French Riviera ( Côte d'Azur) is one of the world’s most sought after destinations for yacht charters - the world's finest cuisine, mild climate and glamouros nightlife make it one of the most unique yacht charter places in the world.

The fashionable French Riviera is a playground for film stars and royalty who have long graced its shores and endorse its reputation for glamour. Antibes is the major center for yacht charters along the South of France coastline. A short distance away lies Cannes, well known for the Cannes Film Festival. Further down the coast you will find St. Tropez, one of the most the most sophisticated places to "see and also to be seen" in the French Riviera. Monte Carlo lies to the north – it offers fabulous nightlife of gambling and glamour. Monte Carlo is also home of many glamorous events, as well as to the renowned Monaco Grand Prix.

In Monaco, Antibes, Cannes and St Tropez you will find some of the most impressive and lavish super yachts in the world.

French Riviera has it all – from excellent restaurants and sophisticated clubs and casinos to idyllic landscapes and quaint ports - no wonder French Riviera is one of the most popular destinations for yacht charters.

Ports and yacht charter destinations:

Antibes
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Antibes is a well known resort town in the French Riviera located between Cannes and Nice.
Antibes was a Greek fortified town named Antipolis in the 5th century BC, and later a Roman town, and always an active port for trading along the Mediterranean. Today it is an attractive and active town and a most stop for most yacht charters.
The most notable landmark is the chateau in the Old Town, housing the Picasso Museum.

Cannes
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Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist and yacht charter destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival.

The city of Cannes is centered around the old port, with the central part quite compact. The famous "Croisette" is the boulevard and the beach that extends around the bay to the east of the port, in the protected "Rade de Cannes".
The closest thing to an "old town" is "Le Suquet" overlooking the west end of the port. The 12th-century Tour de Mt. Chevalier, ramparts and 12th-16th-century church Notre-Dame-de-l'Espérence give a touch of medieval flavor to the city. The Le Suquet area has narrow streets climbing up and around the hill, with a fine view from the top.

Cannes also boasts miles of sandy beaches along the Golfe de la Napoule or along "La Croisette" in the Rade de Cannes, making it an attractive and glamourous stop for yacht charters in the French Riviera. Click here for more information on Cannes yacht charters.

Monaco
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Monaco is the world's most densely populated sovereign country, and the world's smallest French-speaking country. Monaco is squeezed into 1.95 sq km, making it the world’s second smallest country, after the Vatican. An average person takes only 56 minutes to walk across the width of the country. Monaco is the name of the country as well as the name of its capital city.

Monaco attracts as many as 1.5 million visitors a year and is famous for its beaches and casinos, especially world-famous Monte Carlo. It also hosts many of the worlds largest and most amazing yachts. Many luxury yacht charters start in Monaco and continue along the French Riviera.

Since 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix has been held annually in the streets of Monaco. It is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world. Click here for more information on Monaco yacht charters.

Marseilles
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Marseilles is France's largest commercial port. Founded in 600 b.c. by the Greek sailors of Phocaea, this great city is the oldest in France and surely the most complex. Marseilles is cosmopolitan and exuberant, with its picturesque old port, its Bouillabaisse and its folklore.
Marseilles is one of the most popular stops for yacht charters in the French Riviera.

Cassis It is a popular destination for yacht charters, famous for its cliffs (falaises) and the sheltered inlets called calanques.

Calanques near Cassis

Bandol is a true seaside resort. Many sand beaches, cliffs, inlets and creeks are all part of this natural environment and are surrounded by hills ot pines and willows.

Bandol's port is fitted out to shelter 1,500 yachts of all sizes : yachts, great sailing vesseIs and professional fishing boats.

Its clears waters and interesting underwater sealife makes this an ideal spot for scuba divers.

Bandol's nearby vineyards are famous and reputed to have the best reds in the French Riviera.

Bandol vineyards

Porquerolles is the largest, most westerly of the three islands in the Îles d'Hyères Gulf, French Riviera, another area very popular for yacht charters. It is 7 km long by 3 km wide, with 5 small ranges of hills, cliffs on the south coast, and on the north coast its port and sandy the beaches of Notre Dame, La Courtade, and Plage d'Argent.

It is situated at the same latitude as Cap Corse, and therefore shares the same pleasant climate - almost daily sunshine (more than 300 sunny days a year), mild winters (rarely below 0°C) and hot summers with a delightfully cool seabreeze.

As soon as your yacht arrive at the port, you will be captivated by the island: behind the yachts tied up to the quay, the first houses can be seen, surrounded by lush vegetation. After leaving the port you will arrive in the village with its large square and beautiful church, a cluster of shops and several cafes and restaurants.

