Inclusivity & Accessibility at Cannes Lions Festival
We're working on making the Festival accessible to everyone.
On this page
Cannes Lion 2025
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Introduction
The creative community comes together at Cannes Lions. And this year at the Festival, we’re continuing our work to make sure every voice is heard and everyone is included.
This guide will give you all the information you need to plan your visit if you have accessibility requirements. We’ve got a dedicated team onsite to support you, and by updating your preferences online for your badge, you can request to receive line skip and access to reserved seating at our main stages.
Accessing the Festival
We recommend you join an accessible tour of the Festival perimeter, hosted by our Cannes Lions team. You can book this via the Cannes Lions 2024 app when it launches in May. If you can’t make the available sessions, contact us or drop by the dedicated meeting point, and we’ll be happy to arrange a time for you.
Your badge & access
Everyone will need to wear a badge onsite at all times – this will be your passport to the Festival. Badge collection is at the Gare Maritime, and you’ll find an accessible desk in the Fast Track lane. You can let us know ahead of time if you have reduced mobility or special requirements by updating your pass registration details online or by contacting us.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to staff when you arrive, they will be easy to spot in ‘Staff’ t-shirts and badges.
Accessibility
We offer reserved seating at our main stages and line skip for anyone with reduced mobility. There’ll be a discreet icon on your badge to let staff know you require access to these services. You can request this via the online pass registration form, at the Gare Maritime registration desks or one of our Info Desks. This also includes adjustments that we already have in place, e.g. ramps, accessible lifts, quiet lounges, mental health aiders or other requirements.
Olympic Torch Relay
The area around the Festival venue, The Palais, and along the Croisette will be very busy on Tuesday morning, 18 June as the Olympic Torch makes its way through Cannes, with the relay of the Olympic Torch taking place on the red carpet at 11:43.
Interactive map in the Cannes Lions 2024 app
The interactive map clearly marks the locations of lifts, accessible entrances, bathrooms and other accessibility features to help you navigate the Festival grounds.
Stages
Most stages are equipped with accessibility features like ramps, designated seating areas and accessible restrooms for delegates and speakers. Lifts are available to access different levels if needed.
Entrances
Entrances to venues typically have ramps or designated accessible entrances for wheelchair users.
ASL
ASL Interpreters will be on the mainstages (Lumière and Debussy), in seminars throughout the week and at every Awards Show.
Beach activations
We work to make sure our partner beach activations are accessible, with pathways for wheelchair users and accessible seating areas.
Closing Party
The Closing Party offers full accessibility, with ramps and lifts so you can access different areas of the venue.
Bringing someone to support you at the Festival
Bringing a personal assistant or essential companion
If you’d like to bring someone to help you get around the Festival grounds, please reach out to us for further information.
Bringing service & emotional support animals
We’re accommodating to anyone who needs to bring a service or emotional support animal to the Festival. Just get in touch and we’ll sort it out for you.
Finding your way at the Festival
If you haven’t been to the Festival before, we’ve got you covered with our top tips to help you plan your day. You’ll see the location of everything in the Cannes Lions 2024 app, including how long it takes to get to each place. Note that parts of the Croisette may be pedestrianised during the Festival, so you can get around easier. Keep an eye out for designated pedestrian zones, which make walking safer.
Distances between Festival areas
Distance: 6–8-minute walk.
Distance: 8–10-minute walk.
Distance: 3–5-minute walk.
Distance: 8–10-minute walk.
Distance: 3–5-minute walk.
Distance: 3–5-minute walk.
Distance: 10-minute walk to Meta, 20-minute walk to Pinterest.
Distance: 6–8-minute walk.
Distance: 6–5-minute walk.
Wheelchair access
Plan your route: We’re here to help you familiarise yourself with the Festival layout and identify accessible pathways to key destinations. You can book an accessible tour in the Cannes Lions 2024 app, and we also have a support team on standby during Festival hours. If you can’t make the pre-arranged tours, get in touch – we’ll be able to organise another time that suits you.
Opt for the beachside route: The pavement along the beachside of the Croisette tends to be wider, providing more space for wheelchair users to navigate comfortably.
Utilise accessible facilities: Many venues and partner activations offer accessible facilities and services for disabled people. Don't hesitate to inquire about accessibility options when planning your itinerary.
Childcare
We’re partnering with Nipperbout to offer complimentary childcare, available every morning and afternoon from 13 June and during Festival week. Registration is now open.
Quiet spaces
Looking for some quiet time away from the Festival buzz? Head to our designated spaces:
The Quiet Lounge:
A calming space open to everyone, all week – located a few minutes away from the mainstages inside the Palais. A no-laptop, no-call area, the Quiet Lounge is your space to use if you’re feeling overwhelmed and need to take a moment for yourself.
Propeller’s Empower Café: A 5-minute walk from Rotonde, you’ll find Propeller’s Empower Cafe – located at L’Avenue Restaurant. This is a new safe space for 2024, offering a quiet spot where you can take a break from the excitement.
Multi-Faith Room: Signposted in the app and located in the Palais, Level –1.
Nursing Room: A private space for mothers to pump or breastfeed, just around the corner from the Quiet Lounge in the Palais, Level –1.
Resources for those with visual impairment
We’ve got a range of services and support onsite to help those with visual impairment access the full Festival experience.
