More beautiful, more eco-friendly… The nine private beaches on Boulevard Jean-Hibert will be renovated in the coming months. The concessions – renewed every twelve years – expire at the end of the year, the City launched a new call for tenders in January 2024. With requirements revised upwards in terms of aesthetics and the environment …
“We are staying on the areas already occupied, and we are also keeping the height to maintain the sea view. The roofs will be made of wood, the range of colors chosen will be in the Boccacabana spirit, and the beaches will also be more respectful of environmental standards”lists Diane Leveque, director of the City’s sea and coastal department.
Two beaches change hands
The municipality has in fact set very strict specifications to harmonize the boulevard and put in place neat seaside architecture, a chic and relaxed atmosphere and… “Fifties” references. “The idea is to leave for twelve years with even more quality establishments.”
Of the nine previous establishments, seven were reassigned to the same beach attendantscandidates for their own succession. “It is the leavers who presented the best files.”
Concerning the two establishments which change hands, La Petite Cannese is taken over by the daughter of the previous operator. La Plage des Sports, managed for more than half a century by the illustrious Marc Bagou, who died in July 2024, is taken over by the Maracana company.
If the standard of the boulevard is improved, the City promises to maintain the family and accessible spirit, particularly in terms of price.
The goal is for everyone to benefit.
“We have ensured that the prices are different from those of the Croisette. This is one of the criteria which has been precisely analyzed. The objective is that everyone finds what they are looking for,” assures Diane Leveque.
The result of this makeover will be revealed early next year.
Open almost all year round
“The dismantling phase is underway, and everyone will be able to start their work from January. It is then up to them to define their opening date, in April at the latest.”
Particularity of Cannes, if the coastal law of 2006 forced operators to set up demountable structures, the City is subject to an exemption: when beachgoers open eleven months out of twelve, they are not obliged to dismantle their establishments every winter.
Still within the framework of the renewal of private beach concessions, the four pontoons which leave from the Croisette to comb the bay will also be entitled to a facelift. The aging structures indeed need structural work…
The first to benefit from this project, worth 1,659,650 euros, financed by the City, is the Martinez pontoon. The work, started in October, will be completed at the end of March. Those of the Carlton, the Majestic and the Mariott will follow in the coming months. Once completed, it will be up to the hotels to rethink the dressing, design and other furniture…
S. N.
And the price of deckchairs, in all that…
If the City cannot control the prices charged regarding the catering part, it keeps a close watch regarding the seaside… That is to say, the price of the deckchairs.
“From the moment prices are validated when concessions are awarded, beach operators must respect their commitments. We carry out checks regularly”assures Diane Leveque.
Some establishments on the Croisette had to be called to order this summer via a warning letter, “but overall everything went well.”
