Sport, glitz and glamour: May Madness around Monaco and French Riviera Events

Aerial view of Monaco at dusk

The glittering coastal town of Cannes welcomes thousands of visitors every year for high profile French Riviera events. They include the Cannes Film Festival in May, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June, the Cannes International Yachting Festival in September and the International Luxury Travel Market in December.

Yachts at Cannes Yachting Festival 2018

In May, all eyes turn towards the French Riviera and its fascinating neighbour Monaco as they deliver a double dose of glamour. The month’s festivities – attended by the global glitterati –  begin with the Cannes Film Festival, which will be held from 14 to 25 May in 2019. The dazzling event will coincide with the practice races of the Monaco Grand Prix, with the main race taking place on 26 May.

Cannes Film Festival: premieres and parties

The Cannes Film Festival is considered to be the world’s most prestigious film festival and has premiered most of the greatest films ever released. In the words of Alejandro González Iñárritu, the Mexican director who will preside the jury of the 72th Cannes Film Festival: “Cinema runs through the veins of the planet and this festival has been its heart.”

Palme d'Or - Cannes Film Festival

The world’s film industry heads to Cannes for the star-studded red carpet premieres, screenings, meetings, networking and parties that make up the event. 

Many of the films selected to be premiered at the festival are in competition for the Palme d’Or (golden palm) and other awards. Films that don’t meet the competition criteria premiere out of the competition.

View of the Port of Cannes

Although taking home a prize from what is one of the most famous French Riviera events is no guarantee of commercial or critical success, hugely important deals are sealed for funding and distribution. The festival’s nightlife is renowned: wealthy investors and producers host lavish parties in luxurious hotel suites and aboard yachts.

The Carlton beach in Cannes, France

Although the Cannes Film Festival is an industry-only event, the public heads to the beach to enjoy the films screened there every evening. Some people queue for tickets for the Critics’ Week part of the festival to see films by emerging directors.

The Carlton hotel in Cannes, France

The Croisette, the road where the festival venue is located, attracts a public eager to see the stars stepping onto the red carpet as they arrive for the black-tie screenings.

Monaco Grand Prix: prestige and logistical acrobatics

The Monaco Formula One Grand Prix has a history that dates back to 1929 and is part of the FIA Formula One World Championship. It is one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world and contributes to the image of Monaco as a glamorous destination.

View of the Monaco Grand Prix from the Fairmont Hotel

The Monaco circuit challenges drivers with tight corners and elevation changes between the iconic yacht-filled Port Hercules and Monte Carlo and back. As the event approaches, the second-smallest country in the world is taken over by it and the tension begins to mount. In just six weeks – to keep disruptions to everyday life to a minimum – grandstands are erected, roads are resurfaced and kilometres of barriers are built. Some yachts are moved from the harbour to make space for floating VIP hospitality areas.

View over Monaco Port during the Monaco Grand Prix

Some 200,000 spectators attend the Grand Prix in Monaco, a country that counts less than 39,000 residents. The event runs over four days, with practice runs preceding the main race and the atmosphere is electric. Balconies with views over the track are crowded with spectators, the rich and famous take to VIP terraces with gourmet catering and DJs, and invite-only yacht parties continue into the early hours of the morning.

Monaco GP Yacht Charter

A world of opportunity on the French Riviera

The frenzy of the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix is followed by the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, which will take place from 17 to 21 June in 2019.  Monaco and the French Riviera are renowned yachting hotspots and, with a large fleet of luxury yachts available in the Mediterranean all year round, an increasingly popular choice of accommodation for attendees is a Cannes Lions yacht charter.

Luxury yachts outside Cannes Palais des Festivals

Attendees who are considering a luxury yacht charter for French Riviera events will find quality vessels from top yacht charter companies ranging from 24 to more than 60 metres available in Cannes and Monaco. A luxurious day charter provides the perfect setting for a critical business meeting or party, while week-long charters offer the ultimate superyacht experience.

On all luxury yacht charters for the top French Riviera events, experienced professional crew are on board to ensure a seamless experience – including a private chef trained to create only the most extraordinary culinary delights. Throughout the day the experienced chef may serve up delicious canapes and refreshments during important meetings and conferences, while at night, a feast of fine dining awaits, ready to be enjoyed under the stars with friends and colleagues.

Celtra yacht at Cannes Lions 2016

For companies looking to make an impression, the option of a yacht charter offers unrivalled brand visibility. Many exclusive yacht charters are available in the port directly next to the Palais des Festivals, the iconic building that hosts both the Cannes Film Festival and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

With luxury yacht charters in Cannes an increasingly popular accommodation option for attendees of French Riviera events, booking well ahead is essential. For those looking for a superior experience for both business and pleasure, nothing beats a taste of the French Riviera via superyacht.

