The best shopping malls in Cannes on the Côte d’Azur
You’ve landed in Cannes expecting sun, palm trees, luxury hotels and serious shopping. You picture yourself walking out of a bright shopping mall in Cannes, arms full of glossy bags, before heading back to the beach for an apéritif at sunset.
Good news : Cannes is one of the best shopping cities on the Côte d’Azur. But it is not Dubai or Miami, you won’t find dozens of gigantic malls. Instead, you get one main indoor mall, a few practical centers, and a whole city centre that feels like an open-air shopping gallery.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best shopping malls in Cannes, the areas you shouldn’t miss, and a clever way for non-EU visitors to get a VAT refund on their French shopping with Zapptax.
Let’s dive in.
And also, check out our dedicated guide on shopping in Antibes.
Key takeaways
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Cannes isn’t about big malls : Gray d’Albion is small and quiet, the real shopping happens outside.
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Think open-air malls : focus on Rue d’Antibes, La Croisette, Carré d’Or, Rue Hoche, Rue Meynadier, Marché Forville and La Bocca.
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Save on VAT : if you’re a non-EU resident, use Zapptax to centralise invoices and get part of your shopping VAT back.
Galerie Gray d’Albion : the central shopping mall
Historically, Galerie du Gray d’Albion was the reference shopping mall in Cannes, a covered passage between La Croisette and Rue d’Antibes. Today, many units stand empty and the local press describes a gallery that is struggling, with boutiques closing one after another.
Recent visitors often mention a very quiet, almost deserted interior compared to the lively streets outside. So you can still use it as a shaded shortcut with a handful of shops, but the real shopping action is definitely outside.
La Croisette : luxury promenade by the sea
From Gray d’Albion, you’re seconds away from the legendary Boulevard de la Croisette.
Lined with palace hotels and designer boutiques, it is where the jet set shops for haute couture, jewellery and luxury accessories.
Here, shopping feels more like strolling a movie set : palm trees, shiny storefronts, yachts in the background and that unmistakable Côte d’Azur light.
Perfect for :
- luxury brands
- statement pieces for a big night out
- unforgettable window-shopping with sea views
Rue d’Antibes : the real shopping mall in Cannes outdoors
Officially described as the most commercial street in Cannes, Rue d’Antibes is THE place for a full day of shopping
You will find:
- international fashion and beauty brands
- French and European ready-to-wear
- shoe shops, home decor and gift stores
The street is almost as long as La Croisette and is packed with shops on both sides. Walking it from end to end feels like crossing an open-air shopping mall, with cafés and bakeries for little breaks.
Rue Hoche and the Carré d’Or
Branch off Rue d’Antibes and you reach Rue Hoche and the Carré d’Or district. Here, the atmosphere becomes more intimate, with:
- trendy ready-to-wear and accessories
- lifestyle and design boutiques
- cafés with terraces perfect for people-watching
The Carré d’Or is known for bringing together ready-to-wear, jewellers and trendy brands in just a few streets between Rue d’Antibes and the Croisette.
Rue Meynadier and Forville Market
For a different vibe, head to Rue Meynadier, an historic pedestrian street, with food shops, regional products and souvenir boutiques.
At the end, you arrive at Marché Forville, a covered market where stalls overflow with fruit, vegetables, cheese, wine and Mediterranean specialities.
This is where you really feel the Provençal side of the Côte d’Azur : colourful stalls, local accents, the smell of herbs and fresh bread.
One of the best shopping areas in Cannes if you’re after something you can taste, smell and bring back home.
La Bocca
If you’re looking for big stores and easier parking rather than luxury boutiques, head to La Bocca, west of the city centre.
Here you’ll find hypermarkets, retail parks and chain stores for clothes, sports gear, homeware and electronics.
Practical shopping before going back to the more glamorous streets of central Cannes.
Galeries Lafayette Cannes
For a more classic department-store experience, stop by Galeries Lafayette Cannes, just off Rue d’Antibes.
You’ll find multi-brand fashion, accessories, beauty and home all under one roof, with French and international labels curated in a single, easy-to-browse space.
Get a VAT refund on your shopping with Zapptax
If you live outside the European Union, your shopping on the Côte d’Azur can be even more rewarding. You may be eligible for a VAT refund on many purchases.
Using Zapptax is simple :
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Shop in most stores in Cannes and all over France. You can also shop online and still get your VAT back, as long as you delivered the goods in France.
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Ask each shop for an invoice made out to Zapptax
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Upload those invoices in the app, Zapptax will generate a digital tax-free form.
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Validate this form at a PABLO kiosk or with Customs when leaving the EU.
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Receive up to 90% of the VAT back, with one of the best refund rates on the market.
To see all the steps and conditions, check :
- VAT refund in France : step-by-step guide for non-EU residents
- Minimum purchases to get a tax refund Wanderlog
FAQ
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Where to go shopping in Cannes ?
Stay around the city centre between La Croisette and Rue d’Antibes. From there you can easily reach Gray d’Albion mall, Rue Hoche, Rue Meynadier and the Marché Forville, all the main shopping areas are within walking distance.
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What is the best shopping street in Cannes ?
Most locals and the official tourism board point to Rue d’Antibes as the best shopping street in Cannes. It is the city’s main commercial artery, almost as long as the Croisette, with a mix of international brands, local boutiques and side streets full of additional shops.
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Can tourists get a tax refund on shopping in Cannes ?
Yes, if you’re a non-EU resident, over 16, staying less than six months in the EU and spending over the legal minimum (100,01€), you can get a VAT refund on goods you take home in your luggage.
Using the Zapptax app helps you centralise your invoices, generate a tax-free form and validate it at a PABLO kiosk when you leave the EU, so you recover part of what you spent.
