Portrait | Art, Culture & Contemporary Creativity on the French Riviera
Behind the cultural revival of Cannes, a new generation of art professionals is helping shape the city’s artistic identity. Among them is Hanna Baudet, Director of the Contemporary Art Department of the City of Cannes, whose work plays a central role in the development and artistic direction of La Malmaison.
Located on the prestigious Boulevard de la Croisette, La Malmaison has become an important destination for modern and contemporary art, welcoming major exhibitions and international artistic projects.
A career built around art and cultural transmission
Hanna Baudet’s professional journey reflects a strong commitment to art history, cultural management and public engagement.
Educated in art history at the University of Tours, she continued her studies in cultural management at IMPGT in Aix-en-Provence and further developed her international perspective during an academic experience in Florence, Italy.
She joined the City of Cannes in 2012, initially working in cultural mediation. In 2017, she became deputy director before taking the leadership of the contemporary art department in 2021.
Her career illustrates a commitment to making art accessible while maintaining high artistic standards. <Cite refs={[« turn853639search4 »]}/>
La Malmaison: A new cultural landmark on the Croisette
The reopening of La Malmaison in January 2025 marked an important milestone for Cannes.
Following an extensive renovation, the historic Belle Époque building now offers approximately 600 square metres of exhibition space across three levels. Its transformation reflects the city’s ambition to establish an internationally recognised centre for modern and contemporary art.
Under Hanna Baudet’s artistic leadership, the programme combines established names in modern art with contemporary French and international artists.
Exhibitions, educational workshops, conferences and cultural events contribute to making La Malmaison a living space for artistic discovery and exchange. <Cite refs={[« turn853639search6″, »turn853639search9″, »turn853639search3 »]}/>
An artistic vision centred on people and discovery
For Hanna Baudet, an art centre is more than a place where artworks are displayed. It is a space for reflection, emotion, experimentation and transmission.
Her particular attention to cultural mediation reflects a desire to connect different audiences with artistic creation, including younger generations and visitors who may be discovering contemporary art for the first time.
This philosophy gives La Malmaison a broader cultural role: bringing artists, collectors, residents and international visitors together around creativity.
Cannes, a city with an international artistic ambition
While Cannes is internationally associated with cinema and major events, its artistic identity extends well beyond the seventh art.
Through La Malmaison, the Villa Domergue and Le Suquet des Artistes, the city is developing a wider cultural offering that celebrates artistic heritage while embracing contemporary creation.
Hanna Baudet is one of the key figures behind this ambition, contributing to the development of a cultural destination where art and international dialogue have an increasingly important place.
For Cosmopolitan Riviera, her portrait represents an opportunity to highlight the personalities working behind the scenes to make the French Riviera an inspiring destination for art and culture.
Hanna Baudet
Director of the Contemporary Art Department – City of Cannes
Artistic leadership: La Malmaison and the city’s contemporary art venues
Location: Cannes, French Riviera
