Mark Bibby Jackson reviews his luxurious short stay at Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes—where cinematic glamour meets real-world comfort on the Côte d’Azur.
It was my first visit to Cannes – indeed to the South of France – and I admit my expectations were littered with memories from the silver screen. Grace Kelly driving along the Grande Corniche in To Catch A Thief in particular. And lots of glorious sun, of course.
There are 330 days of sun in Cannes, unfortunately we arrived on one of the other 35 days.
We had booked in for a solitary night at Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes to experience its recently redesigned rooms and transformed beachfront Ciro’s Cannes restaurant, so who needs sun anyway?
History of Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
Built in 1926, Le Majestic was designed by architect Théo Petit, who merged the existing Beau-Rivage hotel with two adjoining properties to create today’s iconic art deco masterpiece sitting on Cannes’ Croisette.
It was purchased by the Barrière hotel group in the 50s. The group also owns the Normandy hotel in Deauville, which too was designed by Petit, and Le Westminster in Le Touquet, where I was fortunate enough to stay last year. It describes Le Majestic as a ‘palace-hotel’, and it certainly has had many a rich and famous stay here, as well as an unnamed princess who resided at the hotel for three months last year. How the other 0.05% live!
According to the hotel’s GM Charles Richez, Le Majestic is the only hotel in Cannes shaped to face the sea, meaning it has the greatest number of sea-facing views in Cannes.
Many of the rooms, including mine, have been redesigned by architect and interior designer Isabelle Stanislas. Her vibrant design reflects the original art deco style, yet has breathed life into the grand old dame of Cannes. My room, which overlooks the pool, is far brighter than the rooms yet to receive Stanislas’ magic touch, the blue and white providing an appropriate nautical touch.
Lunch at Ciro’s Cannes
However, I am yet to experience my room as we arrive after an early morning flight from London to Nice followed by a half-hour drive which was far more relaxing, yet less spectacular, than Cary Grant’s with Kelly. Such is the popularity of The Majestic that our rooms are not yet ready, so we saunter across the road to lunch at the hotel’s beachside fish restaurant, Ciro’s Cannes.
Set on the hotel’s private beach, Ciro’s Cannes is a pebble’s skim from the Palais des Festivals, where the Cannes Film Festival is held each year – I could see the famous red carpet from my hotel window. Ciro’s has been a place to meet since the 20s, with guest ranging from Yves Saint-Laurent to Catherine Deneuve.
Like Le Majestic it has recently been reimagined – having reopened on April 9 shortly before our visit. Jordane Arrivetz’s design has a distinctly nautical feel, creating the impression you are dining on a luxury yacht. The outside area where we have an aperitif is clad in wood decking like the local rica boats, while the white interior has maritime frescoes and marine details, such as shells, to create the impression you are setting off on a cruise around the Med. I love the bold blue and white of the bar area.
The menu created by chef Gabriella Stocker reflects the maritime setting. Despite this I opt for asparagus, fresh in season, for my starter before sharing a whole sea bass baked in salt with a fellow travel journalist. It is simply divine. Not quite worth the flight over on its own, but certainly Palme d’or quality.
Spa Diane Barrière
Our lunch overflowed into the afternoon as Richez informs us that Cannes is transformed in the sun.
This leaves us sufficient time to enjoy the sauna and hammam in the hotel’s Spa Diane Barrière – which also has an expansive fitness room I bypassed – before hitting the pool.
It is not often that I debate the nature of luxury travel with a fellow travel journalist while floating in a pool, but there again it is not every day I visit the Côte d’Azur.
My companion suggests Cannes is a slightly faded destination; that people are looking to discover new places – ‘dupes’ – to brag about when they return home. I disagree.
Although I can lay no claim to be any expert about Cannes from my brief sojourn – and the sun still has yet to emerge – I have already soaked in the grandeur of this beautiful hotel.
Often hotels claim to be destinations in themselves. Le Majestic justifies such star billing. It is not just the location and the beautiful design. The service is attentive yet informal. Staff recognise you as you return to the hotel – I chat with one member of staff who wishes to study in Birmingham – I try to be encouraging, before we turn to football – he supports PSG, myself Liverpool. Both have cause to celebrate.