MIPIM 2018 Preview

MIPIM events on the beach in Cannes

MIPIM 2018 will be hosted in Cannes from 13–16 March 2018 and continues as one of the world’s largest events for global property professionals.

MIPIM party at the Carlton hotel in Cannes, France

Hosted at the Palais des Festivals, which is a key venue for other major Cannes events including Cannes Lions, Cannes Film Festival and MAPIC, over 24,000 participants will be inspired and make new discoveries during four days of intensive networking, conferences about property trends and the MIPIM Awards.

Read all about it in this Guide to MIPIM 2018 from Bespoke Yacht Charter

ANTISAN – One of the most popular Charter Yachts on the French Riviera

Yacht Antisan cruising Cannes, France

It’s easy to fall in love with a classic, and Antisan is a stand out with a perfect mix of elegance and classicism. Based at Vieux Port, Antisan is one of the best options for luxury yacht charter for groups in Cannes.

At 33 metres in length with a beam of almost 8 metres, Antisan offers a well-priced charter experience where her generous dimensions place her as a fine choice for clients seeking space that is usually found on bigger charter yachts.

Available for Mediterranean charters throughout the year, Antisan’s professional crew are highly skilled with service during luxury events and parties in Cannes and her onboard areas allow clients to maximise their experience for relaxing or entertaining as they wish.

Antisan has the capacity to host parties in port for up to 100 people, or even larger numbers during Cannes events such as Cannes Lions, Cannes Film Festival, MIPIM, ILTM or MIDEM utilising the adjacent quay.

Charter Antisan

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Guide to Yacht Charter in Cannes

The Hotel Carlton in Cannes, France

As with these words from Renoir, visiting the French Riviera can only be felt by experiencing it, going to see the same landscapes that attracted famous painters, dining at the same restaurants that hold Michelin accolades and chartering a yacht in the same bays that writers and poets gain inspiration from.

Cannes, a major destination in the south of France, is an excellent starting point for yacht charters on the French Riviera. With easy accessibility to both Nice Côte d’Azur Airport and Cannes-Mandelieu Airport, Cannes has a well-established infrastructure for major conferences and events, and ample luxury offerings to satisfy any yacht charter guest.

Time ashore can be spent dining at great restaurants from traditional French bistros to fine cuisine, browsing some of the best luxury boutiques on the Côte d’Azur or sightseeing at world-class art museums and galleries.

Read more in this guide to Cannes yacht charters from Bespoke Yacht Charter.

Cannes Luxury Guide

Night panorama of the bay of Cannes with luxury yachts

The French Riviera’s most stylish resort, Cannes, is a showcase for the beautiful, glamorous and covetable. Host to prestigious events such as Cannes Film Festival, Cannes Collection, Cannes Lions and Cannes Yachting Festival there’s no shortage of celebrities, luxury offerings and high-octane parties.

We’ve curated an Insider’s Guide to our favourite luxury places to shop, eat, stay or party like an A-lister in Cannes.

The insider’s guide to luxury Cannes

Chartering a yacht at Cannes Lions

Celtra yacht at Cannes Lions 2016

Cannes Lions, the world’s largest advertising festival, might not start until June but booking a yacht for the event before Christmas is essential to secure the best yacht and a prime berth in the Port of Cannes.

Indeed, Alexander Coles, Charter Broker at Bespoke Yacht Charter, confirmed that their agency has already booked 5 Cannes Lions yacht charters for the 2017 event. In fact, the Cannes Lions has become the most popular venue for event charters in recent years.

Spanning over 8 days and incorporating 3 festivals, the Cannes Lions has become the most highly regarded event for advertising executives with impressive line-ups of keynote speakers. This year, the CEOs of AirBnB, Burberry and Time Warner are all scheduled to give talks to an audience of over 15,000 delegates from 4,000+ companies.

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How One Yacht Charter Company Is Winning Clients at Cannes Events

Luxury yachts outside Cannes Palais des Festivals

Cannes is synonymous with major events on the French Riviera that take place in a destination used to media scrutiny and huge influxes of visitors.

Among it all, one yacht charter company is dominating the luxury yacht charter market in Cannes by offering professional advice about chartering with a stripped-back ethos that makes transparency and bespoke service appealing for top advertising companies, film industry execs and creative professionals.

Bespoke Yacht Charter have over 14 years experience with yacht charters in Cannes including MIPIM, Cannes Lions, Cannes Film Festival, MIPCOM, MIPTV, TFWA (Tax Free), MAPIC and ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) ensuring you receive in-depth knowledge from a proven yachting industry leader.

How One Yacht Charter Company Is Winning Clients at Cannes Events

Interview with Alexander Coles of Bespoke Yacht Charter

Superyachts in Montenegro

Alexander Coles is the Owner and Senior Yacht Charter Broker at Bespoke Yacht Charter, a company he founded in 2014 after 13 years’ experience arranging luxury yacht charters in the south of France, throughout the Mediterranean and worldwide. More than half of his bookings are repeat clients or referrals from existing clients that include ultra high net worth individuals, celebrities, royal families and large corporations. His aim is to deliver beyond all expectations – whether he arranges a charter booking for a two week Summer holiday for a family looking for the last word in discretion, through to corporate yacht charters for companies looking to present an extremely high profile at an important event.

