France Yacht Charters

Famed for its Belle Époque glamor France has a long yacht charter history, especially amongst the SuperyachtSet who descend each summer to gather on its numerous celebrated beaches and dine in its iconic restaurants. The French Riviera, commonly known as the Côte d’Azur, is particularly notable for attracting the world’s finest superyachts thanks to its glittering coastline and range of opportunities for luxury yacht charters. 

Follow in the footsteps of legendary artists, writers and philosophers, and be seduced by the captivating charms of France. From the glitz and glamour of the Cote d’Azur to rolling rural landscapes and the wild island beauty of Corsica, there is much to discover, with world-class art, architecture and gastronomy thrown in for good measure too.

French Riviera (Nice, Saint Tropez, Cannes, Monaco)
Best for: celebrity-spotting, Michelin-starred restaurants, watersports, major superyacht events, rich artistic heritage, provencal cuisine

The Var (Fréjus, Lavandou, Îles d'Hyères, Porquerolles)
Best for: Roman architecture, sandy beaches, olive groves, lavender fields, national parks, crystal waters, swimming, snorkeling 

Corsica (Bonifacio, Ajaccio, Porto Vecchio, Calvi)
Best for: stunning anchorages, luxury shopping and dining, pine tree-lined beaches, scuba diving, trekking

Nearby regions

Italian Riviera (Varazze, Portofino, Santa Margerita, Cinque Terra)
Best for: picturesque villages, authentic cuisine, stunning views, rich architectural heritage

Sardinia (Porto Cervo, La Maddalena archipelago)
Best for: designer boutiques, 5-star hotels, celebrities, white sandy beaches, stunning coves

• Take a stroll down one of the most famous avenues in the world; Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes, with its high-end boutiques and Belle Époque hotels – you may even bump into a celebrity or two.
• Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Cap Ferrat on the French Riviera, a stunning rose-colored villa full of old master paintings and exquisite objets d'art, originally built for Béatrice de Rothschild.
• Marc Chagall National Museum, located in Nice. This museum is an ode to the life works of the painter inspired by religion. 
• Pampelonne Beach in Saint Tropez is well worth a visit just for the celebrity-spotting alone. This chic beach oozes glitz and glamour with a host of restaurants and clubs. Sip a cocktail and kickback.
• Musée Picasso, a museum dedicated solely to the artist, built upon the foundations of the ancient Greek town of Antipolis in Antibes overlooking the sea. 
• Cours Saleya, one of France's most celebrated Mediterranean markets, situated in the old town of Nice where you can browse stalls full of local produce and all things Provençal. 
• Île Sainte-Marguerite is the larger of two enchanting Lerin islands situated opposite the Bay of Cannes, offering nature trails, a museum and even houses a fortress and prison, which, as legend has it, once held the enigmatic “man in the iron mask”.
• Palombaggia and Rondinara beaches in south-east Corsica – stunning white sandy stretches of coastline with crystal clear waters and a variety of eateries.
• Golf de Porto, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France, encompassing the Calanques de Piana, Gulf of Girolata, and Scandola Nature Reserve.

France provides the perfect cruising territory for luxury yacht-goers looking for glamour and sophistication. A favourite haunt for Hollywood elites and the SuperyachtSet, this is the place to see and be seen during the summer superyacht season.

The region attracts those looking for a diverse range of experiences all within a champagne cork’s pop away from each other. Although most renowned for its celebrity culture, fine dining and buzzy beach clubs, many are also attracted to its rich cultural history, idyllic pine-scented islands and charming fishing villages.

Although derived from a melting pot of civilisations including the Celts, Greco-Romans and Germanic influences, from the middle ages onwards France established itself as the epicenter of European high culture.

From the early 1700s, with the development of the Bourgeoisie middle class and Enlightenment ideals, including its central tenet of meritocracy, France enjoyed some of the highest literacy rates in the world, which monasteries and universities actively encouraged under a system of royal and aristocratic patronage. This peaked in the Renaissance era with a veritable army of literary greats, noble philosophers and convention-breaking artists all adding their cultural stamp.

