French Riviera Yacht Charters
The French Riviera covers the whole Côte d'Azur, the sheltered 90-mile coast from Saint-Tropez to Menton, on the Italian border.
A luxury yacht charter is the ideal way to see the best of it in a week.
With a yacht charter, guests can have lunch at a beach club in Saint-Tropez and dinner in Monaco the same evening.
Summer is the best time to visit, and the social calendar is a large part of why.
Between May and September, the coast hosts the Monaco Grand Prix, the Cannes Film Festival, and the Monaco Yacht Show.
For each one, a yacht is the best seat on the water, close to the action and clear of the crowds ashore.
Why Charter a Yacht in the French Riviera
The French Riviera is the yachting capital of the Mediterranean, and the world's largest yachts come to Monaco every summer.
For guests, a French Riviera yacht charter is the easiest way to see the coast.
Some of its best places have no roads at all, like the Îles d'Hyères, the national-park islands to the west that are open only to boats.
For the towns and beach clubs guests can drive to, the coast road is slow and crowded through the summer, but a yacht can pull in straight from the water.
Best Time to Charter the French Riviera
The best months to charter the French Riviera are May through September.
Summer on this coast is hot and dry, with daytime temperatures around 77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit and warm, calm water for swimming.
July and August are the peak months, when the coast is at its busiest and most social.
The beach clubs are full and visiting yachts crowd the ports. May, June, and September are a few degrees cooler and less crowded.
Most of the Riviera's major events take place during this window, leadingmany guests to reserve their charters in advance.
Most of the Riviera's major events take place during this window, leading many guests to reserve their charters in advance to secure a front-row seat on the water.
The French Riviera Events
A yacht is the best base if you’re planning to attend the biggest events on the coast.
Event charters are a Riviera specialty. During the day, guests can watch cars racing or boats sailing from the privacy of their own deck.
And at night, they can return to their cabin instead of a packed hotel.
Berths for these weeks are limited, so guests planning to come during these events must reserve them months in advance.
Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most famous races in Formula 1, held on the public streets of Monte-Carlo in late May.
The circuit passes right along Port Hercule, Monaco's main harbor.
From a yacht berthed there, guests can watch the cars on the track and look down onto the circuit from the deck.
These harbor berths are among the most sought-after positions in the sport.
Cannes Film Festival
Every May, the film world gathers in Cannes for the world's most famous film festival.
Premieres and parties play out along La Croisette, the palm-lined seafront boulevard, while yachts pack the Old Port.
Guests can anchor off the beach and go ashore for the screenings.
Many host their own gatherings on deck, where much of the festival's real business happens.
Cannes Lions and Summer Galas
In June, the advertising and marketing world takes over the same beachfront for Cannes Lions, the industry's largest annual festival.
Brands and agencies book out the hotels and the harbor for the week.
Yachts become floating hospitality venues, where companies host clients and close deals on deck.
The summer's charity galas work the same way, with private events held aboard chartered yachts along the coast.
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is a regatta held off Saint-Tropez in late September and early October.
It is one of the most beautiful sailing events in the world, with restored classic yachts and modern racing boats sharing the same bay.
Guests can watch the racing up close from the water, and the town stays busy each evening as the crews come ashore.
The Monaco Yacht Show
Each September, the world's newest superyachts gather in Monaco's Port Hercule for the Monaco Yacht Show, the largest exhibition of its kind.
Brokers display them along the harbor, open for viewing by buyers and guests.
It is one of the most spectacular weeks of the year to be on the water here, with the harbor full of the finest yachts afloat.
French Riviera Destinations
Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez is the glamorous capital of the Riviera. It was once a fishing village that became a jet-set favorite in the 1960s.
Nearby is the cobbled Old Town, with designer shops, cafés, and some of Europe's busiest nightlife.
It’s famous for Pampelonne, the long sandy beach just outside town, lined with famous beach clubs like Club 55 and Nikki Beach where guests spend the day.