What is it that you do exactly?

I arrange luxury yacht charters for highly discerning individuals from all over the world. I specialize in all Mediterranean yachting destinations but with particular emphasis on the Côte d’Azur and French Riviera, such places as St Tropez, Cannes and Monaco. The yachts I offer are from 25-100m in length and are all fully crewed by highly professional crew, offering the ultimate in floating luxury. In addition to yachting holidays, I also rent yachts to companies attending prestigious events in the south of France such as the Cannes Lions, MIPIM and the Cannes Film Festival.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I love the fact that I spend my days arranging experiences designed to give others pleasure! My clients are usually very busy business people and they want their holidays to be absolutely perfect in every way. Working very closely with each yacht’s Captain and crew, I aim to ensure an absolutely seamless luxury experience for each client.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cap d’Antibes, France

I absolutely adore this legendary hotel on the luxurious Cap d’Antibes peninsula between Antibes and Cannes in the south of France. The hotel is incredibly private and set in beautiful gardens with fabulous views of the Mediterranean. The staff are utterly AMAZING! It’s incredibly luxurious but in a very discrete and unpretentious way. If you haven’t stayed there, I strongly recommend it. It is to my mind and many others, the best hotel in the world!

Villa Katy, Korcula, Croatia

I first discovered this wonderful villa on the island of Korcula in 2007 and booked it for two weeks. It was my first visit to Croatia and I have been going there ever since. The house is surrounded by the sea on three sides with the most stunning views. It has a private pontoon for swimming and taking a boat or kayak out into the bay. It’s an extremely private place and you could stay there for weeks without seeing a soul! This villa is a place to truly lose yourself and switch off. The nearby town of Vela Luka has plenty of shops and restaurants if you ever feel like going out!

The Yard, Milan

I often go to concerts in Milan in the summer months and discovered this fabulous hotel on the internet completely by chance. This hotel is truly unique, part loft apartment, part gentlemen’s club… each suite is themed around something different, motor racing, tennis etc. It’s not often you have Louis Vuitton trunks in your room, unless they’re yours of course! Truly fabulous decoration and beautiful objets d’art to be found throughout. The bar and terrace are also stunning! As the name implies, the hotel is set around a beautiful courtyard right in the centre of Milan, my favourite city in Italy.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

I have been lucky enough to have dined at some of the best restaurants in the world, Le Louis XV in Monaco, Le Gravroche in London etc. But the one that really stands out is The Five Fields in London. I went there with my wife for my birthday last year and was truly blown away. Chef Marguerite Keogh is incredibly talented and uses beautiful ingredients in very creative ways. The food is rare in that it is incredibly stylish but definitely not style over substance. We had the tasting menu and every course was a triumph. The restaurant has been receiving rave reviews and I am sure it is only a matter of time before the Michelin inspectors give the restaurant the recognition it deserves!

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

Yes absolutely! The vast majority of my clients are rather wealthy to say the least, and some of them pretty famous too. I certainly won’t name any names but celebrities certainly love chartering yachts!

I always attend the Monaco Grand Prix and have seen lots of famous faces there, both from the world of F1 of course but also music and cinema. I also love the restaurant Cipriani in Monaco, owned by Flavio Briatore, there are always lots of famous people in there and at the nearby club Twiga! The same is true of some of the beach clubs at Pampelonne near St Tropez.

Funnily enough, for all the celebrities I see on the Côte d’Azur, I actually probably see more famous people in London, specifically around Kensington and Chelsea where I spend a great deal of time.

There is an Italian restaurant called La Famiglia in Chelsea that I’ve been going to since I was in nappies. I must have been there hundreds of times and there is always a famous actor or musician eating there every time I go! As a child, I had my photo taken there with Clint Eastwood and the photo stills hangs on the wall in the restaurant.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

I can’t wait to go to India! I have heard so much about the country and people! Those I know that have been, absolutely rave about it – the food, the colours, the vibrancy. I want to do it justice though and go for a couple of months so I am waiting until I have the time. Spare time is a bit of a luxury at the moment!

Thank you for taking part in our interview, Alex. Good luck with your quest to get to India – I was lucky enough to be there for a couple of days in 2013 but, like you say, it was sadly definitely nowhere near long enough to remotely do it justice!

