Sailing
the French Riviera

French Riviera Sailing Holidays

The French Riviera, a.k.a. Côte d’Azur, on the southeast of France, needs no introduction. Renowned for its glitz and glamor, home to many celebrities, the French Riviera has become a synonym for luxury yacht charter.

Yacht Charter in the French Riviera

Yacht charter on the French Riviera is the perfect place for a sailing holiday if you want to indulge in luxury. However, in case you want to avoid ostentatious and over-priced destinations, or you are simply in the mood to explore less known and less crowded ports, we have a few recommendations. One of the hidden gems is definitely the city in bloom Bormes-les-Mimosas. There, you can stroll along charming medieval streets, admiring award-winning mimosa displays, as the name suggests.

Another seaside town popular with sailors is Port Grimaud, offering you peace and quiet, as well as the Venetian-style architecture to admire. There is also a charming fishing port of Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, favorite among water sports enthusiasts, especially scuba-divers, due to its rough coastline and steep inlets.

The Sailing Beginners - Complete Guide for First Time Sailors

The Sailing Beginners - Complete Guide for First Time Sailors

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Sailing routes - French Riviera

Port Pin Rolland (the French Riviera)

7 days
Day 1
Saturday
Port Pin Rolland – Porquerolles (15 NM)
Day 2
Sunday
Porquerolles – Cavalaite-sur-Mer (19 NM)
Day 3
Monday
Cavalaite-sur-Mer – Sainte-Maxime (16 NM)
Day 4
Tuesday
Sainte-Maxime – Saint-Tropez (2 NM)
Day 5
Wednesday
Saint-Tropez – Île du Levant (23 NM)
Day 6
Thursday
Île du Levant – Port Pin Rolland (25 NM)
Day 7
Friday
Port Pin Rolland (0 NM)
Day 1 - Saturday
Port Pin Rolland – Porquerolles
Day 1
Saturday
Port Pin Rolland – Porquerolles (15 NM)
Arrive to Toulon Hyères Airport and head to Port Pin Rolland, an ideal starting destination for sailing holidays on the French Riviera. Board your yacht and sail west-southwest to Îles d'Hyères (Iles d'Or). This is a group of four islands and your first destination is Porquerolles, a beautiful quiet island with fine sandy beaches, especially Plage de Notre Dame. The island has least restrictions on access of all four islands that are protected as a national park and are used for military. Visit an island village and an ancient fort, enjoy a bike tour, go hiking or snorkeling, and swim in a turquoise blue sea surrounded by pine forests. Start your gourmet journey in seafood restaurants tasting Mediterranean food.
Day 2
Day 2 - Sunday
Porquerolles – Cavalaite-sur-Mer
Day 2
Sunday
Porquerolles – Cavalaite-sur-Mer (19 NM)
Sail northwest to the mainland and visit Cavalaite-sur-Mer, a picturesque family holiday and nautical resort that blends old and modern architecture with palm trees. There are several kilometers of sandy beach on which you can refresh yourself in beach bars and engage in watersports. The resort gets around 300 days of sunshine per year, so you will be able to sunbathe and swim in warm clean waters. Lively atmosphere during both day and night will definitely amaze you.
Day 3
Day 3 - Monday
Cavalaite-sur-Mer – Sainte-Maxime
Day 3
Monday
Cavalaite-sur-Mer – Sainte-Maxime (16 NM)
Continue your journey by sailing northeast along the coast to reach Sainte-Maxime, an elegant family-friendly resort in the bay of Saint-Tropez. The city is protected from winds by the Massif des Maures. You can lounge on a few kilometers of sandy Blue Flag-certified beaches, do some watersports, or visit a large water park. When you decide to do sightseeing, La Tour Carrée is a landmark tower that you cannot miss, along with beautiful Art Déco buildings. Take a walk on the promenade, enjoy the lush gardens, pay a visit to a very interesting Phonograph Museum, and have a meal in a restaurant in old town.
Day 4
Day 4 - Tuesday
Sainte-Maxime – Saint-Tropez
Day 4
Tuesday
Sainte-Maxime – Saint-Tropez (2 NM)
Just across the bay is your next destination, Saint-Tropez, famous as a luxurious jet-set location. You will be surrounded by glorious yachts in a marina, and you will be able to shop in couture boutiques. Walk the small cobblestone streets lined with stone buildings and try grilled fish and have a glass of fine wine in a restaurant. Saint-Tropez is also a world party destination, so expect loud nights in bars. For experiencing warm Mediterranean climate and lovely beach time, head to Plage des Graniers, Plage des Cannebiers, Plage de la Moutte, or Plage des Salins.
Day 5
Day 5 - Wednesday
Saint-Tropez – Île du Levant
Day 5
Wednesday
Saint-Tropez – Île du Levant (23 NM)
Head southwest to Île du Levant, the second-largest island of Îles d'Hyères. It is largely an inaccessible military base with a small portion of the island being a nudist spot – nudism is somewhere obligatory. You can do camping here and be in touch with nature. Pay a visit to the beautifully tranquil Port Cros National Park on another island where you can have a nice meal in a small village. Explore the underwater world in crystal-clear waters in one of the top Mediterranean snorkeling spots, the bay of Palud with the dedicated beach where you can soak up some sun.
Day 6
Day 6 - Thursday
Île du Levant – Port Pin Rolland
Day 6
Thursday
Île du Levant – Port Pin Rolland (25 NM)
Sail back to Port Pin Rolland and witness its beautiful nature and beaches in perfect Mediterranean climate. Go fishing or scuba diving, or do some other watersports. Spend a relaxed day getting to know French culture and cuisine. Refresh yourself with fruit dishes and salads, or opt for many varieties of meat and fish.
Day 7
Day 7 - Friday
Port Pin Rolland
Day 7
Friday
Port Pin Rolland (0 NM)
Since Port Pin Rolland is located in the bay of Toulon, you can spend your last day visiting Toulon, a large complex of ports offering thousands of berths. It is an important center for many industries, culture and sports. Make sure to visit the landmark botanical garden Mourillon and the Tour Royale on the seafront.

Best time to sail

April - October

Number of boat bases

-

Closest airports

Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE), Toulon-Hyères (TLN), Cannes-Mandelieu (CEQ)

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Languages spoken

French

Tips

Cannes, Nice, Saint-Tropez, Monaco, Antibes Beaches

Interested in Sailing Holiday in French Riviera?