CHARTER FRANCE
This iconic cruising destination promises glamour, celebrity, and sophistication along an alluring coastline
Cruise along the French Riviera, a ultra-exclusive, lavish vacation destination known as one of the world’s first resorts, and to this day maintains its magnetic allure. Its reputation for being the playground of the rich and famous is well-deserved, offering the elite traveler a host of glamorous events, an action-packed social scene, beautiful architecture, rich history, and of course, stunning beaches.
This popular tourist spot lends itself perfectly to yacht exploration. Its coastline offers breathtaking bays, secluded anchorages, high-end marinas, and pockets of pristine waterway where you can drop anchor and find a quiet beach or bay. The offerings on shore are just as enticing, including some of the best restaurants and beach bars of the 1960s to the newest hot-spot nightclubs and high-end restaurants of today.
The French Riviera is home to some of the most renowned resort towns in the world, including Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Sainte-Maxime, Juan-les-Pins, and Saint-Tropez, just to name a few. This long stretch of coastline along the beautiful Mediterranean Sea offers a myriad of ports, marinas, and anchorages, making it the quintessential summer yachting destination.
If such famed events as the Cannes Film Festival or Monaco Grand Prix interest you, be sure to schedule your trip in May and plan your itinerary to experience them in the most elite way, aboard your charter. No matter when you travel to this extravagant destination, the French Riviera is certain to impress.
NICE
Nice, the capital of the Cote D’Azur, has drawn several artists and writers to its unique views. With its golden sandy beaches, fantastic weather, and luxury feel, this city is the perfect destination to experience the glamour lifestyle. Thousands of tourists from across the globe travel to one of the most charming, historic and beautiful cities in France.
THINGS TO DO
Stroll Along the Promenade des Anglais
Grab a cocktail and walk along the shores of Nice’s famous 2.5 mile Promenade des Anglais. Make sure to view the collection of 6,000 pieces of artwork at the Le Negresco Hotel.
Visit Old Town Streets
Explore the picturesque maze of cobblestone streets in Nice’s oldest neighborhood., dating back to the 17th century. If you are looking for a sweet treat, make a stop at the square’s Fenocchio Glacier for a refreshing gelato.
Shopping
Galeries Lafayette - Department store full of treasures
Alziari - The perfect spot to purchase oil, tapenade, and other delicacies.
La Part Des Anges - Go where all the star chefs come for tastings.
RESTAURANTS & NIGHT LIFE
Nespo
La Petite Maison
JAN
ANITBES
Antibes, one of the most romantic towns on the Mediterranean coast, is the center of yachting in the south of France. Stroll along the Promenade Amiral-de Grasse on the crest of Vauban’s seawalls. And make sure to view the impressive collection in the Musee Picasso!
THINGS TO DO
Rue de la Republique
Cours Massena
Chapelle St. Bernardin
Pebre d’Ai
Musee Picasso
RESTAURANTS & NIGHT LIFE
Mamo Michelangelo
Eden-Roc Hôtel & Restaurant
VILLEFRANCHE SUR MER
The pretty town of Villefranche-Sur-Mer is a perfect base from which to explore. Like many medieval villages, the narrow cobblestone and bricked streets slope steeply down towards the sea. Many little restaurants line the streets and a visit to the nearing hilltop village of Eze is a must.
THINGS TO DO
Visit Saint Elme Citadel
Overlook the harbor in Villefranche at this 16th Century fortress. This site features a myriad of museums inside, an open-air theatre, and gorgeous gardens.
Explore Old Town
Set your sites on the rows of colorful painted houses in Old Town. Displaying pastel shutters and mystical winding roads, this town is perfect for a relaxing stroll.
Rue Obscure
Also known as the “Dark Street”, the Rue Obscure is an underground passageway, dating back to the year 1260, where locals used to hide from invaders.
RESTAURANTS & NIGHT LIFE
Le Mayssa Beach
La Mère Germaine
L’Aparté Le Cosmo
CANNES
A resort town, known for its international film festival, Cannes is the perfect luxury getaway. The streets are lined with remarkable boutiques and palatial hotels. You can also take a stroll along its famed sandy beaches.
THINGS TO DO
Iles De Lerins
Named after saints, two wooded inslets St. Honorat and St Marguerite, are the perfect sites for historical monk culture just off the coast of Cannes.
Le Suquet
Visit this historic town that is lined with pastel-colored houses and cobbled streets. You can grab ice cream as you wander the streets at Vilfeu Glacier.
Explore the streets on a Vespa
With an expert guide, have fun zipping around the streets on Cannes on a Vespa.
Carlton Terrace
RESTAURANTS & NIGHT LIFE
La Môme
La Petite Maison
Le Fouquet’s
MANDELIEU-LA NAPOULE
Around the bay from Cannes is the enticing seaside escape of Mandelieu La Napoule, known for its mountain range of red rock that descends into the Mediterranean. Visit the Château de la Napoule and stroll through the garden, or walk the path up San Peyre, a volcano that rises above the town, and enjoy magnificent views of the Riviera.
THINGS TO DO
Château de la Napoule
The Château de la Napoule is a restored French castle, located in Mandelieu-la-Napoule. This historical landmark offers some lovely gardens that are listed by the French Ministry of Culture as among the Notable gardens of France.
Climb up to Mount San Peyre
Formed by an eruption over 250 million years ago and rising 430 feet above sea level, Mount San Peyre sits as a volcanic dome at the south of the town which can be easily hiked by following the path to the summit. From here you can enjoy a stunning view of the French Riviera. Take the path that leads toward the sea when you return to the town and you will arrive at the charming village of La Napoule. Relax after the climb with coffee and almond croissants at the brasserie a couple doors away.
