The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced that France will be the recipient of the 2026 Creative Country of the Year, the annual accolade that recognizes a country’s exceptional and enduring commitment to creativity that drives progress and growth.
France’s selection reflects its long-term dedication to creativity across advertising, fashion, craft, tech, culture and commerce. From the artistic movements that shaped modern design to the luxury brands that define global sophistication, France has consistently demonstrated that creativity is a national philosophy that permeates business, culture and society.
Simon Cook, CEO, Lions, said, “France is a country with an exceptional creative output. Its rich creative heritage and outstanding performance at Cannes Lions reflect a nation that understands creativity is a strategic economic asset that can drive progress. Since 2020, the French government has invested €10bn in funding to more than 20,000 creative businesses, and its cultural and creative industries generate €92bn in annual revenue. On the global stage at Cannes Lions, France has consistently ranked in the top 10 performing countries, and last year ranked 4th. Cannes has been the Festival’s permanent home since 1984, and the spirit of this very special culture and creativity are woven into the fabric of Cannes Lions.”
As part of this recognition, the 2026 Festival will feature French creative showcases, celebratory events, dedicated stage talks and French-led activations–including a networking event, bringing together the French and global community in celebration of French creativity.
David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes, said, “This recognition carries particular meaning for us, given the inseparable ties between Cannes Lions and France, not only through the Festival’s deep history with Cannes, but also through the creative ecosystem it has helped to showcase for decades. France’s creative DNA is also at the heart of ‘France 2030,’ a major national investment plan designed to help France close its industrial gap while positioning the country at the forefront of cultural and creative content production and immersive technologies. Being named Creative Country of the Year is a huge testament to France’s unwavering dedication to harnessing creativity as a catalyst for progress.”
Winning its first Lion at the 1954 Festival for Camay Soap, France went onto win its inaugural Grand Prix for Vins du Postillon in 1955. To date France has been awarded an impressive 1,603 Lions and 39 Grands Prix. At the 2025 Festival, French brand AXA ranked number one following an awards haul of 13, which included three Grands Prix for ‘AXA – Three Words’ by Publicis Conseil, Paris.
Over the years Cannes Lions has welcomed more than 250 individuals from France to sit on its juries, with 18 of these serving as jury presidents.
As part of Cannes Lions’ ongoing commitment to amplify fresh voices in the global creative community, French delegates will have the opportunity to gift one complimentary Festival pass to a French-based colleague who has never attended the Festival before–giving new talent direct access to the inspiration and transformative experience that defines Cannes Lions.
The Creative Country of the Year for France is being supported by a number of collaborators, including the AACC, which are the official Festival Representatives in France, as well as Mairie De Cannes, Publicis, Havas, the IAA and Le Club des Directeurs Artistiques.
Cannes Lions takes place from June 22-26.
