Cannes to Monaco Yachting Itinerary

Cannes and the Lerin Islands

Start your day charter in Cannes and head off across the beautiful bay overlooking La Croisette, and the famous Palais des Festivals, where the Cannes Film Festival is held each year in the month of May. From there you will see the palm trees lining the endless row of luxury boutiques and bars, and the grand Belle Epoch architecture of the Martinez and Carlton hotels.

From there you can sail or cruise across to the pretty islands called Les Iles des Lerins, a popular hot spot for boats to anchor during the summer months. Here you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the clear water between the two islands, St Marguerite and St Honorat, or simply relax and enjoy the view! St Honorat, the smaller of the two, hosts a monastery and the infamous dungeon where the "Man with the Iron Mask" was held captive. There is also a restaurant where you can lunch in style, so if you have time, the islands are well worth a visit.

From there you can head east towards Golfe Juan and Juan-les-Pins, two popular towns famous for their trendy beaches and summer nightlife. If you would like to water ski or jet ski, this is also the place to do it!

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More information on the Lerin Islands

Cap d'Antibes

The large pine tree covered peninsula that you see is the famous Cap d'Antibes, with its winding streets and exclusive villas, as well as the world famous Hotel du Cap, one of the region’s top hotels.

With its magnificent landscaped gardens and the manicured lawn sweeping all the way down to the sea, you can enjoy a drink or dine in the elegant Eden Roc restaurant, overlooking the private pier and the occasional super yacht anchored off shore! Reservations strongly advised.

Antibes

Further along from the Cap you will see the charming Old Port of Antibes, with its famous medieval castle and ramparts. There you will be treated to the sight of some of the world’s finest super yachts, many of which are based there throughout the summer.

Antibes itself is quite large, but the oldest part near the port retains all its original charm, with boutiques and cafés and a popular market selling fresh produce as well as fish.

Antibes is arguably the sailing and yachting capital of the Riviera, where boats are a way of life, so if you like yachts, you'll feel very at home here! Antibes is also home to the Picasso Museum (Picasso lived for many years in the region), and if you’re feeling energetic, there are some fabulous walks with great views along the coastal ramparts.

Click here for our AntibesYacht Charter Guide

Villeneuve-Loubet

Past Antibes, you will see the landmark boat-shaped apartment buildings in Villeneuve-Loubet, with its Marina Baie des Anges. Love it or hate it, you certainly won’t miss it, even from the sky! You will then pass Nice Airport, with its landfill runway jutting out right into the sea.

Beyond the airport is the beginning of the Promenade des Anglais - a 10km stretch along the entire waterfront of Nice. The road is lined with apartments and hotels, and the signature palm trees originally imported to the Côte d’Azur in the 1800s from Australia! You will pass the historic old town, and the hill top Château, before arriving in the old port of Nice.

Nice

Nice is the only true city in the French Riviera, offering first class hotels such as the famous Negresco, a multitude of bars and restaurants, a casino, an opera, countless venues for live music and entertainment and, of course, the international airport. The most interesting area of Nice is the old town with its huge daily market, boutique shops and bustling cafes. The beaches in Nice are pebbled rather than sandy, but straw mats are sold on every corner!

The old port of Nice is picturesque, with its brightly colored buildings set against a backdrop of blue skies and the Italian Alps, offering some of the finest ski slopes in the region. Part of the port is dedicated to the Corsica Ferry, while the main harbor is relatively small and packed with rows of every type of sail boat and motor yacht imaginable. The port area as a whole has been much restored in recent years, and with its vibrant colors, pillared arches and great fish restaurants, Nice port is now seriously on the map as a yachting destination.

See our Nice Charter Yachts

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Past Nice, you'll enter the idyllic bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, one of the most picturesque sights along the Côte d'Azur. Completely surrounded by steep hills, the quaint town squeezed between the deep blue bay and the rocks is a site not to be missed! There are plenty of restaurants and cafes if you need to stop for refreshments, and you'll see plenty of beautiful motor and sailing yachts anchored just offshore.

In the same small bay, across from the town of Villefranche, you'll see the Rothchild Estate, Villa Ephrusi, with its famous themed gardens and musical fountains, as you cruise on towards Cap Ferrat.

See our Villefranche Charter Yachts

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Jutting into the sea from Villefranche is Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the most famous of the "Caps" in the French Riviera, housing some of the world’s most expensive real estate. There are also several fine restaurants for a romantic treat, and a small but exclusive beach nearby.
A delightful stone path allows you to hike the entire peninsula, but if you prefer to stay on board, the famously jagged coastline is particularly photogenic from the sea!

If you're interested in celebrities, you can see the magnificent houses of Bill Gates and Paul Allen perched together behind St-Jean near the Rothschild Estate. Sir Norman Foster's unique and dramatic "sail house" can also be seen just next to the famous Grand Hotel du Cap. You'll also be sure to see plenty of beautiful boats and super yachts on this trip!

See our Saint Jean Cap Ferrat Yacht Charter Guide.

Eze and Beaulieu-sur-Mer

After Cap Ferrat the rocks become higher and increasingly dramatic. You will see the impossibly high medieval town of Eze perched precariously on top of the cliff, high above its neighboring seaside town of Eze-sur-Mer. Here on an exclusive stretch of Eze beach you will see Bono’s fabulous terra cotta villa, fully equipped with its own recording studio!

Continuing from Eze-sur-Mer, you'll come to the equally pretty, bougainvillea drenched town of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, just on the edge of Monaco.

See our Beaulieu-sur-Mer Charter Yachts.

Monaco

The Principality of Monaco is famous for its Casino, Super Yachts, Formula 1 Grand Prix, and its high-rise exclusive apartment buildings housing some of the wealthiest people in the world. Built into the rocks, this compact Principality offers plenty to do, including a tour of the Royal Grimaldi Palace, a magnificent aquarium, exotic gardens, fabulous shops and restaurants, wonderful hotels and bars and, of course, the Grand Casino of Monte Carlo. We have compiled a separate page about Monaco, as there is so much more to know and enjoy in this millionaires’ playground!

See our Monaco Yacht Charter Guide.

If you would like to schedule a charter to see the above sights, please contact us! We're looking forward to hearing from you.

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Key South of France Yacht Charter Destinations: French Riviera Yacht Charter Guide | St. Tropez | Antibes | Nice | Cannes | Monaco | St Jean Cap Ferrat | Corsica