International Perfume Museum at Grasse
Let the sweet scent take you to the Grasse region, where the mimosas grow and distilled into scents. The International Perfume Museum is beautifully located in the heart of the fields of these fragrant plants.
RESTAURANTS & NIGHT LIFE
L’Oasis
Bessem
ST. TROPEZ
Famous for its beaches, St. Tropez is the epitome of luxury and class. Leave early and anchor for a swim off famed Pampelonne Beach, an extraordinarily long beach said to be the home of the bikini and one its early proponents, Brigitte Bardot. Then follow the boardwalks ashore to Madame de Colmont’s former beach hut, Club 55, where poisson froid washed down with some Pampelonne Rosé might be the order of the day.
THINGS TO DO
Pamper Yourself with a Spa Treatment
Check out the new La Réserve Ramatuelle – Hotel, Spa and Villas. This newly appointed resort and spa offer some outstanding interiors and services that will leave you feeling refreshed, renewed and ready to take on the day!
La Réserve a la Plage
On Pampelonne beach entirely redesigned by Phillipe Starke. Enjoy the chic bohemian atmosphere at the Bar, restaurant, and beach shop
Place des Lices
Explore St-Tropez’ legendary and charming central square. Enjoy watching the world go by at a cafe terrace or check out the crowds at its twice-weekly market extravaganza, jam-packed with everything from produce to antique mirrors and sandals.
RESTAURANTS & NIGHT LIFE
L’Opéra
La Petite Plage
Cucinas Byblos
Le Tigrr
Club 55
Loulou Plage
ILES DE LERINS
Cruise past the red-roofed villas spilling down the hillsides and stop at Iles de Lérins, a pair of islands near Antibes. Saint-Honorat has an abbey where Cistercian monks produce a fine white wine, while Sainte-Marguerite has the fort made famous in The Man in the Iron Mask. These islands are another calm spot in the hectic Riviera lifestyle, where lavender, olive trees and wild daisies mix with the aroma of rosemary and wild honeysuckle.
THINGS TO DO
Taste the delicous liqueur, Lerina
Visit the Two Islands
- St-Honorat
- St-Marguerite
Musee de la Mer
Discover the Fort Royal’s history as you walk through the myriad of exhibits.
RESTAURANTS & NIGHT LIFE
La Guérite
La Tonnelle
ST. JEAN CAP FERRAT
St-Jean- Cap-Ferrat offers two pretty anchorages on either side of the peninsula, where you can laze on board while eyeing out the spectacular villas adorning the coast. Take the tender in to Paloma or Plage de Passable beach clubs for a long, relaxing lunch and lazy afternoon, and then consider dining at Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat’s Le Cap restaurant.
THINGS TO DO
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Commissioned by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild in 1912, the villa displays her art collection of Fragonard paintings, Louis XVI furniture and Sèvres porcelain. Exquisite themed gardens appear like a ship’s deck and the ocean views are fantastic! Fountains ‘dance’ to classical music every 20 minutes.
Plage Paloma
A spot for swimming, sunbathing and water sports of all kinds, this secluded beach just east of St-Jean has an iconic bar-restaurant, and unbeatable coastal views . Over the years it’s been frequented by the likes of Winston Churchill, Sean Connery, Elton John and Pablo Picasso.
RESTAURANTS & NIGHT LIFE
La Véranda and Le Club Dauphin – Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat
Mademoiselle
EZE
Cruise eastward to Eze-sur-Mer and if you are feeling energetic take the footpath (if not, a taxi will oblige) up to Eze, a medieval village perched like an eagle’s nest atop a narrow rocky peak withwinding cobbled roads and stunning views of the sea from its Jardin Exotique. Explore the galleries, cafes and boutiques, some of them seemingly hewn out of the rocky hillside, and take lunch with aspectacular view at Chateau Eza.
THINGS TO DO
Walking Tour of the Historic Village
Explore the beautiful courtyards and homes around every corner.
Exotic Garden of Eze
At the top of the village, be greeted by the exotic gardens that are located in the medieval castle
RESTAURANTS & NIGHT LIFE
La Chèvre d’Or
Château Eza
Cap Estel
Le Mas Provençal
MONACO
Enjoy a sweeping view of the rugged coastline and the stunning villas and villages that line the sea. Settle in and visit the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium, the Exotic Gardens or the Prince’s Palace. Start the evening with cocktails and dinner aboard before stepping out for the night and trying your hand at the roulette table at the legendary Monte Carlo Casino or dance the night away at Jimmy’z.
THINGS TO DO
Wine Tour and Tasting at Château Minuty
Located in Gassin, this family-owned estate hand-picks all of their grapes, assuring high-quality wines. Take a tour of the grounds, which includes a private house and chapel that dates back to the 19th century, and definitely don’t skip out on a tasting
Musée Océanographique de Monaco
With a 6m deep lagoon and founded by Prince Albert I, Musée Océanographique de Monaco is a must see museum that has sit on an edge of a cliff since the 1910s.
Top Cars Collection
View Prince Rainier III’s extensive collection of cars.
RESTAURANTS & NIGHT LIFE
Coya
Gaia
Buddha Bar
Maya Bay
Le Grill
Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris
FRANCE OVERVIEW
TIME ZONE: Central European Time Zone
CURRENCY: Euro
CLIMATE: The climate of France is generally cold in winter and mild in summer, but mild winters and hot summers are usual along the Mediterranean sea (French riviera) and in the South West of France.
May 63°F / 17°C
June 68°F / 20°C
July 75°F / 24°C
August 75°F / 24°C
September 72°F / 22°C
October 64°F / 18°C