Porquerolles Island

Monte Carlo
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Monte Carlo is one of Monaco's administrative areas. Monte Carlo is known internationally as a playground for the rich and famous - It is widely known for its casinos, gambling, glamour, luxurious yacht charters and for sightings of wealthy businessmen and famous people. Monte Carlo is one of the best know cities in the French Riviera.

Nice
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Nice is a major tourist center and a leading resort on the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur). It is both a very popular yacht charter destination, as well as the main entry point to the French Riviera because of the Nice - Cote d'Azur airport.

Nice itself is an attraction: the rich blue-green sea, diverse shopping, splendid dining and lovely art-deco façades. But there are several spots that a tourist simply must see, such as the Cours Saleya Flower Market, the Matisse Museum, ancient Roman ruins, the Russian Cathedral and more.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
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Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is one of the pearls of the French Riviera - its tranquillity and warm climate make it a favorite holiday and yacht charter destination amongst European aristocracy and international millionaires.

This stunning peninsula features a picturesque port, and has a delightful stone path that allows you to hike the entire peninsula by the sea.

Saint Tropez
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Saint Tropez became an international tourist mecca when the show business people, artists and writers all fell under the spell of this charming little port in the 1950's.
In the summer one could bump into Picasso, Francoise Sagan, Jacques Prévert and many others, With the arrival of Brigitte Bardot in the 60's the myth was installed for good. Since then St. Tropez has become the in vacation spot and top destination for yacht charters for chic Parisians and the international Jet Setters.

People watching is a favorite sport here in the summer - visitors like to sit at the outdoor cafés hoping either to be seen or to see some one else. Huge yachts line up in the port rivaling to see which is the biggest, the prettiest, the best kept, or has the snappiest crew . Saint Tropez is definitely the must stop on your charter in the French Riviera.

Villefranche-Sur-Mer
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Villefranche-sur-Mer is located about 6 km (4 miles) east of the city of Nice, and 10 km (6 miles) south west of Monaco. The bay of Villefranche is one of the deepest natural harbors of any port in the Mediterranean Sea and provides safe anchorage for large yachts, reaching depths of 95 m (320 ft) between the Cape of Nice and Cap Ferrat.

Overlooking the hills and luxurious residences, Villefranche is one of the most exclusive spots on the French Riviera.

Villefranche-Sur-Mer is attractive to yacht charter guests because of the seaside with long sandy beachs, terrace cafés and restaurants, and the very nice old town, vieille ville.

Sample Itinerary for Yacht Charters in French Riviera

Arriving at Nice International Airport, you will be met by the yacht crew and whisked away to the picturesque fishing port of Villefranche. Descending the winding road into the little village, you see your charter yacht anchored in one of the most enclosed natural bays of the Riviera.

After dinner, your yacht will depart for quaint Portofino (90 NM, 8 hours).

The next morning you will awaken to the smell of a French breakfast with freshly baked croissants. Spend the day exploring this quaint village and itís extraordinary shops. Back on board for cocktails and a sumptuous dinner. Depart after dinner for Monaco (85 NM miles, 8 hours).

Wake up in the tiny principality of Monaco. Spend the day exploring the famous city of Monte Carlo, returning for dinner on your charter yacht. After dinner, perhaps you will want to enjoy an evening at the opera or perhaps at the Casino.

The next morning, depart Monaco for Cannes (25 NM, 2 hours) Spend the day exploring the city famous for its Film Festival and exclusive shopping, followed by a trip to Iles de Lerins, two small islands located a few kilometers offshore. Depart in the late afternoon for Saint Tropez (25 NM, 2 hours). Enjoy cocktails while taking in the beautiful coastline. Arrive in St. Tropez for hors díouvers and a relaxing stroll along the marina. After dinner, enjoy the glitzy night life at the many waterfront bars and night clubs.

The next day, explore the shops and art galleries or spend the day anchored off Pampelonne Beach. After a fun filled day of activities, relax in the yacht Jacuzzi, sipping cocktails and watching the sun go down on your final evening.

Early morning departure to Villefranche (40 NM, 4 hours) will have you back in plenty of time for a leisurely trip to the Nice Intíl Airport.

Itinerary courtesy of Capt. Keith Moore, M/Y Lady Sheridan

Mediterranean Boat offers luxury yacht charters in French Riviera. We are your yacht charter guide providing you with the information on luxury yachts and the best places to visit on your charter in the French Riviera.