Palais des Festivals et des Congrès

The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès was built from 1977, after an international competition, by the architects Hubert Bennett of London and François Druet of Biot, on the site of the old municipal casino and on land won from the sea; it opened at the end of 1982. Its massive, angular form earned it the nickname «the Bunker».

The first festival of 1946 was held in the casino, and the editions of 1947 to 1982 in the Palais Croisette further along the boulevard. Today the Grand Théâtre Lumière seats the competition; the Square Reynaldo-Hahn beside it, with its carousel, is what remains of the casino gardens.