French Riviera – The Cote d’Azur
World renowned for its prestigious 5* hotels, glamorous beach resorts, old ports with sidewalks lined with palms and wonderful al fresco bars and restaurants, sun drenched home of the rich and famous.
The sailing season is generally May to October and the highest temperatures, over 30 deg/c, are July and August but the winds are a little lighter.
Cruising the Cote d’Azur, exploring the old ports of St Tropez, Antibes and Nice, the tranquillity provided by secluded little coves and the glamour and sparkle of Cannes and Monaco provide every possible option to satisfy your travel experience palate.
Of course French cuisine is famous world over and equally so aboard. Your chef will prepare gastronomic French classics, followed by delectable desserts and tumultuous French cheeses and wines, champagnes or rose to wash it all down. Visit the French markets with your chef to choose the finest French ingredients for you evening meal or just “mooch” to your hearts content until returning for a dip in that warm Azur sea.
For your Cote d’Azur experience why not fly into Nice and it’s a short taxi ride to St Jean Cap Ferrat to board your luxury yacht. We will meet you at the quay. This beautiful old port is on the most exclusive peninsular on the Cote d’Azur. Watch out for those ‘A’ list celebs.
Welcome aboard for cocktails, if the sun is over the yardarm!, get comfy and chat with the crew to discuss any further details for ensuring your memories of a lifetime immediately commence.
Just chill after unpacking, relax and chat more about the proposed sailing plan and the obligatory safety brief.
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Arrive Nice
Day 1
Nice, capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department on the French Riviera, sits on the pebbly shores of the Baie des Anges. Founded by the Greeks and later a retreat for 19th-century European elite, the city has also long attracted artists. Former resident Henri Matisse is honoured with a career-spanning collection of paintings at Musée Matisse. Musée Marc Chagall features some of its namesake’s major religious works.
We have a short afternoon sail of around 8Nm taking in Villefranche and onto Cap Ferrat where we anchor up amongst the superyachts.
Day 2
It’s a short hop to Monaco and Monte Carlo today. Monte Carlo is officially an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco, specifically the ward of Monte Carlo/Spélugues, where the Monte Carlo Casino is located.
If you want to explore Monte Carlo then we can try for a day berth in Monaco marina, which can be tricky to find space, or we can drop you off from an anchorage and take you ashore by tender. Anchoring up in Monaco bay is not permitted but we can get you ashore.
Day 3
!7Nm this morning to Antibes. Antibes is known for its old town enclosed by 16th-century ramparts with the star-shaped Fort Carré. This overlooks other luxury yachts moored at the Port Vauban marina. The forested Cap d’Antibes peninsula, dotted with grand villas, separates Antibes from Juan-les-Pins, a chic resort with buzzing nightlife and the Jazz à Juan music festival.
Day 4
12Nm this morning taking in Juan les Pins before heading for Cannes. Cannes, a resort town, is famed for its international film festival. Its Boulevard de la Croisette, curving along the coast, is lined with sandy beaches, upmarket boutiques and palatial hotels. It’s also home to the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, a modern building complete with red carpet and Allée des Étoiles – Cannes’ walk of fame.
Back to your yacht for a short 5Nm early evening sail to Plage de l’Arguille to anchor up for the night. Either dinner aboard or a tender ride to one of the two beach front fish restaurants.
Day 5
The next bay is Theoule-sur-Mer where you can spend a leisurely afternoon snorkelling for dolphin and turtle spotting.
Day 6
21Nm this morning to Saint-Raphaël. Numerous beaches line the Mediterranean coast, including Rade d’Agay and some in rocky coves like Fournas and Maupas. Named after a WWII Allied landing, Débarquement Beach faces the island Île d’Or. To the west is the landmark Notre Dame de la Victorie Basilica, built from sandstone in the 19th century. Bonaparte Garden overlooks the bay.
Day 7
16NM morning sail to Saint-Tropez which is probably the most famous coastal town on the French Riviera, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southeastern France. Long popular with artists, the town attracted the international “jet set” in the 1960s, and remains known for its beaches and nightlife. The cobblestoned La Ponche quarter recalls its past as a fishing village, although yachts now outnumber fishing boats in the Vieux Port (Old Port).
Day 8
Easy morning off the beach then a sail to Port Grimaud. Visit the canals by tender in what is known as Little Venice. Afternoon to Pampelonne with its long, iconic sandy beach lined with exclusive restaurants, bars & clubs
Day 9
Morning sailing to Mandelieu la Napoule, about 15NM for lunch aboard in the small marina under the Chateau de la Napoule.
Day 10
Around 20Nm cruise back to Cap Ferrat or direct to Nice if you prefer, in order to meet your afternoon taxi returning you to Nice airport with time to say “Au revoir, jusqu’à la prochaine fois” to the playground of the rich and famous.
