Michelin Stars and Rooftop Bars : 11 Things to do on a Cannes Yacht Charter

Superyachts in Cannes, France

The Mediterranean city of Cannes is a phenomenal place to charter a yacht. With a rich culture of gastronomy and art and a high-end scene fit for royalty, Cannes is one of the best places on earth to dine, shop, and party by the glittering sea. When it’s time to chill out, there are quiet islands, decadent day spas and flowery hill villages to explore, while adventure calls from the surrounding hills.

Carlton Hotel in Cannes, France

Here are 11 things to do on a Cannes yacht charter:

1. Live it up above the city at a Rooftop Bar

A rooftop terrace is the place to be at sunset in Cannes, the balmy air filled with music and the rising moon throwing its early silver on the far-below sea. Considered Cannes’ finest rooftop bar, 360 at the Radisson Blu is a gathering ground of the beautiful people, with a vast expanse of terrace space dotted with low lounges, and glass balustrades affording a magnificent view across the Bay of Cannes. Located at the port right next to the Palais des Festivals, Five Senses is a more intimate rooftop bar complete with restaurant and infinity pool, offering a gorgeous view over the old town. The infamous Baoili club also has a swanky rooftop bar, Cloud Nine, which overlooks the port.

Cloud Nine rooftop bar at Baoli, Cannes

2. Bliss out at a Cannes Day Spa

Cannes, unsurprisingly, has quite a few contenders in the ‘best spa’ category, and the very finest tend to be associated with the grand hotels along the Croisette.

Les Thermes Marins de Cannes is a 2700sqm day spa set right on the seafront at the Radisson Blu 1835 Hotel and specialises in thalassotherapy, with a dizzying range of sea mineral treatments and multiple pools, including a spectacular outdoor seawater pool overlooking the Mediterranean.

Massage in Spa Cannes, French Riviera

The Hotel Martinez is legendary for its art deco glamour and long history of hosting celebrity royalty (And real royalty, for that matter.) It’s unsurprising to find out that the hotel’s L.Raphael Spa is ultra-high-end, with 42 plush, low lit rooms and a menu featuring treatments such as diamond dust and caviar facials. 

3. Lunch surrounded by the masters in a Medieval Village

Dragging yourself away from your yacht for a few hours will be richly rewarded. The perched village of Saint Paul de Vence is considered one of the most beautiful in France, with its high walls sheltering stone laneways wreathed in ivy and bougainvillea. An artist’s colony since the 1920s drawing artists such as Picasso, this hill village has gone upscale in recent years, with gastronomic restaurants and art galleries aplenty. There are a number of excellent places to eat, but for atmosphere and art history, La Colombe d’Or is simply unmissable. Take a table in the dining room among a priceless collection of works by old customers such as Picasso, Matisse and Chagall, who paid their restaurant bills here in paintings.

Saint Paul de Vence on the French Riviera

4. Dance like everybody’s watching at an A-list Nightclub

The nightlife in Cannes is famously good, with billionaires and supermodels gracing the dancefloor under the decks of some of the world’s biggest DJ acts. Expect VIP tables and champagne spraying mayhem in peak season. If you’re into super-clubs, upscale Gotha is for you with its 2500 person capacity and multiple areas including a sea terrace by the beach. But if you’re after a more intimate celebrity scene, Baoli is more your game, with Balinese daybeds under the waving palms and an indoor club that drips Hollywood glamour. For an epic night of cabaret, Medusa is hard to beat.

Gotha Club in Cannes, France

5. Play blackjack under the chandeliers at Casino Le Croisette

With a long 20th century history as Europe’s casino capital, Cannes has three casinos to choose from: Casino Le Croisette, Casino Les Princes, and Cannes 3.14.

Roulette at Cannes Casino

All are targeted at the high-end market, but if it’s grandeur you’re after, you’ll want a seat at the high-stakes table at the Casino Le Croisette, situated at the Festival de Palais—home of the Cannes Film Festival.

6. Float through the idyllic Cannes Islands

The perfect antidote to a night of indulgence is a day in the Cannes Islands. Situated just off the coast, this small, tranquil archipelago is a haven of rocky blue-green coves and sweet-smelling pine forest. Car-free and barely inhabited, these islands are a tantalising glimpse of a Mediterranean now almost lost to memory.

The Lerins Islands in Cannes, France

Swim, have a picnic, and roam the loamy forest paths, breathing in the heady scent of pine and salty air. On Saint Marguerite you can explore the fort where the real Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned, while on Ile Saint Honorat you can explore the Lerins monastery and wander vineyards tended by monks. Return to the glitz and glamour of Cannes feeling sun-kissed and utterly refreshed.

7. Golf by the sea or in the forested hills

The French Riviera is a golfer’s paradise, offering a multitude of prestigious golf courses.

Golf de Cannes-Mougins on the French Riviera

On a yacht charter in Cannes you’re spoilt for choice, whether you want to stick close to the coast or head into the rolling foothills. Laid out right by the sea at neighbouring Mandelieu-la-Napoule is the enchantingly pretty Old Course, designed in 1891 by a Russian Grand Duke, where the course even includes a ferry ride over a river. Up in the hills away from the coast you’ll find the excellent Golf Country Club de Cannes Mougins as well as the spectacular Royal Mougins: a par 71 masterpiece designed by Robert Van Hagge.

8. Shop for Haute Couture

With its magnificent flagship couture stores along the Croisette and famous ‘Carre d’Or’ (golden square), there’s a reason Cannes is so famous for shopping. Spend a happy afternoon trying on Gucci and Dior, shop for jewellery in the Carre d’or, and fill your bags with fine chocolates and cheeses from the exquisite chocolatiers and delicatessens along Rue d’Antibes. For a bustling glimpse of local life and the wonderful produce and flowers of Provence, visit the covered market at Marche Forville.

Dior boutique in Cannes, France

9. Get the heart racing with some outdoor adventure

For all its glamour and gastronomy, the French Riviera is also an adventurer’s playground, its hills riddled with mountain-biking trails and deep limestone canyons. Your choices are near endless for active pursuits in this part of the world, whether you’re rock-climbing climbing high above your yacht up the cliffs of the Calanques, cycling world-class road routes into the Alps Maritimes, or bungee jumping above snow-melt rapids in the Gorge du Verdon. Some of these activities will take you on a day trip away from Cannes, but there are also plenty of adventures around Cannes itself, whether that’s kitesurfing or mountain-biking the red rock hills of the Esterel.

