This summer, the vibrant coastal city of Cannes, France will host a different kind of festival – one not about films or advertising, but about blockchain and the future of the internet. The Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC), Europe’s largest annual Ethereum event, is set to take place from June 30 to July 3, 2025 at the iconic Palais des Festivals et des Congrès (famous for the Cannes Film Festival). Marking its 8th edition (EthCC[8]), the conference is a nexus for developers, researchers, industry leaders, and enthusiasts in the Ethereum ecosystem. Over four days, attendees will immerse themselves in talks and workshops on everything from technical protocol developments to real-world DApp use cases – all while enjoying the sun-drenched glamour of the French Riviera. Here’s a comprehensive look at what to expect at EthCC 2025 and how to make the most of your time in Cannes.

Ethereum’s Community Gathering in Europe

EthCC has grown into the largest Ethereum-focused conference in Europe. Organized by Ethereum France (a nonprofit formerly known as ASSETH), its mission is to “share and transmit knowledge” to foster a positive, fertile blockchain ecosystem. Unlike some exclusive, high-priced tech conferences, EthCC prides itself on being accessible and community-driven – keeping ticket prices relatively low and content highly substantive over flashy marketing.

The 2025 edition is particularly special. Traditionally held in Paris, EthCC is heading to Cannes for the first time. This move to the coast during summer gives EthCC a fresh vibe – combining intense blockchain discussions with a relaxed, resort-town atmosphere. And it comes at a pivotal moment for Ethereum itself. By mid-2025, the Ethereum roadmap is progressing fast: after the successful Merge and Surge phases, the community is abuzz about upcoming protocol upgrades (code-named things like “Pectra,” which is expected to improve scalability significantly). EthCC will offer a stage to delve into these developments.

What to Expect at EthCC[8]: A jam-packed agenda of presentations, panels, and workshops spread across multiple tracks. Typically, EthCC features talks covering core protocol research (Ethereum 2.0 updates, Layer 2 scaling solutions like rollups), decentralized finance (DeFi trends, liquidity protocols, stablecoins), NFTs and the metaverse, DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations) governance, security and audits, and social impact uses of blockchain. The content is known to be developer-heavy at times – expect live demos, code walkthroughs, and plenty of nerdy detail – but there are also broader sessions for a general audience. EthCC’s ethos is knowledge-sharing, so even complex topics are presented with an educational tone.

Notably, Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum’s co-founder, is slated to be among the speakers in 2025. His talks (often delivered in a t-shirt and with a geeky charm) are always a highlight, as he shares insights on Ethereum’s trajectory and philosophy. Other big-name speakers confirmed include Merlin Egalite (co-founder of lending protocol Morpho), Ed Felten (co-founder of Offchain Labs, the team behind Arbitrum), and even figures bridging traditional finance like Andrew O’Neill of S&P Global Ratings. The speaker lineup underscores how Ethereum is increasingly interdisciplinary – blending hardcore blockchain engineering with economics, finance, and even policy discussions. For instance, having someone like Neal Mohan (YouTube’s CEO) or Serena Williams (as an investor via Serena Ventures) at a related Cannes Lions session shows how mainstream and diverse the interest in Ethereum has become (Serena’s appearance mentioned in a creativity festival context hints she might also drop by EthCC given overlapping dates, though not confirmed).

Structure: Each day likely starts with keynotes in a main hall, followed by multiple parallel tracks. There will be developer workshops (bring your laptop if you want to dive into a coding session on, say, writing Solidity smart contracts or using developer tools like Hardhat). There will also be plenty of Q&A time – EthCC encourages interaction, and speakers often hang around after their talks for one-on-one chats.

A huge aspect of EthCC is the Networking and Community bonding. With over a thousand attendees (2024 had 17,400 accredited across both festival and Mifa, given that was for Annecy, but EthCC is smaller scale, more like a couple thousand), you’ll have a chance to meet people from all over: core Ethereum researchers, founders of the latest DeFi protocols, NFT artists, VC investors, and fellow enthusiasts who might be developers by day and crypto Twitter voices by night. Many long-term collaborations in the Ethereum space trace their origins to casual meetups at events like this.

EthCC Week and Side Events

EthCC isn’t just a 9-to-5 conference; it’s essentially a week-long Ethereum celebration. In fact, the organizers explicitly promote EthCC Week (June 27 – July 6, 2025). Before and after the main conference, a plethora of side events, meetups, and parties will take place. These are often community-led: think hackathons, protocol-specific gatherings (e.g., a meetup for users/devs of Uniswap or Aave), startup pitch events, and workshops by sponsors.

Given the Cannes setting, don’t be surprised if some networking events take place on a beach or even on a boat! (Cannes is known for its yacht culture during festivals – perhaps a crypto project will host an evening reception aboard one.) There might be a “Crypto Cannes” mixer at a seaside bar, casual morning runs or yoga for attendees, and certainly nightly gatherings where conversations about sharding or zero-knowledge proofs continue over Provence rosé wine.

One highlight to look out for is community meetups by region or language. Ethereum’s community is global, and EthCC often sees country-specific meetups (Latin American Ethereum meetup, Asia blockchain meetup, etc.), which are great for making connections in your locale or language group.

Another cool element: Workshops and hacking sessions. There may be an “ETH Global” hackathon timed around EthCC, where developers can team up and build a project in a couple of days, then demo it. These hackathons can be exciting even as a spectator – you’ll see fresh ideas and maybe witness the birth of the next big Ethereum DApp.