There is a huge variety of motor yachts for charter in this part of the Mediterranean. From 100m megayachts with all the latest features and amenities to small speedy weekend cruisers, or somewhere in between.

Berths here are in high demand during the summer months, which likely means you will spend more time at anchor, so bear this mind when selecting your yacht.

Yachts with planing hulls are ideal if you want to zip between destinations quickly. However, be aware that they consume more fuel and will be less stable at anchor. 

Displacement and semi-displacement hulls are slower, but more spacious and far more stable at anchor. They offer ample volume and comfort, and the largest yachts in the international charter fleet are all displacement or semi-displacement.

There are plenty of sailing yachts for charter in France. Choose between a high-performance ketch, a classic sloop or a catamaran for increased onboard volume. 

There are ample winds to be found along the Côte d'Azur to hoist your sails, then sit back and enjoy the view as you cruise by the famous beaches of Saint Tropez or the busy harbors of Cannes and Monaco. 

The waters around Corsica and Sardinia are better for experienced sailors who aren’t afraid of wind and swell. Many of the harbors and marinas are located on the west coast, with a fantastic sailing wind guaranteed in the strait of Bonifacio, the 12km body of water separating Corsica and Sardinia.

With so many options available, there’s something to suit every type of budget. For convenience we have listed the average prices for motor yacht and sailing yacht charters in France below;

For motor yacht rentals in France, prices can range from $31,958 to $1.7m per week, plus expenses

For luxury sailing yacht rentals in France, prices can go from $34,637 to $549,561 weekly, plus expenses

As with almost all countries in the European Union, France charges a percentage VAT on goods and services. This applies to yacht charters as well. 

From March 31, 2020, the country introduced VAT at the standard rate of 20 percent of the cost of the yacht charter. However, there are some instances where this can be reduced, dependent on the time, not distance, spent in international waters during your charter. Speak to your preferred yacht charter broker for more information. 

While exploring France by yacht, you will find plenty of marinas that cater to a wide range of superyachts.

For charters along the French Riviera, we recommend;

• Vieux Port de Cannes and Port Pierre Canto in Cannes, both cater to all sizes of yachts and with 1,200 berths between them securing a spot, even in the height of summer, should be possible.
• Port Cogolin in Saint Tropez, which boasts 1,600 berths for yachts of up to 50m/164ft, and Port Vauban in Antibes, which caters to yachts up to a whopping 165m/541ft LOA.
• Port de Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, located near the picture-postcard village of Villefranche. This marina has 560 berths that can accommodate yachts up to 60m/197ft in length.

For charters in Corsica, we recommend;

• Port Ajaccio Tino Rossi, the capital's largest marina – located on the west coast, which has 300 berths and caters to yachts of up to 100m/328ft
• Port Calvi, located in the northwest with 150 berths for yachts up to 65m/213ft LOA.
• Port de Plaisance Saint-Florent; a pretty marina tucked away in the north with 920 berths, and in close proximity to vineyards and the stunning Saleccia beach.

Unless you book your berths well in advance, it is likely you will spend most nights at anchor during your yacht charter. However, you will find plenty of beautiful sheltered spots to drop anchor and relax, savoring the breathtaking views this region has to offer.

Some of the best anchorage spots can be found in Villefranche, Saint Tropez,  Îles de Lérins – islands across from Cannes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Îles d'Hyères – including the Porquerolles – a group of islands just off the coast of France near Hyères.

Some of the best anchorages in Corsica can be found at Rondinara Beach – halfway between Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio, Girolata and Saint Florent in the north. Also, Cavallo, part of the Lavezzi archipelago a short hop east from Bonifacio.

Your yacht crew and your broker will know the most about the best bays and sheltered coves where you can find a peaceful anchorage.

French Riviera

The French Riviera also boasts myriad idyllic fishing villages and secluded harbors, which are dotted up and down the coast. The region also claims a rich cultural heritage; you are never far from a Roman ruin, medieval castle or some famous artist's retreat. 