10. Beach Clubs

Passing a day in a Cannes beach club is one of life’s more indulgent moments, listening to the gentle lap of the water and the rustle of ice in a silver champagne bucket as the waiter pulls out a bottle of blush-pink rose. While the lunch scene is pretty chilled out, the energy rises as the summer afternoons wear on into the dusky night.

There’s a lengthy list of Cannes beach clubs, but here a few standouts for the yachting set.

The newly refurbished Barrière Le Majestic Beach has always been a favourite with the well-heeled but it’s even better since 3 Michelin-star chef Mauro Colagreco opened up Bfire in 2019, offering up Italian-Argentinian wood-fired deliciousness to its beach club clientele.

BFIRE at Majestic Barriere beach club in Cannes, France
Meanwhile, the ever-popular Barrière Le Gray d’Albion Beach has been overhauled to become the Mademoiselle Gray Plage Barriere, offering gourmet cuisine and a fun, bohemian vibe.

La Plage du Martinez is the quintessential blue and white Mediterranean dream, and continues to be the place to be seen year-on-year in Cannes. Charter guests with children will be warmly welcomed on weekends with the Family Beach Brunch.

La Mome Plage was a breakout newcomer to the Cannes beach club scene in 2015, proving they could go toe-to-toe with the established players.

11. Michelin Stars

Cannes rolls out the red carpet for gourmands, with an impressive list of fine dining restaurants. As with the city’s day spas, the very best are found in the grounds of Cannes’ most sumptuous hotels. The most sought-after table in town is at the 2 starred La Palme d’Or at Hotel Martinez, where creative gastronomy is served up in a spectacular art deco setting. Park 45 at the Grand Hotel is another gastronomic restaurant favoured by the Michelin Guide, with an elegant dining room and an enchanting garden terrace by the sea.

The Palme d'Or restaurant at the Martinez hotel in Cannes, France

This list represents only a small fraction of the fantastic things to do on a yacht charter in Cannes. The best luxury yacht charters are created with local knowledge, and Bespoke Yacht Charter has a wealth of experience in the Cannes charter scene.

Discover The Best French Riviera 2022 Events

French Riviera Events

The first signs of spring are just around the corner, which means a plethora of world-class events will soon be arriving on the French Riviera. This idyllic area has long been the go-to destination for the world’s wealthiest, luring in the jet-set crowd with its sublime restaurants, high-end boutiques and refined beach clubs. Indeed, this exclusive area is home to the finest luxury villas to rent on the Cote d’Azur. Conveniently located on one of the most desirable coastlines, these luxury villas are perfect for a spring escape.

However, one of the French Riviera’s major draws is its calendar of year-round luxury events. April through to June are the best months to visit the French Riviera as they are the pinnacle of the 2022 spring social calendar. So, if you are planning a get-away to the Cote d’Azur in 2022, read on to discover our definitive guide to the French Riviera’s 2022 events.

The best French Riviera 2022 events

Monaco Grand Prix

Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix

Arguably the most anticipated Formula 1 event of the year, the legendary Monaco Grand Prix is a must-see French Riviera 2022 event. From May 26 to 29, 2022, the streets of Monaco are transformed into one of the most exciting race tracks globally. The world’s most talented racing drivers make more than 78 laps of the 3.3-kilometre circuit through the hairpin streets of the principality.

This race is a delight for Formula 1 fans and those who wish to immerse themselves in the party atmosphere. Watch the race from one of the luxury yachts moored in Port Hercules or one of the dedicated grandstands for the best views. One of the oldest and most prestigious car races globally, the Monaco Grand Prix is not to be missed.

Cannes Film Festival
©Denis Makarenko

Cannes Film Festival 2022

The most glamorous French Riviera’s 2022 event will be bringing another cascade of A-listers to the South of France for the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. For 12 days, starting May 17 to 28, 2022, the chic city of Cannes is transformed from a quiet seaside resort into the densest concentration of film industry activity in the world. The best way to embrace the hustle and bustle and see which celebrities you can spot around the town is to head to Cannes’ famed La Croisette. 

Alternatively, head to the Palais, home to all the major screenings during the Cannes Film Festival. While the Palais screenings are only accessible to badge holders, it is not unheard of for particularly well-dressed visitors to be given one of these coveted tickets if the spaces have not been filled. So, put on your best gown or tux and get ready to walk the famous red steps.

For prime access to this iconic event, make the most of exclusive Cap Villas accommodation in Villefranche-sur-Mer or Beaulieu-sur-Mer for an idyllic spring retreat.

Global Champions Tour
©Bambax

Longines Global Champions Tour

From May 19 to 21, 2022, the Longines Global Champions Tour will return to the chic French Riviera town of Ramatuelle, Saint-Tropez, for the 8th edition of the Longines Athina Onassis Horse Show. This fantastic three-day show jumping event is set to take place right on the Mediterranean shores of Pampelonne Beach and is expected to draw in hundreds of passionate spectators. With a total of €600,000 in prize money, the French Riviera’s 2022 event is guaranteed to create an electric atmosphere.

Combining old-world glamour with top-level sport, the events world-class facilities are fit for the occasion, including the main arena for the competitions, a warm-up arena, a village, a VIP area, restaurants, bars, shops, and more. Ticket holders are also treated to front-row seats along with finely crafted Italian dishes, delicious beverage options, and top-quality service at the Global Champions Lounge at the Longines Athina Onassis Horse Show.

To make the most of this glamorous event and the French Riviera’s illustrious charms, rent a luxury villa in Ramatuelle, complete with beautiful interiors and world-class amenities.

©Francesco Anunzio

Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters

After the missed edition in 2020, the ATP Monte Carlo Rolex Masters will reopen its doors from April 9 to 17, 2022. This superb French Riviera 2022 event is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments globally, bringing together the top 56 players on clay in a knockout tournament with six rounds.

