Wednesday 2 November 2016

French Riviera Yacht Charters

A yacht charter holiday on the French Riviera will include the razzle-dazzle; the glitz and glamour; the Versace; the Dior; the Cartier …Nice, Antibes, Cannes, St Tropez and Marseilles…you will find it all here. You will also find energy and excitement oozing from Europe’s holidaymakers. If you prefer lovely tranquil anchorages and unassuming waterside seafood restaurants on your yacht, you can find this too! There are a large number of different yacht charter companies in the French Riviera so let Viacolvento organise your charter with our expert knowledge of all the best yachts and the best company for your particular requirements.

If you’re looking for a state of the art charter yacht, with all the toys, this is the place to find it. The Mediterranean yachting has had here a fast development due to both shore line configuration and inhabitants age-old tourism tradition. Here, the first and more equipped marinas were made. The largest pleasure crafts fleet in the Mediterranean area is located along this coast and here some of the most beautiful yachts in the word are chartered or sold.


Monaco is really a futuristic town, enjoyable, modern and with wide spaces for the social life, well conceived and cast in the limited space left between the sea and the inaccessible coast climbed by the beautiful "Corniche" bends. Underground the city gets more space, with roads and multilevel parking. The enormous space demands will be satisfied by smartly stealing it from the sea, around the Fontvieille area. Here one of the two main marinas of the Principality is placed surrounded by a large residential area and easily reachable from the Cannes International Airport by helicopters based just next to the marina. Yachts up to 130 meters can moor at the famous Unites States dock, in the Condamine Port, in front of which the Gran Prix take place. 700 berths are available. The yachting club, with a strong racing tradition and chaired by Prince Albert, overhangs it. For those of you calling here a visit to the Oceanographic museum, the most famous in the world for sure, and a tour downtown, are a must.


The real yachting deal, however, is Antibes. Here the largest private yachts of the Mediterranean have their home port, and the associated facilities can service to the highest standards. The old town, surrounded by fortifications such as Tour du Recrutement and Fort CarrF, was built on the promontory dividing the port from Anse de la Salis. Antibes, with its crowded alleys, characteristic restaurants, fashion stores and cozy bars, offer an exciting night life: one has the impression that sun rise arrives soon!

Cannes is even more exclusive but not suitable for large yachts. The town, the real Mediterranean center of international yachting, is located in the northern end of the La Napoule gulf, and is renown the world over for its Film festival.

The Mandelieu la Napoule port is located to the west side of the namesake gulf and is overlooked by the characteristic (and once again homonymous) castle. Mooring is always possible at La Rague port, located slightly to the west.

The stretch of coast lying between Drammont and Camarat capes, is the most beautiful and charming one over the entire French Riviera. Here, in the area sheltered by the Iles de Hyeres (where some small but well equipped marinas are locate), at Port Cross and at Porquerolles island "yachting" is the word. The most beautiful ports and the more exclusive resorts are located here. This is the VIP tourism, the night life and the sailing yachts realm.

St Tropez is a small fishing village tucked into the coastline between the sky and the sea of the famous Cote d'Azur. In 1956, St Tropez was used as the setting for the sexy film “And God Created Woman”, starring Brigitte Bardot. The jetsetters soon came flocking to this sleepy corner of France in search of the same sensual lifestyle. Today, although St Tropez is a Mecca for the riotously rich and famous, it deserves a place on any yacht charter itinerary.


Despite the growing popularity of St Tropez as a yacht charter destination, the village manages to maintain its gorgeous charm. . There are timeless back streets to explore, filled with boutique shops, delis and patisseries. The aromas of freshly baked croissants and brewed coffee waft down the cobbled streets to greet you. Enjoy a sunset drink in one of the many cafes lining the dock. Watch the sleek superyachts, maneuver into their tight berths, fender to fender. At dusk, it's quite spectacular to watch the evening lights reflect from the pastel pinks, oranges and yellows of the harbor side houses.
By day, enjoy the stunning beaches of the St Tropez peninsular. On the eastern side, lies three miles of curving white sand in the famous Pampelonne Bay. At Tahiti Beach, you’ll find the hangout of the rich, the famous and the generally scantily clad: The Voiles Rouge beach club.

The climate, cuisine and sophistication of the French Rivera, has for some time made it a popular destination for sailors and visitors from around the world. The coastline is striking, lipped with beaches that rest beneath hillsides heavy with yellow momisa. In summer you will find large numbers of charter yachts cruising the shoreline, although boating is possible here all year long. The climate is balmy, with long, dry summers, moderate breezes, mild winters and plenty of sunshine.
The French Riviera yacht charter scene is ever increasing in popularity and the types of yacht charter available in Nice, Antibes, Cannes, St Tropez, Iles d’Hyères and Marseilles are all types of yacht charter.

As with most of the Mediterranean, the French Riviera yacht charter season generally runs from April to the end of October. The summer season in July and August is the hottest and tends to have the warmest sunshine, lightest winds and also the largest crowds. This is also the high season as far as French Riviera yacht charter is concerned. Other good times to charter your yacht is generally on either of the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October), each side of the main summer season (July-August), as the temperatures are still comfortable, and the onshore tourists have yet to arrive in their largest numbers.

The French Riviera, extending along the Mediterranean Sea and including the neighboring Principality of Monaco, home to Monte Carlo, is an alluring area filled with glitz and glamour.
With seemingly endless sunny beaches, charming towns, glamorous yachts and celebrities, the French Riviera is the place to see and be seen. Also known as the Côte d'Azur, this cruising area is one of the most famous resort locations in the world. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, the moderate temperature lures all to the coastline for outdoor dining and strolling along the quays, or through the villages and fields scented by lavender and lemons.

Enchanting destinations such as St-Tropez, Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer and St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat entice visitors to tread in Picasso, Matisse and Bizet's wake. Famous for the world's most beautiful light, over a hundred museums and more than 150 galleries keep the artistic ambiance alive, while the unique fishing villages suggest a haven for relaxation and restoration.


The French Riviera is home to some of the finest restaurants and world’s most beautiful shops. Exploring this coast takes on a new dimension of tantalizing food, wines and of course, French design and couture. Spend the afternoon sunning and swimming along the coast in a lovely anchorage, and the evening in the midst of glamour mixing at the Casino of Monte Carlo.
Relax on the aft deck of your yacht, dining under the stars, either stern to amidst the quayside cafes and nightlife or in a quiet anchorage along the coast watching the lights twinkle in the cliff-hanging villages above the coast.

Allow us to custom tailor your luxury, crewed French Riviera yacht charter. Our knowledge of French Riviera charter yachts, crews, destinations and cruising itineraries is unmatched! We personally inspect each yacht, meet the captains, sample the chefs' cuisine and evaluate the service offered by each yacht crew.

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