Luxury Yacht Charter in the French Riviera

Another reason to yacht charter the French Riviera is, of course, the range of culinary delights! With the influence of French food, Mediterranean heritage, and its proximity to Italy, the food and dining you can enjoy in this region are unmatched. You can enjoy the fresh local ingredients and inventive dishes in charming bistros or Michelin-starred restaurants.

On a Western Mediterranean yacht charter, you can easily visit and enjoy lots of exciting locations and events. For example, visit the glamorous locations of Monaco, Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Antibes. Experience the Cannes Film Festival, Voiles de Saint-Tropez regattas, glamorous casino nights in Monaco, and summer music festivals.

Across the region, you can also discover designer shops, art galleries, and historical sites. Alternatively, there are fantastic beach clubs, bars and restaurants for nightlife. You can also wind down with some sightseeing, walks on the beach or trips to hidden bays for ultimate relaxation.

No matter what your style, a French Riviera yacht charter with Princess Charter can accommodate your needs. From a fully bespoke itinerary, crewed yacht and 24/7 support, we’ll make your trip a dream experience.

To book, give us a call on +44 (0) 1489 557 755, email us at info@princessyachtcharter.com, or fill in our short enquiry form. We’ll be in touch to get your journey started.

What cities can I reach on a yacht around the French Riviera?

When you travel in an area by luxury yacht charter, you can be sure to find the best spots. You’ll have exclusive access to bays and coves, often inaccessible by road. You also get the benefit of travelling in full comfort and privacy, wherever your heart desires.

Choosing a yacht charter in the French Riviera is the best way to experience this part of the world. There are multiple cities and towns to explore, with beaches and natural areas to admire. Below, we’ve outlined some of the must-see cities and areas on a French Riviera luxury yacht charter.

Monaco

Although it is technically the second-smallest country in the world, Monaco has a big reputation and a lot to offer. Here you’ll find the sparkle of legendary spots like the Monte Carlo Casino, or the excitement of Port Hercule, full of super yachts.

Here you can visit the regal Prince’s Palace built in 1191 or explore the delights of the Old Town, with its luxury shopping and fantastic dining opportunities. If you time your visit just right, you can attend the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix or the Monaco Yacht Show.

When you yacht charter in Monaco, you can combine unmissable events with glittering experiences, from casinos to Michelin-star restaurants and historic sights.

Nice

Often considered the best starting point for a trip across the French Riviera, Nice is well known for its blend of modern and historical influences. Here you’ll find a beautiful mix of cultural interests, from fine dining, art galleries and museums, to a range of modern bars, markets and nightlife.

As you approach Nice, you’ll find a modern harbour and a stretch of coast that looks out onto the beautiful Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels). The nearby Promenade des Anglais is great for a stroll and to take in the scenery.

From here you can visit the Old Town, with its Belle Époque architecture, and fantastic restaurants – serving local dishes like socca and salade niçoise. If you’re an art lover, the Musée Matisse houses a collection of pieces by Henri Matisse (a former Nice resident).

Cannes

Located southwest of Nice, this famous city is popular for its unique buildings, beautiful scenery and world-class events. Most notably, the Cannes Film Festival brings glitz and glamour to the area with its annual celebration of film from across the globe.

Cannes is a very stylish city, with modern marinas, great nightlife, and highly rated restaurants and designer boutiques. Alternatively, you can enjoy the scenic, palm-lined stretch of the Promenade de la Croisette, which offers beautiful views of the sea and access to golden beaches.

Outside of hosting the film festival, the Palais des Festivals is an exciting place to visit. Here you can walk the red carpet and spot famous names on the ‘Path of the Stars’ (where over 140 handprints and signatures are moulded into the ground).

Other must-see spots in Cannes include the old town, ‘the Suquet’, a historical area with hillside views of the entire city. Discover the medieval past of Cannes in the Museum of World Explorations or the Notre-Dame de l’Espérance church.

By yacht, you could also hop over to the nearby Lerins Islands for a relaxing escape to nature, with perfect waters, wild beaches and vineyards to explore.

Saint-Tropez (St. Tropez)

This former fishing village is now an iconic destination for its exclusive events, luxury dining and nightlife. Saint-Tropez is a rustic town with historic charm, with its cobblestone streets and colourful buildings in its old town area, ‘La Ponche’.

It also offers an electric atmosphere at famous clubs such as Le Club 55 and Nikki Beach, on its famous beaches of Pampelonne and Escalet.

There are also plenty of activities to experience here, from vineyard trips, walking trails, and visits to galleries such as the Musée de l’Annonciade.