The Monte-Carlo Country Club is located on the shore of the Mediterranean and features superb panoramic views of the glistening blue sea. Several levels of terraces descend to the intimate Center Court, one of the most beautiful settings in tennis. Visitors can also enjoy the Super Category Courtside seats or upgrade to VIP Loge Box seats with access to VIP hospitality areas and VIP restaurants onsite for an elevated tennis experience.

There’s nothing quite like staying in one of the French Riviera’s luxury villas for a genuinely luxurious Côte d’Azur experience. From here, you will be within easy reach of these exceptional French Riviera 2022 events, as well as a plethora of other world-class offerings.

So, which luxury French Riviera 2022 event are you most excited about experiencing?

A guide To End Of Year Monaco Events

Monte-Carlo Casino at Christmas

Monaco always celebrates the end of year in glamorous style and this year promises to be no exception. Event organisers are working hard behind the scenes to put on a host of fun-filled, elegant Monaco events, whilst ensuring a safe Covid-secure environment for all. From Monaco’s eagerly anticipated Jazz Festival, to shopping extravaganzas, glamorous fundraisers, and theatre productions, the winter season in Monaco offers something for everyone. If you are looking for things to do in Monaco, then explore our curated selection of some of the best end of year Monaco events that guarantee festive cheer.  

End Of Year Monaco Events

Grand Monaco Street Sale – Nov. 6 – 8

This vibrant Monaco event is a wonderful way to stock up on unique gifts for the festive season. Organised by the Union of Traders and Artisans of Monaco, shoppers can enjoy three full days of deep discounts and promotions. This year, the street sale takes place from November 6-8 in Espace Fontvieille.

Monaco Street Sale

Speakeasy – Nov. 13

Head to the Grimaldi Forum on November 13 and enjoy a trip back to the 1930s with this gripping theatre production. Speakeasy is the original creation of the Rat Pack company and is set in an American underground bar during the height of prohibition. Elegantly mixing circus art and choreography, this Monaco event offers a fantastic night out at the theatre. Cap the evening off with a delicious meal at one of Monaco’s many award-winning restaurants.

Monte Carlo Jazz Festival – From Nov. 16 – 27

The Monte Carlo Jazz Festival is always an eagerly awaited Monaco event. Now in its 15th year, the Jazz Festival offers a packed programme of concerts by world-renowned musicians at venues across the principality. This year’s line-up includes Kyle Eastwood, Thomas Dutronc, and Hugh Coltman. Running for some ten days from November 16, the Monte Carlo Jazz Festival is a Monaco event not-to-be-missed.

Santa Claus is Missing – Dec. 9

This Monaco event is for little ones and big kids at heart. Held at the Theatre Princesse Grace Monaco, youngsters will delight in watching Mirliton and Sobriquet, two Christmas elves, set off on a treasure hunt in search of Santa Claus who has gone missing. The treasure hunt takes them across the world, from the North Pole to the desert, with lots of twists and turns along the way. This fun-filled Monaco event is followed by a Christmas snack and guaranteed to get the entire family in the festive spirit!

Monaco Christmas

Club Vivanova Charity Gala – Dec. 12

On December 12, the principality will play host to one of the most elegant annual charity fundraisers, Club Vivanova’s 6th annual Luxury Lifestyle Charity Gala Dinner at the Fairmont Monte Carlo. The Monaco event – Turning Luxury into Charity – will raise money for two charities, Chances for Children, and The Animal Fund. Guests at this glittering Monaco event will enjoy a Premier Cru Champagne reception, sumptuous four-course dinner, live musical entertainment by High on Heels, charity auction, and Aston Martin DBX launch. The event will wrap up with the Vodka23 After Party. For those seeking things to do in Monaco that also enable them to do good, Club Vivanova’s Charity Gala is a must.

Club Vivanova Gala Dinner 2020 in Monaco

Of course, one Monaco event that you can enjoy throughout all the year is exploring Monaco luxury real estate. Whether you are seeking to buy an investment property, looking for a larger apartment, penthouse, a luxury villa, or searching for a new Monaco rental, our agents at La Costa Properties Monaco are here to help you, no matter the time of year.

The Best Guide to Monaco Life

Monaco panorama at sunrise

Monaco life offers its residents luxury at every turn. Indeed, the French principality is a compact city-state that offers the very best in luxury living and is renowned the world over for the lavish life its residents and visitors enjoy. Whether you are seeking world-class cuisine, ritzy nightlife, world-famous events, or luxurious shopping, check out why living in Monaco offers the very best of the good life.

Here we round up some of the best things to enjoy about Monaco life.

Luxurious Shopping at Every Turn

With one of the highest density of millionaires in the world, there’s no shortage of luxury shopping hot spots when it comes to living in Monaco.

The Metropole Shopping Centre in Monte-Carlo, Monaco

One popular spot is the Metropole Shopping Centre in Monte Carlo, featuring a smorgasbord of some of the world’s most luxurious brands such as Gucci and Versace. Alternatively head to the Carré d’Or district, where exclusive brands jostle for the attention of those with ultra-deep pockets.

Join the High-Rollers

Monte Carlo’s famed casino – or the Casino de Monte-Carlo as it is officially named – is where high-rollers, celebrities, and VIPs go to gamble. Here you’ll find all the traditional gambling games, including English and European roulette and Texas hold-em poker, alongside a dazzling array of slot machines. Remember to dress to impress.

Monte-Carlo Casino in Monaco

Gourmet Cuisine

Gourmands will not be disappointed when living in Monaco. Indeed, Monaco life offers a delicious choice of some of the finest restaurants in the world to choose from. Top restaurants include Restaurant Joel Robuchon Monte-Carlo, which boasts an open Teppanyaki-style kitchen, and Le Vistamar, which serves up mouth-watering European cuisine coupled with some of the best views in Monte Carlo.

Le Vistamar Restaurant in Monte-Carlo, Monaco

Party The Night Away

Exclusive parties at some of the world’s best clubs is all part of the fun of Monaco life. Jimmy’z is a local celebrity hot spot and one of the most renowned destinations to party the night away. Dubbed the temple of clubbing, here revellers can enjoy some of the best beats by a roster of celebrity DJs, a stunning terrace coupled with a spectacular sea view, lush gardens, hookah, and some of the world’s best Champagne.