This interview was originally published on A Luxury Travel Blog and can be found here

Yacht Charters for Events in Cannes

Panorama of luxury yachts in the bay of Cannes, France

Corporate Yacht Charters are becoming more and more popular as international companies grow increasingly keen on having the extra edge over their competitors and maximising the company’s exposure throughout any chosen Cannes event. Hiring a luxury yacht berthed in the Port of Cannes, right outside the world famous Palais des Festivals is certainly going to make event delegates take notice as they walk along the Quay Albert Edouard looking for the best cocktail party to attend. Here branding is all important to stand out amongst the crowd and get the message across! What could be better than having your own exclusive floating venue to host meetings, discussion groups, TV interviews, elegant dinners and glamorous cocktail parties all in total privacy.

Charter Brokers at Bespoke Yacht Charter have over 20 years of experience organising event charters in Cannes and here we look at 5 key points on how to get the most out of the Cannes experience afloat.

Read more: Planning The Perfect Event Charter in Cannes

Crowd Pleasers: Top Wines for Entertaining Onboard

Girls drinking wine on a luxury yacht charter

If you happen to be on the Côte d’Azur, you’ll no doubt have noticed that it’s beginning to look a lot like summer. It’s hard not to be dazzled by the clear blue skies, delighted to rediscover the warmth of the sun on your skin and excited by the array of new vintage rosé wines starting to appear on wine shop shelves.

Yes, yet another yachting season is amongst us. Whilst many Mediterranean yacht charters start on our sparkling coast before undertaking journeys to Corsica, the Amalfi Coast and beyond, many charterers don’t feel the need to leave the Côte d’Azur; whether cruising between St Tropez and Monaco and all the bays in between, or using one port as a base for an array of entertaining. The latter is especially the case during premier events such as the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix.

Top Wines for Entertaining Onboard

MIPIM 2016

Yachts Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France

MIPIM Cannes (Marché International des Professionals de l’Immobilier) is the leading real estate event for property professionals organised by Reed MIPIM, a subsidiary of Reed Exhibitions who also oversee other property trade events including MAPIC (scheduled for November 2016 in Cannes), and sister MIPIM events in London, Hong Kong and Osaka.

MIPIM Cannes, the 27th edition is themed around ‘Housing the World’ and will be held from 15 to 18 March 2016.

The event brings together over 20,000 participants from the global real estate chain – urban planning, funding, leasing, usage of property to management of portfolios.

Read more in Bespoke Yacht Charter’s Guide to MIPIM 2016

Le Suquet

Restaurant in Cannes' historic Le Suquet area

Cannes is viewed as the definitive French Riviera resort with its magnificent seafront hotels, designer boutiques, luxurious superyachts and major cultural and business events including the Cannes Film Festival, MIPCOM, Cannes Lions, MIPIM and ILTM.

There is, however, much more to the city than these glossy events at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès or shopping on rue d’Antibes and the palm-lined Croisette.

To the west, on the small hill of Mont Chevalier lies a compact district, Le Suquet, that largely avoids self-promotion and gives visitors a sublime contrast to the glitz of modern Cannes.

Read more: Le Suquet Proves Cannes Isn’t The City You Think It Is

Planning The Perfect Event Charter in Cannes

Cannes Port

Corporate Yacht Charters are becoming more and more popular as international companies grow increasingly keen on having the extra edge over their competitors and maximising the company’s exposure throughout any chosen Cannes event. Hiring a luxury yacht berthed in the Port of Cannes, right outside the world famous Palais des Festivals is certainly going to make event delegates take notice as they walk along the Quay Albert Edouard looking for the best cocktail party to attend. Here branding is all important to stand out amongst the crowd and get the message across! What could be better than having your own exclusive floating venue to host meetings, discussion groups, TV interviews, elegant dinners and glamorous cocktail parties all in total privacy.

Yacht charters for Cannes events

French Riviera Helicopter Transfers

Helicopters over Port of St Tropez

As the summer gets off to a warm start this June, travelling by road around the French Riviera becomes more and more frustrating. With so many tourists arriving on the French Riviera by car, what better way to begin your yacht charter in the south of France than to arrive by helicopter! Avoiding all the motorway nonsense, the slow procession of cars through the winding roads of the Var en-route to Pampelonne beach and the chaos of La Croisette in Cannes! Whether arriving by plane to either Nice, Cannes or St Tropez, a helicopter transfer is simply the best way to stay relaxed and take the most direct route and enjoy stunning views to begin your luxury vacation or business event on the French Riviera.

There are several helicopter transfer services running between Nice, Monaco, Cannes and St Tropez and the cost of flying by helicopter is surprisingly low, in many cases no more expensive than a regular taxi!

Heli Air Monaco - Helicopter

HELI AIR MONACO operate out of the Monaco Heliport in the Principality of Monaco. Running a complimentary shuttle service, HELI AIR MONACO will collect guests direct from their Monaco hotel or apartment and whisk you straight to your helicopter before departing for Nice, Cannes or St Tropez. For regular scheduled flights, HELI AIR MONACO operate over 50 flights per day between Monaco and Nice Airport. Taking off on the hour and every half hour from Monaco and quarter past the hour and every half hour afterwards from Nice, with each flight taking only 7 minutes! Road transfers are included in the cost but advance booking is recommended for this service. HELI AIR MONACO also offer bespoke French Riviera panoramic helicopter flights, ski packages and private charter flights throughout the year. They also offer a helicopter aerial filming service.