Saint-Tropez offers a unique balance of luxury and glamour, with adventure and historical discovery.

Antibes

Another great city to include in your French Riviera yacht charter is Antibes. This beautiful city incorporates all the history and culture you would expect in this region, but with a touch of nature and intrigue.

Here you can indulge in the ancient history of its 16th-century Fort Carré, with its impressive architecture and imposing clifftop position. Alternatively, lose yourself in some delightfully puzzling artworks at the dedicated Picasso Museum.

For the more exclusive atmosphere, enjoy the city’s lively marina, Port Vauban, the largest in the Mediterranean. It offers great nearby bars on the waterfront, restaurants and often live music.

You can also enjoy nature here, with coastal walking trails at Cap d’Antibes, areas of beautiful greenery or tranquil, hidden bays to enjoy water activities.

Villefranche-sur-Mer

The small town of  Villefranche-sur-Mer is another great destination for a yacht charter trip.

Its deep, natural harbour (the Bay of Villefranche) is known to be the safest in the Mediterranean, and the view from sea, as you approach, is enchanting.

Found just southeast of Nice, the steep surrounding hills of Villefranche are beautifully highlighted by vibrant, pastel-coloured buildings, with perfect blue waters and golden beaches at their base.

Here you can enjoy historical sights, such as the Chapelle Saint-Pierre (Saint Peter’s Chapel), and the town’s medieval village, with 13th-century landmarks. With so much history here and surrounding natural beauty, the town is regarded as a popular spot to inspire artists and film producers.

Stunning beaches here, including the Plage des Marinieres and Plage de la Darse, are popular for water sports, with their crystal clear waters. There are also lots of dining, boutiques and bars to enjoy along the harbour and throughout the town.

Each city or town we’ve included here offers a range of activities, sights and experiences to enjoy. They are particularly perfect for a yacht charter of the French Riviera, as they offer access to authentic areas, where food and culture can really be appreciated.

If you would like to include any of these areas on your yacht charter, our team is here to help. Simply call us on +44 (0) 1489 557 755, email info@princessyachtcharter.com or fill in our enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.

What to see on a trip to the French Riviera

The French Riviera offers a diverse range of places to visit, with many activities and sights to experience. With over 40 towns and cities to explore, we’ve compiled a list of the must-see spots below to ensure you can get the most from your yacht charter.

Nature

One of the main reasons people love to visit the Riviera is for its beautiful landscapes and chances to enjoy private moments in nature. Whether you’re a beach lover or a hill hiker, there are stunning areas to discover across the region.

Some of these include:

Calanques National Park
A stunning natural area with inspiring limestone cliffs, vibrant turquoise waters and rugged landscapes. Here you can sail to secluded inlets (calanques) to enjoy swimming, snorkelling or kayaking.

Alternatively, explore the surrounding cliffs on hiking trails, such as the Calanques de Cassis trail to enjoy incredible sea views and spot some of over 140 protected wildlife species throughout the park.

Île des Embiez and Porquerolles
If you want to experience more of the biodiversity, animal life and outdoor activities, you can stop off at the islands of Île des Embiez and Porquerolles.

Île des Embiez is admired for its Blue Flag beaches, pine forests and nature trails. Porquerolles has a protected status and is famous for its unspoiled natural landscape and outstanding beaches, such as the Plage d’Argent.

Lérins Islands
Just off the coast of Cannes, you can explore a series of islands which are praised as a quiet escape, set amongst natural landscapes. You can visit Sainte-Marguerite Island for its pine forests, scenic walking routes and nature reserve. Ideal for hiking, picnics or relaxing among the hidden coves and pebble beaches.

You can also take a hop over to the smaller island of Saint-Honorat to admire the historical fortifications, monastery and vineyards.

Beaches
The French Riviera has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches for you to enjoy. Some of these include:

Pampelonne beach (Saint-Tropez)
Plage Mala (Cap d’Ail)
Garoupe beach (Cap d’Antibes)
The Golden Islands (Porquerolles, Le Levant and Port-Cros)

If you love exploring the natural beauty of the Mediterranean, why not add a yacht charter in Corsica to your trip? Corsica is a less populated island with a stunning, rugged landscape. It offers a range of breathtaking natural landscapes, unlike any other island. To add Corsica as a stop on your trip, speak to our dedicated Princess Charter team.