Jimmy'z nightclub in Monte-Carlo, Monaco

Other notable hot spots include Le Bar Americain, a swanky jazz club renowned for its live music programme, lust worthy cocktails and fabulous sea views.

Exclusive Events

Living in Monaco includes the opportunity to join in the fun of some of the world’s most exclusive events. The Monaco Yacht Show and the Monaco Grand Prix are two of the most eagerly awaited events on the annual Monaco social calendar and are both an intrinsic part of Monaco life.

The Monaco Yacht show is held annually at the end of September and is the world’s leading superyacht event boasting more than 100 yachts and mega yachts. Some 30,000 visitors join in the revellery of the event, which spans four fabulous days.

Monaco Grand Prix

Held every May, the Monaco Grand Prix is the slowest and most difficult of all circuits in the Formula 1 World Championship and offers four-days of spectacular racing and wraparound events. Thousands of spectators gather to watch the world’s best racers speed through the streets of Monaco, offering a not-to-miss spectacle.

So, if you’re looking to enjoy a luxurious life, investing in Monte Carlo real estate will enable you to enjoy Monaco life at its very best.

Portofino Yacht Charter Guide

Portofino panorama of the port

The Italian Riviera is north-western Italy’s coastal showcase, a place where the Ligurian Alps meet the Apennines with a dash of la dolce vita and a well-deserved reputation alluring yachts to one of the most popular yachting hotspots in the Mediterranean, Portofino.

Decades of tourism have ensured that the beauty of the Cinque Terre and Portofino rank highly on places you need to visit and the entire coastline has bewitched royalty, writers and celebrities who have been drawn to the Mediterranean climate, beautiful towns and the blend of old and new.

Waterfront villas in Portofino, Italy

There’s no denying the appeal of Portofino, tucked into a sheltered inlet surrounded by colourful buildings and olive-clad terraces it has been grabbing headlines and attracting the international jet set for decades.

In the height of peak season, the town morphs into Italy’s version of Saint-Tropez, however if you’re looking for Champagne-spraying nightclubs and hedonistic beach clubs you’ve come to the wrong place.

Superyachts in Portofino

Many visitors to Portofino don’t venture beyond the harbour and Piazzetta (small square), but renting a yacht on the Italian Riviera will introduce you to places of quiet beauty – especially in spring or autumn, ornate villas hidden amongst the trees and gorgeous scenery with romantic restaurants sandwiched between the mountains and sea.

Portofino is not off-the-beaten path, however it’s possible to escape the crowds of day trippers and celebrities who visit Portofino for one day.

Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Italy

Read this Guide to Yacht Charters in Portofino to discover the best things to see and do while on a Portofino yacht charter, where you can discover some of the celebrated highlights and the charter spots less visited amidst the surrounding attractions of the Gulf of Tigullio.

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Winter on the French Riviera

Antibes and the snow covered Alps with the Mediterranean sea in the foreground

A scant 100 years ago, the idea of visiting the French Riviera in the summertime was unheard of in polite society, who deemed the South of France in July and August to be far too hot and bothersome.

Instead, the first-class trains and ornate horse-drawn carriages would start to arrive as the weather cooled and the first snows fell on the Alps, delivering queens and tsars, dukes and duchesses, writers and artists for a glittering winter season of parties and operas and promenading under the palms.

The Duke of Windsor in Cap d'Antibes, France

In winter at the turn of the 19th century, the Cote d’Azur was the centre of the fashionable world. In summer, the carriages departed, and the opulent villas and belle époque hotels were shuttered up once more until the haze of summer cleared and the sea again held its enchanting winter sparkle.

And that’s how the Riviera stayed—a resolutely wintertime resort— until the 1920’s, when New York socialites, Gerard and Sarah Murphy, convinced the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc to keep a wing open for them for a summer. After buying a nearby villa the next year, they invited friends F. Scott Fitzgerald and Hemingway for decadent, endless summers of jumping off the rocks into the sea, fabulous parties, and long boozy lunches under the shade of pine trees that buzzed with cicadas.

Read more: The French Riviera in Winter : A Return to Winter Sun and Elegance

Monte-Carlo Music Masters showcases outstanding musical talents

Monte-Carlo Music Masters festival

Each year the Principality of Monaco plays host to a unique musical event, which showcases some of the most accomplished and celebrated musicians in the world. The Monte-Carlo Music Masters is a renowned annual competition that was founded by Jean-Marie Fournier and first took place in Monaco in 1992.

In October of each year, music lovers flock to Monte Carlo from every corner of the globe in order to attend the various rounds of this breathtaking musical contest. One of the very best ways for musical aficionados to experience this superb event is by staying in their very own villa for rent near Monaco. When you rent a luxury villa on the French Riviera, in close proximity to Monte Carlo, at this time of year, you’re able to not only enjoy the many sophisticated pleasures of this perpetually sun-drenched coastline, but you’re also only a short and convenient hop away from one of the globe’s most exciting musical competitions.

The Salle des Etoiles concert venue in Monaco

The Monte-Carlo Music Masters sets forth several distinctive regulations that inevitably elevate the quality and standards of the musicians that compete here and the music they produce. One of these rules allows only musicians who have already won other competitions in the past to participate in the Monte-Carlo Music Masters.

Another unorthodox specification of this illustrious competition is that, each successive year, the Monte-Carlo Music Masters focuses on only one discipline, alternating between piano, violin or voice, so as to be certain to devote the requisite amount of attention and focus that each musical category deserves. In turn, this particular quirk benefits those spectators or fans who have a specific affinity for any of these three musical specialties. So, fans of the violin can choose to attend the Monte-Carlo Violin Masters and get completely carried away by the strains of their favourite compositions.

Monte-Carlo Voice Masters 2017

In 2017, it was the turn of the singers to compete at the Monte-Carlo Music Masters. Those blessed with magnificent voices travelled to Monaco from all around the planet to compete, to offer their very best operatic arias and to try and earn the coveted €30,000 Prince Rainier III Prize. The riveting elimination rounds of this year’s event were no doubt as gruelling for the competitors to participate in, as they were compelling for those gathered to watch.

