Le Night

Le Night is yet another fun club in Cannes that you must check out.

Le Night

The atmosphere is ever changing and very social.   You won’t find many wallflowers here.

Le Night caters to a mixed crowd, but is fortunately more favorably on the gay-friendly side.   The place has a young feel to it and the party goes all night long.

The staff is so much fun and up for anything new and of the moment, they like to change things up every once in a while with the events, such as: techno/electro nights, hip-hop and of course straight up dance music, which to me is a good thing.  It keeps the visits to the club fresh and with an edge.

But what I really like about Le Night is that they are open to promoting other businesses in the LGBT Community such as when Rendezvous Underwear held a fashion show in the club one evening: RenDezVous Underwear

This isn’t one of those clubs that caters to the same demographic, with the same music tastes every weekend.   You’ll notice on their website that the music and events change weekly so if you don’t check first, you won’t know what to expect.  Personally, I like to go with the element of surprise and have never been disappointed.

Le Night is located at: 52, rue Jean Jaurès, only a couple of blocks away from the train station and is literally within walking distance of all the major hotels.

Many nights they have free entry or you might have to pay approximately 10 euros to get in but that includes a conso.

The hours of operation are from Wednesday – Sunday, from 9:30pm until 5am.

Head down there and have fun!

June 2013: From my understanding, this nightclub caters more to a straight crowd now, no longer having any gay or gay-friendly events.

Le Sept Cabaret Nightclub

Le Sept, Disco 7, Le 7…people seem to call it by any of those names, I just call it a great night out.

If this is your first time in the Cote d’Azur and your first time in Cannes, you really have to experience the Cannes nightlife brought to you in part by Le Sept.

You'll be thoroughly entertained and made to feel at one with the party.
We all like a bit of shine in our lives and I’d say Cannes wouldn’t have the extent of glitz and glam if it weren’t for Le Sept helping to make it feel “star” worthy.

Le Sept is a cabaret-style nightclub, meaning you are going to see some of the best shows performed by amazing drag queens.  Yet I really hesitate in using the words “drag queens” because that almost sounds down market compared to these people.
Here you will see some of the most beautiful entertainers in your life.

Yes, you will witness the most engaging man dressed as a woman, but you will also see the sexiest transsexuals ever, along with some of the hottest men I’ve ever seen dressed androgynous…or just as hot men.   And then there are the women…

Seriously, I am envious and totally intrigued!   I am dying to get to know these performers better.

Just wait until you experience the effort they have put in for their shows.  Incredible!  The YouTube videos I have attached do not do justice.  Being there in person brings on a whole new feeling to it all and in the best of surroundings.  The shows are full of entertainment; singing, dancing, comedy and there is plenty of crowd participation so get ready to be a part of the show.

And unlike the regular routine at some other clubs, Le Sept is a breeze to get into, you might have to wait a short while if it’s super busy but it is worth it, plus it’s usually free to enter and without the bouncer attitude.

What you will notice about the inside of Le Sept is that it isn’t a massive space, yet it is set up perfectly, not only for cabaret shows but also for a great night out at the club.

When entering Le Sept, you will find the main bar near the front entrance with a lounge area set up in the middle.   The shows are performed at the stage visible at the end of the club space, which also doubles as a dance floor.

What it comes down to is Le Sept is comfortably set up and in such a way that you can’t help but meet the people on either side of you.

Drinks are moderately priced and served by the best staff.  The music ranges from techno to classic disco with plenty of house in between.

Finding the club is very easy and within walking distance of the major hotels.  Le Sept is located at 7 rue Rouguière that is a pedestrian type street close to the Port.  Basically, go to rue du Maréchal Joffre and head towards the Port, when you see the Crédit Mutuel just take a look to your right and you will see the signage for Le Sept just a building away on rue Rouguière.

Their website is not available at the moment but I do have a number in which you can contact: +33 04 93 39 10 36.  Le Sept is open 7 nights a week from 11pm-7am.

Le Sept is not only a cabaret-style nightclub but also a gathering place for many in the LGBT community, everyone is welcome.  I'm hoping the performers start up Facebook fan pages. I’ll be the first to “like” them.

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Croisette Beach Hotel - Cannes

To me, Cannes has really come into its own over the years in terms of being a gay travel destination.  More gay bars and nightclubs have opened up, more gay-friendly restaurants and hotels, fantastic beaches, and who could dare question the shopping?

