French Riviera Yacht Charters

Q: What is the best base port for a one-week Riviera charter

**Antibes (Port Vauban)** is the most practical embarkation point for most itineraries. It is the largest yacht harbour in Europe, well-connected to Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport (30 minutes by road), and offers the best provisioning facilities on the coast. Nice's Villefranche-sur-Mer anchorage is an alternative for guests flying into Nice who want to begin with a night in a natural harbour rather than a commercial port.

Q: Are there restrictions on where you can anchor along the French Riviera

**Anchoring within the national park boundaries of Port-Cros is prohibited** except on designated mooring buoys, which must be booked in advance. Some bays in the Iles de Lérins have seasonal anchoring restrictions to protect Posidonia seagrass beds. The relevant restrictions are published by Météo-France and the Parc National and should be reviewed with your captain before departure. Outside protected zones, holding is generally good in sand and mixed-sand-weed bottoms across the region.

From the superyacht quays of Monaco to the limestone calanques east of Cassis, the French Riviera packs more contrast into a single coastline than most seas manage in a week. Charter here is a serious undertaking, and that is precisely the point.

Charter by Vessel Type in French Riviera

Catamaran Charter in French Riviera

Spacious twin-hull vessels offering stability, comfort, and generous deck space for the ultimate charter experience.

Sailing Yacht Charter in French Riviera

Classic sailing vessels that combine timeless elegance with the thrill of wind-powered adventure.

Motor Yacht Charter in French Riviera

€2k/week

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The Côte d'Azur runs roughly 180 kilometres from the Italian border at Menton westward to Toulon, but the sailing geography is far richer than that linear description suggests. Antibes, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Monaco and the lesser-known anchorages of the Esterel massif each operate on their own social and nautical terms. A well-planned charter itinerary threads them together in a way that no villa or hotel stay can replicate.

The coastline is shaped by limestone headlands, offshore islands and a shelf that drops quickly into deep water, creating anchorages with excellent holding in settled weather alongside the marina infrastructure to handle everything from a 12-metre catamaran to a 90-metre superyacht. With over 250 yachts available through SelectYachts in this region, the fleet ranges from nimble sailing yachts suited to the Iles de Lérins to displacement motor yachts built for guests who want full-service luxury at every stop.

Why Charter in French Riviera

The practical case for chartering the Riviera is straightforward. Port clearance between France and Monaco is frictionless for EU-flagged vessels; provisioning in Antibes or Cannes is world-class; and the density of quality berths means a competent captain can adjust the itinerary in real time without scrambling for alternatives. The region is not a destination you sail to discover unspoilt wilderness. It is a destination you charter because the restaurants, beaches, culture and social fabric are genuinely among the most concentrated in the Mediterranean.

The Iles d'Or (Porquerolles, Port-Cros and the Ile du Levant) off Hyères are the counterargument to anyone who dismisses the Riviera as purely urban. Port-Cros is a national park where anchoring is restricted but carefully managed, and the water clarity in the protected bays rivals anything in the eastern Med. These islands reward an early-morning departure from Saint-Tropez and give the itinerary a natural pivot point between the social west and the quieter Var coast.

Gastronomy is a legitimate reason to plan a route. Bouillabaisse in Marseille, socca in Nice, tapenade across the Var and the serious wine list of any Provençal port restaurant mean that provisioning conversations with your chef should begin well before embarkation. The markets in Antibes (Marché Provençal) and Saint-Tropez (Place des Lices, Tuesdays and Saturdays) are among the best-supplied in France, and a half-morning ashore while the crew restocks is never wasted.

French Riviera Highlights

Antibes and Port Vauban - the largest yacht harbour in Europe and the practical base for much of the superyacht fleet. The old town's ramparts, the Picasso Museum in the Château Grimaldi and the covered market make a half-day ashore genuinely worthwhile beyond the provisioning.

Monaco Harbour and Port Hercule - berthing here during the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend (late May) or the Monaco Yacht Show (September) requires planning a year ahead, but out of season the principality's compressed geography, casino quarter and exceptional restaurants reward an overnight stay on almost any itinerary.

Saint-Tropez and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez - the town itself is best arrived at by tender from an anchorage off the citadel; the Port des Pêcheurs mooring is tight but atmospheric. The gulf offers serious sailing ground when the Mistral or Tramontane is running, with the Maures hills providing context for the passage.

Iles de Lérins (Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat) - fifteen minutes under power from Cannes and a different world entirely. Saint-Honorat is still home to a working Cistercian monastery whose monks produce a range of wines and liqueurs sold at the island's small shop. Anchorage on the north side of Sainte-Marguerite is well-sheltered in southerly and westerly winds.

Porquerolles and Port-Cros (Iles d'Or) - Porquerolles has excellent anchor holding off the main beach in settled conditions, a village with a surprisingly good wine cooperative, and cycling tracks through the national park's vineyards. Port-Cros requires a mooring buoy reservation through the park authority; the snorkelling trail at La Palud is unambiguously the best underwater experience on the French Riviera.