Please contact HELI AIR MONACO for further details:

www.heliairmonaco.com  +377 92 050 050

Helicopter flying over the Port of St Tropez

HELI SECURITE are predominantly based out of Nice, where most international flights arrive into, but they also have hubs at Cannes-Mandelieu Airport and at La Mole airport in St Tropez and run regular flights out of all three. HELI SECURITE also arrange special helicopter transfers during all of the major events that take place in Cannes. So if you’re arriving for a MIPIM yacht charter or hiring a yacht at Cannes Lions, why not avoid the traffic and arrive relaxed direct into Cannes Port by helicopter! After a hectic round of business meetings, why not extend your yacht charter and take a steady cruise along the coast to Portofino for the evening before heading back to Nice by helicopter? HELI SECURITE also operate throughout the winter season and run regular flights to the French and Swiss Alps for ski enthusiasts.

For further details please visit HELI SECURITE:

www.helisecurite.fr   +33 4 94 55 59 99

Helicopter flying over the islands off Cannes, France

AZUR HELICOPTERE operate flights mainly into Cannes, but also to major cities such as Lyon, where they maintain a hub for transporting guests around the Rhône-Alpes region and for helicopter transfers to the French Alps. They also run helicopter flights between Milan and Geneva as well as hopping across the Mediterranean to the beautiful island of Corsica! Offering a totally bespoke service AZUR HELICOPTERE can arrange helicopter transfers for special dinners, concerts, sailing regattas, boat shows and all of the Cannes events. And should you ever wish to sit up front and take the controls, AZUR HELICOPTERE also operate a fully licensed professional flying school at Cannes-Mandelieu Airport!

For further details please visit AZUR HELICOPTERE:

www.azurhelico.com +33 4 93 90 40 70

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A Guide to Luxury Yacht Charters

CLOUD 9 Yacht
CLOUD 9

Why Charter a Yacht?

To put it simply, there really is no better way to take a holiday. The perfect destination, a fabulous yacht and great professional crew will offer you the most amazing holiday experience you’ve ever had. Whether you’re looking to spend some quiet time with the family in peaceful anchorages or an action packed holiday with friends, visiting all the hotspots of the French Riviera, anything is possible on a yacht charter. Imagine the best hotel in the world with only your favourite food and drinks, great staff and best of all, it moves each day to where you want to be. And all of it is just for you and your guests! Breakfast in Portofino, lunch in Monte-Carlo, dinner in Cannes, this is reality on a crewed luxury yacht charter!

Which Yacht to choose?

There are more than 2,000 superyachts, motor yachts and sailing yachts available to charter worldwide in sizes from 20-100+ metres. In order to decide which sort of yacht is going to work best for your specific needs, it is important to consider various factors.

Sailing Yacht or Motor Yacht?

If you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury, a floating 5 star hotel with jacuzzis, a spa and mind-blowing cuisine, then a motor yacht or superyacht is probably the yacht for you. Most motor yachts over 100ft will have stabilisers making the experience comfortable at sea, both when underway and at anchor. On the largest of motor yachts, it would be fair to say that often one could forget one was even at sea. Sailing yachts tend to appeal to the more adventurous person who really enjoys being at sea, rather than just looking for a way to get from Cannes to St Tropez and to show off! That’s not to say that sailing yachts are any less luxurious than motor yachts. Modern sailing yachts of 40m and up offer a level of luxury that is very similar to a motor yacht, though interior volume and hence cabin sizes tend to be smaller. Catamarans appeal to many as they provide the volume of a motor yacht with the sailing experience.

Crew!

Don’t choose a great yacht, choose a great crew! A yacht’s crew are the single most important factor in ensuring an amazing yacht charter experience. An older yacht with an fabulous crew will make for a far more enjoyable experience than the latest flashy vessel with a so-so crew onboard that don’t really like working together. Your broker will be able to match you to the yacht and crew that are perfect for you. Tell them about your favourite cuisine for example, and they’ll find the yacht with just the right Chef! Fancy learning to wakeboard? Your yacht charter broker will find you a yacht with a professional wakeboard instructor onboard! The most important thing is to find a yacht where the crew are a “team” that love the yacht and most importantly love working together! Your broker will be able to send you references and testimonials from previous happy charterers.

Where to go?

