The high point of cinema, the Cannes Festival honors the 7th art industry. For this 79th edition, placed under the sign of sorority and solidarity, it was Eye Haïdara which – under the watchful gaze of actors and film buffs – launched the kick-off of two weeks of cinematic frenzy. Between the opening song of Théodora and Oklou, the widely commented climb of the steps of Tibo Inshape as well as that of Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet, this new edition promises surprises and timeless moments.
Known internationally, this film festival nevertheless imposes its share of rules of dress, decorum and secrets concerning its history. A capital object that has become an integral symbol of the Cannes Film Festival, the red carpet also hides its little history. Zoom in on this major player on the Croisette.
Cannes Film Festival 2026: where does the Cannes Film Festival red carpet come from?
When we think of the Cannes Film Festival, we automatically think of this long, flamboyant red carpet. However, if the red coating seems to be an integral part of the history of the most popular festival of the moment, this was not always the case. Indeed, it was not until 1984 that it was officially institutionalized by a certain Yves Mourousi. A renowned journalist, the latter was responsible for the complete reorganization of the ritual of climbing the steps of the Festival. To leave a lasting impression, what could be better than taking inspiration from the famous Oscars ceremony?
In a desire to elevate the Cannes Film Festival to the rank of the Oscars, the journalist decided to introduce a ceremonial red carpet. Already used in ancient Greece to receive guests of honor, the carpet seems to have been a success at the Croisette Festival. Nearly forty years later, the climb of the steps stands out as a unique moment for the celebrities invited to celebrate the beauty of cinema. Also, the color of the carpet has made some small changes since its creation. From the first edition of the Festival in 1946 to 1949, the carpet was… blue. Then, for several years, the sky blue carpet – more discreet – was only reserved for the teams of films in the Un Certain Regard selection, represented this year by Leïla Bekhti. On the other hand, since 2011, guests have all been accommodated in the same boat when treading the red steps.
Length, upcycling… everything you need to know about the legendary red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival
Magical ritual provided you wear good shoes. Like every year, the red carpet attracts a lot of attention for its length: 60 meters of carpet to walk, 24 steps to climb to the top of the Palais des Festivals. Also, in a desire to be more eco-responsible, the teams in charge of the Cannes Film Festival are replacing the huge carpet only once a day compared to three times until 2021, which represents a saving of 1,400 kilos of material compared to editions previous ones.
A magical but polluting event. To combat waste, the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival is systematically recycled after its use, in various sectors: automobile, construction and agri-food. An initiative that is bearing fruit. In just two years, this immense red felt has been reused for a number of scenographies, then as a decorative element for graduation ceremonies as well as for the manufacture of upcycling objects. This change is part of a 0 waste approach: reduce, reuse and recycle. Even the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival is going green.
