A few miles of coastline with some of the most famous names in the Mediterranean: Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Antibes, Monaco. On the French Riviera by yacht you enjoy bays for swimming, elegant harbours and dinners ashore. Here is a typical week, from west to east.
Days 1–2: Saint-Tropez and Pampelonne
Embarkation in Saint-Tropez or nearby ports. The bay of Pampelonne is the classic stop for a swim and lunch at the beach clubs, with the tender taking you ashore. In the evening, the old port and Place des Lices.
Day 3: towards the Esterel
Sailing east you come to the red rocks of the Esterel massif, with coves to stop in away from the crowds. A quieter day before Cannes.
Day 4: the Îles de Lérins
Off Cannes lie Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat: pine forests, clear water and the channel between the two islands, one of the most beautiful anchorages on the coast. Saint-Honorat is home to an abbey whose monks make wine.
Day 5: Cap d’Antibes and Juan-les-Pins
The cape with the riviera’s most famous villas and the bays around it. Antibes has one of Europe’s most important superyacht harbours and an old town to explore on foot, with the Picasso museum.
Day 6: Villefranche and Cap Ferrat
The anchorage of Villefranche-sur-Mer is deep and sheltered, with the colourful town behind it. On the other side, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.
Day 7: Monaco
Arrival at Port Hercule, in the heart of the Principality. An evening at the Casino, dinner overlooking the harbour, and disembarkation the next day. If you want to experience the Monaco Grand Prix from a yacht, it is held between late May and early June and must be booked well in advance.
Anchoring and posidonia
In France larger boats cannot anchor on posidonia meadows: the Maritime Prefecture’s rule applies to yachts from 20–24 metres upwards, depending on the area, and is enforced. The captain chooses the permitted anchoring spots or mooring fields.
When to go
From June to September. Between May and June there are the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix. September brings the Monaco Yacht Show and a still-warm sea, with less traffic at anchor.
Which boat to choose
On the French Riviera the motor yacht is king: stops are close together and you can alternate an anchorage by day with a harbour in the evening. Our proposals are on the yacht charter on the French Riviera page.
A typical day on board
Breakfast at anchor, a swim and water toys in a bay in the morning, lunch on board or at a beach club. In the afternoon a short passage to the next stop, then into port for the evening and dinner ashore. On the French Riviera distances are short: the yacht becomes your home on the sea, and every evening there is a different place to discover.
Departing from Italy
The French riviera is just a few hours from Liguria. You can depart from Sanremo or Imperia, or combine a week between Portofino and Monaco. For those arriving by air, Nice is the reference airport, just minutes from Monaco and Antibes.
Frequently asked questions
Can you anchor anywhere on the French Riviera?
No. Areas with posidonia are protected and large boats cannot anchor there. There are also zones reserved for swimmers. The captain knows the permitted spots.
Do harbour berths need to be booked?
In high season, yes, especially in Saint-Tropez and Monaco. We take care of it together with the captain.
When is the best time?
June and September for the sea and tranquillity. May, June and September for the events.
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