Superyacht Charter on the French Riviera
The riviera is the classic Mediterranean charter: short hops between celebrated harbours, long lunches at anchor and evenings ashore in Monaco, Cannes or Saint-Tropez. Distances are small, so a week feels unhurried even with a full itinerary.
Highlights
- Monaco and Cap Ferrat — the Principality's harbour, then the quiet bays off Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
- Îles de Lérins — Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, a short run from Cannes, with clear water and a monastery vineyard.
- Saint-Tropez and Pampelonne — beach clubs by tender, the old port by evening.
- Porquerolles — the protected islands of Hyères, pine-fringed and calmer than the coast.
A suggested week: Monaco to Saint-Tropez
- Board in Monaco; anchor off Cap Ferrat for the evening.
- Villefranche and Beaulieu; lunch ashore on the Cap.
- Antibes and Cap d'Antibes; an afternoon on the water.
- Îles de Lérins; swim, snorkel and dine in Cannes.
- The Estérel coast's red cliffs on the way west.
- Saint-Tropez and a day at Pampelonne.
- Porquerolles, then return to Saint-Tropez to disembark.
For a longer charter, continue back east to Portofino and the Italian coast, or south to Corsica.
When to go
June and September offer warm water, calmer harbours and easier berths. July and August are the height of the season. May brings the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival, and September the Monaco Yacht Show; all three book up early.
Stay ashore
Begin or end with a villa on Cap Ferrat, Cap d'Antibes or in the hills above Saint-Tropez. All three sit within easy reach of the main charter harbours, and a few days ashore makes the arrival and departure far more relaxed.