Following the international jet-set, large yachts tend to charter in the Mediterranean in the summer months and move to the Caribbean for the winter season. Less mainstream yachting destinations like the South Pacific and the Far East are becoming more and more popular though. Traditionally the vast majority of Mediterranean yacht charters consisted of a week or two of back and forth between St Tropez and Monaco. Charterers are now wanting to do much more than this and many yacht charters on the French Riviera will also take in Corsica and Sardinia and perhaps Portofino in Italy. Charters in the Croatia and Turkey are now every bit as popular as the traditionally well known destinations in the south of France. Some people know exactly where they want to go? If you don’t, then your broker will have lots of suggestions that might really inspire you!

When to go?

The Mediterranean charter season is split into three distinct seasons, High Season being July and August, Low Season being June and September and the other months would be considered Off Season. There are exceptions to this of course, most notably the Monaco Grand Prix and Cannes Film Festival in May each year. The period around these two events on the Côte d’Azur is very much considered high season. The same goes for the MIPIM real estate event in Cannes every March where yacht charters are incredibly popular. Yachts have the highest charter rates in High Season, reducing somewhat for Low Season and further still for the Off Season. In order to decide which season works best for you, it is important to consider what you are looking to get from the experience. If you’re looking to experience the buzz and nightlife of St Tropez, then it really has to be done in July or August. If however, you are looking to spend quality time on a yacht with friends and family, enjoying great food and weather, then June and September are great times in all Mediterranean destinations especially the south of France. To those in the know, September is the best month of all to charter. Rates are lower than July/August, the sea is at its warmest, the ports less crowded, though still with enough people around to ensure a great atmosphere!

Budget

When deciding what you would like to pay for your charter, it is important to factor in the costs you will need to consider in addition to the charter fee. VAT – The amount of VAT charged will vary depending on where you charter, but you need to add 5-20% tax to the charter fee in most European destinations. Montenegro is unique in Europe in that VAT is not applied to yacht charters.

APA – The Advance Provisioning Allowance is a cash float given to the Captain in advance of the charter to provision the yacht as per your exact needs and to cover all the costs incurred during the charter. These include, but are not limited to; Fuel, Food, Drinks and Port Charges. The amount requested as APA is typically 25-30% in addition to the charter fee. Your Captain will keep full accounts with supporting receipts for the entire charter. This will be presented to you for approval prior to disembarkation. Once agreed, you will either be refunded monies not used or asked to pay for any excess.

Gratuities – A yacht’s crew works incredibly hard to ensure that a luxury yacht charter remains the ultimate holiday experience! Two to three hours sleep a night is not uncommon! It is customary but completely at your discretion to leave a gratuity for the yacht’s crew at the end of the charter. This should be given to the Captain, who will distribute it equally amongst all crew members. Your broker will advise you on what is customary in the part of the world you’re chartering in, but as a guide 10% is considered a good tip in the Mediterranean if you feel that you have received exceptional service.

This very brief introduction to the world of luxury yacht charter was written by Alex Coles – Alex is a charter broker at Bespoke Yacht Charter, a London and Côte d’Azur based company offering superyacht charters on the French Riviera and throughout the Mediterranean. The charter brokers at Bespoke Yacht Charter have over 13 years experience arranging luxury yacht charters on the finest crewed yachts in the world. They would be delighted to introduce you to best holiday imaginable and to guide you every step of the way!

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A busy month of May!

Cannes Film Festival & Monaco Grand Prix
Cannes Film Festival & Monaco Grand Prix

May is a very busy month on the French Riviera with two huge events taking place, the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix! Both events bring huge crowds to the Côte d’Azur and make the month of May one of the most exciting times to be in Monaco and the south of France!

Cannes Film Festival – 13-24 May 2015

The Cannes Film Festival needs very little introduction as the world’s most high profile film festival. From LA to Shanghai, when people think of Cannes, they think of the Cannes Film Festival. Every May, the world of cinema comes to Cannes. Actors, producers, directors and distributors descend on the French Riviera in their thousands for 11 days of screenings, competition and parties. The Cannes Film Festival has its origins in the 1930s. France is a nation with a great cinematic heritage and was looking to host a film festival to rival the renowned Venice Film Festival in Italy. The first Cannes Film Festival was held in 1946 with the introduction of the Palme d’Or award in 1955. From humble beginnings, the event has grown to become the world’s preeminent film festival. In 1983, the Palais des Festivals was constructed on the Croisette next to Cannes Port to host the event, which had outgrown its previous home. This rather brutal building known as “the bunker” is  loved by some and loathed by others, but the building and its red carpeted steps have become legendary and for many it is the defining image of Cannes.

Cannes is an industry event and as such not really open to members of the public. The screenings are reserved for those in the film business and journalists, but Cannes or Bust lets you into various secrets as to how you too could enjoy a film or two at Cannes. The hotels in Cannes are booked up years in advance by companies in the film business and restaurants are often closed for private parties. But this doesn’t mean that Cannes is not a great place for members of the public to come during the Film Festival. If you’re looking for a bit spring sunshine and the chance to glimpse a star or two, a day in Cannes during the Film Festival can be enormous fun! Anyone can come and have a glass of champagne or two on the Croisette and do some serious star spotting. And you never know, if you meet the right people, you may even get invited to a party or two! The nightlife in Cannes during the Film Festival is also fantastic, and for the most part, open to all. A walk around the Port of Cannes to look at all the fabulously glamorous yachts on charter is also an experience!