Behind the beach is a calm, sheltered bay called the Golfe de Saint-Tropez.
Along the Old Port, the biggest yachts pull right up to the edge, and the cafés facing them are the place to sit and watch the town go by.
Porquerolles and the Îles d'Hyères
The Îles d'Hyères are three protected national-park islands off the coast west of Saint-Tropez; Porquerolles is the largest.
Most of the area is car-free, covered by pine forest and edged with white-sand beaches and clear, shallow coves.
It is a complete contrast to the glamour farther east: quiet and undeveloped.
It is known for walking and cycling trails, small vineyards, and calm anchorages where yachts can stop for a swim.
Guests can request it as a main detour from the main route.
Cannes
Cannes is best known for its annual film festival, but it draws guests year-round.
Its seafront, La Croisette, is a wide palm-lined promenade of grand hotels, designer shops, and private beach clubs, and one of the most famous walks on the coast.
Halfway along it is the Palais des Festivals, where the festival's red carpet comes out each May.
Above the town is Le Suquet, the old quarter, where narrow lanes climb to a castle and a wide view over the bay.
The Lérins Islands
Just off Cannes lie the Lérins Islands, a short hop from the busy seafront, but a world apart.
The larger island, Sainte-Marguerite, is covered in eucalyptus and pine, with quiet walking paths and an old fort that once imprisoned the man known as the Man in the Iron Mask.
Monks have lived on the smaller island, Saint-Honorat, for more than a thousand years, and they still make and sell their own wine.
Both are an easy add-on anchorage for guests staying around Cannes.
Antibes and Cap d'Antibes
Antibes is the yachting heart of the coast: its marina, Port Vauban, is the largest in Europe.
It is also an old walled town between Cannes and Nice, with a covered market and centuries-old sea walls.
Inside them, the old seafront castle is now a Picasso museum, set up in the rooms where the artist worked in 1946.
Just south of town, Cap d'Antibes is a green, exclusive cape of gated villas and pine woods.
Nice
Nice is the largest city on the Riviera and its main gateway, with the coast's international airport just minutes from the water.
Its wide seafront, the Promenade des Anglais, curves along the Baie des Anges, the "Bay of Angels."
The Old Town behind it is a maze of narrow lanes, markets, and cafés serving local dishes like salade niçoise.
Most guests flying in start their charter here or nearby.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Just east of Nice is Villefranche-sur-Mer, a small town above one of the deepest bays on the coast.
Its old town rises straight from the water in steep, narrow lanes - one of them a covered passageway that runs beneath the houses.
On the harbor front is the Chapelle Saint-Pierre, a small chapel that the artist Jean Cocteau painted inside.
It makes a quiet optional stop between Nice and Monaco.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a wooded peninsula between Nice and Monaco, and one of the most exclusive addresses on the Riviera.
Grand villas hide among the pines - the grandest being the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a pink mansion with terraced gardens open to visitors.
Most of the cape is private, but the coastal path following the shoreline the whole way around is the only way guests can see the villas and the sea below.
The village is a small working port lined with restaurants, a quiet stop a few minutes from Monaco.
Èze
Eze is a medieval village between Nice and Monaco, perched on a rock more than 1,300 feet above the sea.
Its steep stone lanes climb to a cactus garden and to one of the most famous views on the coast.
It has no harbor of its own, so guests visit as a half-day trip by road from a nearby port.
Our brokers can include this in the itinerary upon request.
Monaco and Monte-Carlo
Monaco is a tiny independent country near the Italian border.
It is the second-smallest country in the world and has long been associated with the wealthy.
Every summer, some of the largest yachts gather in its harbor, Port Hercule.
Monte-Carlo is its famous quarter, home to the grand Casino de Monte-Carlo, luxury shops, and famous restaurants.
Once a year, in May, the Formula 1 Grand Prix races through these same streets.
