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3. 'Delon & Elles:' Cannes Turns Its Walls into a Tribute to Cinema

From May 13 to June 13, 2025, the streets of Cannes are transformed into an open-air exhibition honoring Alain Delon’s iconic screen partnerships with legendary women in cinema, as part of the 78th Cannes Film Festival and the Cannes fait le mur initiative.

In Cannes, spring is a season of cinematic rebirth. This year, from May 13 to June 13, 2025, one of the greatest legends of French cinema takes center stage: Alain Delon. As part of the 78^th Cannes Film Festival and the 21^st edition of Cannes fait le mur, the city of Cannes—alongside the Humann Prize, Alain Delon International Distribution and with the support of Christian Dior Parfums—presents a major new exhibition: Delon & Elles.

This open-air museum, true to the spirit of this annual tradition, turns the city’s façades, especially along rue d’Antibes, into monumental canvases. Massive overhead banners showcase rare and iconic photographs of Alain Delon through the lens of his legendary female co-stars: Brigitte Bardot, Romy Schneider, Catherine Deneuve, Mireille Darc, Ursula Andress and others. These women, who shared the screen with Delon, shaped his myth both on and off camera, and sometimes, loved him in private. Their gazes reflect a man whose charisma was as much molded by their presence as by his own raw talent.

Open to all passersby, the exhibition offers a poetic and powerful tribute to the magic of French cinema. It speaks to the hypnotic power of photography, the kind that freezes an era, a look, a cinematic bond. As Delon once said, “It’s the women who loved me, who pushed me into this career, who made me succeed.” Through this visual tribute, the city offers a graceful, sensual journey through memory, where timeless images defy the passage of time.

Cannes Celebrates Cinema in the Open Air

Since 2014, Cannes fait le mur has become a cornerstone of the city’s cultural calendar during festival season. Designed to elevate public space through photographic art, the initiative celebrates iconic film figures with unique wall-sized portraits. This year’s edition, Delon & Elles, takes on a more intimate and universal tone. Cannes becomes an open-air cinema, a gallery of legends. Every passerby becomes a privileged guest, immersed in a heritage of glamour and emotion.

The local tourism board highlights a statement from Mayor David Lisnard, who emphasizes the artistic mission behind the project, “This photo tribute invites both locals and visitors to discover fascinating stories and glimpses of the actor, while honoring the rich heritage of our city.” Indeed, every year, during the month of May, Cannes pulses with passion, film reels and camera flashes.

Cannes in Focus: A City in Full Swing

As the festival nears, the city comes alive like a film set before the first take. Shops and major brands style their storefronts as if preparing for a movie scene—sequined gowns, dark sunglasses and festival posters in every window. Hotels roll out the red carpet for filmmakers and tourists. On the Croisette, soft golden beaches are dressed for global visitors, with the sound of waves mingling with clinking glasses and chilled cocktails.

The tourism office beams with welcome. Staff members are ready to answer questions from curious guests from around the globe. Meanwhile, the city of Cannes—widely praised for its unwavering cultural commitment—continues its tailored cinematic experiences. Delon & Elles is a shining example: an artistic, heritage-rich and accessible project in perfect harmony with the soul of the city.

A Vivid Tribute to Cinematic Greatness

Backed by the Humann Prize—an award created by Rosalie Mann to honor meaningful artistic contributions—this exhibition also highlights a human dimension: the many faces of an actor, and the women of cinema who defined their era. May 2025 adds a new chapter to the long-standing bond between Alain Delon and Cannes, a relationship that predates the honorary Palme d’Or he received in 2019.

As you wander the streets, your eyes are drawn upward—toward images that feel like shared memories, a cultural legacy, a piercing wink from Delon himself. Here, cinema lives and breathes, always within view. Cannes keeps projecting eternal stars onto its walls. These photographs become part of the city’s very atmosphere. Delon & Elles is the memory of a man, the portrait of an era and a heartfelt love letter to the timeless elegance of French cinema.