<strong>Les Clefs d'Or: </strong>Maxime Nerkowski, head concierge at the InterContinental Carlton Cannes, pictured in the hotel's Grand Salon. It was in this room that an agreement was signed between nine European nations to expand Les Clefs d'Or, France's elite body of concierges, into an international entity.
Les Clefs d'Or: Maxime Nerkowski, head concierge at the InterContinental Carlton Cannes, pictured in the hotel's Grand Salon. It was in this room that an agreement was signed between nine European nations to expand Les Clefs d'Or, France's elite body of concierges, into an international entity.
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<strong>Les Clefs d'Or Europe:</strong> Les Clefs d'Or began in Paris, 1929 and was founded by Pierre Quentin (left), but it was Ferdinand Gillet (right) who was responsible for creating Les Clefs d'Or Europe in 1952.
Les Clefs d'Or Europe: Les Clefs d'Or began in Paris, 1929 and was founded by Pierre Quentin (left), but it was Ferdinand Gillet (right) who was responsible for creating Les Clefs d'Or Europe in 1952.
courtesy Les Clefs d'Or
<strong>The first congress:</strong> The first International Congress of Clefs d'Or members took place on April 25, 1952, with concierges from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Great Britain present.
The first congress: The first International Congress of Clefs d'Or members took place on April 25, 1952, with concierges from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Great Britain present.
courtesy Les Clefs d'Or
<strong>'The Grand Budapest Hotel': </strong>Between them, this network of nearly 4,000 members from more than 50 countries can fulfill unimaginable requests in most major cities around the world. The organization was the inspiration behind the Society of the Crossed Keys in Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel."
'The Grand Budapest Hotel': Between them, this network of nearly 4,000 members from more than 50 countries can fulfill unimaginable requests in most major cities around the world. The organization was the inspiration behind the Society of the Crossed Keys in Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel."
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<strong>InterContinental Carlton: </strong>Built in 1911 and located in a prime spot on the Croisette, Cannes' famous promenade, the Carlton is one of the town's great institutions. These days there's considerable security surrounding the hotel during the festival, but if you do pass through its doors you'll find it's a hive of activity, with many huge film deals negotiated within its chambers.
InterContinental Carlton: Built in 1911 and located in a prime spot on the Croisette, Cannes' famous promenade, the Carlton is one of the town's great institutions. These days there's considerable security surrounding the hotel during the festival, but if you do pass through its doors you'll find it's a hive of activity, with many huge film deals negotiated within its chambers.
Intercontinental Carlton Cannes
<strong>Carlton on screen:</strong> The Carlton isn't just for hosting movie stars, either. It played a pivotal role in Alfred Hitchcock's "To Catch a Thief" and was the setting for Elton John's music video "I'm Still Standing."
Carlton on screen: The Carlton isn't just for hosting movie stars, either. It played a pivotal role in Alfred Hitchcock's "To Catch a Thief" and was the setting for Elton John's music video "I'm Still Standing."
Adrian Ace Williams/Archive Photos/Getty Images
<strong>Majestic Barriere: </strong>The Majestic Barriere, located closest to the Palais des Festivals, is another of Cannes' great hotels. It's also the most convenient place for many stars to get ready for the red carpet. Actors and actresses may arrive at the hotel through the front, but for gala screenings they'll exit via a discreet rear entrance with a waiting motorcade feet away.
Majestic Barriere: The Majestic Barriere, located closest to the Palais des Festivals, is another of Cannes' great hotels. It's also the most convenient place for many stars to get ready for the red carpet. Actors and actresses may arrive at the hotel through the front, but for gala screenings they'll exit via a discreet rear entrance with a waiting motorcade feet away.
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<strong>Entrance hall: </strong>The entrance hall of the Majestic is normally abuzz whatever time of day. If you're staying during the festival, or just interloping, a late night drink in the lobby could see you making small talk with Hollywood movers and shakers. And if you're in need of help, the concierge desk is back left.
Entrance hall: The entrance hall of the Majestic is normally abuzz whatever time of day. If you're staying during the festival, or just interloping, a late night drink in the lobby could see you making small talk with Hollywood movers and shakers. And if you're in need of help, the concierge desk is back left.
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<strong>Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez: </strong>Of the three biggest hotels on the Croisette, the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez is where the party's at. Its relationship with luxury jewelry brand Chopard, one of the film festival's official sponsors, sees the Martinez host a number of dinners and awards ceremonies, all guaranteed to attract A-listers. <br />
Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez: Of the three biggest hotels on the Croisette, the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez is where the party's at. Its relationship with luxury jewelry brand Chopard, one of the film festival's official sponsors, sees the Martinez host a number of dinners and awards ceremonies, all guaranteed to attract A-listers.
VALERY HACHE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Palme d'Or: </strong>Shown from a balcony of the Martinez, a Palme d'Or trophy -- the festival's top honor. Designed by Chopard, the brand books a floor of the hotel to accommodate all the jewelry worn by the stars. In the past there have been high-profile heists in Cannes, and today there's extensive security surrounding the gems at all times.
Palme d'Or: Shown from a balcony of the Martinez, a Palme d'Or trophy -- the festival's top honor. Designed by Chopard, the brand books a floor of the hotel to accommodate all the jewelry worn by the stars. In the past there have been high-profile heists in Cannes, and today there's extensive security surrounding the gems at all times.
VALERY HACHE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images