Known for fine dining, flashy casinos and designer boutiques, it’s impossible not to have the time of your life in Monaco. You’ll love the sheer opulence of this royal principality, where about 30% of the population are millionaires. For the ultimate yacht charter experience on the French Riviera, drop anchor in Monaco and soak up the zesty joie de vivre of this extravagant destination.
Nicknamed ‘the pearl of France’, Menton is the easternmost town of the French Riviera, on the Franco-Italian border. It boasts a famous garden, Jardin Botanique et Exotique Val Rahmeh, with a plethora of exotic plants. Basilica St. Michel, the Jean Cocteau Museum and 17th century fortress are just a few of many other attractions in Menton, a true hidden gem on the French Riviera.
Don’t miss Le Mirazur - you’ll love the sweeping ocean views of this double Michelin-starred restaurant.
Also noteworthy is the Menton Music Festival, usually held in August.
If you’re stepping off your luxury yacht for the day, be sure to visit the museum of the famous artist and film director. The collection includes drawings, ceramics, paintings and cinematographic work.
This 1653 Roman Catholic basilica is southern France's grandest baroque church, and is worth visiting while enjoying a charter vacation in lovely Menton.
This internationally renowned event draws thousands of visitors each year in February, and it’s a celebration of all things citrus. You’ll see parades, flamboyant costumes, and incredible structures made almost entirely of fruit!
It was Brigitte Bardot who first drew attention to this gorgeous slice of paradise, known for its azure water, white sand and liberal, hedonistic spirit. It now draws A-list celebrities to its shores, including the likes of Kate Moss and George Clooney. Pampelonne beach (or Plage De Pampelonne) is a magnet for the yachting world’s beaux monde. Relax on the deck of your private yacht and watch the crowds reclining on the golden beaches, or spend a day in town shopping the world’s most luxurious brands or fabulous local produce.
Ile de Porquerolles (Île de Porquerolles), the largest of the Golden Isles (Iles D'Or), is the perfect sojourn if you fancy untouched nature and a more relaxed pace of life. With limited accommodation on the island, you can be assured of a peaceful, private stay.
In the eastern part of the island you’ll find the National Mediterranean Botanical Conservatory of Porquerolles. The National Park boasts scenic walking trails and an abundance of wildflowers practically any time of the year. You’ll love the island’s award-winning beaches and notable local wines. There are three vineyards on the island, each ofering dégustation (tasting) sessions of their predominantly rosé wines.
Sip delicious local rosé (the quintessential drink of the island) under the pine trees at Cyrille Perzinsky’s winery. Or go to the oldest vineyard on the island, Domaine de l’Ile.
*photo credit: Domaine Perzinsky
Due to impressive conservation efforts, inside the National Mediterranean Botanical Conservatory, you’ll find over 700 varieties of fruit trees on Porquerolles. Get lost in the beautiful orchards and learn about the move towards a sustainable, chemical-free agriculture.
*photo credit: Guanche
If you ever get tired of taking in the seascape from the deck of your yacht, enjoying the natural beauty of the island from the seat of a bicycle offers a great change of pace. The island has plenty of trails to enjoy either on foot or by bike.
*photo credit: Christine Graillet
Famed for its Michelin-starred restaurants, incomparable nightlife and world-class shopping, Cannes is an unmissable stop on the French Riviera.
And chartering a yacht for the Cannes Film Festival in May, as many celebrities are known to do, is de rigueur. Moored in the harbour next to Boulevard de la Croisette, you’ll be right in the thick of the action, as celebrities and the who’s who of the film business flock to the kinetic city.
This small paradise off the coast of Cannes is a lovely addition to your French Riviera itinerary. It’s a historically fascinating island with a monastery, several chapels, and over a kilometer of unspoilt nature. For a restful afternoon, take a stroll through the extensive vineyards and olive groves before enjoying a gourmet lunch at La Tonnelle. Oenophiles can sample the delicious wines produced here by Cistercian monks.