Visiting Cannes: Tips for Attendees

Cannes in late June/early July is a lovely place to be. It’s sunny and warm (around 25-30°C, mid-80s °F) – quite a change if you’ve attended EthCC in wintery Paris in past years. The conference venue, Palais des Festivals, is right on the waterfront and in the heart of town. Here’s how to enjoy your time:

Travel & Transport: Cannes is served by Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), about 30 km up the coast. From Nice Airport, you can get to Cannes by a direct shuttle bus (about 45 minutes) or taxi/Uber (30 minutes, albeit pricey). There’s also a train from Nice’s city center to Cannes that’s scenic. If coming from within France, trains to Cannes (including TGV from Paris ~5h) arrive at Cannes’ central station, a 10-min walk from the Palais.

Once in Cannes, most things are walkable around the Croisette (the famous seaside promenade). The Palais is central, and many hotels, restaurants, and the beach are steps away. During EthCC, you’ll likely bump into fellow attendees all over town – it’s easy to spot the conference badge or Ethereum t-shirts at breakfast cafes.

Accommodation: Cannes has a mix of luxury hotels (this is where film stars stay during that other festival) and smaller hotels, plus many apartment rentals. Book early because summer is high season. If fancy hotels are out of budget, consider nearby towns like Juan-les-Pins or Antibes which are a short train/bus ride away (15-20 minutes) – you could potentially get a better rate and enjoy a quieter stay, commuting in for the conference. Some attendees might even stay in Nice and commute (about 40 min by train) if needed.

Attire & Gear: EthCC is casual – typical tech conference wear. You’ll see lots of Ethereum-themed T-shirts, jeans or shorts, and comfortable sneakers. Given the heat, light clothing is key. Perhaps pack a swimsuit too; the beach is right there, and some evening social events might be on the sand (or you might just want a dip in the Med after a long day of sessions!). Don’t forget sun protection – sunscreen, hat, sunglasses – especially if you’ll be outdoors for lunches or side events. Many cafés and beach spots have umbrellas but walking around can get toasty.

Bring business cards if you have them (yes, even in the blockchain world, old-fashioned contact swapping can be useful unless you plan to just connect via Telegram or LinkedIn on the spot). And of course, your laptop or tablet if you intend to do some hacking or note-taking. The venue should have Wi-Fi, but with many techies around, sometimes it’s stretched – possibly set up tethering on your phone as backup.

Food & Free Time: Cannes offers delightful cuisine. For quick bites near the conference, there are boulangeries (bakeries) with sandwiches and pastries – a French baguette sandwich or quiche makes a nice lunch. Don’t miss trying some socca (a chickpea flatbread, specialty of the region) or fresh seafood. In the evenings, the Old Port and Suquet area (historic quarter on a hill) have great restaurants – from high-end to casual pizzerias. Sharing a Provençal meal with new friends from EthCC might be a highlight – conversations tend to flow better with good wine and cheese on the table!

If you have a free afternoon, take a stroll along La Croisette (the waterfront boulevard lined with palm trees and luxury shops) – great for people-watching and catching a sea breeze. There are public beaches where you can relax, or just dip your feet. Culture-wise, the town has an interesting maritime museum (Musée de la Castre) and of course, the red-carpet steps of the Palais where you might take a selfie (often with some Ethereum signage during the event).

For those extending their stay, the French Riviera has a lot to explore: a train ride to Nice’s charming Old Town and famous Promenade des Anglais, a visit to Monaco’s casinos and cliffside vistas, or a boat trip to the Lérins Islands just off Cannes (Île Sainte-Marguerite has a historic fort and lovely picnic spots). Even a perfumery tour in nearby Grasse (world’s perfume capital) could be a unique excursion if you want a break from code.

Why Attend EthCC 2025?

For anyone passionate about Ethereum – whether you’re building on it, investing in the ecosystem, or just fascinated by decentralized technology – EthCC offers something invaluable: community. It’s a chance to put faces to the Twitter handles and GitHub avatars you might know. To directly ask questions of the experts who built the tools you use. To find collaborators or mentors for your project. As Ethereum’s reach grows (with mainstream finance and enterprises now paying attention, as evidenced by big sponsors like PayPal or Robinhood at EthCC 2025), EthCC remains rooted in the grassroots vibe that launched Ethereum – it’s about openness, innovation, and making connections.

Moreover, being in Cannes adds a dash of glamour and relaxation to the intense information exchange. Mornings might start with a mindful walk by the sea, and evenings could end with networking under the stars by the beach. That blend of work and leisure can spark creativity in unexpected ways.

From a logistics perspective, the conference is relatively affordable as major conferences go, and the knowledge you’ll gain (or the serendipitous meeting you’ll have) could prove hugely beneficial – many projects and even career opportunities have emerged from EthCC conversations.

In summary, EthCC[8] in Cannes is poised to be an “unmissable highlight of the 2025 calendar” for anyone in the Ethereum sphere. It’s Europe’s biggest Ethereum get-together in a fabulous setting, at a time when Ethereum technology and adoption are accelerating like never before. Bring your curiosity, bring your sunscreen, and get ready for a week of learning, networking, and fun in the crypto capital of the Riviera.Sources: EthCC[8] is confirmed for June 30 – July 3, 2025 in Cannes, marking the first time the event is held outside Paris. It’s touted as “Europe’s largest annual Ethereum conference”, drawing top developers, investors, and thought leaders – including Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin – to share insights. Organizers highlight the move to the Palais des Festivals in Cannes as a major milestone for the event and a reflection of Ethereum’s growing mainstream confidence. With major industry sponsors like Robinhood, PayPal, and Worldcoin on board, EthCC 2025 will offer a diverse program, bridging blockchain innovation with traditional sectors. Ethereum France emphasizes that the conference remains community-focused and accessible, aiming to “keep prices as low as possible” and foster wide knowledge exchange. The allure of Cannes plus the momentum of Ethereum’s forthcoming upgrades (such as the anticipated “Pectra” scalability update) make EthCC 2025 a must-attend for the blockchain community.