For many, the chance to charter a yacht can be a dream come true, but chartering one on the French Riviera is an entirely new level of luxury.
Spending time on a luxury superyacht on the gorgeous, glittering Mediterranean is like something out of a classic movie, and you’ll have a front row seat to some of France’s most glamorous, picturesque towns.
Picture dropping anchor in Monaco to spend the evening at the Casino de Monte-Carlo. Or diving into the water by the Lérins Islands before heading into Cannes for some shopping on the Promenade de la Croisette. Or seeing the candy-colored buildings of Saint-Tropez grow larger as you approach the stunning coastline.
Still need more reasons to charter a yacht on the French Riviera? Here are seven.
1. This is where the superyacht industry was born.
The luxury yachting trend got its start in the French Riviera toward the end of the 19th century. The vibrant towns of the Côte d’Azur were once much more sleepy and a lot less known. When high society members and royals from Europe began sailing their wooden yachts up and down the coast, though, people started to take notice of the area’s potential.
When Aristotle Onassis bought and updated a warship in the 1950s, and invited stars like JFK and Frank Sinatra aboard, the parties, opulence and scandals were heavily covered in the news, which led to a spike in interest in the yachting lifestyle – and that intrigue has never died down.
2. You can show off at Billionaires Row.
Superyachts congregate at Billionaires Row, which is the nickname of the harbors in Antibes, Cannes and Monaco that host the massive boats. You’ll mix and mingle with the rich and famous as you check out one another’s yachts. This is a chance to show off the sprawling deck space and features of your chartered yacht, and you’ll also get a sneak peak at the A-listers who are sailing right nearby.
3. Picturesque views will surround you.
Petite Monaco is filled with twinkling skyscrapers and lavish hotels that dot the steep hills. The rocky coastline leads you to Cap Ferrat, where the sea is blue-green and beach clubs that date back for decades are still drawing crowds. You’ll spot Nice by the palm trees along the Promenade des Anglais, and Antibes is easy to distinguish because it’s set before the massive Alps. That’s only the beginning, too – you haven’t even reached the Cap d’Antibes, Cannes or Saint-Tropez yet.
4. Take advantage of the Mediterranean with water toys.
Practically every yacht has a selection of water toys such as jet skis, rib boats and floating pools to help you enjoy your time on board even more. Alternatively, you can simply dive off the deck into the water below. With tons of sunshine throughout the year, the French Riviera is the ideal setting for an afternoon spent splashing around in the sea.
5. The view of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez can’t be beat.
This annual regatta in the gulf attracts both modern yachts and classic boats that compete in the enormously popular race. You don’t have to be one of the participants in order to enjoy the view, though. Simply lounge on your yacht’s deck to watch the others try to top one another.
6. Attending the Cannes Film Festival has never been easier.
Cannes is overrun with visitors during the annual film festival, making it difficult to find a home or hotel room to rent. When you charter a yacht, though, you can dock in Cannes, head into town for the festival and then return to the boat at night. In addition to the festival and it’s Hollywood guest list, Cannes is a charming town filled with fantastic dining, shopping and nightlife.
7. You don’t have to pick just one experience.
Maybe the best reason to charter a yacht in the French Riviera is that you can make your way to multiple towns that you may not have time to see otherwise. You can shop and dine in one town, head to another for a relaxing spa day, then go to a third for a night out at the most popular nightclubs.
Need a few ideas? Cannes and Saint-Tropez are known for their designer boutiques, while Antibes has an excellent Provencal market. Dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Monte Carlo or stay up late into the night at one of Monaco’s famous clubs. In Nice, see what inspired artists through the years, hire a bike to tour the scenery or visit the Parc de la Colline du Chateau ruins.
HOMEHUNTS property agents are able to find beautiful, luxury French Riviera property based on your search requirements. Speak directly to one of our property consultants by calling +33 (0)970 44 66 43.
