Mipim Cannes kicks off: relaunch expected for the European market

It has already been a year since the last rainy Mipim in Cannes and the new edition, the 36th, is about to start, characterised as in recent years by an increasingly complicated and evolving geopolitical situation. From today to 13 March 2026, at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, the leading international trade fair dedicated to real estate, construction and property development returns. At a time when global markets are undergoing a period of readjustment, the event will serve as a litmus test of capital allocation guidelines and trends that are redefining cities and asset classes.

"The conversation is shifting from "when will the market restart?" to a more concrete question: "where are the opportunities worth acting on?", explains Filippo Rean, managing director of RX France, the company organising the event. 'After years marked by repricing and caution, we see a change in sentiment: the focus is back on action,' he points out.

The programme is structured around several pillars. "We have built the programme around the forces that are redefining cities: accelerating Ai, digital infrastructure and net-zero transition," Rean points out. "One obvious structural change is the rapid rise of data centres as a core institutional asset class." The debut Data Centers Summit will address Ai-driven demand, cloud, 5G, as well as regulation and energy in key European markets.

On the housing front, 'Housing Matters! will bring together developers, investors and city leaders to address Europe's growing housing gap and identify long-term sustainable solutions,' he points out. The weight of hospitality and branded residences is also growing, while Ai Day - in partnership with Columbia University - will analyse the impact of Ai on sustainability, operating models and investment strategies.

After years of geopolitical volatility and rate hikes, the climate appears more constructive (although the current situation will certainly have an impact). "Buyers and sellers are converging on valuations and the focus is shifting from timing to the connection between available institutional capital and concrete opportunities," he continues. Globally, there are signs of stabilisation: 'The cost of funding is slowly improving. We will not see a sudden boom, but in sectors where prices have adjusted and demand remains solid - housing, logistics, technology-related assets - the big investors are coming back'.