Small as it is, Monaco is the glamorous high point at the eastern end of the coast.
Menton
Menton is the last French town before Italy, and the warmest, sunniest corner of the coast.
Its mild winters let it grow lemons and oranges almost year-round.
Every February, the town celebrates with a huge citrus festival, with sculptures and floats built entirely from the fruit.
The old town on the hillside is stacked with rows of tall, ochre houses that feel more Italian than French.
Menton is an easy first or last stop before a charter crosses into Italy.
Which Riviera Experience Suits You
The French Riviera rewards diverse tastes, offering everything from vibrant beach clubs and legendary nightlife to secluded national-park islands and an unparalleled superyacht scene.
A yacht charter facilitates effortless travel between each, allowing guests to experience the coast's full variety in a single week.
If you want… | Head to | Why |
Beach clubs, nightlife and glamour | Saint-Tropez | Club 55 and Nikki Beach on Pampelonne, the coast's busiest nightlife |
To experience the superyacht scene and casinos | Monaco and Antibes | Port Hercule, the Casino de Monte-Carlo, and Europe's largest marina |
Film festival and event energy | Cannes | La Croisette, the beach clubs, and the May film festival |
Quiet islands and national park coves | Porquerolles and the Lérins | Car-free islands and clear water, a short hop from the crowds |
Elegant villages and villa-lined capes | Cap Ferrat and Villefranche | Grand villas, a deep calm bay, quiet ports minutes from Monaco |
Beach Clubs, Nightlife, and Fine Dining
The Riviera's beach clubs, restaurants, and nightspots are famous, but the best of them are hard to get into.
The crew can secure sought-after beach club loungers and restaurant tables.
They also arrange private experiences in advance, like visits to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild or a wine tasting with the monks on Saint-Honorat.
Legendary Beach Clubs
Many people come to the French Riviera to spend their days in beach clubs.
The most famous ones, Club 55 and Nikki Beach, are on Pampelonne, the beach outside Saint-Tropez.
Club 55 began as a canteen for a film crew in the 1950s, while Nikki Beach is known for its daytime parties.
Off Cannes, the Lérins Islands have exclusive beach clubs that guests can only reach by boat.
On Cap d'Antibes, the Hôtel du Cap has its own beach pavilion, Eden-Roc, with a saltwater pool cut into the rock above the sea.
Riviera Nightlife
Saint-Tropez has a loud nightlife scene, led by Les Caves du Roy, a nightclub famous since the 1960s for its celebrity crowd.
Monte-Carlo is the more refined option.
On a charter, the yacht is the ride home, and a short trip back by tender, the yacht's own small boat, beats a late drive along the coast road.
Michelin Dining and Private Chefs
The Riviera has some of the best restaurants in France, many of them Michelin-starred.
The most famous is Le Louis XV in Monaco, the Alain Ducasse restaurant that became the first hotel restaurant to earn three stars.
Getting a table at any of the starred restaurants along the coast takes months of notice in summer.
Our yacht brokers and the crew handle those bookings before guests arrive.
On nights aboard, the yacht's chef cooks instead, serving traditional Provencal dishes to fresh seafood at anchor.
Choosing Your Yacht on the French Riviera
Ritzy Yachts arranges four kinds of yachts for charter: motor yachts, sailing yachts, catamarans and superyachts.
A motor yacht is the best fit for the French Riviera.
It moves quickly between ports, has wide open deck space for entertaining, and holds its own alongside the yachts moored in Monaco and Cannes.
Other guests also book sailing yachts or catamarans.
A catamaran, a sailboat with two hulls and a wide, steady deck, moves slower and costs less to run than a motor yacht of the same size.
A superyacht, generally any yacht above about 80 feet, requires more crew because it has more cabins and features like a gym or a jacuzzi.
Size matters as much as type. Antibes and Monaco have the deepest berths, so larger yachts can dock right in town.
