Cannes’ boulevards known as Boulevard de La Croisette are one of the most recognisable and prestigious places in France. Running along the waterfront, the route had been in need of modernisation for years to bring the place into line with the realities of the modern world, as well as the needs of locals and tourists alike. As a result, the city authorities launched a competition for the redevelopment of the boulevards, which led to the selection of the winning design. The best work was proposed by architects from the Norwegian studio Snøhetta.
Snøhetta won the competition together with local French partner Atelier d’Urbanité Roland Castro and engineering firm WSP. The winning proposal, ‘Spotlight’, aims to renew the Croisette, restoring prestige and elegance to this world-famous seaside promenade. It is in the neighbourhood of la Croisette that the world-famous International Film Festival takes place. The 2.6km-long boulevard runs from the Palais des Festivals, along the Bay of Cannes towards the Cap de la Croisette.
The current design dates from the 1960s, but the Croisette’s popularity dates back to the late 19th century, when Lord Brougham first discovered the beauty of the Bay of Cannes and settled there later. Over time, the Croisette has evolved from a picturesque coastal route into a lively boulevard.
How will the boulevards in Cannes change?
Snøhetta intends to respectfully capitalise on the great success and potential of the Croisette by renovating the boulevard, making it greener, more open and accessible, and providing new amenities and comfort. The whole concept is inspired by the Art Deco style, which draws on the architecture and aesthetics of nearby palaces.
“Following the ideal circular shape of the Croisette, the proposal emphasises the regular repetition of the steps leading to the beach, creating an enticing and emotional rhythm. A new red-coloured pavement was chosen to create an urban red carpet, while also referencing the colours of the Suquet district and the vibrant red of the nearby Massif de l’Estérel. As a whole, the boulevard creates a shimmering waterfront that restores the prestige of a legendary destination.” – explain the architects from Snøhetta
A series of ‘spotlights’ have been introduced on the boulevard highlighting the main points of interest – the palaces, the beach access or the famous Palais des Festivals. They create small squares combining delicate gold details with subtle nuances of red granite, highlighting the Croisette’s preciousness, worthy of its worldwide reputation. The choice of spotlights is of course a reference to the International Film Festival.
Urban furniture – references to Art Déco and the Massif de l’Estérel
Snøhetta also designed a collection of customised urban furniture, including benches, lighting and shades. All of this furniture was created specifically for the Croisette. The soft benches emerge from the ground like rocks and thus reflect the distant shapes of the massif of l’Estérel. The smaller concrete benches work on the same principle and are designed in modules to provide greater flexibility in placing them when there is less space or a need for a different configuration, while making the promenade safer.
The proposal also focuses on increasing green mobility for pedestrians and cyclists by creating a universally accessible promenade generating new uses of the Croisette, as well as by reorganising the traffic lanes. The lighting elements, as well as the canopies that create shade, are also inspired by the Art Déco style and the history of the city of Cannes. As the architects add, the project is intended to have a positive impact on public safety and social interaction. The project is divided into four distinct phases that will last until 2028.
source: Snøhetta / https://www.snohetta.com
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