Winner of Monte-Carlo Voice Masters 2017

In the thrilling final, which took place on Saturday the 14th of October at the Auditorium Rainier III, two South Korean singers duelled musically. Eventually it was Gil Byeong-Min who prevailed and earned the title of winner of the Monte-Carlo Voice Masters 2017.

However, there’s an argument to be made that the true winners on this day (and indeed throughout the entire competition) were the music lovers fortunate enough to attend, and witness the incredible levels of vocal virtuosity that were on display at this year’s Monte-Carlo Voice Masters.

The Principality of Monaco by night

If you’d like to find out what it feels like to listen to some of the world’s best musicians, all at the top of their games, competing against one another, then you should plan on attending the Monte-Carlo Music Masters 2018 by renting a luxury villa on the French Riviera.

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Ultimate Luxury on Land and Water

Ferrari tour on the French Riviera at Gorges du Verdon

Our planet is no doubt blessed with a myriad of breathtakingly stunning scenery, but very few places compare to the luxurious blend of vintage luxury and enchanting landscapes that is the French Riviera and its legendary sun-drenched beaches. This delightfully sculpted scenery which stretches from St. Tropez up until the French-Italian border is an avalanche of hospitality; complete with sandy beaches, blue seas (and skies), trendy shopping stores and exclusive boutiques. Dazzling with historic vineyards, extravagant chateaus, and calm waters transcended by traversing yachts, the French Riviera immerses its visitors in an ethereal world of splendor and magnificence. Add a touch of style and classical French hospitality, and you see why this place leads the chart of top celebrity tourist destinations.

The Carlton beach in Cannes, France

Cannes on the French Riviera is an action attraction sure to tickle the fancy of every tourist. The town hosts the famous Cannes Film Festival on an annual basis – providing a glistering perspective of what luxury and holiday resorting should be like. With an aura of regality and modest affluence, the sun perched Mediterranean coastline, and nearby medieval styled villages provide a lucid imagery of the rich French cultural history. It’s however not just about the scenery, as embossed in the rose gold streets of the nearby, Eze, Antibes, Saint Tropez and Menton as a firsthand historical perspective of French Sovereignty. Antibes in particular, with its picturesque streets and prestigious museums, reunites you with history; and if you have a taste for the exclusive, its impressive line up of celebrity villas will leave you craving for more of the same.

Èze Village

What’s the best way to explore the French Riviera; by land where you get up close and personal with its stunning architecture or via the air where you’re treated to an almost godlike perspective of its stunning scenery? How about a taste of the two; up close and personal plus a godlike view and then a serving of luxurious adventure – cue the waters of the French Riviera and its luxury yachts. Of the many highlights the French Riviera is known for, its exotic yachting and beach culture stands out as one of the most prominent in the world. Since the 18th century when its white pebble beaches were routinely toured by the likes of King Edward VII, Queen Victoria, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, the French Riviera has conveyed a sense of wealth and privileged luxury; the kind that has drawn hordes of affluent visitors to its endearing yet reassuringly calm waters. So, whether you arrive on your private yacht or join the enthusiastic company of other tourists to hitch a ride aboard a cruise, ferry or boat, rest assured that you will a get a taste of the regally grand adventures of the French Riviera’s breathtaking waters.

Port Vauban marina in Antibes, France

Away from the Sea and onto the Roads of the French Riviera

Granted the sea and its frivolities pack a unique touch of adventure, but no trip to the French Riviera is complete without a day, or two spent touring its scenic landscapes and interacting with its soulful scenery. Far from the tardy definitions of a conventional tour, you too can experience the French Riviera from an elite perspective, with a custom planned tour in the supercar of your dreams. If you thought the bustling waters of the Riviera were endearing, then get set for a treat. A driving tour of the French Riviera aboard a supercar replaces the gentle sways of the adventurous sea with the high-octane pumped twists and turns of France’s greatest driving roads – it really is, the ultimate way to infuse a vibrant and spirited experience into your French Riviera adventure.

View over the Old Port of St Tropez

The Cote d’Azur and Provence feature a stunning landscape made for the 21st century explorer. The seemingly endless stretches of roads wiggle around the sun draped hills and snow-tipped mountains leaving in their wake Provence’s signature lavender fields and vignette olive groves. But that’s just a snippet of what lies in store; the Alpes-Maritimes, a streak of cliff-top roads snaking up the French Riviera’s daunting mountain range is length for length one of the most enthralling routes for driving in all of Europe. Its range is dotted with iconic hilltop villages, each painted with a byzantine palette of class and vintage luxury. From Gourdon, through Vence and up into Moustiers Sainte Marie, expect a visually scintillating experience that will most certainly leave an indelible imprint on your travel memories.

Grande Corniche road on the French Riviera

Planning your Car Tour on the French Riviera

Ready to delve into the French Riviera? Start off your tour from Cannes where an experienced tour guide will meet you at about 6:30 pm in the comfort of your hotel lobby. You will be provided with a detailed rundown of what to expect before the keys to your select dream car is handed over; this could be a Lamborghini, a Ferrari, a Porsche or even a Bugatti if you’re hell-bent on keeping the whole experience, French.

Ferrari and Lamborghini cars in southern France

After your first night, spent shrugging off any accompanying bits of sea sluggishness, you should be well in tune with the magic of the French Riviera – the land version. Your first route to conquer is the long stretch of road leading from Cannes up into Provence. Do this by coasting along the famous Croisette promenade and its breathtaking view of the adjacent bay of Cannes. Make your way to the charming and eccentric village of Gourdon. This town hosts an assortment of cute small boutiques, antique and art, sumptuous cuisine, perfumes, olive oils, all reminiscent of medieval France. But all this pales in comparison to the magnificent view this hilltop village provides; Gourdon perched at an altitude of almost 760m treats you to an exclusive perspective of the Mediterranean coastline and the Alps.

Stunning scenery in the south of France on driving tour

From here, its onwards to the iconic Artuby bridge in all its artistic curves and silhouetted brilliance. The Verdon National park lies just ahead and nestled within its confines is the Gorges du Verdon, France’s own Grand Canyon; make sure to take some photos, the views are spectacular. After lunch, head off into Provence where your luxury hotel awaits you.