Smaller harbors like Saint-Tropez cannot, so those yachts anchor offshore and bring guests in by tender.
Larger yachts also have the deck space for entertaining, which is why event-week groups usually take one.
Yacht type | Best for | Guests |
Motor yacht | Speed between ports and deck space | Up to 12 guests |
Superyacht | Large groups and onboard features | Up to 12 guests |
Sailing yacht | Slower pace and quiet anchorages | Up to 10 guests |
Catamaran | Stability, shallow coves, families | Up to 8-10 guests |
Charter yachts carry a maximum of 12 guests overnight, whatever their size, because of international rules on passenger vessels.
Smaller groups often charter these same yachts, so a couple can take an eight-guest yacht if they want the extra space.
What’s Included
The Mediterranean’s standard charter model is plus-expenses, wherein the base rate covers the yacht and crew while operating expenses, such as fuel, food, and dockage, are taken from an Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA).
The APA is a deposit that guests pay before the charter, usually 20 to 25 percent of the base price for sailing yachts and 30 to 35 percent for motor yachts. At the end of the charter, the captain provides a detailed account of the APA expenses. Any unused funds are refunded, while any additional expenses are settled at that time.
All-inclusive yacht charters, where the weekly rate covers the charter, meals, fuel, and onboard amenities, are less common in the Mediterranean and more standard for Caribbean yacht charters.
Two additional costs are standard on the Riviera: A twenty percent French VAT for charters starting in France or Monaco, and a customary crew gratuity of 10 to 15 percent of the charter rate, given at the guest’s discretion at the end of the week.
How to Book a French Riviera Yacht Charter
Ritzy Yachts arranges crewed yacht charters to the French Riviera through a single point of contact. The process is straightforward:
Share your vision. Tell us about your ideal charter, including your preferred destination, travel dates, group size, and the type of experience you're looking for.
Review your curated options. Based on your requirements, we'll present a tailored selection of yachts and destinations, along with expert recommendations from our charter team.
Select your yacht. Once you've found the right fit, we'll guide you through the charter agreement and place the yacht on hold while arrangements are finalized.
Confirm your charter. Your charter is secured upon signing the agreement and submitting the initial deposit.
Personalize every detail. Before departure, we'll coordinate your preferences, including dining requests, beverages, activities, special occasions, and itinerary considerations to ensure a seamless onboard experience.
The minimum charter length is one week. Peak weeks are in July and August. If you’re eyeing these dates, book as early as possible.
How to Get to the French Riviera
Getting to the Riviera is straightforward, as most guests fly into one airport.
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is the main gateway, with direct flights from the United States and across Europe. It is minutes from the water in Nice, about 25 minutes by road from Antibes, and 30 minutes from Monaco.
Guests arriving by private jet usually land at Cannes Mandelieu, the small airport just west of Cannes.
From Nice, a helicopter reaches Monaco in about seven minutes, which is why many guests bound for the eastern end of the coast transfer that way rather than drive.
Charters start from four main harbors:
Port Vauban, Antibes. The largest marina in Europe, and the home port for many of the coast's biggest yachts.
Port Hercule, Monaco. Monaco's only harbor, at the foot of Monte-Carlo and beside the Grand Prix circuit.
Port de Cannes. The Old Port, a few steps from La Croisette and the festival hall.
Saint-Tropez Old Port. In the center of town, with the cafés and shops right on the quay.
Where a charter begins depends on the yacht and the route. Guests are met at the airport and driven or flown straight to the yacht.
Sample French Riviera Itineraries
One popular sample route starts in Saint-Tropez and takes in Cannes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Monaco before crossing into Italy.
This itinerary covers 223 nautical miles over eight days and seven nights, with short passages and most of each day spent ashore or at anchor.
Guests fly into Nice and drive to Saint-Tropez to board.
Guests who would rather stay in France can keep the same four ports and drop the Italian half.
