast road backs up badly.
Getting around
Both cities are walkable at their core. Taxis and ride-hailing apps work well but get scarce and expensive during Cannes Lions and festival season. If you're commuting between the two cities daily, the train is the more reliable choice.
Where to base yourself
Cannes for proximity. Nice for everything after 6pm.
Basing in Cannes
If your meetings are at the Palais des Festivals or along the Croisette, staying in Cannes saves you the commute. Expect higher rates and full hotels during Cannes Lions and the Film Festival; book early or look slightly inland around Le Suquet and Le Cannet for better value.
Basing in Nice
Nice is quieter, generally more affordable, and has a stronger everyday food and culture scene once the workday ends. The train commute to Cannes is short enough to make this a genuinely practical option, not just a budget compromise.
Beyond the conference floor
The culture that makes the trip worth extending.
Vieux Nice
The old town's narrow lanes are where the city's real character lives: independent galleries, family-run bakeries, and the daily Cours Saleya market. Go early, before the tour groups arrive.
Boulevard de la Croisette
Cannes's waterfront promenade is part business district, part people-watching theatre. Dress smart-casual here; it's genuinely part of how the street reads you.
Îles de Lérins
A 15-minute boat ride from Cannes's old port, these two small islands are quieter than the mainland beaches and make an easy half-day reset between meetings.
Marché Forville
Cannes's real working market, a few streets back from the Croisette. Local produce, fish, and flowers, with none of the tourist markup.
What to eat
Four dishes worth the detour.
Socca
A Niçoise chickpea pancake, best eaten street-side and hot from the pan.
Salade niçoise
The genuine version has no cooked vegetables: tomato, egg, olives, anchovy, tuna.
Pan bagnat
Essentially a salade niçoise pressed into a sandwich; the classic portable lunch.
Bouillabaisse
A Provençal fish stew, worth booking ahead at a proper seafood address in Cannes.
Good to know
Small things that make the trip smoother.
- 1
French business meetings often start with a few minutes of small talk before getting to business; skipping it can read as brusque.
- 2
Lunch is a real break in this region, often 90 minutes or more. Don't schedule a meeting through it.
- 3
Restaurants fill fast during Cannes Lions and festival weeks. Book your evenings before you land.
- 4
Beaches along this coast are pebble, not sand. Pack accordingly if you're extending the trip.
- 5
A smart-casual layer goes further than a full suit once you're off the conference floor.
While you're there
Culturin builds nights in Cannes too.
See the recap from Cannes Lions 2026, or get on the list for what's next.