If you do visit Cannes, be sure not to miss the exquisite Îles des Lérins: two islands that offer Aleppo pine-scented nature trails; a fortress – said to have once held the enigmatic 'man in the iron mask'; and a 5th-century monastery, still inhabited by Cistercian monks.

Another must-see is the vertiginous village of Èze, located on a rocky outcrop, which also boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant at its summit.

Nearby you will find the picture-perfect village of Villefranche, perfect for a quiet anchorage for the night, where you can also arrange to go diving and explore the region's nudibranchs and other aquatic species. 

The French Riviera is also renowned for its numerous events this region hosts annually, especially during the summer months. Such as the Cannes Film Festival, Monaco Grand Prix, Rolex Monte-Carlo tennis masters and countless other sporting events, music festivals, firework displays and sailing regattas, not to mention the greatest concentration of megayachts you've ever seen outside of the Monaco Boat Show. You really are in for a treat!

The Var region is characterized by ancient Roman architecture, olive groves, lavender fields and charming old villages.

Head west along the coast of the Provence-des-Alpes-Maritime region, where you will find the ancient Roman city of Fréjus, founded by Julius Caesar in 49BC and boasting an amphitheater and aqueduct.

If you are looking for one of the best anchorage spots in the South of France, be sure to head over to the Îles d'Hyères, a small archipelago just a 20 min hop across the water from the town of Hyères. The largest island of Porquerolles – named the 'loveliest island on the French Riviera' by Condé Nast – is renowned for its crystal clear waters and verdant forests.

In the extreme south, you'll find Bonifacio, an enchanting medieval clifftop citadel precariously perched on the precipice above the sea. Meander its cobbled streets and restaurants before heading down the stone steps carved out of the cliff face to the marina below.

Nearby on Corsica's southeast coast is Porto-Vecchio – said to be one of the most distinguished harbors in Europe – where you will find luxury yachts, boutiques and fine dining. Nearby are the beautiful white beaches of Palombaggia and Propiano. From here you can also scuba dive captivating sites such as the Pointe de l’Omu wreck. 

The capital city of Ajaccio is also well worth a visit; nestled in the stunning Golf de Porto on Corsica's west coast bordered by granite-red cliffs, and the birthplace of Napoleon. 

In the north of the island, you will find Calvi, a charming town of palm trees, quaint storefronts and sandy beaches, where you can scuba dive reefs among colorful schools of fish. Head over to the nature reserves of Lavezzi Islands, a delightful archipelago of granite islets and reefs.

If you have time, visit the exquisite waterfall gorges at Solenzara River on the east coast, with its natural swimming pools set amongst pine tree-lined lakes.

Located south of Corsica lies the captivating Italian island of Sardinia, a hugely popular destination for yacht charters, characterized by a rugged landscape, exquisite white sandy beaches and astounding bronze age features, juxtaposed with high-end boutiques and fine dining. 

Visit Porto Cervo, situated in the north-east – a firm favorite amongst the superyacht set – with its bevy of stunning beaches, as well as an array of designer boutiques and excellent eateries. 

Another must-see on your trip around this fascinating island are the nature reserves on La Maddalena, an archipelago with its enticing turquoise lagoons, perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

The Italian Riviera is another iconic destination for the superyacht set, often forming part of the classic "milk run" itinerary, along with Monaco, Cannes, and Saint Tropez.

The most notable destination on this stretch of coastline is the exquisite pastel-hued harbor of Portofino. This glamourous, yet utterly charming location has been a drawcard for celebrities and artists alike for decades. Hike to the church of St Giorgio with its unmissable panoramic views, before heading to Hotel Splendido for sundowners and experience their world-famous peach bellinis.

Further south, you will find the exquisite Cinque Terre, a collection of five centuries-old fishing villages set within the rugged Italian coastline. These small harbors are difficult to reach via land, making them a fantastic must-see destination by yacht. Be sure to sample the local specialty dishes of pesto the region is famous for in one of the many trattorias dotted around each harbor.

For more information about renting luxury charter yachts in France, please contact your preferred yacht charter broker.