Pink walkway
We’ve got a designated pink walkway outside the Festival venue. This is a visually distinct pathway to help navigation for individuals with visual impairment.
Accessibility team
An accessibility team will be available onsite during Festival hours to offer support and assistance to those with visual impairment. They’re available to guide you around the venue and help you with anything you need.
Support services
People with visual impairment can access support services throughout the Festival. This includes assistance with navigating the venue, accessing information and participating in Festival activities.
Food & drink
Food & drink
We’ve worked with venue caterers to give you a greater variety of choice across the Festival. Vegetarian and vegan options will be widely available, as well as a range of non-alcoholic drinks at all bars and networking events. All allergens and ingredients will be clearly highlighted across all food products and menus.
Travel, accommodation & exploring the city
Travel
Wherever you’re travelling from this June, we’ve got all the accessibility information you need to make the journey straightforward.
Accommodation
Many accommodation options in and around Cannes are fully accessible to those with reduced mobility. If you need any assistance, you can reach out to our accommodation partners betwork for further information at canneslions@bnetwork.com
Equity, Representation and Accessibility
Cannes Lions brings the global creative community together. We know that creativity is at its best when it includes people from a diverse range of backgrounds, in the Festival and beyond. So, this year we’re continuing our work to make sure everyone is included and celebrated.
Talent Programmes
As we look to the future of Cannes Lions, our focus is on creating opportunities, providing access and nurturing the next generation of creatives in the making. Take a look at how we’re doing it:
- The ERA Pass programme: In 2024, we introduced our Equity, Representation, and Accessibility (ERA) Programme aimed at promoting diversity in the creative industry and at Cannes Lions. As part of our mission to drive progress, we’ve allocated up to €1m worth of complimentary passes to groups usually underrepresented in the creative industry. Find out more.
- See It Be It: We know that women and non-binary people are still heavily outnumbered at a leadership level. We want to change this, so every year we invite 16 women and non-binary people for a four-day Festival programme full of learnings, masterclasses and mentorship.
- Young Lions: Our dedicated pass helps early career creatives and students under 30 experience the Festival at a reduced price point.
- LIONS Academies: We’ve got a range of academies to help rising talent fast-track their careers, including our Roger Hatchuel Student Academy and our Brand Marketer Academy.
- LIONS Scholarship: Helping the next generation of talent access the Festival with 10 fully-funded places across the Brand Marketers Academy and the Creative Academy.
We’ve also partnered with brands and initiatives across the industry to provide opportunities for a range of diverse groups and emerging talent. Find out what we’re doing.
Eid al-Adha
We understand the significance of Eid al-Adha, which takes place during the week of the Festival. Alongside the Multi-Faith Room, you may find these resources useful:
Nearby mosques in Cannes:
Mosquée Al-Madina, 1 Av. du Petit Juas, 06400 Cannes, France. Offers prayer facilities and services for worshippers. Closes at 9pm daily.
Mosque An-Nour: 18 Avenue Velazquez, Cannes. Provides prayer spaces and community gatherings. Closes at 9pm daily.
Halal restaurants in Cannes:
Discover halal dining options at Le Marais, Le Bangkok and Restaurant Le Taj Mahal in Cannes.
Join a special Eid al-Adha celebration - an informal gathering to honour this significant day in the Islamic calendar. Enjoy a morning and afternoon filled with breakfast and lunch, alongside opportunities for reflection and community bonding.
Engage with fellow attendees by sharing a message of what Eid means to you on our community whiteboard. Here's your chance to pause, connect with others, and celebrate the spirit of Eid amidst the creativity and excitement of Cannes Lions. Monday 17 June 9am–2pm, 6th Floor Rooftop of the Palais, serving breakfast, lunch, tea and coffee. Open to all delegates wishing to celebrate.
Pride at Cannes Lions
- Revry will be hosting Happy Hour on the Terrace for an LGBTQ+ celebration on Friday 21 June, 5:30–7pm. All are welcome to join in this inclusive event celebrating diversity and community.
- Join the Pride celebrations at Google Beach on Thursday 20 June, 5–10pm.
AA 12-step Recovery Meeting
An AA 12-step Recovery Meeting will be hosted by fellow delegates on Wednesday 19 June, 13:30–14:30. This meeting is grounded in the traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and welcomes members of all 12-step fellowships, including those who are just curious in a private, zero-judgement space. Find the meeting at the Riviera Suite, 4th Floor, Hotel Barrière Le Majestic.
Festival Statement on Conflict
We invite everyone to pause and acknowledge the ongoing situation, where communities are facing conflict, attacks, war and displacement worldwide - which is leading to loss of life and humanitarian crisis.
We advocate for peace in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 16 and will continue to strive to develop an equitable, representative, accessible and inclusive space for all.
In 2024, we will donate the proceeds from the SDG Lions to organisations that provide essential and immediate long-term humanitarian assistance to impacted communities worldwide.
Contact the team
We’re always looking to improve your experience at the Festival. If you have any inquiries or feedback regarding accessibility, we’d love to hear from you.
Accessibility and special requests:
Email: accessibility@canneslions.com
Phone:
+33 (0)0743223684
+33 (0)0743223685
+33 (0) 0743223686
Accommodation:
Email: canneslions@bnetwork.com
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 68 76 00
While onsite in Cannes, dial 112 for immediate assistance from police, fire or ambulance services. You can find out more here.