The famed coastal city of Cannes, best known for its annual Film Festival, has launched new measures to curb mass tourism and safeguard residents’ quality of life amid growing concerns over overcrowding and environmental pressure.
Local authorities are enforcing stricter regulations on rental platforms by limiting short-term vacation listings in popular districts, particularly near the waterfront. Heavy tourists buses will be rerouted away from the city center to ease congestion, and fines have increased for those littering, feeding wildlife improperly, or staying in unauthorized accommodations.
Mayor David Lisnard emphasized the balance between tourism and community well-being:
“Cannes must remain a place of life for its residents, not just a postcard.”
Officials also plan to expand green spaces, invest in public transit improvements, and fund cultural events that highlight local traditions rather than solely catering to elite visitors.
Environmental groups support the move, noting that reducing tourist density can help better preserve Cannes’s fragile coastal ecosystems. Opponents, however, argue that stricter rules could hurt local businesses dependent on tourism income, signaling tension between commercial interests and long-term sustainability.
With input from Al Jazeera.
