Palm Beach in Cannes has been renovated and revitalised as one of the most exclusive destinations on the Côte d’Azur, France. In fact it’s one of the first establishments on the French Riviera to be centred around a private members’ club (so exclusive it’s almost being kept a secret).
Membership includes access to exclusive boutiques (including Dior), members’ bar Jean-Paul (where breakfast starts the day and cocktails end it off perfectly), wellness facilities (Palm Gym by Cannes-based Exclusive Fit) and a stunning swimming pool you’ll never want to leave. (The 46m x 12m pool has a Hollywood-esque vibe to it, similar to the Beverly Hills Hotel lined with sun loungers and palm trees. We were there today. It’s breathtaking.)
After around five years restoring and revamping the iconic Pointe Croisette landmark – in one of the largest projects of its kind on the Riviera coast – Cannes-based architects Caprini & Pellerin have created a masterpiece that honours the building’s almost century-long history while blending in touches of modern excellence.
“The guiding vision for this comprehensive renovation was to modernize the establishment while reimagining its original Hispano-Moorish and Art Deco architecture. It’s a retro-futuristic project,” says Jerry Pellerin.
With these renovations, Palm Beach is set to establish itself as a perfect haven for anyone seeking timeless elegance and privacy. While its amazing architecture and natural beauty (looking over the Bay of Cannes to the Lerins islands) would normally be a magnet for influencers, photos and videos are not permitted in the private members’ areas.
This is a club that aims to offer a luxurious safe space to those who prefer the finer things in life, and can afford it. The members’ club says it has been created to serve as a “home away from home” for its esteemed members, where they can “unwind, enjoy leisure and fitness activities, dine, and connect with friends, family, or clients, all within an environment that exudes both warmth and opulence”, with a team on hand to cater to each member’s personal preferences so that each visit “not only elevates your comfort but also makes every moment you spend with us truly unforgettable”.
Membership starts from around 3,000 euros, a representative told Riviera Edition today, and is for a minimum of one year. The club prides itself on its confidentiality and being a ‘secret’. Major marketing campaigns are not on the agenda. Instead it hopes to attract and cultivate an elite community through word-of-mouth.
According to Caprini & Pellerin, Palm Beach “has been transformed into a prestigious 23,000 sqm entertainment complex (that) features a spacious event hall of over 1,000 sqm, a fitness center with panoramic sea views, and nine restaurants celebrated for their refined and bold cuisine, including Zuma, Nammos (which will be opening again this summer with new owners), Tamarin, La Petite Maison (which has been open since 2020), and Medusa Cabaret.”
The reconstructed seawater swimming pool was first made famous in a 1963 film starring French actor Alain Delon. (The event hall is actually named after Delon and will be available to host gala dinners, weddings, product launches and fashion shows for a “very upmarket clientele”, according to the website.)
There’s also the Casino Royal Palm, which is open daily.
The major part of the project was completed in summer 2024, with the final completion expected in Spring 2025. (There were still some building works going on today, but these are expected to finish soon, and the site is looking spectacular.)
Palm Beach was originally designed in 1928 by Roger Séassal as a “palace inspired by the tales of the Thousand and One Nights” and has become part of French Riviera history with its prestigious galas and guests including Grace Kelly. As a journalist I enjoyed many Cannes Film Festival parties at Palm Beach before its transformation, drinking cocktails, dancing with rock stars and even hiding Gary Oldman under my coat one night to prevent a crowd of fans from spotting him. A private members’ club would have been handy then!
How to apply to the Palm Beach Members’ Club
To accommodate the different requirements of their diverse members, an array of membership options are available, each offering a bespoke experience.
To discuss membership further, contact Palm Beach Members’ Club:
Membershipcontact@palmbeach-cannes.com
