On May 27, the 76th Cannes Film Festival officially closed after nearly two weeks of vibrant events. The images of global A-list stars appearing on the red carpet are among the most prestigious events in the film industry, held at the iconic Palais des Festivals in the beautiful French Riviera. However, few are aware that behind the glamorous facade lies a dark underbelly linked to high-end escort services for wealthy clients seeking luxury experiences.
Profiting from Escort Services
An investigation by Daily Mail reveals that escort services targeting affluent clients have flourished across Europe, particularly in France, where they are referred to as “putes de luxes.” These services cater to the high-profile nature of events like the Cannes Film Festival, providing discreet encounters in luxurious hotels.
The going rate for high-class escorts during the festival is approximately €1,000 per hour (around 25 million VND). On-site, agencies charge clients by the hour, with prices typically increasing significantly during the festival period.
Many women can earn substantial incomes through tips and gifts, especially from wealthy Chinese clients. Daily Mail found one escort outside the Le Majestic hotel in Cannes—where the room rate for a night is €2,000 (over 50 million VND), while the standard rate is just €395 (nearly 10 million VND). This escort, a blonde Slovakian named Klara, wore a tight-fitting dress and was noted for her beauty and charm that rivaled high-profile actresses and Instagram stars at the events.
She shared in English: “I usually work in Paris, but every year I come here for the festival. It’s a big money opportunity. Sometimes, I just sit in the hotel lobby or in a bar. But men come and ask if I’m working or want to negotiate. I just tell them my room number, and then I go after them.”
Clients need to be cautious as hotels do not want any incidents to arise, yet it is hard to prevent them. This is the world’s oldest profession. The film industry is full of power dynamics and allure. Naturally, everyone wants an escort. I charge €1,000 per hour. There’s a discount if you book from 2 hours up, while the night rate can be €5,000. But in reality, people usually only last a few minutes. After that, it’s just a transaction.”
Klara also noted that a satisfied client might spend an additional €3,000 (over 75.5 million VND) for a luxury item from a jewelry store like Messika, located on the famous Boulevard de La Croisette near the Cannes shoreline.
On Boulevard de La Croisette, the luxurious Carlton hotel hosts celebrities like Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jude Law, as well as Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones this year. According to a wealthy restaurant owner, Carlton is the best hotel in the area, with strict security, allowing only registered guests inside at night.
“But I know two women (working as escorts) who have booked rooms here. The nightly rate is nearly €3,000, but they make their money back easily. There are always men coming in wanting to use their services. However, privacy rules are strict. They never discuss client identities,” said the restaurant owner.
Daily Mail discovered that high-class escorts travel to Cannes during the festival’s 12 days.
Alica (25), from Kazakhstan, usually works in England but moved her operations to the French coastal city during the festival.
On the website Euro Girls Escort, Alica announced her availability in Cannes starting from May 15. She charges €1,000 per hour and €5,500 for a 12-hour booking (138.5 million VND) for a single engagement. Clients also provide a mobile number for communication.
“Hello, welcome to my world. I’m a natural, friendly, and lovely girl. I’m happy to meet you during our dinner date, making sure you have a wonderful time. Just let me know what you want,” Alica’s profile states.
The website also features Marina (31), from Bulgaria, who typically works in Monaco and will be in Cannes from May 15-31.
This blonde escort, standing 1.67 meters tall, speaks English, French, German, and Russian. She charges €500 per hour (nearly 12.6 million VND) for direct engagements and additional fees for special services.
Luxury Yacht Girls
While many escort services operate on land, there is a more discreet option aboard luxurious yachts catering to “mobile clients” throughout the festival, providing Hollywood stars, film executives, and wealthy patrons with exclusive experiences.
Yacht rental prices can exceed $2 million per week (over 46 billion VND). Despite this, yacht crews still cater to these wealthy clients. The Cannes coastline and its glamorous surroundings are dotted with anchored yachts.