Earlier Richez had informed us they have a lot of repeat visitors, many coming with copious luggage as if they were to join the princess for several months before passing on along the Côte d’Azur. I understand why. Familiarity can breed contempt, but also contentment. Le Majestic oozes a reassuring confidence everything will run smoothly throughout your stay. It does.
Dining at Le Fouquet’s Cannes
After my piscine deliberations, I return to my room, to discover my bed turned – as always it is it is the little touches that matter, such as the UK adaptor in the room and shoe horn – great for someone with a bad back.
Our dinner is in the hotel’s Le Fouquet’s Cannes restaurant. Pierre Gagnaire has transformed the brasserie ambience of the original Le Fouquet’s in Paris, which has been an institution in the French capital since 1899, to Cannes.
The atmosphere invites formality or informality just as you wish. Bar Fouquet’s is most inviting. All around portraits of film stars remind you of what lies next door. I start with a fresh and invigorating heritage tomato and burrata salad, before moving onto a large plate of roasted prawns served in a tarragon butter sauce. The highlight though has to be the crepes suzette prepared close to our table, oozing in Grand Marnier. It is as French as you can possibly get.
Lunch at Mademoiselle Gray
I awake to see the sun released from its temporary incarceration, and as Richez had promised, Cannes is transformed. Blue sky merges into a slightly different shade of blue sea. The sun glistens on the waves. Life immediately seems so much better.
After an excellent breakfast by the pool, we go on a quick tour of the hotel – the Christian Dior suite is simply amazing – before visiting Le Majestic’s sister property Le Gray d’Albion, just around the corner.
Leaving Le Majestic through the back exit, I pose for a photograph – apparently this is the route all the film stars take in order to avoid both paparazzi and fans during the Cannes Festival.
Staying at the four-star Le Gray d’Albion allows you to enjoy much of the facilities of Le Majestic but at a lower price. It also has some great views of Cannes from the terraces in the suites.
Le Gray d’Albion has a wonderful restaurant on the beach a short stroll along the Croisette from the hotel. By now all the locals have emerged from their night in with Netflix, to promenade along the front.
Mademoiselle Gray has a distinct buzz and a menu which reflects its Mediterranean location, both north and south. The previous day Richez informed us we must have glass of rosé as an aperitif in Cannes, so following his instructions I have a delightful glass of côtes de Provence to accompany the mezze of starters – houmous, calamari, the most wonderful falafel, and feta parcels. This I follow with grilled octopus, cooked to perfection and absolutely delightful. I could have stayed for the rest of the afternoon.
Man in the Iron Mask
Unfortunately, my script does not allow for this, so directed by our wonderful host Mélodie, we head for the local ferry that takes us to Sainte Marguerite island. I love ferry rides, and this was all too brief for me. Soon we arrive on the island, which has some pleasant walks through woods and a couple of good beaches. It also has the Iron Mask and Fort Royal Museum.
The original fort was built between 1624 and 1627, renamed Fort Royal in 1637. By the end of the century, it had become a state prison with its most famous prisoner the so called ‘Man in the Iron Mask’, who was incarcerated here from 1687 to 1698.
According to legend, the prisoner was the twin of Louis XIV. However, as the Sun King was born in 1638 and would have been almost 50 when the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned here, this seems most improbable, unless Fort Royal was the last in a series of prisons the unwanted twin visited on his non-royal tour.
Visiting the fort, you can see the cell in which the Man in the Iron Mask was held, as well as an interesting exhibition of artefacts found nearby.
My all too brief visit to Cannes coming to an end, we take the ferry back to the mainland. The Croisette stretches out in front of us. I can make out the Palais des Festivals, where Cruise, Berry, Binoche et al will shortly be appearing. And beside it the Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes, appropriately regal in the sun. It certainly is a hotel that encourages repeat visits, taking a starring role among all the hotels along the Côte d’Azur.
Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
For more information about the Hotel Le Majestic Cannes, or to book a room, click here.
How to Get to Cannes
Daily flights operate from London to Nice, from where it is a short drive to Cannes. Alternatively, you can get the tram from Nice Airport to Nice and then the train onwards to Cannes.