Cannes Film Festival has played a very important role in the success of the town as an international year-round destination, both for holiday makers and for business travellers. The facilities and infrastructure that have been developed for the festival have allowed Cannes to establish itself as a major player for international trade shows such as the MIPIM real estate event in March, the Cannes Lions advertising festival in June and many other very important events. Because of this, Cannes is not just another French Riviera resort that is packed to the gunnels in July and August and dead the rest of the year. Cannes is very much alive year round!

Monaco Grand Prix – 21-24 May 2015

The Monaco Grand Prix ties in perfectly with the Cannes Film Festival with the race taking place on the last day of the Film Festival, meaning that all the stars can helicopter over from Cannes just in time for the race! After all it is the glamour and famous faces that make the Monaco Grand Prix so much more than just another motor race! Monaco is the original street circuit and for many, it is the highlight of the F1 calendar, the “jewel in the crown” as it were. Run since 1929, the experience of seeing driver and machine on the limit around the streets of the Principality is something everyone should do at least once in a lifetime. Whether you’re interested in motor racing or not, the Monaco Grand Prix is a huge occasion. As the event is run on a street circuit, this opens up a lot of viewing opportunities beyond the usual grandstand seats found at every other motor race on traditional circuits. The race can be watched from apartment terraces, hotels and restaurants and of course yachts. Some exceptional vantage points include La Rascasse bar and restaurant on the corner of the same name, the Hotel Miramar on the Port of Monaco, where guests have a view of a huge part of the circuit and the elegant Cafe de Paris where you can watch the cars dance across Monaco’s legendary Casino Square!

But the ultimate way to watch the Monaco Grand Prix in style has to be to do so from the deck of a luxury yacht! The Port of Monaco is slap-bang in the middle of the Monaco circuit with nearly 40% of the track running around the harbour. Yachts can berth on key parts of the track including Piscine, Tabac Corner, Quai des Etats Unis and the Nouvelle Chicane. No other motor racing experience comes close to watching the Monaco Grand Prix from the deck of a yacht, glass of champagne in hand! The fact that the Monaco Grand Prix is centred around the port is in many ways the reason this is such a special race. The port is very much the heart and soul of Monaco, with events and parties taking place on the lavish yachts all weekend! This is so much more than just a motor race, “it’s Monaco Baby!”.

Cannes Events – Doing business in the Riviera sunshine!

Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival

When most people think of Cannes, they think of the Cannes Film Festival and of an endless summer holidays spent on the beach or by the pool of a luxurious hotel. But did you know that the town of Cannes on the Côte d’Azur is actually a major business destination and that in addition to the Cannes Film Festival, there are numerous other major industry events that take place in Cannes annually, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all over the globe! It is estimated that one in five visits to Cannes and the Côte d’Azur is actually for business.

Here is a calendar of the major events that take place in Cannes every year:

March:

MIPIMLe marché international des professionnels de l’immobilier

The world’s most important property and real estate event, bringing together in Cannes over 2,000 exhibitors and 20,000 attendees from 93 different countries! This event is a big one for the yacht charter business, with nearly 100 yachts being chartered by property companies and berthed in Cannes Port, next to the Palais des Festivals.

April: 

MIPTVMarché International des Programmes de Télévision

Annual event for the television industry attracting producers, directors and distributors. A very popular event with an ever-increasing attendance.

May:

Cannes Film Festival

The most famous film festival in the world that brings Hollywood royalty to the Croisette each year. This event is what Cannes is known for, perhaps more so than anything else! Expect Cannes Port to be filled to the brim with dazzling superyachts for this event!

June:

MIDEMMarché International du Disque et de l’Edition Musicale

A trade-show for the music industry that brings together musicians, producers, management and publishers in Cannes. Used to be in January but has now moved to new dates in June, meaning that those lucky people in the music business can now enjoy the fabulous summer weather on the Côte d’Azur!

Cannes LionsInternational Festival of Creativity

A world renowned event and awards ceremony for the advertising industry. Our favourite event in Cannes as it always gives the town a really fantastic atmosphere. Again an extremely popular event at which to charter a yacht.

October:

MIPCOMMarché Internationale de Programmes Communications

Another event for the television industry and very closely related to MIPTV.

TFWATax Free World Association

Annual event for the Duty-Free industry. Think lots of whisky and perfume!

November:

MAPICLe marché international professionnel de l’implantation commerciale et de la distribution

Also an industry event for real estate and property professionals. Very similar to MIPIM but with less attendees.