These models, actresses, and social media influencers are often invited to parties or lounging on the yachts, usually indulging in expensive champagne.
As a rule, these women—referred to as “yacht girls”—must maintain discretion at parties by keeping a low profile with their clients. At the end of the night, they are usually taken to a private room full of cash.
A crew member working on a yacht, who requested anonymity due to confidentiality agreements with the yacht owner, revealed to Daily Mail the presence of “yacht girls” at parties on board is a well-kept secret.
“This is Cannes, and those hosting parties on yachts want high-profile guests and attractive women among their clientele. Everyone seems to be drawn to the glamorous allure of these girls. Many models and actresses are eager to do whatever it takes to be invited. They do not consider themselves as escorts, yet the lines are often blurred,” said the source.
According to a yacht manager, the term “yacht girl” has changed over the years. It is now more broadly understood to include women who engage with wealthy clients, whether on yachts or anywhere in the surrounding luxury environment.
Discreet Transactions
In 2007, police raided and disrupted a network of escort services catering to 50 women of various nationalities for clients, primarily targeting wealthy Chinese individuals, during the Cannes Film Festival.
However, the women involved included escorts at all times, models, and beauty queens who were predominantly present for client entertainment in hotels, yachts, and luxurious venues overlooking the sea.
Lebanese businessman Elie Nahas, who owns a modeling agency in Beirut, was arrested for managing the escort network. He was later banned from entering France and received an 8-year prison sentence in Marseille.
The court found that several women were trafficked to Cannes and forced into prostitution. However, Nahas denied any wrongdoing.
In a 2013 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he hinted at the little-known lives of high-class escorts in Cannes.
According to Nahas, escorting is aimed at high-profile clients who come from the Gulf region.
“I can earn up to $40,000 per night (939 million VND). Gulf clients are among the most generous in the world. If they like you, they will give you a lot of money. In Cannes, they even bring with them cash stacks of €10,000. For them, it’s just like giving a tip. They even tip for services they don’t require,” Nahas stated.
He added that “work” typically begins after 10 PM. The women sit in hotel lobbies waiting for potential clients to approach. Transactions may occur through subtle hand signals. Eventually, the gentlemen will indicate their room number and the women will follow.
Nahas pointed out that the administration of escort services has become increasingly organized for women coming to Cannes during the film festival. According to him, his work is to coordinate transportation to Nice International Airport, bringing clients to Cannes, and preparing the yachts for the affluent guests.
“I do not participate in any other activities. I don’t know what happens behind the scenes. I might just be there to talk and have fun,” Nahas remarked.
Nahas and several escorts confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that financial transactions are often conducted under the guise of “gifts” in private.
“Every year during the festival, there are 30 or 40 yachts anchored in the Cannes area. Each yacht is owned by a very wealthy individual. Each yacht typically hosts about ten girls on board. They are often models, some are actresses or simply beautiful women. It includes drinks, drugs, and attractive women. Just step on board, and you will see. The girls usually end up in the rooms of the gentlemen at the end of the night. This has been the practice for over 60 years,” Nahas noted.
A Russian escort managing an 18+ service in Paris revealed that clients are often asked for cash payments for “gifts” outside of their rooms.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that Daisy, a high-class escort in Cannes, stated that all women in the industry eagerly await the film festival.
“Competition is unavoidable because there are too many girls, but those in the industry have an advantage. We know the hotel staff,” she said.
A long-time industry worker shared that there is no significant distinction between escorts at the film festival and those in Hollywood who are hired to engage with wealthy clients.
“They are often actresses who have made choices about their careers and do not want to be noticed. They tell their friends what they are doing in Cannes is just work, but they also limit their interactions with wealthy older men, while the reality is that they are doing what escorts do. But they love the money,” the source assessed.
In conclusion, the Cannes Film Festival not only showcases the glamour of cinema but also reveals the hidden world of high-end escort services, where luxury and discretion intersect in a unique blend of opulence and risk.
