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A Night to Remember: Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Cannes, France

Bucket List New Year’s Eve

I have many destinations on my bucket list for places that I want to celebrate New Year’s Eve. I finally checked one off the list! My mom and I made the journey to Europe, where we visited Christmas markets and spent New Year’s Eve watching the fireworks in Cannes. It was a “pinch me” moment.

Enchanting Arrival in Cannes

Our hotel was in Nice, but since there wouldn’t be any fireworks there, we decided to embark on an adventure. We boarded a train, spent the day exploring charming towns enroute, before finally reaching Cannes in the late afternoon. Wrapped up warmly against the winter cold, we strolled along the streets, as we peered into glitzy shops that were shuttered for New Year’s. Despite many places being closed, the streets of Cannes still buzzed with excitement.

Last-Minute Accommodations

I wasn’t very familiar with the area, so I worried about reaching the train station in time for the last train back to Nice. The fireworks were scheduled for midnight, and the last train was set to depart at 12:50 am. Realizing it would be too rushed, I took out my phone and started searching for nearby accommodations. To my surprise, the Carlton Cannes Hotel had available rooms. I was amazed that such a lovely hotel had reasonable rates on New Year’s Eve.

Fireworks on the Iconic Pier

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, we made our way to the iconic Cannes pier. You know, that stretch of wooden planks that’s just perfect for a leisurely stroll during the day? Well, on New Year’s Eve, it transforms into a front-row seat to one of the most spectacular fireworks shows you’ll ever witness. The pier was alive with people from all walks of life.  Locals, tourists, families, couples – you name it, they were there, all bundled up in cozy coats and scarves, eyes glued to the dark sky, waiting for the magic to begin.

Midnight! New Year’s Eve in Cannes France

Shared Joy in the Sky

As the clock struck midnight, the night sky erupted in a symphony of colors. The fireworks looked all the more beautiful with the bright blues and vivid reds reflecting off of the waters of the Mediterranean.

Grateful for the Experience

And you know what made it even better? Being there with my mom as we ooh-ed and aah-ed in unison, sharing this incredible moment together.  It was a reminder to take those opportunities to share special moments with the people that mean the most to you. It was a joyous celebration, and as the last burst of light faded into the night, I felt grateful. Grateful for being in this amazing place, at this exact moment, with my beautiful mom, welcoming in another new year.

After the fireworks, we made our way to the luxurious Carlton Cannes hotel. The place was decorated to the nines, and guests were decked out in tuxedos and ballgowns. Keep in mind, we had been traveling all day and were dealing with jet lag, and we certainly looked the part. As we walked through the lobby toward the elevators, we hear someone saying “madam, madam” from behind us. A member of the hotel staff approached and asked if they could assist us. We must have appeared quite out of place in our travel-worn state, standing out like a sore thumb. So, after presenting our room key and having a good giggle, we made our way to our room, improvised toothbrushes with our fingers, put on our bathrobe pajamas, and fell asleep within minutes. It had indeed been an incredible day.

A Hilarious Train Ride

The next morning on the train back to Nice, we laughed hysterically about how we must have looked a mess amongst all of the bejeweled women and dapper men. We have such great memories of that day, and I’m so thankful we got to experience it together.

Add Cannes to Your Bucket List

Be sure to add New Year’s Eve in Cannes to your bucket list. There’s just something about the glitz, the glamour, and that unforgettable fireworks show from the pier that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime. Here’s to more adventures and more dazzling New Year’s Eves! Cheers! 🎉🥂