With that I would like to start off by mentioning a gay-friendly hotel that I very much recommend.

Croisette Beach Hotel in Cannes is situated in the heart of it all.  This four-star hotel has world class shopping practically at the doorstep, is certainly within walking distance to the gay and gay-friendly bars and clubs and it even has its own private beach and restaurant area.

Croisette Beach Hotel

As soon as you step into Croisette Beach Hotel you will feel at home in a natural yet cozy environment.  In keeping with this motif, you will find very approachable, friendly staff that is genuine in their hospitality towards everyone.

The hotel has 94 spacious rooms varying in size to suit your needs.  For those North Americans used to a "standard" hotel room size, and understanding that some European hotel rooms tend to be smaller, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that even the smallest suites in Croisette Beach Hotel are very much in keeping with a North American room size.

And each unit, regardless of size, is paired with newly remodeled, sleek and modern bathrooms.

Each room also has its own safe, minibar, wifi internet and plenty of closet space, without question you will find everything you need.

For the business-minded, there are also various meeting and reception rooms to help with all your business and social needs.

On my visit to the Croisette Beach Hotel, I noticed the staff were always busy cleaning, organizing or arranging something but yet also paying close attention to hotel guests needs.  The staff is dedicated to the work and for that reason; Croisette Beach is perpetually kept in immaculate order.

Depending on your choice of hotel room, you will find yourself either facing the street with the beach less than a block away, or you will face the beautiful inner courtyard with its true green spaces, trees and an ample lounge area set up by the pool.

The gorgeous pool and courtyard area are just off the hotel's bar and dining room on the main level and is one of the few hotels in the center of Cannes with its own pool.
That alone is a luxury.

Croisette Beach Hotel is easy to find.  If you are about midway down the Croisette, just look for rue du Canada and you will find the hotel at: 13 rue du Canada.

As if the hotel wasn't enough, at the end of the street right on the Croisette is the private Croisette Beach and Restaurant, where you will find the same great service from the hotel.

Here you can have a wonderful meal at the restaurant while you take in the glorious scenery yet also enjoy drinks while you catch a few rays of sun on your own private lounge chair at the beach area.

For a Four Star hotel situated where Croisette Beach is, you are going to find this is one of the best deals in Cannes.

A special Thank You to Olivier.

Cannes Tourist Offices - Office du Tourisme

The city of Cannes has three tourist offices; two of them are in the main area of the city. 

One of the tourist offices that I mentioned in a previous post is connected to the Cannes Train Station – Gare de Cannes.

You will easily find this tourist office as it is right outside the train station doors and is open all year long.

The hours for this location are: Monday to Saturday from 9am–1pm and from 2pm-6pm.

Tel. +33 04 92 99 84 22
Note - This office is closed as of August 2012 due to renovations of the train station.

The second tourist office is at one end of the Croisette, on the waterfront at the Palais des Festivals building or 23 rue des Etats-Unis.  You can't miss this building either as its big, white, majestic with lots of blue glass.  It’s also where they film all the celebrities going up the red carpet during the International Film Festival.  Actually if you continue going to the right of the red carpet area but along the sidewalk you will immediately see on your left hand side the Office du Tourisme.

Inside, like the office next to the train station, there is a number of staff who can help you with any questions you might have.  There are also different information areas set up so that you can just pick up whatever hard copy information you might need, you can buy some souvenirs and they even have a small art gallery near the back filled with local artists work.

When I was last at this tourist office, there was a LGBT Cannes Rainbow station to the right once you walk inside filled with information on the local LGBT community.

For this office, the hours of operation are:   Everyday from 9am-7pm.  November to February from 10am-7pm.  July to August from 9am-8pm.

Tel. +33 04 92 99 84 22

If you get the chance to go to Cannes la Bocca you will find the same great service and information at the tourist office located at: 1 avenue Pierre Semard

Hours of operation are: All year, Tuesday to Saturday from 9am-12pm and 2:30pm-6:30pm.  In August they are open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am-12:30pm and from 3:30pm-7pm.

Tel. +33 04 92 99 84 22

More information can also be found at:

Cannes

I would also suggest if you have a Smartphone to download the Cannes Is Yours App as a helpful guide.

I can provide one website that you can download the free app from and that is:

AppBrain just go to the search box and type in “Cannes Is Yours” and you will find the app there to download.

Any of these tourist offices may be a good start if you are trying to find your way around upon first arrival to Cannes.  I have always found the people working in these offices to be very helpful and full of information.  And of course I will be sure to continue with all kinds of information on my end as well.

