The 2026 edition of the long-running outdoor exhibition Cannes Fait le Mur adorns the streets of the city with style, cinema and cars.
What are the elements of French style? Is it the Brigitte Bardot bangs and tousled bohemian beach waves that seem to purr je ne sais quoi? Or is it Jean-Paul Belmondo, lean with an innocent yet reckless smile that oozes je m’en fous? Regardless of what charismatic attitude you exude, props are a must – sunglasses, a wine glass, or perhaps a dangling cigarette… Whether in black and white or glorious technicolour, there are two must-have props that will effortlessly exude that cinematic luxury: the backdrop of the French Riviera and cars.
In the 22nd edition of Cannes Fait le Mur, 18 large photographic installations prominently feature iconic French celebrities, artists and musicians interacting with cars in every position imaginable – aboard, about, against, across, beside, between, behind, on, off, and so forth. The 2026 theme Pleins Phares sur le 7e art (Spotlight on the 7th art) references filmmaking as the 7th discipline of art along with architecture, sculpture, painting, music, dance and poetry.
“For over twenty years, with Cannes Fait le mur, we’ve been offering an open-air exhibition, accessible to all. This 22nd edition, dedicated to cinema and automobiles, is an invitation to contemplation through iconic images of the seventh art,” explained Ville de Cannes Mayor David Lisnard.
Photo courtesy and © Mairie de Cannes
“My first car, my first vehicle,” Lisnard reminisced, “was a Peugeot. It was when I got my first paycheck. My first paycheck was at sixteen at the Blue Bar, which was in the old Palais des Festivals. I was a waiter… ”
Jérôme Béglé, Editorial Director of Paris Match, also explained the love and passion for cars, especially within French culture. “It’s an object of dreams and social achievement. When you’re a teenager, you obviously can’t wait to drive your parents’ car and get your first vehicle…”
“From the 1950s to the 1980s, the car embodied an ideal lifestyle. It was not just a means of transport but a symbol of freedom and success…” he said. “For Paris Match, it is not just a means of transport, but a reflection of an era, a style, a know-how, and a personality. With Peugeot and the City of Cannes, we chose the beautiful images of an eternal dolce vita. ”
Lisnard noted that both the automobile and cinema were born at the same time period in the 20th century. Referring to the powerful still featuring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis that became the key visual for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival edition, “The poster for the Cannes Film Festival this year [Thelma & Louise], which is a symbol of freedom through this road movie and these two wonderful women who live their freedom to the fullest.”
Jérôme Béglé – photo © Marcus Gualberto
And speaking of living their lives to the fullest, Béglé pointed out one particular anecdote on one of the installations, specifically the candid photograph of then-rising ingénue Brigitte Bardot and Roger Vadim on set in St. Tropez in May 1956 for his directorial debut Et Dieu… créa la femme (And God Created Woman).
Béglé explains, “They are young, they are magnificent. And in a few months, well, they will be international stars, because it is the release of this first film by Vadim, then a reporter for Paris Match, that will shake up world cinema… Here, you see BB [Bardot] in her Simca convertible and Vadim in his Lancia Spider. These are two models that contribute to the legend of the couple.”
Even larger than life French personalities such as Simone Signoret, Alain Delon and Catherine Deneuve, among others, grace photograph installations displayed at the Jules Ferry high school, Cannes Riviera Hotel, Renoir Hotel, La Médiathèque Ranguin, Cannes La Bocca, Les Arcades cinema and the Georges Méliès university campus. Additionally, 10 banners span across the streets of rue d’Antibes.
Courtesy Mairie de Cannes – Simone Signoret © Maurice Jarnoux – Paris Match
“At La Médiathèque Ranguin, you might be able to see what is perhaps my favorite photo: Danielle Gélin with her family, at the wheel of a Peugeot 404 towing a caravan with orange curtains,“ Béglé shared.
“It represents the freedom to come and go. And, well, you can see that these two criteria – freedom of movement – shine through in every pixel of the photo. It’s these happy moments, this carefree spirit, this joy of living that Paris Match, Peugeot, and the city of Cannes wanted to revive…”
Previous Editions of Cannes Fait le Mur
- 2025 : « Delon & Elles » ;
- 2023 : « Avoir vingt ans sur la Croisette ! » ;
- 2022 : « 75 ans de Palmes et d’émotions » ;
- 2021 : « Le baiser » ;
- 2020 : « Le Off » ;
- 2019 : « Stars en liberté » ;
- 2018 : « Séries et cinéma » ;
- 2017 : « 70 ans de fête et de bonheur » ;
- 2016 : « Bad boys, bad girls » ;
- 2015 : « L’énergie et le mouvement » ;
- 2014 : « Sourire ».
Courtesy Mairie de Cannes
The 2026 edition of Cannes Fait le Mur is presented by Ville de Cannes in partnership with the publication Paris Match, with support from the car manufacturer Peugeot. The exhibition runs through 30 August 2026.
PHOTO CREDITS
- Lead image courtesy and © Marcus Gualberto
- All other images as credited
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