Villefranche-sur-Mer - one of the deepest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, sheltered from westerly winds and used historically as an anchorage by the US Sixth Fleet. The bay is calm, the old town is visually striking and the proximity to Nice (15 minutes by car) makes it a practical overnight if guests need international flight connections.

The Esterel Calanques between Cannes and Saint-Raphaël - the volcanic red rock of the Esterel massif meets the sea in a series of small coves accessible only by boat. Calanque de l'Antheor and the Trayas headland are best visited mid-week in season when the day-trip traffic is lighter; the colours at late afternoon are unlike anywhere else on this coast.

When to Sail

The Riviera is a genuine four-season sailing destination, though the character of the experience shifts considerably between the packed weeks of July and August and the quieter, often more rewarding passages of May and October.

High Season (Jun-Sep)

July and August are the defining months for the Riviera's social calendar. Berths in Monaco, Saint-Tropez and Cannes must be reserved months in advance, and the anchorages off Pampelonne Beach are crowded by midday. The Mistral, a strong north-northwesterly that can reach Force 7 or 8 through the Rhône corridor and along the Var coast, is most frequent in spring but can arrive with little warning in summer; experienced captains watch the pressure gradient carefully and use the lee of the Maures and Esterel massifs for shelter. Sea temperatures reach 24-26°C and the Levant wind (a light easterly) provides comfortable sailing conditions on many afternoons. June and early September offer the best compromise between good weather and manageable crowd levels.

Shoulder Season (May, Oct)

May is increasingly popular with experienced charterers who prioritise passage-making and privacy over beach clubs. The Mistral is statistically more frequent in May but the ports are accessible without advance booking pressure, prices reflect the lower demand, and the light on the Esterel's red porphyry cliffs is extraordinary. October offers warm sea temperatures (still around 20°C), the grape harvest inland, far fewer vessels at anchor and the beginning of truffle season in the Var. Some beach restaurants and seasonal moorings close after mid-September, but the core marinas remain fully operational.

Choosing the Right Yacht

The French Riviera's infrastructure is unambiguously built around motor yachts, and that is reflected in our fleet where motor yachts account for the substantial majority of available vessels. The deep-water berths at Port Vauban and the Quai des Milliardaires in Cannes are engineered for displacement and semi-displacement cruisers. Manufacturers such as Azimut, Absolute and Admiral are well represented in the mid-range fleet (roughly EUR 10,000-50,000 per week), while larger commissions from Abeking and Rasmussen or Alia Yachts serve parties requiring extended range, serious stabilisation in Mistral conditions and the kind of interior volume that turns a week at anchor into something resembling a hotel. For parties of up to 12 who want the social infrastructure of the key ports without the fuel bill, an Absolute Navetta 68 or comparable vessel in the 20-metre range navigates the region's marinas with ease.

Seven Days on the Côte d'Azur, Antibes to Porquerolles

A suggested week-long charter route

Day 1

Embark at Port Vauban, Antibes in the late afternoon. Provisioning and crew briefing complete before departure. Sail or motor the short distance to anchor off the Iles de Lérins for a first night in calm water, with Cannes' lights visible to the north. Dinner aboard with a menu centred on the Marché Provençal produce collected that morning.

Day 2

Morning on Sainte-Marguerite - the island's Fort Royal and the cell where the Man in the Iron Mask was reputedly held are worth the walk from the landing. Afternoon passage southwest along the Esterel coast, pausing to swim off the red-rock calanques near l'Antheor. Overnight at Saint-Raphaël's Vieux Port or at anchor in one of the sheltered bays beneath the Esterel if conditions permit.

Day 3

Early departure for Saint-Tropez. Arrive before 10:00 to secure a tender berth at the Nouveau Port before the day-tripper traffic builds. Morning in town - the Place des Lices market (Tuesdays and Saturdays) is the priority. Afternoon anchor in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez off Pampelonne Beach. Evening return to Saint-Tropez for dinner at one of the portside restaurants in the old fishing quarter.

Day 4

Passage to Porquerolles, the largest of the Iles d'Or. Arrive at the village port by noon and arrange bicycles for an afternoon circuit of the island's northern tracks and vineyard paths. The Conservatoire du Littoral manages most of the island and the beaches on the southern coast are accessible only on foot or by cycle, which keeps them manageable even in peak season. Night on a mooring buoy or in the port.

Day 5

Early morning transfer by tender to Port-Cros for the morning snorkelling trail at La Palud, reserved in advance through the national park authority. The marine reserve's visibility is exceptional in calm conditions. Afternoon departure northeast, passing through the Hyères roads and heading toward Bandol or Cassis depending on wind direction. Cassis lies just outside the conventional Riviera circuit but the limestone calanques accessible by tender from its port justify the extra distance.

