Red carpet film premieres and appearances by Hollywood A listers make it the epitome of glamour and the most prestigious date in the film world's calendar.
But behind the images of posh frocks and glitzy parties at the heart of the French Riviera, there is a seedy underbelly of sex for sale at the Cannes Film Festival which finishes today. An investigation by MailOnline has revealed that up market call girls from across Europe, known as 'putes de luxes' in France , flock to the annual event to sell their bodies in luxury hotels. The going rate for sex with a high class escort guaranteeing discretion to get round France's strict anti-prostitution laws is around 1, euros an hour.
But a more subtle form of prostitution exists on some of the superyachts which provide a floating home during the festival for Hollywood executives, film companies, and millionaire film fans. The crew member said he believed the use of escorts on yachts had become 'much more discreet' in recent years.
There is no suggestion that anything inappropriate happened on any of the yachts pictured. Those who are 'on tour' in Cannes include Kazakh independent escort Alica, 25, pictured who normally works in the UK, but is now advertising her services on the Euro Girls Escort website. The website also lists Marina, 31 pictured , who claims to be an 'independent VIP high class escort' from Belgium who normally works in Monaco, but is in Cannes from May 15 to Models, aspiring actresses and some Instagram influencers are invited to parties or to stay on board, enjoying champagne on tap.
But the unwritten expectation in some cases is that so-called 'yacht girls' will have to thank their hosts by having sex with them or other guests. While there is nothing as vulgar as a price list, they can expect to round off their stay by being given a plain envelope stuffed with cash. Back on dry land, the rules are simpler with escorts charging customers by the hour, and increasing their usual rates for the festival because they are in such demand.