A special Thank You to Frédérique.

Cannes Train Station - Gare de Cannes

Cannes main train station or Gare de Cannes could not be easier to navigate. 

SNCF

If you are arriving in Cannes for the first time, when you get off the train just follow the crowd also departing the train into the main lobby of the station.  It’s really that simple.  There aren’t that many platforms and only one tunnel to catch the various trains and plenty of signage to help guide you.  The station itself is not a massive building so you really don't have to worry about getting lost in it and even at night I have found it safe.

Inside the arrival and departure area you will find the main train schedule boards, a newsagents, waiting areas and also easy to use ticketing machines to purchase and validate your train tickets.  Upon exiting the building, to your left is one of Cannes’ tourist offices with a small parking lot in front of you.

The train station is located at 1 rue Jean-Jaurès and it’s easy to find by some of the unique architecture features of the building (see pics).  Currently the train station is undergoing an extensive renovation and upgrade but I have never found it to impede on my visits.

Illustration of the renovated Cannes Train Station

The train station has connections between the Cote d’Azur with all the regions of France and all the major cities in Europe are provided by the SNCF's express and high-speed trains (TGV).  The TGV connects up Paris and Cannes in about 6 hours at least 3 times daily.

Nice is approximately a 35-minute commute away by train, traveling along the sea past some wonderful beaches and towns to get there.  Since Cannes does not have a major airport, many people choose to use the train system to get to Nice where they can make their way to the Nice airport from there.

The train station is located in the heart of Cannes, literally less than a five-minute walk to the beach and getting there can take you to the start of the many fantastic shopping areas in the city.  It's also close to the hotels, restaurants and clubs with everything being within walking distance.  When you depart the station, literally just pick a street in front of you, head South and you’ll be on the Croisette and at the beaches in no time.

Cannes Emergency Contact Numbers

I have always found Cannes to be a very safe city.  Fortunately I have never had an incident of any kind happen to me there, but it's always better to be safe than sorry so here are a few key numbers and addresses you might want to know about:

For medical emergencies, accident and fire always call tel. 18

Medical – Samu  Tel. 15

Police – Gendarme  Tel. 17

Fire/Medical – Pompier/Sauveur  Tel. 18 or +33 04 93 48 78 00

Riviera Medical Services (English Speaking)  Tel. +33 04 93 26 12 70

Dental Emergencies  Tel. +33 04 93 68 28 00 


Night Pharmacy - 15 avenue de Grasse
Tel. +33 04 93 68 33 33

Night Pharmacy 15 avenue de Grasse

There are a number of police stations but here is one in Vieux Port:

Police Municipale - 2 quai Saint-Pierre
Tel. +33 08 00 11 71 18

Police Municipale 2 quai Saint-Pierre

Here is some information for the main hospital in Cannes:

Cannes General Hospital - 13 avenue des Broussailles
Tel. +33 04 93 69 70 00

Cannes General Hospital 13 avenue des Broussailles

Stay safe!

Cannes!

I love Cannes.  When I was a little boy, I used to watch all the stars on the red carpet during the International Film Festival on television and dreamed of someday going to Cannes to see all the glitz and glam.

I must tell you that no matter how many times I visit the city, even now as an adult, I am still thrilled to be there.  I have literally done things in Cannes that has helped me live out my dreams.

Cannes is of course world famous for their annual International Film Festival, but I've discovered the city and the surrounding area have even more to offer than all that.  It’s not a city that shuts down after an annual two-week party.

Cannes is a welcoming, beautiful and very gay-friendly city that is culturally diverse and steeped in history.

Just when you think you have done and seen it all in the city, sure enough you'll end up meeting yet another amazing person living there who will show you what they also love about Cannes. 

There is so much to see and do in this part of the Cote d'Azur, so if you are ready to do some exploring, I would like to keep you in touch with its growing gay community, and keep giving you reasons to want to come to see Cannes, whether it's your first visit or your fifteenth. 

I’d like to make this my introduction to you on what to explore in Cannes and its immediate vicinity.  As Cannes, like Nice and the rest of the French Riviera, is becoming even more of a worldwide gay travel destination.

From time to time, I will be posting about what gay and gay-friendly establishments there are in Cannes for you to experience.  The community has certainly grown in the past many years, so there are many places for you to check out for yourself.  

For more travel information, keep coming back to Gay French Riviera.