Power Outage Disrupts Cannes Festival and Traffic Flow/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A large-scale power outage struck southeastern France Saturday, affecting 160,000 households and briefly halting Cannes Film Festival events. The outage caused traffic chaos, venue disruptions, and shop closures in Cannes and nearby Antibes. Festival organizers switched to backup power and pledged the awards ceremony would continue as planned.
Cannes Power Outage Causes Festival Disruptions + Quick Looks
- Major blackout hits Alpes-Maritimes, affecting 160,000 homes.
- Cannes Film Festival activities briefly interrupted, including at Cineum theater.
- Palais des Festivals switched to emergency power, ensuring the show goes on.
- Traffic lights failed in Cannes and Antibes, creating gridlock and confusion.
- Shops and kiosks operated on cash only, many remained closed.
- Train service disrupted, further straining local transportation.
- Authorities cite fallen high-voltage line, still investigating exact cause.
- Festival closing ceremony will proceed under normal conditions.
Power Outage Disrupts Cannes Festival and Traffic Flow
Deep Look
CANNES, France — A widespread power outage disrupted southeastern France early Saturday, causing traffic gridlock, shop closures, and a temporary halt to Cannes Film Festival events, just as the prestigious gathering was preparing to award its coveted Palme d’Or.
According to electricity network operator RTE, the blackout hit around 160,000 households in the Alpes-Maritimes region, home to Cannes, Antibes, and other Riviera cities. The outage was triggered by the collapse of a high-voltage transmission line, compounding strain on the grid from an overnight fire at an electrical substation near Cannes.
Festival Events Briefly Suspended
Festival organizers confirmed that Saturday morning activities were briefly impacted, including screenings at the Cineum, a satellite venue. The Palais des Festivals, the main hub on the Croisette, shifted to an independent power supply.
“All scheduled events and screenings, including the Closing Ceremony, will proceed as planned and under normal conditions,” the festival said in a statement.
While events resumed relatively quickly, the disruption came at a critical time — just hours before the world’s most prestigious film festival was set to announce its top awards.
Wider Regional Impacts
Beyond the red carpet, the outage had broader consequences:
- Traffic lights failed throughout Cannes and Antibes, leading to major congestion and confusion in city centers.
- Shops and cafés along the Croisette were shuttered, and food vendors were only accepting cash.
- Train services in and out of Cannes faced delays, further straining local travel.
City authorities urged residents and visitors to remain cautious and limit unnecessary travel while restoration efforts continued.
Cause Still Under Investigation
While RTE confirmed the power loss was linked to a downed high-voltage line, officials have not yet determined how or why the line failed. The earlier fire at the substation remains under review but is believed to have weakened regional infrastructure.
As of Saturday afternoon, utility teams were still working to restore full service, with emergency crews prioritizing critical services, event venues, and traffic management systems.
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