Cannes or Bust » Uncategorized

Italy is country of honour at Mapic

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:02:18 +0000

With the news of Italy’s problems, it’s probably ironic that it is the country of honour at the upcoming Mapic 2012. I say probably as the turmoil on the money markets will not deter businessmen from attending the major retail trade fair and planning ahead.

It must be said: Italy has a remarkable palette of companies to boast of. It intends to position itself to reap the benefits of opportunities in the east. One of the opening events will see Mario Molete Moregato, founder of Geox, receive the Personality of the Year award and talk about innovative entrepreneurship. Athmosfera, Conad Adriatico and Game 7 Sports are among the new Italian companies attending Mapic this year.

There will also be talk of expansion in southern Italy and the role of Chinese visitors.

But to make it personal, what brands spring to mind when you think of Italy? I have my selection, but I’d be interested to see which ones readers have.

Don’t miss the last hotels for Mapic 2012

Where can I find a market in Cannes?

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:56:59 +0000

Trashy retro souvenirs? You got it!

If you’re staying in Cannes, you have to try some of the markets. Marché Forville is perhaps the best known, although there are others worth checking. You can pick up ultra-fresh fish and vegetables, cheap underwear and sunglasses, get some good wine or some cute simili-antiques to bring home (vintage postcards are always a gas).

Marché Forville (fruits – vegetables – flowers – fish) open daily except Monday, 7am to 1pm
Marché Gambetta (clothes – sundry) open daily except Monday, 7am to 1pm
Marché de La Bocca, Place Paul Roubaud (fruit – vegetables) open daily except Monday, 7am to 12.30pm
Marché aux fleurs des Allées (flowers) open daily
Marché d’autrefois (antiques), Place de l’Étang every Monday from 8am to 7pm
Marché artistique et artisanal, (arts and crafts) Les Allées de la Liberté open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm
Antiquité-Brocante, (antiques) Marché Forville, every Monday 8am to 6pm.

If you’re on the Croisette, you have to stand out

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:43:16 +0000

I’ve seen some pretty cool delegate bags in Cannes. I’ve also seen some bags that fall apart after a few weeks. But in either case, who wants to walk around town with the same bag as everyone else? Come on, you’ve come this far to melt into the masses? I thought not.

The Cannes or Bust messenger bag ensures you stroll the Croisette with the brightest bag in town. It has a large and a smaller compartment and a discreet Cannes or Bust logo (in American typewriter no less). All this for €23.90 plus shipping. Check it here. Not only does it look good, it’s made for delegates with plenty of room for folders, brochures or – why not – swimming trunks.

Pool Beach proves a hit with Cannes summer crowd

admin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:00:09 +0000

Pool Beach, the private beach that opened recently near the Palm Beach in Cannes, is proving a very big draw. The idea is quite simple: instead of hanging around on a sandy beach, you can hang around a trendy beach club with a pool, bar and restaurant – and of course you soak in the glamour of skimpy swimsuits for the girls and shorts for the boys (except, of course, guys’ shorts are actually very long this year – what gives?). I wouldn’t actually try swimming in the pool. It’s not really made for that, acting basically as a focal point for a party. A string of noted DJs have already appeared here. This is not the place to catch up with your reading!

Inevitably, YouTube gives a better idea of the atmosphere than I ever could. Pool Beach has a Facebook group.

Apologies for the confusion

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:55:56 +0000

We have been adapting the layout of the site. Inevitably, some snafus popped up and we were off-line for a few hours today. It was with considerable dismay that we discovered that no, the world did not stop turning and tweeting while we were off. Even when we stamped our feet with rage at php coding.

Caan on Cannes

admin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:43:17 +0000

British mogul James Caan is know for his appearances on the investment show “The Dragon’s Den”. He is notably a large-scale (and successful) property investor. He also happens to have a holiday property in Cannes.

In an article for Britain’s “The Telegraph”, he offers his seven golden rules of property investment. His comments on Cannes are quite interesting. Potential investors, check the article on the Telegraph.

Major work on the Palais underway?

admin — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:48:55 +0000

The Palais des festival in Cannes has undergone quite a few changes over the past few years, with the Riviera section being adapted to offer a luxury upper floor with views across the bay. But there has been consistant talk about giving it a more thorough renovation. And true enough, we have heard that the municipal council have been debating the 150 million-euro project to further extend the Palais, which includes a vast underground development. No decision has yet been announced.

Turkey to be guest of honour at MAPIC

admin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:47:39 +0000

MAPIC, the annual retail property trade fair held on 19-21 November, is inviting Turkey as the guest of honour. According to industry sources, Turkey has the fastest-growing retail real estate market in Europe. This is clear from its attendance of MAPIC, which has seen triple-digit growth of 176% in accredited Turkish companies compared to the previous year. So MAPIC will feature a dedicated Turkish zone and workshops as well as a themed opening cocktail party.

For more details, visit MAPIC.

Photo courtesy of Compass Atelier.

Jellyfish alerts in Cannes and Nice

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:40:42 +0000

Jellyfish – a recurring problem in every Mediterranean country – have been causing problems along the Côte d’Azur. It is reported that in one day, the emergency services received 500 calls for the stretch between Cannes and Nice alone. Local authorities have reacted by installing nets and in some cases “jellyfish hoovers”, boats equipped to remove them from the sea.

Jellyfish used to be a problem every eight years or so. However changes in the Mediterranean mean that they are now an almost annual fixture. Scientists are not sure why, claiming changes in the biosystem or an increase in the sea’s average temperature are responsible.

For people visiting the Mediterranean, remember to check for flags or signs on the beach before entering the water.

Smoking ban in Cannes?

admin — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:19:20 +0000

Heaven for some, hell for others, the smoking ban in cafés, restaurants, “bar-tabacs” and casinos that was introduced in France on January 1 obviously affects Cannes as well. The big question is how vigilantly will it be applied? French cafes and restaurants globally tend to be pretty smoker-friendly. But if a country as strong-headed as Ireland has learnt to comply, I can’t see why France can’t. On the practical side, Cannes has many terraces that smokers can use. Some of the bars spill into the streets anyway. So smokers can rest assured that there should still be a way to catch a quick puff.

In case you get involved in a discussion with restaurant owners, here are two figures worth remembering: the fine for smoking can be up to €450; and the fine for the owner is €750. Don’t expect too much indulgence from them.