Activities

If you like to make the most of every moment you’re travelling, you will find plenty of activities to do in this area of France. Here are some of the highlights:

Vineyards
Across the French Riviera, you will find historic vineyards, offering wine tours, walks around ancient terraces and tastings. This area is part of the Provence wine region, which is famous for rosé wines.

Many vineyards are located near the coast, so they’re perfect for a yacht charter activity, and often they will also include food sampling of local specialities.

Some of the most highly rated vineyards to experience include:

Château de Bellet (Nice)
Domaine La Tourraque (Saint-Tropez Peninsula)
Lérins Abbey Wines (Saint-Honorat, Cannes)
Domaine de la Croix (Near Cap Lardier, Ramatuelle)
Clos Sainte Magdeleine (Cassis)

Hiking
There are numerous trails across the region that you can enjoy if you’re an avid hiker. Some of the best include the scenic coastal walk of Cap d’Antibes, which travels across rugged cliffs, secluded coves and historical sites.

Water activities
With plenty of beautiful beaches and calm bays, there are lots of opportunities for swimming, diving, snorkelling or kayaking. For example, you can paddleboard at the Îles de Lérins, near Cannes. Enjoy the waters at Villefranche-sur-Mer, or scuba dive in Antibes.

With the luxury of a yacht charter, you can sail to any stretch of water you desire and enjoy the invigoration that only sea swimming can bring.

Culture and events

Some of the most famous world events take place along the French Riviera, and if you time your trip right, you could enjoy some of these moments up close. There are, however, still many events and cultural experiences to discover. This can include:

Beach clubs
Enjoy the exclusive comfort and quality on offer at some of the best beach clubs in the Mediterranean. In Nice, you can find some of the most famous clubs, offering delicious food, champagne and often great music.

Here are some of the most highly rated places to visit:

Paloma Beach (Cap Ferrat)
Le Club 55 (Saint-Tropez)
La Guérite (Île Sainte-Marguerite, off Cannes)
Castel Plage (Nice)
Blue Beach (Nice)

Art museums
For art lovers, there are many exciting collections to view. You can visit the Picasso Museum (Antibes), located inside the medieval Grimaldi Castle overlooking the sea.

Head to Nice for the Chagall and Matisse Museums or discover modern art in the Fondation Maeght, in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, which features works by Miró and Giacometti.

There are often art festivals happening in the region as well, particularly in places like Antibes, which has many local galleries to enjoy.

Cannes Film Festival
One of the world’s most famous and glamorous film festivals happens right in the heart of Cannes. Being here during the festival offers the chance to experience the dazzle of Hollywood, with world premieres and celebrity appearances.

You have the chance to attend exclusive public viewings with the Cinéma de la Plage program, which hosts nightly beach screenings throughout the festival.

During this time, Cannes is also abuzz with activity and celebration, so if you enjoy nightlife and are excited by film, this is a great opportunity to get closer to the action.

Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix
Every May, the annual Monaco Grand Prix is a highly anticipated event that sees Formula 1 racing on Monaco’s winding, narrow streets. Whether you’re a racing fan or not, the excitement and atmosphere of the crowds are a unique experience.

You can enjoy some great views all from the comfort of your yacht when anchored in the famous Port Hercule. In addition, you can enjoy great club nights and parties to celebrate the event.

Historical places

If you enjoy stepping back in time and discovering the history of the places you travel, there are many opportunities to do this across the French Riviera. Here are some special historical sites you might want to visit:

Medieval villages and towns
If you take a short trip inland from the coast, you can experience some incredible medieval villages, perched on hillsides or surrounded by vineyards. Some of these include:

Eze Village: Perched on a rocky hill, Eze has preserved medieval streets, stone houses, and exotic gardens.

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin: With a 10th-century castle and old stone houses overlooking the Mediterranean.

Antibes: Has medieval ramparts, a 12th-century cathedral, and the Château Grimaldi.

Villefranche-sur-Mer: With its ancient Citadel Saint-Elme and historic Old Town.

Roman and ancient sites
There are some fascinating examples of the past scattered throughout the Riviera, and chances to see real artefacts in some of these places:

The Hill of Cimiez (Nice): Archaeological area with Roman arenas, amphitheatre, baths, and a paleochristian basilica from the provincial capital of Alpes Maritimae.

Terra Amata (Nice): Prehistoric site and museum showcasing early human habitation and the first organised fireplaces in history.

Grotte du Lazaret (Nice): Prehistoric cave with artefacts dating from the Middle Palaeolithic era.

Impressive buildings
You can view dazzling, historical structures which held great importance, with some now showcasing more modern relics:

Princely Palace of Monaco: The official residence of the Prince of Monaco, with architectural elements from the 13th century.