Ferrari crossing bridge in the south of France

Day two and you’re back on track, only this time for a taste of the spectacular with one of Europe’s finest collection of mountain passes and twisting roads; if you are familiar with the Swiss Alps; you know what to expect with the Mediterranean Alps roads. Breeze through the legendary Route Napoleon and its nearby twin the Route de Thorenc. Both feature hanging cliffs and fast-paced straights; and while others pause to take a breather from the corners, you effortlessly conquer the road with the confidence that comes from being in your very own supercar.

Route de Thorenc, south of France

Your road tour of the French Riviera comes to an end with the shimmering tarmac of Col de Vence, and its striking view of the sea. From here it’s smooth sailing via the highway back to Monte-Carlo.

EPIKdrives has indeed created an epic French Riviera Driving Tour that deserves to be tested on your next trip to France.

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Luxury Shopping on a French Riviera Yacht Charter

Chanel boutique in St Tropez, France

You know the South of France summer is in full swing when celebrities and their bodyguards are popping in and out of boutiques, and charter guests speed back to their yachts, their tenders laden down with shopping bags full of designer gowns and swimwear from the world’s great fashion houses.

Louis Vuitton Damier travel bagIt’s far from unknown for superyacht guests to drop a cool €100,000 on a morning’s shopping trip in the glamorous boutiques of Saint Tropez, Cannes, or Monaco. But that’s not to say you need to have a spare hundred grand to enjoy the shopping experience during your South of France yacht charter.

Ferrari in the port of St Tropez, France

Our Riviera shopping guide takes you from the haute couture fashion houses and elite ready-to-wear designers, through to local boutique gems and colourful local markets. And as no-one fancies giving money to the tax-man unnecessarily, we’ve also included some information on how to shop duty-free on the French Riviera.

Shopping in Monaco 

If you begin your yacht charter in Monaco, there’s no better way to start than taking an afternoon stroll through the Principality to find a stunning designer outfit for your first evening on the yacht.

Casino Square in Monte-Carlo, Monaco

The Cercle d’Or & Summer Pavilions

The haute couture designers and luxury jewellers hang their shingles around the famous Cercle d’Or, where it’s just one prestigious fashion brand after another, including Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Cartier, Bvlgari, Hermès, Salvatore Ferragamo, Dior, and Chanel.

Pavillons Monte Carlo luxury shopping in Monaco

During summer 2017, 40 ultra-luxe brands will be displaying in the ‘Promenade Monte Carlo Shopping’: an exclusive installation of summer pavilions near the Place du Casino. The ideal route for a Cercle d’Or shopping tour begins at the Pavilions before carrying along the famous Avenue de Monte Carlo and onto Allée Francois Blanc.

Chanel store in Monte-Carlo, Monaco

If you’re a bargain-hunter roaming this part of town, slip behind the casino and away from the Cercle d’Or to Avenue Saint Michel, where Stock Griffe boutique offers big name brands for up to 70% off.

Town Centre

In the town centre, Boulevard des Moulins, Boulevard d’Italie, and Avenue Princesse Grace showcase many high end boutiques, including local offerings such as Monegasque luxury brand, 209 Mare.

La Condamine

The Condamine area down by the marina has more than 200 boutiques of dazzling variety and budget – from fashion and homewares to gourmet stores. For those shoppers who love to explore, La Condamine holds many treasures, including Le Dressing: a vintage designer shop featuring second-hand beauties from designers like Chanel.

Rue Princess Caroline in Monaco
Shopping Malls

Monaco even does shopping malls with exceptional style. Galerie du Metropole is one of the most luxurious malls on the planet, with acres of marble, porters to help with your bags, and 80 luxury stores including Armani and Brunello Cucinelli.

Metropole shopping mall in Monaco

If you’re after a more low key or practical shopping experience, head to Fontvieille shopping mall, where you’ll find electronics, fashion stores, and a large Carrefour supermarket.

Markets

Finally, despite its high-end shopping reputation, Monaco also does a wonderful daily market in La Condamine featuring Mediterranean produce and local crafts, and a funky little flea market at Fontvieille on Saturdays.

Food market in Monaco

Things worth knowing

There’s a 20% VAT surcharge on goods you buy in Monaco: it may be known as a tax haven, but unfortunately that doesn’t apply to the shopping experience! However, if you’re a visitor from a country outside the EU, you will be eligible for a VAT refund on purchases over €175 made in a single store.

Shopping in Cannes

Cannes is one of the world’s ultimate shopping destinations, and you’ll feel the excitement in the air as you skip from Chanel to Yves Saint Laurent to Dior, passing celebrities carrying little dogs in their Hermès handbags.

The Hotel Carlton in Cannes, France

The Croisette

Cannes Croisette is a byword for luxury shopping, with flagship haute couture boutiques lining the boulevard beneath the palm trees and ornate Belle Epoque hotels. As well as the big global names such as Dior and Chanel, there are also some very fine French boutiques worth knowing about, such as Paule Kar, Chacok, and Leonard Fashion.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a glamorous evening gown for your night out in Cannes but have a bit of an eye on your budget, try MyAnnika, a boutique specialising in evening dresses at affordable prices.

Dior boutique in Cannes, France

During the Cannes Film Festival, there’s even a red carpet laid out along the shopping strip, and the Croisette is largely pedestrianised on summer evenings as of 2017, making this prestigious shopping destination even more drop-dead gorgeous than ever. And if you’re in the mood to get a head-start on the summer crowds with a spring yacht charter, the Croisette hosts a shopping festival each April, with fashion shows and season previews. Be still, my beating heart.

Rue d’Antibes

If you must drag yourself away from the Croisette, Rue d’Antibes is the place to do it. This famous street just behind the Croisette is the other fashionable place to shop in Cannes, with a succession of luxury brands like Vilebrequin and famous high street brands like Zara, as well as sunglass stores and decadent chocolate shops for gifts to take home.

The Rue d'Antibes shopping street in Cannes

And as if it couldn’t get any better, the block between the Croisette and the Rue d’Antibes completes the famous Carré d’Or, where fine jewels are laid out in the window displays between chic bars and swimwear stores.

