A significant power disruption has occurred in the southeastern region of France, including interruptions at the esteemed Cannes Film Festival, where preparations were underway for the bestowal of its top honor.
Approximately 160,000 homes in the Alpes-Maritimes department experienced a power outage following the collapse of a high-voltage line on Saturday morning. This incident occurred merely hours after a fire at a nearby electrical substation had already compromised the grid’s stability. Reports indicate that this earlier blaze was located close to Cannes.
Festival organizers at Cannes have confirmed that the power outage did indeed impact Saturday’s early activities. The Palais des Festivals, the main venue of the Croisette, had to resort to an independent power source. According to an official statement, “All scheduled events and screenings, including the Closing Ceremony, will proceed as planned and under normal conditions.”
The outage meant that traffic lights in parts of Cannes and the neighboring city of Antibes ceased operation after 10 a.m., resulting in traffic congestion and disarray in the heart of the city. Most businesses along the Croisette remained shuttered, with only local food kiosks remaining operational and accepting cash transactions. The local train service was also impacted by the power disruption.
This development follows earlier reports that screenings at the Cineum, a satellite venue of the festival, were temporarily on hold. Authorities have indicated that restoration efforts are in progress and have encouraged residents to exercise caution during their travels. The cause of the outage is yet to be determined.