Day 6

Return passage east along the Var coast with a lunch stop in the Calanque de Figuerolles near La Ciotat if the westerly swell is benign, or a direct run to Cavalaire-sur-Mer for provisioning and fuel. Afternoon at leisure at anchor in the bay, with a focus on water sports and the paddleboarding conditions that the enclosed gulf provides. Dinner aboard.

Day 7

Final morning passage back to Antibes, arriving via the Cap d'Antibes headland and Juan-les-Pins bay. The Cap is worth a slow circumnavigation by tender - the Villa Eilenroc gardens descend almost to the waterline and the Garoupe lighthouse is one of the most powerful on the Riviera. Disembarkation at Port Vauban by early afternoon.

Local Tips

•Marina reservations in July and August require lead times of three to six months for Saint-Tropez, Monaco and Cannes. Port Vauban in Antibes is larger and often more accessible at shorter notice, making it the preferred base for itinerary-flexible charters.
•The Mistral can establish itself within 12 hours once the pressure gradient develops between the Massif Central and the Ligurian coast. A capable captain will track the Météo-France AROME model and use the shelter of the Maures or Esterel coast proactively rather than reactively. Guests should expect one or two weather holds in a typical week.
•Fuel costs are a meaningful line in any motor yacht charter budget on the Riviera. The distances between ports are short by Mediterranean standards, but peak-season running (tender trips, generator load for air conditioning, frequent repositioning) adds up. Agree a clear fuel policy with the charter manager before signing the contract.
•Provisioning is best done through the morning markets in Antibes or Saint-Tropez rather than relying entirely on the yacht's standing orders. The Marché Provençal in Antibes (open every morning except Monday) stocks exceptional local olive oil, cheese from the Var hills, and seasonal produce that a good chef will use to genuine effect.
•Tipping on the French Riviera follows Mediterranean superyacht convention - 10 to 15 per cent of the base charter fee divided among the crew is standard and expected. Have cash in euros available for disembarkation.
•The Iles d'Or national park areas (Port-Cros in particular) have strict anchoring restrictions and limited mooring buoy availability. Book through the Parc National de Port-Cros directly or through your SelectYachts broker well in advance; turning up without a reservation in July or August is a reliable way to lose a day's programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a cruising permit to charter in French waters+

EU-flagged vessels and EU-resident charterers face minimal administrative requirements. Non-EU nationals chartering non-EU-flagged yachts should ensure the vessel holds a valid Temporary Admission certificate for French waters. Your SelectYachts broker will confirm the documentation position as part of the charter contract process. Monaco is not part of the EU but has no additional entry requirements for yachts transiting from France.

What is the best base port for a one-week Riviera charter+

Antibes (Port Vauban) is the most practical embarkation point for most itineraries. It is the largest yacht harbour in Europe, well-connected to Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport (30 minutes by road), and offers the best provisioning facilities on the coast. Nice's Villefranche-sur-Mer anchorage is an alternative for guests flying into Nice who want to begin with a night in a natural harbour rather than a commercial port.

Is the French Riviera suitable for sailing yachts or is it primarily a motor yacht destination+

Both work, but the infrastructure is weighted toward motor yachts. Sailing is most rewarding in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and in the open water between the Iles d'Or and the mainland, where reliable afternoon sea breezes combine with sufficient fetch for proper passages. The Mistral, when it runs, provides exceptional sailing conditions for prepared crews but can make some anchorages untenable. Sailing yacht charterers should plan their itinerary around wind probability rather than fixing a rigid schedule.

How far in advance should I book a Riviera charter in peak season+

For July and August, particularly during the Monaco Grand Prix (late May) or the Cannes Film Festival (mid-May), book six to twelve months ahead if you have specific vessel, berth or event requirements. Shoulder season (May, June, September, October) can often be arranged within four to eight weeks, though the most sought-after yachts in any size category fill earlier.

What is the typical all-in cost beyond the base charter fee+

The Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA) for a crewed charter is typically 30 to 40 per cent of the base fee and covers fuel, provisioning, port fees, and incidentals. On the Riviera, fuel and berthing fees are among the highest in the Mediterranean, so the upper end of that range is realistic for motor yachts running high-traffic summer itineraries. Crew gratuity (10-15 per cent) is additional and paid at the end of the charter.

Are there restrictions on where you can anchor along the French Riviera+

Anchoring within the national park boundaries of Port-Cros is prohibited except on designated mooring buoys, which must be booked in advance. Some bays in the Iles de Lérins have seasonal anchoring restrictions to protect Posidonia seagrass beds. The relevant restrictions are published by Météo-France and the Parc National and should be reviewed with your captain before departure. Outside protected zones, holding is generally good in sand and mixed-sand-weed bottoms across the region.

Tell us your dates, party size and preferred style of yacht and a SelectYachts broker will put together a shortlist from our French Riviera fleet within 24 hours.

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