Rue des Etats-Unis

This recently-updated shopping street features high-end interior design shops to find that perfect French piece to ship home.

Rue Meynadier

On the other hand, if you’re looking to shop like a Cannois local, then Rue Meynadier is for you, with its eclectic mix of affordable fashion and artisan food stores.

Maison Bremond in rue Meynadier, Cannes

Shopping Malls

If you’re still hungry for more, the Galerie Gray d’Albion shopping mall is located just by the Croisette, featuring a range of high-end stores including La Perla. If you’re looking for more practical shopping, head to the neighbouring town of Cannes La Bocca.

Markets

To get the true Cannes experience on your yacht charter, a visit to the local markets is a must, and Marche Forville delights with its bustling atmosphere, and colourful stalls of fruit and flowers, cheese and fish.

Forville market in Cannes, France

Things worth knowing

Like Monaco, you can claim a VAT refund on purchases over €175 in a single store if you hail from a country outside the EU. If you’re planning a South of France shopping spree, apply for a Global Blue ‘shop tax free card’ so you can automatically be refunded at participating stores, or just ask in the store for a detaxe’ form to claim at the airport upon departure.

Shopping in Saint Tropez

Welcome to little boutique heaven, where the towering names of the fashion world sit on cobbled laneways next to unique Saint Tropez boutiques. The village of Saint Tropez isn’t big and all its boutiques are a leisurely stroll from each other, so just grab your credit card and explore to your heart’s content, with a focus on the luxury triangle between Place des Lices, Rue Gambetta, and Rue Allard.

View over St Tropez rooftops and superyachts in the bay of Saint-Tropez.

Global Fashion houses

You’ll find the instantly-recognisable names of Hermès, Armani, Dior, and Louis Vuitton emblazoned above the doorways of Saint Tropez’ pastel facades, as well as Zadig et Voltaire, Lanvin, Swarovksi and Eres, just to name a few. However, it’s worth noting that the luxury shopping scene is just as much about the local as the international in enchanting St Tropez.

Local Boutiques

Arguably the most famous item in a Saint Tropez wardrobe is the iconic Tropezienne sandal, which was established by the Rondini family in 1927, with stiff competition from the K.Jacques family who set up shop 5 years later.

As you might expect, swimwear is also a hot item in sunny Saint Tropez, where the local Vilebrequin and Kiwi St Tropez boutiques began their meteoric rise on the superyacht fashion scene.

Vilebrequin Rolling Stones album cover swimming shorts

For jewellery, Gas Bijoux delights with its chunky, colourful designs, while Au Soleil de Saint Tropez is the last word in boho chic (as worn by the stars.)

There’s something for everyone in fashionable St Tropez. If you’re feeling nautical, Blanc Blue is a local boutique full of sailor-style stripes and scarves, while those up for a spot of polo at the St Tropez polo club will find all the right attire at La Martina. Bla Blas is an absolute treasure trove of quirky labels, while Be Shorts— well, you can guess what they sell.

Markets and Cellars

One St Tropez shopping experience which is not to be missed is a Saturday morning at the Place des Lices market, where Provencal produce, gifts, and clothing are spread out in stalls underneath the shade of century-old plane trees.

Market in Place des Lices, St Tropez

And finally, if you’re wanting to take home some excellent Provencal wine for a gift or to cellar, head to La Cave de Saint Tropez or Terre de Mer.

Things to know

The same tax free opportunities exist in St Tropez as in Cannes, with a Global Blue card definitely the way to go if you’re planning on splashing some cash.

A yacht charter is the perfect way to make the most of a luxury shopping adventure along the French Riviera. Where land-locked tourists have to battle with summer traffic in the South of France, you just float along between the great shopping destinations of the Riviera, falling ever deeper in love as you go.

Things to do with Children on your French Riviera Yacht Charter

Jacuzzi on motor yacht ANTISAN

The French Riviera is the most glamorous stretch of coastline in the world, and as such, is probably not the first place that comes to mind when planning a family yacht charter. Yet there’s actually so much great stuff to do with kids on the Cote d’Azur that you’ll struggle to fit it all in a 7-day charter! From tropical beach treasure hunts and underwater villages to zip-lining, firework shows and rollercoasters, the French Riviera is a children’s playground.

Parasailing off the beach at Nice in the south of France

We’ve written before about why yacht charters are so great for the whole family, and how to make sure they’re a brilliant success.

Here are some fantastic children’s activities for your French Riviera yacht charter.

A Celebrity History of the French Riviera

Brigitte Bardot and Roger Vadim in St Tropez

The celebrity history of the French Riviera reads like a Who’s Who of the last century. It is a riveting story of butcher kings and widow queens, sex sirens and princesses, scheming billionaires and socialite visionaries, hard-drinking writers and eccentric artists—all flocking to the Riviera to live lives full of decadence, intrigue, and debauchery under the Mediterranean sun.

Winston Churchill on the yacht Christina O
Winston Churchill on the yacht Christina O

It is impossible to overestimate the impact a few key individuals had on the meteoric rise of the Cote d’Azur, transforming it from a sleepy 19th century place of medieval villages and rocky sheep farms into the ultimate celebrity destination and the birthplace of the superyacht industry.

Let us take you for a journey down the French Riviera, stopping at the haunts of the celebrities, socialites, and royals who forever changed the French Riviera.

FULL ARTICLE: Of Princes, Murderers, and Socialites: A Celebrity History of the French Riviera

Visit beautiful La Napoule on your Côte d’Azur yacht charter

Stunning Esterel coast on the French Riviera

The Bay of La Napoule is a stunning stop on a French Riviera yacht charter, with the rich red rocks of the Esterel mountain range contrasting vividly with the turquoise sea, and the gloriously pretty Cannes islands sitting just offshore with their quiet pine forests, secluded coves and sunny vineyards.

Mandelieu-La Napoule

There’s an abundance of superb nature activities on offer in the surrounding hills, from mountain biking to horse riding and hiking, while the town of Mandelieu-La Napoule offers a very famous golf course and some stellar Michelin-star dining.