Remaining days could go to longer stops in Cannes and Monaco, or west to the Îles d'Hyères.
Every itinerary we facilitate is entirely bespoke.
Your final route is customized around your individual preferences, the yacht's location, the duration of your trip, current weather conditions, and the captain's expert recommendations.
Our yacht brokers can help you finalize your preferred route around your dates.
Ready to Charter on the French Riviera? Plan It with Ritzy Yachts
Our yacht brokers match each yacht charter to your group, your dates, and itinerary.
They prepare a tailored proposal with the yachts best suited to your trip, plan the final route with your captain, and handle contracts and special requests before you sail.
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MOON 60 HULL 8 2025
Sleeps 8 guests in 4 Cabins
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ATLANTIC
Sleeps 12 guests in 6 Cabins
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Top features
General information
Best time to charter:
Peak Season: July and August.
Mid Season: June and September.
Low Season: October to May.
Closest Airports:
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, Nice (France).
Genova City Airport, Genoa (Italy).
Climate:
Mild Mediterranean climate, with some rains around March and April.
Timezone:
Central European Time (GMT/UTC +2 hours)
Additional information
Language: French, Italian & English – Currency: Euro – Religion: Christian
Learn more about this area
A yacht charter around the French and Italian Rivieras is ideal for anyone looking for a spectacular blend of calming landscapes, Michelin-starred restaurants, charming pastel-painted fishing villages, and a hedonistic nightlife.
A week or more spent discovering St Tropez's glamorous beachclubs, Cannes' high-end boutiques, Portofino's stylish resort areas, and the French Riviera's national parks is the ideal family or friend getaway.
French Riviera Charter Itineraries
Please be aware that the final itinerary will be determined on board in consultation with the Captain, contingent upon weather conditions and other external factors at the time of the voyage.
Sailing Yachts:
7 - 10 knots cruising speed.
Cruising Yachts:
10 - 14 knots cruising speed.
High-Speed Yachts:
20+ knots cruising speed.
Yacht Charter Pricing
All Inclusive
Typically this includes all your breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Standard Ship's Bar which includes your alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. Fuel for the yacht and its tender, and the necessary water for the onboard facilities. Use of the Yacht’s onboard equipment and the Captain, Chef and Crew’s services.
Excluded are airport transfers costs, onshore excursions and tours, as well as any food or beverages purchased ashore. Although optional, crew gratuity is customary at 15% - 20% of the charter rate for the Caribbean and 10% - 15% for the Mediterranean.
Plus Expenses
Included are the Yacht and its onboard equipment as well as the Captain, Chef and Crew’s services.
Excluded are food and beverages, fuel for the yacht and its tender, any dockage, airport transfers costs, onshore excursions and tours, as well as any cruising permits, licenses and other charter related expenses. Crew gratuity, although optional is customary at 15% - 20% of the charter rate for the Caribbean and 10% - 15% for the Mediterranean.
Advanced Provisioning Allowance:
Types of Vessels
Catamaran Yacht Charter
Catamarans are the most popular choice for Caribbean charters. Their twin-hull design provides exceptional stability, making them ideal for families. With spacious deck areas, generous cabins, and a shallow draft for accessing secluded bays, a catamaran offers unmatched comfort on the water.
Motor Yachts
For those who value speed and opulence, motor yachts deliver an unparalleled experience. These vessels cover longer distances quickly, allowing you to explore more of the Caribbean in less time. Expect world-class amenities — from sun decks and jacuzzis to gourmet galleys and state-of-the-art entertainment systems — all wrapped in sleek, head-turning design.
Motor Sailers
Motor sailers blend the romance of wind-powered sailing with the reliability of engine-driven cruising. These versatile vessels let you hoist the sails when the breeze is right and switch to motor power when conditions demand it. Perfect for couples and adventurers seeking a more intimate, authentic seafaring experience without sacrificing modern comforts.
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French Riviera
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