The French Riviera town of Cannes has introduced new limits on cruise ship tourism, becoming the latest European destination to respond to growing concerns over overtourism. Starting January 1, 2026, cruise ships carrying more than 1,000 passengers will no longer be allowed to dock directly at the port. A maximum of 6,000 passengers will be permitted to disembark per day.
Larger ships will be required to use smaller vessels to transfer tourists ashore, according to a decision passed by the Cannes city council on Friday.
Two cruise ships scheduled to arrive this Sunday exceed the upcoming threshold, with a combined capacity of over 7,000 passengers.
“Cannes has become a major cruise ship destination, with real economic benefits. It’s not about banning cruise ships, but about regulating, organizing, setting guidelines for their navigation,” said Mayor David Lisnard.
Cruise companies have raised objections, saying such restrictions could harm both local economies and the passenger experience.
Cannes’ move mirrors actions taken by other European cities facing similar pressures. Nearby Nice implemented limits earlier this year. Venice, Amsterdam and Barcelona have also adopted their own cruise restrictions in recent months.
France welcomed 100 million international visitors last year, making it the most-visited country in Europe. Government officials and city leaders have increasingly focused on balancing economic interests with sustainable tourism policies.
On Monday, workers at the Louvre Museum in Paris staged a walkout over what they described as “untenable” working conditions and “unmanageable crowds.” The protest highlighted concerns over infrastructure capacity amid record tourist inflows.
In Venice, demonstrators protested the high-profile wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, citing the event as symbolic of widening inequality and the pressures of luxury tourism. In Barcelona, residents took to the streets with water guns in hand, targeting tourists to draw attention to rising living costs and displacement of locals.
Larger ships will be required to use smaller vessels to transfer tourists ashore, according to a decision passed by the Cannes city council on Friday.
Two cruise ships scheduled to arrive this Sunday exceed the upcoming threshold, with a combined capacity of over 7,000 passengers.
“Cannes has become a major cruise ship destination, with real economic benefits. It’s not about banning cruise ships, but about regulating, organizing, setting guidelines for their navigation,” said Mayor David Lisnard.
Cruise companies have raised objections, saying such restrictions could harm both local economies and the passenger experience.
Cannes’ move mirrors actions taken by other European cities facing similar pressures. Nearby Nice implemented limits earlier this year. Venice, Amsterdam and Barcelona have also adopted their own cruise restrictions in recent months.
France welcomed 100 million international visitors last year, making it the most-visited country in Europe. Government officials and city leaders have increasingly focused on balancing economic interests with sustainable tourism policies.
On Monday, workers at the Louvre Museum in Paris staged a walkout over what they described as “untenable” working conditions and “unmanageable crowds.” The protest highlighted concerns over infrastructure capacity amid record tourist inflows.
In Venice, demonstrators protested the high-profile wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, citing the event as symbolic of widening inequality and the pressures of luxury tourism. In Barcelona, residents took to the streets with water guns in hand, targeting tourists to draw attention to rising living costs and displacement of locals.
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