Enjoy the glamour and pizzazz of the world’s most prestigious film festival which draws the wealthiest, most celebrated stars to its red carpet. Have a cocktail or some bubbly on the deck of your private yacht and spot celebrities – some who may be moored right next to you.
A yacht charter experience in Cannes isn’t complete without a visit to La Palme D’or. With a weighty two Michelin star rating, this restaurant has an unsurpassed location, gorgeous ocean views and gracious hospitality. Set in the Art Deco-styled Hotel Martinez, look down on La Croisette as you relish expertly crafted dishes and a first-rate wine list.
With the largest port of the French Riviera, Port Vauban, Cap d'Antibes is probably the most upscale resort of the Côte d'Azur.
Known for its stunning fine-grained sand beaches and a wide array of gourmet restaurants, green-shrouded Cap d’Antibes juts out 4 km into the sea. Tie up alongside grandiose superyachts and wander around the charming, historic old town center with its well-preserved monuments. The resort of Juan les Pins is where you’ll find most of the exciting nightlife. You might also consider attending the famed jazz festival, Jazz à Juan. Held in July each year, it’s Europe’s oldest jazz festival.
Nicknamed Nice la Belle, the natural beauty of this Mediterranean city has attracted multiple painters over the decades, who’ve tried to capture its soft, gentle light and panoramic coastline.
Nice’s Port Limpia can accommodate yachts of up to 200 metres, and the vibrant town centre lies just minutes from the quay. Explore the charming old town, with its pastel-coloured buildings, and be sure to take a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, one of the most picturesque streets in the world.
Tranquillity, a warm climate, European aristocracy, international millionaires and luxurious villas – this just about sums up Cap Ferrat (Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat), nicknamed “Cap Celebrity”. It is hard to believe that slightly more than a century ago Cap Ferrat was a mere fishing village with hardly any residents.
At the end of the 19th century, European kings and wealthy visitors, stunned by the natural beauty, gorgeous beaches, tall pine trees and eucalyptus groves, bought property here. That was the beginning of Cap Ferrat as we know it today: celebrity-studded, extravagantly expensive, fashionable and glamorous.
This Italian Renaissance-inspired palace will surely be a highlight of your French Riviera yacht charter holiday. The impressive rose-coloured villa is filled with antique furniture, sculptures and a collection of rare porcelain. The spectacular gardens are not to be missed; they are classified by the French Ministry of Culture as one of the Notable Gardens of France.
A real gem of the city, this private estate was home to the socialite Francine Weisweiller, close friend to Jean Cocteau. The villa features mosaics and frescoes by Cocteau as well as some additions by Picasso.
If you can, try to include this nearby medieval seaside village on your charter itinerary. While there, take a tour of Parfumerie Galimard, a perfume factory and dine at the Michelin-starred La Chèvre d’Or.
Monaco – Menton – Saint -Tropez – Ille Porquerolles – Cannes – Antibes – Nice – Saint Jean Cap Ferrat – Monaco
Rates from: 31,500 EUR per week
Type: Sailing Yacht
Built: 1966, Dunston Shipyard
Length (m): 45.8
Guests: 13
Rates from: 49,000 EUR per week
Type: Sailing Yacht
Built: 1989, Perini Navi
Length (m): 35.97
Guests: 9
Rates from: 59,000 USD per week
Type: Motor Yacht
Built: 1998, Craig Loomes Design
Length (m): 27.9
Guests: 8
Rates from: 475,000 USD per week
Type: Motor Yacht
Built: 2007, Corsair Yachts
Length (m): 80.80
Guests: 12
Rates from: 180,000 EUR per week
Type: Motor Yacht
Built: 2002, Proteksan
Length (m): 49.90
Guests: 12
Rates from: 225,000 EUR per week
Type: Motor Yacht
Built: 2008, Benetti
Length (m): 60
Guests: 12
Rates from: 30,000 EUR per week
Type: Motor Yacht
Built: 2006, Posillipo/Tecnema
Length (m): 25.50
Guests: 10
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