The Castle of Mouans-Sartoux: A Renaissance castle surrounded by parkland, hosting art exhibitions.

Castle Hill Park (Nice): Once a medieval fortress, now historic ruins and gardens, marking ancient settlement sites.

Fort Royal (Île Sainte-Marguerite): Legendary prison of the ‘Man in the Iron Mask’ and sea fortress open for tours.

Fine dining

With influences from French, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, the dining options across this region are world-class. Some of the foods and venues you can try include:

Mirazur (Menton): Three Michelin stars, ranked among the world’s best.

Louis XV–Alain Ducasse (Monaco): Three Michelin stars. Set inside the Hôtel de Paris with a legendary wine cellar and classic Riviera flavours.

La Vague d’Or (Saint-Tropez): Three Michelin stars, with spectacular seafront views.

MAMO Le Michelangelo (Antibes): French–Italian classics, with a lively atmosphere.

Le Club 55 (Saint-Tropez): Famous beach restaurant with a relaxed vibe.

Essential French Riviera travel information

Before you visit the French Riviera on a yacht charter, it’s good to know some key bits of information to help you make some decisions. To ensure you have all the details you need to plan the perfect trip, we’ve outlined some essential points below.

Seasons

The best seasons to yacht charter the French Riviera are May, June and September. These months offer warm weather, with more manageable crowds, whereas peak season, between July and August, tends to be the busiest.

Temperatures during spring across the region can be between 18 and 25°C, whereas the summer months are usually higher between 24 and 35°C.

Accessibility

There are plenty of travel routes across the French Riviera, with inland travel available via high-speed trains from Paris, Marseille and Italy. Alternatively, you can fly via the following airports:

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE): International flights and easy access to Cannes, Monaco, Antibes, and Nice.

Marseille Provence Airport (MRS): For the Western Riviera.

Toulon Hyères Airport (TLN): For the Saint-Tropez area.

There are options for private jets to arrive in smaller airports in both Cannes and Saint-Tropez. You can discuss your travel needs with our Princess Charter team, who will be happy to arrange any of our VIP travel options.

Currency

The Euro (€) is the currency used across France.

Languages

The main language spoken is French. However, English and Italian are both widely understood in the tourist areas.

How to charter a yacht in the French Riviera

If you wish to travel to the world’s most popular destinations for beautiful weather, gorgeous landscapes and glamorous attractions, the best way to do so is on a luxury yacht charter. You can see all the best views from the sea, with exclusive access to hidden coves and bays. Plus, you can enjoy 5-star privacy and comfort when you choose a Princess Charter.

All you need to do is decide when you want to travel, how many people will be in your party and some of the places you want to include. Next, simply contact our dedicated charter team, who will get to work planning your bespoke itinerary and organising the trip of your dreams.

With our luxury yachts, you’ll get the benefit of an experienced crew and a dedicated team who are on hand 24/7 both before and during your trip, to arrange everything you need. Whether you’re in need of special dietary requirements on board or just want to secure tickets to an event, our team can make it happen.

If you want to get your French Riviera yacht charter booked, simply call us on +44 (0) 1489 557 755, email us at info@princessyachtcharter.com, or fill in our quick enquiry form. Our team will ensure your every need is covered, so all you have to do is turn up and enjoy!

FAQ

What do I need to know before booking a French Riviera yacht charter?
If you know when you want to travel, how many are in your group and have some ideas of places you wish to visit, our team can arrange everything else! At Princess Charter, we’ll plan a fully bespoke itinerary so you can travel at your own pace, ensuring you have everything you need.

How do I secure my booking for a yacht charter in the French Riviera?
All you have to do is contact our charter team with a few details, and we’ll create a bespoke travel plan and itinerary for you. Simple gives us a call on +44 (0) 1489 557 755, email us at info@princessyachtcharter.com, or fill in our enquiry form.

How do I find the right yacht for a French Riviera yacht charter?
When our team helps plan your trip, we’ll take into account all the important details – such as group size and length of your travel – to pair you with the best yacht for your requirements. All of our luxury yachts offer 5-star comfort and privacy, so you can enjoy the best possible trip.

Why choose Princess Yacht Charter for my charter?
Princess Charter offers a fully bespoke itinerary service, meaning you can travel at your own pace and only stop at the places you want to see. Our team is on hand 24/7 throughout your trip to help with any requirements and can often support you with special requests – like event tickets or on-board dining. We ensure your journey is as relaxing as your surroundings.