Bespoke Yacht Charter specialise in all types of yacht charter and have over 12 years experience arranging Cannes corporate yacht charters and boat rentals for all of the events listed above. Yacht charters are especially popular at MIPIM, Cannes Film Festival and at Cannes Lions. Many companies find that renting a yacht at one of these events works well for them in a variety of ways. For a start, what better place to accommodate your top management than on a luxury yacht berthed right next to the event, no hotel reservations or taxis required! When you charter a yacht, there is no need to rent expensive venues around Cannes to host your meetings. Most charter yachts will have at least 4 separate meeting areas, enabling you to host a multitude of meetings and presentations throughout each day of the event. But where a yacht really comes into its own is for entertaining. Having your yacht in the Port of Cannes not only allows you to host breakfasts, lunches and dinners each day.. it also gives you access to the ultimate party venue in Cannes, enabling you to host fabulous parties and receptions for your clients, that will be remembered long after the event is finished. Yachts also offer tremendous branding potential using banners, flags and carpets to make the yacht your own. If you want your company to be the talk of the town at these Cannes events, chartering a yacht in the Port of Cannes can’t fail to impress!

Yacht Charters for the MIPIM 2016 real estate event in Cannes

Yachts at MIPIM 2015 in Cannes, France
Yachts at MIPIM 2015 in Cannes, France – Photo:

The annual MIPIM real estate event was busier than ever this year with over 53,000 delegates attending the event at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes between 10-13 March. MIPIM is considered the most important event in the calendar for the global real estate industry, attracting over 2,400 companies and 4,800 investors from over 90 countries around the world. The Palais des Festivals in Cannes is the epicentre of the event with 17,000m2 of exhibition space and over 350 stands. MIPIM literally takes over the entire city of Cannes, with hotels, restaurants and beach clubs all being hired by leading real estate companies for these four days in March. But to those in the know, the real place to be at MIPIM is in the Port of Cannes, specifically on a fabulous charter yacht! Every year companies charter fabulous yachts and boats of all sizes which they moor in the Port of Cannes adjacent to the Palais des Festivals. A MIPIM charter yacht offers companies the ultimate platform for a successful event by:

  • Providing luxurious accommodation for groups of 4-30 guests on a yacht in the very heart of Cannes, moments from the steps of the Palais des Festivals where the MIPIM event takes place.
  • Providing the perfect venue to host all your business meetings and presentations during MIPIM.
  • Giving you your own restaurant in the Port of Cannes where you can host breakfasts, lunches and dinners at any time of day for your clients and colleagues.
  • Offering the ultimate MIPIM party venue in the best and most glamorous location in Cannes! What better way to secure investment for a new venture than to invite prospective investors to a fabulous cocktail party on the decks of your yacht! Champagne and canapés will be served with live music and the whole of Cannes as a fabulous backdrop to a memorable evening.
  • Making your company stand out at MIPIM! Yachts can be branded with banners, flags, tents and all sorts of marketing materials to make your company stand out at MIPIM. A yacht really is the best option to make sure your company gets seen at MIPIM.

MIPIM 2016 takes place from 15-18 March 2016 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France. Bespoke Yacht Charter have over 12 years experience arranging yacht charters and boat rentals at MIPIM and would be delighted to add your company to their list of happy clients. To discuss a luxury yacht charter at MIPIM 2016, please contact Alex Coles on +33 677 469 700 or email alex@bespokeyachtcharter.com

Berths in the Port of Cannes are in high demand during MIPIM and now is the time to start planning your MIPIM yacht charter in order to guarantee that prime position and to have the best possible choice of yachts!

NB. The Port of Cannes is now full for MIPIM 2016 on the Jetée Albert Edouard but there is still the possibility of securing a berth for MIPIM on the “Quai Croisière” as long as an application is submitted quickly! – 18/01/16

Vogue of Beaulieu – Sunseeker Luxury Yacht Charter on the Côte d’Azur

Vogue of Beaulieu Yacht
Vogue of Beaulieu – Luxury Sunseeker Yacht for charter on the Cote d’Azur

Vogue of Beaulieu is a fabulous Sunseeker Manhattan 74 motor yacht available for charter on the Côte d’Azur and French Riviera. The yacht is based in the port of Golfe-Juan, which is situated between Antibes and Cannes, and only 20mins from Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport. At 23m (75ft) in length, she sleeps up to 8 guests in 4 luxurious ensuite cabins, 2 doubles and 2 twins. The yacht has an exceptional crew of 3 including a fabulous chef! Vogue of Beaulieu is the ideal yacht to cruise to such places as Cannes, St Tropez, Monaco and all the ports on the French Riviera as well as further afield to Corsica and Sardinia. Captain John has superb knowledge of the Mediterranean and will design fabulous cruising itineraries for guests, taking onboard their every wish and desire. Vogue of Beaulieu is available to charter from Bespoke Yacht Charter.