What Is The Impact Of Cannes Film Festival on Cannes Short-Term Rental Market?

The Cannes Film Festival 2025 isn’t just a global cinematic celebration—it’s also one of the most impactful events for the Cannes short-term rental market. 

Every May, this iconic gathering of filmmakers, celebrities, and cinephiles sends demand for local accommodations soaring, presenting both challenges and opportunities for STR hosts. In this article, we explore the short-term rental performance data around the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Cannes Short-Term Rental Market Context and Analysis Methodology

Our analysis focuses on accommodation data from a 50km radius around the festival venue, comparing three key timeframes:

• Event week (May 13-24, 2025)
• Previous week (May 6-17, 2025)
• Same period in 2024 (May 14-25, 2024)

This multi-dimensional comparison enables us to isolate festival-specific effects from broader seasonal patterns and year-over-year market evolution.

A Snapshot of the Cannes Short-Term Rental Market: Festival vs. Non-Festival Weeks

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival took place from May 13 to May 24, and the impact on the Cannes short-term rental market was immediately visible in the numbers. 

Key Performance Indicators of the Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival doesn’t just bring in the glitterati—it also brings people. 

Let’s break down how it impacts the core metrics that matter most: occupancy, ADR, length of stay, and RevPAR.

#1 Occupancy Rate

• Occupancy during the festival hit 55.53%, a significant jump from the 38.22% recorded the week before—that’s a 17% increase in just one week.
• But here’s the catch: compared to the 2024 festival, occupancy was down by 5%, when it reached 60.61%.

What does this tell us? Demand still spikes dramatically during the festival, but growth may be plateauing. This slight year-over-year dip could be the result of more listings entering the Cannes short-term rental market (increased supply) or changes in how visitors plan their stays—perhaps choosing hotels, neighboring towns, or even arriving for shorter stints. 

For you, it’s a signal to look beyond just demand and think strategically about positioning and value.

# 2 Average Daily Rate (ADR)

When it comes to nightly rates, the festival continues to deliver a healthy bump:

• ADR during the festival week climbed to €315.30
• That’s a 37% increase from the pre-festival rate of €230.52
• It’s also a 4% increase from last year’s festival ADR of €303.08

This year-over-year bump may seem modest, but it’s important. It shows that hosts were able to push rates slightly higher without alienating guests—an encouraging sign in a competitive market. That 37% week-over-week jump reinforces the value of using dynamic pricing tools that can respond to sudden demand surges in the Cannes short-term rental market during major events.

#3 Length of Stay (LOS)

Festival guests aren’t just popping in for a red carpet moment—they’re settling in:

• 62% of bookings were for stays longer than 7 days
• 18% of bookings were in the 5–6 day range
• Only 20% were short stays (1–4 days)

What’s interesting here is the subtle shift in mid-term stays—5–6 day bookings grew by 3% year-over-year, suggesting a change in how guests are planning their trips. Maybe they’re arriving mid-festival or combining work (corporate stays) and leisure.

The real standout stat? 7–14 day stays made up 51% of total booked nights. That’s huge. It’s a clear signal that pricing and minimum stay strategies should focus on attracting and rewarding extended stays, especially during event-heavy weeks.

#4 Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)

RevPAR is where occupancy and ADR come together—and it gives us a powerful look at revenue performance.

• Festival week RevPAR hit €175.10
• That’s nearly double (+99%) the pre-festival RevPAR of €88.10
• However, it’s down 5% from last year’s €183.70

So while revenue efficiency skyrocketed compared to the week before the event, the slight decline from last year hints at an underlying shift. It might mean that more properties entered the Cannes short-term rental market this year, diluting demand per listing. Or perhaps guests were a bit more cautious with their spending.

How 2025 Compares to 2024 in the Cannes Short-Term Rental Market: A Slight Softening?

Though 2025’s event week delivered solid results, metrics slightly trailed those from 2024. 

For instance:

• Occupancy dropped by 5.08 percentage points
• RevPAR fell by €8.60, despite a €12.22 increase in ADR

What might explain this discrepancy?

• Increased supply of short-term rentals
• Greater price sensitivity amid economic uncertainty
• Possible shift in visitor demographics (fewer corporate bookings, more leisure travelers)

This highlights the importance of using market analytics and demand forecasting tools to understand not just what is changing, but why.

Using Cannes Festival Data to Maximize Your Revenue in the Cannes Short-Term Rental Market

The Cannes Film Festival isn’t just a glitzy event—it’s a serious revenue opportunity. 

Here’s how to make the most of it:

1. Fine-Tune Your Pricing

• Dynamic pricing is a must: ADR spiked 37% during the festival. Real-time tools help you stay competitive and maximize profits.
• Reward longer stays: Over 62% of bookings were 7+ days. Tiered pricing or LOS discounts can boost revenue and cut turnover.
• Watch the competition: ADR rose only 4% YoY—others are optimizing. Keep your pricing sharp.

2. Optimize Your Calendar

• Set higher minimum stays: Prioritize 5–7 night minimums to reduce gaps and increase yield.
• Track long-stay demand: 7–14 day bookings made up 51% of nights—monitor booking pace to open/close dates smartly.
• Stay flexible on mid-lengths: 5–6 day stays are rising—keep some availability open for them.

3. Expand Revenue Beyond Rates

• Lead-time pricing: Use early-bird and last-minute discounts to capture planners and procrastinators.
• Add-ons boost value: Offer services like transfers or welcome kits to raise ADR without hiking base rates.
• Capture shoulder demand: Occupancy jumped 17% before the fest—create pre- and post-festival offers to ride the wave.

Bottom line: Cannes brings high-spending, long-staying guests. With smart pricing, inventory planning, and a few creative tactics, you can turn the festival into your biggest win of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

#1 What Is the Best Time to List My Property for the Cannes Film Festival?

To attract early bookings from attendees and industry professionals, you should list your property 2–3 months in advance, ideally by February or March.

#2 How Much More Can I Charge During the Festival?

Based on 2025 data, you can expect to increase your nightly rate by 35–40% compared to standard weeks in May.

#3 Do Guests Stay Longer During the Festival?

Yes. 62% of bookings during the festival were for stays longer than 7 days, indicating a strong preference for extended accommodations.