A Day on Charter in La Napoule

Visit Marseille on your Luxury Yacht Charter

Girl enjoying panoramic view over Marseille, France

Let’s get what must be said out of the way early. Marseille—that maligned, magnificent port city—is rarely included on a French luxury yacht charter itinerary, with the majority of charter yachts floating down the coast as far as St Tropez, before turning back to cruise back up the French Riviera to glittering Cannes and Monaco.

Yet what are yacht charter guests missing by not venturing a little further down the Var coast to Marseille? A whole lot, as it happens. Marseille is located on one of the wildest, most magnificent stretches of coastline in the Mediterranean: a region of towering limestone cliffs and turquoise fjords, Caribbean-like islands, and ancient villages surrounded by rolling vineyards. With the appeal of pretty Cassis and Bandol, the astonishing Calanques National Park, and the exotic Islands of Gold off Hyeres, the Marseille coast is simply unmissable.

Experience the Renaissance of Marseille on Your French Yacht Charter

Luxury Yacht Charters in Corsica

Stunning beaches on the island of Corsica

If you’re seeking a luxury yacht charter that offers an entirely different experience than traditional Mediterranean hotspots such as the Amalfi Coast, French Riviera or the Balearic Islands, then head to Corsica where you’ll be charmed by an island of diverse landscapes, vast history and robust cuisine.

Located at a maritime triangle between the coasts of northwestern Italy, southeastern France and the neighbouring island of Sardinia, Corsica is underrated and largely unspoiled by commercialism – imagine an island where herders still shuffle their mountain goats through the scented maquis of rosemary and lavender, crumbling Genoese fortifications line the wild coastline instead of glitzy resorts and wind-bent pine trees border the shores of spectacular beaches.

Inland, you’ll find an even quieter Corsica with pigs and donkeys roaming the twisting mountain roads, artisans selling almond cookies and hazelnut oil roadside and tiny villages staunchly professing their Corsican identity.

Corsica Yacht Charters

Discover the beautiful village of Valbonne

Village square in Valbonne, France

A French Riviera yacht charter is not complete without a visit to one of the flowery hill villages of Provence, and Valbonne is a very lovely example within easy reach of the Mediterranean coast.

There’s an enchanting appeal to Valbonne that sits perfectly between ‘medieval charm’ and ‘Riviera chic’. Located in the rolling hills behind Antibes, Valbonne is a desperately pretty 16th century town of cobbled streets and fashionable boutiques, sun-drenched squares and ancient abbeys. What makes Valbonne so special is that it has the feel of a living, breathing Provencal village rather than a tourist attraction, with its village squares dotted with shady plane trees and boules players, and its bustling pavement cafes full of locals enjoying the good life under the Mediterranean sun.

Visiting Gorgeous Valbonne on Your French Riviera Yacht Charter

Artists on the French Riviera

The Picasso museum in Antibes on the French Riviera

It is hard to overestimate the effect the heartbreaking landscapes and light of the French Riviera had on some of the world’s great artists. Monet and Matisse, Picasso, Signac and Chagall are just a few who fell under the spell of the French Riviera, enchanted by that mythic, ethereal light falling across the Cote d’Azur’s pastel facades, dusky-blue Alps and sparkling seas.

Many of these great artists came and stayed, finding a new vigour in their painting and spending much of their lives here creating Mediterranean-inspired masterpieces in the fabled southern light.

A luxury yacht charter in the south of france is the ultimate way to visit the artistic highlights of the Riviera, following the lives and works of the masters along a memory-trail of rose’ and Gauloises smoke, scandalous love affairs and tragic suicides. On your yacht charter you can go ashore to visit the fabulous museums and former homes of these artists, dine in fine restaurants hung with their paintings, and admire the very same views that inspired their masterworks. Follow the path of the masters from the dreamy coves of Cap d’Antibes to the flowery hill village of St Paul de Vence and along the coast to the pastel beauty of Saint Tropez.

An Art-Lover’s Ultimate French Riviera Yacht Charter

Discover Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

Hiking-Views-Roquebrune.jpg

Located between Monaco and Menton, east of Nice you’ll find the commune of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, an idyllic area of the French Riviera that is not as esteemed as the popular yacht charter destinations of Cannes or Saint Tropez, but with all the appealing elements that are unmistakably Côte d’Azur.

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin has a photogenically Mediterranean setting with a medieval Château dominating the village before the landscape drops down to the sea. There are three distinct parts that make up the commune – the town with coastal resort, Cap Martin and the medieval village.

History of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

A Guide to Luxury Yacht Charters in St Tropez

View over St Tropez rooftops and superyachts in the bay of Saint-Tropez.

Saint Tropez, originally a sleepy fishing village catapulted into the realm of the international jetset from the 1950’s and has remained the essential summertime playground for the famous and wealthy, where superyachts and sophistication bring savoir faire to the shores of the Mediterranean.

A must-visit stop for yacht charters on the glittering Côte d’Azur, the town has an unrivalled energy during busy months and a genteel charm of true Provençal ambience in the off-season.

Immerse yourself in our ‘Luxury Guide to Yacht Charter in St Tropez’ with practical advice on top places to dine, where to find the best shopping and useful tips about how to book a French Riviera luxury yacht charter.

Guide to Yacht Charter in St Tropez

Discover Menton : The Pearl of France

Menton-Port.jpg

Queen Victoria adored it; Winston Churchill painted its landscapes, and Robert Louis Stevenson and Katherine Mansfield came here to convalesce among the sunny lemon groves. Sean Connery filmed scenes of ‘Never Say Never’ in the old town, Jean Cocteau painted his famous frescoes of love here, and English nobles planted exotic gardens around Italianate villas shaded by palm trees. So enchanting is Menton that Eve is said to have planted the first lemon here, and the town, nestled on that last steep stretch of coastline before France gives way to Italy, is widely referred to as ‘The Pearl of France’.

Menton-Beach.jpg

So why is it then, that glorious Menton—set against a mighty backdrop of mountains, its cluster of pastel painted buildings and bell towers perched above the deep blue sea—is often left off the French Riviera yacht charter itinerary altogether? How can this be? For those looking for a place that brings the medieval and the gilded ages together with a gentle, well-preserved charm, Menton is paradise found.

Menton: The Forgotten Pearl of the French Riviera