The French Riviera, a.k.a. Côte d’Azur, a prime yacht charter destination in the southeast of France, needs no introduction. Renowned for its glitz and glamour, and home to many celebrities, the French Riviera has become a synonym for luxury yacht charter. From Toulon to the French-Italian border, the region boasts famous spots like Monaco, Cannes, Nica, and Saint Tropez for mega yacht charter experiences, as well as lesser-known gems such as Bormes-les-Mimosas and Port Grimaud for less expensive private yacht charter options.
Find Your Ideal Yacht in French Riviera Sailing Region
Why is the French Riviera Popular Among Sailors?
It is hard to pinpoint what made yacht charter on the French Riviera so famous, but a perfect combo of mild climate, picturesque landscape, bustling ports, and charming seaside villages is not a bad start to building one of the most famous destinations in the world. Furthermore, sailing conditions on the French Riviera are very friendly towards sailors: mild climate, favourable winds, and small tides.
Everyone can opt for a yacht charter on the French Riviera, from novice skippers, who want to sail on their own for the first time on a charter yacht, to experienced sailors who want to enjoy offshore sailing further from the land.
Yacht Charter in French Riviera Sailing Region
When you think about sailing on your rental yacht on the French Riviera, you immediately think of super yachts and luxury. However, this sailing region has a lot to offer other than just glitz and glam.
Charter a yacht on the French Riviera and visit the city of Saint-Tropez, it will amaze you with exclusive beach clubs, designer stores and its famous clock tower. However, do not miss an opportunity to see Picasso’s art in the Musée Picasso in Antibes, an ancient Greek and Roman fortified town.
Sailing the French Riviera will give you an opportunity to explore beaches, coves, bays and capes such as Plage de l’Escalet, Cap Taillat, Plage d’Héraclée, Plage de Cavalière and many more. Anchor not far from the sandy and pebble beaches and enjoy the scenery. One of the hidden gems is the city in bloom Bormes-les-Mimosas. There, you can stroll along charming medieval streets, admiring award-winning mimosa displays, as the name suggests. Book your berth in Port de Bormes in advance as it tends to get busy during the summer months.
Port Grimaud offers you charm, peace and quiet while cruising the canals, as well as Venetian-style architecture to admire. Port Grimaud has 280 visitors' berths from a total of 1100 berths and offers a wide range of facilities. There is also a charming fishing port of Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, a favourite among water sports enthusiasts, especially scuba divers, due to its rough coastline and steep inlets.
Like all popular destinations, July and August are the most popular with many people chartering a yacht on the French Riviera at the same time. June and September have a great climate and more economical prices. Keep in mind that some marinas, such as the ones in Cannes, can be full even in the off season due to high number of events and conferences that take place throughout the year.
Best Places to Visit in the French Riviera Region
The French Riviera is a popular destination for yacht chartering, offering a unique blend of luxury, beauty, and breathtaking landscapes. A yacht rental in the French Riviera allows you to explore the best this region has to offer. Starting from the eastern part of the coastline, one of the highlights of the trip is Monaco, a sovereign city-state or microstate with a great history of sailing and maritime culture. Monaco is home to one of the world’s first protected marine habitats and the famous Oceanographic Museum.
Today, Monaco is synonymous with mega yachts and luxury yacht charters where the point of the place is to see and to be seen. The top time to be seen is during the famous Formula One Grand Prix which takes place every May. If you get tired of casinos, Michelin-star restaurants and nightclubs, you are welcome to relax in one of many sandy beaches in Monaco or nearby: Larvotto Beach in Monaco, Baie de Garavan in Menton, Baie du Soleil in Menton or La Plage toward Eze.
Not far from Monaco is Nice, where your sight will be immediately drawn towards Promenade des Anglais, a vast 7 km long promenade that became the heart of city life. As the promenade goes for the entire city’s length, it will guide you to some of the most famous locations in the city such as Castle Hill, Old Town of Nice, Place Masséna, Hôtel Negresco, art-deco Palais de la Méditerranée and many restaurants and beach bars. When in Nice, do not miss an opportunity to try original French recipes that originated in Nice such as world-famous ratatouille, Salade Niçoise or Socca, a quintessential street food experience of the city. One of the unique experiences you can have in Nice is sailing up to the end of the promenade which goes all the way to the city airport.
Another must-visit location is Antibes, known for its walled old city, narrow cobblestone streets, lovely shops, and museums, including the museum of Pablo Picasso, who lived there for a few months.
Cannes is another luxurious French Riviera city, with seaside resorts, private beaches, mega yachts, fashionable restaurants, and La Croisette, the main boulevard and place to be seen among the famous. The old town of Cannes is also worth visiting, with its picturesque and charming pedestrian-only streets and gourmet dining options.
The Bay of Saint Tropez is home to three cities, including Saint Maxime, Grimaud, and the world-famous Saint Tropez. Known for its exclusive beach clubs, designer stores, and mega yachts, Saint Tropez is one of the most luxurious jet-set locations in the world.
Bormes-les-Mimosas is a small, charming town with medieval streets and award-winning mimosa displays.
The Hyeres Islands, including Levant Island, Port-Cros Island, and Porquerolles, offer a variety of activities, from fishing, scuba diving, and other water sports to relaxing and exploring French culture and cuisine.
Toulon, France's second largest naval port, is the final stop on the French Riviera, offering Mont Faron, a hilltop with a stunning view of the city, and a variety of activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and history visits.
Important Info for Sailing in French Riviera Sailing Region
Best time to sail
April - October
Most popular marinas
Antibes, Bormes-Les-Mimosas, Hyeres, Port Pin Rolland
Nearest airport
Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE), Toulon-Hyères (TLN), Cannes-Mandelieu (CEQ)
Number of charter yachts
50+
Popular regattas
The Voiles d’Antibes, Cannes’ Royal Regattas, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
Top attractions
Cannes, Nice, Saint-Tropez, Monaco, Antibes Beaches
Gastronomy Highlights of the French Riviera Sailing Region
When you charter a yacht on the French Riviera you will find out that quality citrus, vegetables, fruits, and herbs abound in the Provence and Côte d'Azur region, one of France's major producers of all these items. Additionally, the region produces the most olives, which yield excellent olive oil.
Ratatouille is colourful Provençal stewed vegetable dish made from easily accessible ingredients such as tomato, garlic, onion, zucchini, and other green herbs depending on the season.
Rouille is a thick sauce made with garlic, saffron, chilli peppers, olive oil, breadcrumbs, and egg yolks. Rouille is usually served as a garnish for fish and fish soup dishes.
Tapenade is an aromatic spread made with olives, usually served with a warm, crunchy baguette on the side. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for crackers, assorted vegetables, or breadsticks.
Salade Niçoise is a popular summer lunch that consists of fresh tomatoes, anchovies, black olives, capers, beans, and a drizzle of lemon juice seasoned with traditional Provençal seasoning of olive oil, garlic, and basil.
Pissaladière is pizza’s distant relative, traditionally served as an appetizer or a snack made up of a doughy crust, anchovies, olives, caramelized onions, and fresh herbs on top.
Quiche Provençale is the French Riviera’s version of popular quiche that is suitable for vegetarians as it’s made with fresh vegetables mixed with Cheese, eggs, and seasonings like Herbes de Provence. This flavourful mixture is poured over a delicious pastry base and baked until puffy and golden.
Fougasse is a distinctively shaped flatbread sweetened with sugar and orange-flavoured water.
