The Majestic

The Croisette may be open to everyone — locals and visitors alike — offering a touch of Mediterranean magic to anyone who walks its length. But when it comes to palaces, things are a little more exclusive. Only a privileged few can boast a front-row view of the sea, offering their guests the luxury of waking up face-to-face with the “Grande Bleue”.— the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. Among these legendary hotels is the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, a landmark whose imposing white silhouette still turns heads today. Back in the Roaring Twenties, that golden era of elegance and progress, Cannes had become the playground of exiled royalty and high society. Once a winter destination, the town was now embracing Summer, with sea bathing suddenly all the rage. However, to attract this glamorous crowd, the city needed accomodation to match— and you can guess what happened next. The legend of Cannes’ grand hotels was about to begin — and with it, the story of the Majestic. In 1920, a Parisian business group led by entrepreneur Henri Ruhl purchased the “Beau Rivage” hotel and the neighboring Villa des Enfants. Ruhl had big ambitions — and the prime location at the entrance to the Croisette gave him the perfect canvas. Within four months, both original buildings were demolished to make way for his dream: a grand Art Deco palace. On February 1st, 1926, the Majestic opened its doors. Designed by architect Théo Petit, it arrived six years before the Hotel Martinez, but fifteen years after the Carlton — two other iconic hotel landmarks in Cannes. Though part of the building was still under construction until 1928, the Majestic already offered 250 rooms with private washrooms, elegant reception halls decorated by the celebrated artist Francis di Signori, grand staircases made of Carrara marble, and other dazzling materials. When World War II broke out, the Majestic was requisitioned by the French government and turned into a military hospital, treating wounded soldiers and burn victims. After the war, in 1945, the hotel was bought by François André, a key figure in French tourism and hospitality, who brought it into the media spotlight. Without an heir, André passed the reins to his nephew, Lucien Barrière, who expanded the hotel’s success even further. In 1965, he added two floors by converting the attic space, creating 44 additional rooms. In 2010, a full restoration and the construction of a new west wing helped secure the Majestic’s place among the most prestigious hotels in Cannes — and the entire Côte d’Azur. Behind its stunning white façade, unchanged by time, every detail is designed to redefine the meaning of comfort, elegance, and indulgence. Guests can enjoy three restaurants, including a branch of the iconic Fouquet’s brasserie, an outdoor heated pool, a fitness center, a Clarins spa, and a private screening room with space for 35 guests. There are 257 rooms and 92 suites spread across seven floors — including the 450-square-meter Christian Dior Suite, and the 650-square-meter Penthouse, which goes for a modest €45,000 a night, for those seeking the ultimate experience. No wonder stars like Marion Cotillard, George Clooney, Natalie Portman, Sean Penn, and Isabelle Adjani regularly check in during the Cannes Film Festival.