Air France Returns to Cannes with an Elegant Tribute to French Luxury and Cinema

RIVIERA BUZZ11 May, 20263 Mins read196

La Plage Air France_2026_vue 3D ©Air France

Air France renews its long-standing partnership with the Cannes Film Festival for the 46th consecutive year.

From May 12 to 23, 2026, Air France continues its relationship with the Festival de Cannes and has unveiled the third season of its exclusive beachside retreat on the Croisette.

Created as a refined sanctuary amid the glamour and intensity of the festival, the Air France Beach celebrates the airline’s enduring commitment to French excellence, gastronomy, and the art of travel.

A Signature Destination on the Croisette

Now firmly established as one of Cannes’ most sought-after festival venues, the Air France Beach pays tribute this year to the timeless sophistication of the airline’s heritage. The concept draws inspiration from two icons of aviation luxury: the legendary Concorde and today’s La Première experience, Air France’s highest expression of first-class travel.

Set beside the Hôtel Martinez Cannes, the elegant seaside space combines understated luxury with panoramic Mediterranean views. Shades of grey and crisp white interiors are accented by touches of the airline’s signature red, while the winged seahorse – Air France’s historic emblem – adds a distinctive finishing touch throughout the venue.

A Restaurant Inspired by Concorde’s Legacy

At the heart of the beach lies an intimate thirty-seat restaurant open to festival guests by reservation. Dedicated to the White Bird, the legendary Concorde aircraft whose 50th anniversary Air France will commemorate in 2026, the dining space blends nostalgia with modern refinement.

An outdoor lounge, cocktail bar, and sea-facing sunbeds complete the atmosphere, offering a calm retreat from the vibrant pace of Cannes during the festival season.

Exclusive Evening Dinners Celebrating La Première

As night falls, the beach transforms into a private venue reserved exclusively for Air France guests. The airline has enlisted acclaimed chef Mory Sacko to design the starter and main course menus, showcasing creations inspired by those served in the La Première cabin on the airline’s Abidjan–Paris Charles de Gaulle route.

Desserts are crafted by celebrated pastry chef Claire Heitzler, named Pastry Chef of the Year by Gault & Millau in 2013. Her refined sweet creations also feature aboard La Première flights departing from Paris, extending the airline’s signature culinary identity from the skies to the Croisette.

A First-Class Caviar Experience on the Sand

One of the highlights of this year’s installation is a new private tasting space nestled directly on the beach, designed to recreate the atmosphere of a La Première suite overlooking the sea.

Guests can reserve an intimate caviar and wine pairing experience featuring Sturia Oscietra caviar alongside Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires champagne, while Gérard Bertrand’s Clos du Temple rosé accompanies Sturia’s IGP Aquitaine caviar selection. A sophisticated alcohol-free alternative pairs French Bloom Rosé with premium Aquitaine caviar.

Enhancing the sensory experience, the space is infused with AF001, Air France’s bespoke fragrance created by renowned perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, artistic director of Maison Francis Kurkdjian.

French Art de Vivre at Every Moment

Throughout the day, the Air France Beach reflects the airline’s dedication to showcasing French savoir-faire at every stage of the travel experience. From haute gastronomy to design, fragrance, and hospitality, the concept embodies the refined spirit that has long defined both Air France and the Cannes Film Festival.

The Air France Beach is located adjacent to the Hôtel Martinez Cannes beach and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. by reservation.

Lunch menu: €97 including drinks
Caviar and wine tasting experience: €52

Air France Marks 60 Years of In-Flight Entertainment

Air France’s relationship with cinema extends far beyond its decades-long partnership with Cannes. For more than half a century, the airline has cultivated a unique connection between aviation and film, both industries built on imagination, escapism, and storytelling.

That relationship entered a new era on May 1, 1966, when Air France introduced in-flight entertainment on its Paris–New York route aboard Boeing 707 aircraft. For the first time, passengers experienced cinema in the sky during a two-hour onboard program combining film and music.

^{Video via Malavida Films on YouTube}

The inaugural screening featured Louis Malle’s Viva Maria!, starring Brigitte Bardot and Jeanne Moreau, presented in both French and English. It marked a turning point in commercial aviation: air travel was no longer simply transportation, but a cultural experience designed around pleasure and discovery.

Sixty years later, that pioneering spirit continues. Across its long-haul fleet, Air France now offers more than 1,500 hours of entertainment through 38,000 individual screens, with programming regularly updated to reflect the latest in international cinema, television, music, and culture.