France Yacht Charter

The dazzling microstate of Monaco needs little introduction - a glittering playground of superyachts, casinos, and Grand Prix history packed into just two square kilometers. Port Hercule sits at the very heart of the Riviera charter scene, making Monaco an essential stop on almost any French coast itinerary.

A visit to the Casino de Monte-Carlo is a classic Riviera experience, while the historic Prince's Palace in Monaco-Ville and the Oceanographic Museum perched dramatically above the sea are equally worth exploring.

Best for: glamour, casinos & panoramic views

Nice, the glittering capital of the French Riviera, is a favorite starting point for Côte d’Azur yacht charters. It blends Belle Époque grandeur, Mediterranean beaches, and old‑town charm, setting the tone for the coast. Easy access from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport makes it a convenient embarkation point before heading to Monaco or Cannes.

Key highlights include the Promenade des Anglais along the Baie des Anges, the lively Vieux Nice with its narrow lanes, bistros, and Cours Saleya market, and Castle Hill for panoramic views of the harbor and rooftops. The Russian Orthodox Cathedral with its striking onion domes is also worth a visit.

Best for: Riviera vibe, sightseeing & charter start

Famous worldwide for its film festival, Cannes is the epitome of French Riviera glamour - a sophisticated blend of Belle Époque hotels, yacht-lined harbors, and palm-fringed boulevards. Its central location makes it a natural hub for exploring the Îles de Lérins and the wider Côte d'Azur. Beyond its glamorous reputation, Cannes is also a major date on the yachting calendar, hosting the Cannes Film Festival each May when the world's biggest names in cinema descend on the Croisette and the Cannes Yachting Festival every September, one of Europe's largest in-water boat shows and a key event for the charter industry.

Best for: glamour, festivals & yachting events

Once a quiet fishing village, Saint-Tropez remains the most iconic name on the French Riviera - a magnet for yachts, celebrities, and beach clubs since the 1960s. Its picturesque old port and buzzing nightlife make it a must for any Côte d'Azur charter.

A stop at the colorful Vieux Port is a classic Saint-Tropez experience for people-watching, along with the legendary beach clubs of Pampelonne Beach just outside town.

Best for: glamour, beach clubs & vibrant nightlife

Home to one of the largest yachting marinas in Europe, Antibes combines a charming, ramparted old town with a rich artistic legacy - Picasso once worked from a studio overlooking the sea here. It's both a practical charter hub and a genuinely lovely place to explore on foot.

The Picasso Museum inside the Château Grimaldi, and the daily Marché Provençal food market in the old town are both well worth exploring.

Best for: yachting infrastructure, art & atmospheric walks

An exclusive, pine-covered peninsula between Nice and Monaco, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is where some of the world's most discreet wealth hides behind private gates and lush gardens. Its sheltered bays make for beautiful, tranquil anchorages just minutes from the Riviera's busier ports.

The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is well worth a visit, a pastel-pink palace with spectacular themed gardens overlooking the sea.

Best for: privacy, tranquil anchorages & elegant architecture

The largest of the Îles de Lérins just off Cannes, Sainte‑Marguerite offers a peaceful, pine‑forested escape from the Riviera’s glamour - clear water, walking trails, and a genuine sense of getting away from it all despite being minutes from the mainland.

The island’s highlight is Fort Royal, the former state prison linked to the legend of the Man in the Iron Mask.

Best for: peaceful retreat & historical exploration

The largest of the Îles d’Hyères, Porquerolles feels like a slice of the Caribbean transplanted to the Mediterranean - pine forests, vineyards, and some of the clearest turquoise water on the French coast, with almost no cars allowed on the island. For yachtsmen, it offers sheltered bays and calm anchorages.

Be sure to visit Plage Notre‑Dame, widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches in France.

Best for: serene getaways, beach relaxation & scenic walks

Porto‑Vecchio, Corsica’s yachting capital, is a glamorous port town on the southeastern coast. The lively citadel overlooks a vibrant marina lined with boutiques and restaurants - a perfect base for provisioning and trips to southern Corsica and Sardinia across the Bonifacio Strait.

The Genoese citadel offers atmospheric ramparts and sweeping sea views. Nearby, Palombaggia’s white sands and Santa Giulia’s turquoise waters dazzle, while the Bonifacio Strait Nature Reserve’s rugged cliffs and granite coves provide a wild contrast.

Best for: yachting, beaches & wild coastal spots

Corsica's bustling second city and historic gateway to the island, Bastia pairs a lively Genoese-era old port with an authentic, unpolished charm that feels distinctly Corsican rather than French Riviera.

The Vieux Port is a natural place to begin, ringed by tall pastel-colored houses, and the hilltop Terra Vecchia quarter for its baroque churches and local atmosphere.

Best for: historic architecture & coastal walks

One of the most dramatic ports in the Mediterranean, Bonifacio's citadel sits perched atop soaring white limestone cliffs overlooking the sea, with a narrow fjord-like harbor below packed with yachts. It's consistently rated among Corsica's most spectacular stops.

Make time for the Escalier du Roi d'Aragon, a dramatic stairway cut into the cliff face, and the clifftop old town for sweeping views across the Bonifacio Strait toward Sardinia.

Best for: dramatic views & atmospheric walks

Often called the "Corsican Saint-Tropez," Saint-Florent is an elegant harbor town on the Golfe de Saint-Florent, backed by vineyards and mountains, with a relaxed, upscale atmosphere that's less crowded than the island's southern hotspots.

A visit to the Plage du Lotu is well worth making, a stunning beach reachable only by boat or on foot, tucked inside the Désert des Agriates nature reserve.

Best for: laid‑back luxury & secluded beaches