The French Riviera may be famous for red carpets, superyachts and glamorous beach clubs, but it is also a surprisingly brilliant destination for a yacht charter with children. While the Côte d’Azur is often associated with sophistication and style, families will quickly discover that it offers an abundance of activities perfectly suited to younger guests.
In fact, planning a family yacht charter along this iconic stretch of coastline can be one of the most rewarding ways to explore the Mediterranean. With calm bays, short cruising distances and diverse shore excursions, the Riviera is ideal for keeping children entertained from morning to evening.
Why the French Riviera Works for a Yacht Charter with Children
The region’s geography makes it particularly family-friendly. Sheltered anchorages provide safe swimming spots, while sandy beaches near Antibes and Saint-Tropez are perfect for treasure hunts, paddleboarding and water sports. Many yachts are equipped with water toys, inflatables and snorkelling gear — turning quiet coves into private playgrounds.
For adventurous families, there’s far more beyond the beach. Children can explore underwater “villages” while snorkelling in clear Mediterranean waters, visit interactive marine museums, or head inland for zip-lining and treetop adventure parks. Summer evenings often bring open-air concerts and spectacular firework displays along the coast, creating magical memories for younger charter guests.
Theme parks and water parks near Antibes add high-energy fun, while boat trips to the Îles de Lérins offer gentle nature walks and castle explorations that feel like stepping into a storybook.
Education Meets Exploration
A yacht charter with children on the French Riviera can also be enriching. Visits to historic forts, island monasteries and maritime museums combine fun with cultural discovery. Exploring bustling Provençal markets introduces young travellers to local food, colours and traditions in a way that feels immersive rather than instructional.
Flexible, Relaxed Family Time
One of the greatest advantages of a yacht charter for families is flexibility. Days can be adapted around children’s energy levels — whether that means early-morning swims, relaxed lunches on deck or spontaneous stops at quiet beaches. Parents can enjoy the luxury and service of a fully crewed yacht, while children benefit from constant variety and outdoor adventure.
The French Riviera may be synonymous with glamour, but it is also a place of sunshine, sea and shared experiences. For families seeking a balance of relaxation, excitement and unforgettable scenery, a yacht charter with children on the Côte d’Azur proves that luxury and family fun can go hand in hand.
The celebrity history of the French Riviera reads like a glittering Who’s Who of the past century. From ambitious tycoons and exiled royals to Hollywood sirens and avant-garde artists, the Côte d’Azur became a magnet for those seeking freedom, fortune and fame beneath the Mediterranean sun.
What began in the 19th century as a quiet coastline of medieval villages, olive groves and rocky sheep farms was transformed by a handful of influential personalities into the ultimate playground for the international elite. The celebrity history of the French Riviera is not merely a tale of glamour — it is the story of how individuals reshaped an entire region.
Aristocrats escaping northern winters first discovered the Riviera’s mild climate and restorative sea air. Soon after, writers, artists and socialites followed. The arrival of European royalty and wealthy industrialists sparked a building boom of grand villas and Belle Époque hotels. Later, Hollywood icons and American billionaires elevated the region’s reputation even further, fuelling its meteoric rise as a symbol of decadence and sophistication.
The Côte d’Azur’s transformation was dramatic. Where fishermen once hauled nets along quiet shores, superyachts began to anchor. Private beach parties, scandalous love affairs and legendary soirées cemented the Riviera’s reputation for intrigue and indulgence. The modern superyacht industry itself owes much to this era of celebrity excess and innovation.
Yet beyond the parties and red carpets, the celebrity history of the French Riviera reveals something deeper: a region shaped by creative energy and bold personalities. Writers found inspiration in its luminous light, artists captured its pastel façades and glittering seas, and socialites redefined leisure culture along its coastline.
Today, the French Riviera continues to carry this legacy. From Monaco’s royal allure to Cannes’ cinematic prestige and Saint-Tropez’s jet-set spirit, each destination bears the imprint of those who helped craft its myth.
Join us on a journey through the celebrity history of the French Riviera, stopping at the villas, cafés, harbours and hidden corners once frequented by royalty, artists and socialites who forever changed the destiny of the Côte d’Azur — and in doing so, created one of the world’s most enduring luxury legends.
One of the greatest pleasures of a luxury escape to the Côte d’Azur is discovering the best restaurants on the French Riviera while travelling slowly along its sun-drenched coastline. From the Italian border in Menton to the glamour of Saint-Tropez, the region offers an extraordinary concentration of world-class dining experiences set against breathtaking Mediterranean backdrops.
A journey through the best restaurants on the French Riviera is as much about scenery as it is about cuisine. Picture elegant garden terraces perched above the sea, where the scent of jasmine mingles with salt air, and Michelin-starred chefs present dishes crafted from the finest local ingredients. Imagine opulent dining rooms beneath golden vaulted ceilings and crystal chandeliers, where attentive service and refined wine pairings elevate every course.
The Riviera’s culinary identity is rooted in exceptional produce — freshly caught seafood, fragrant herbs, olive oil, citrus and sun-ripened vegetables — yet interpreted through both traditional Provençal recipes and contemporary gastronomy. Whether dining in a historic seaside institution or a cutting-edge Michelin-starred restaurant, the emphasis remains on precision, creativity and respect for regional flavour.
A luxury yacht charter along the glittering Côte d’Azur enhances this gastronomic adventure. Cruising between ports allows guests to anchor near some of the best restaurants on the French Riviera, stepping ashore for lunch overlooking turquoise bays or indulging in multi-course tasting menus as the sun sets over the Mediterranean.
From Menton’s refined elegance to Monaco’s haute cuisine, Cannes’ celebrated dining rooms and the vibrant culinary scene of Saint-Tropez, the Riviera offers a remarkable diversity of experiences within a short stretch of coastline.
For discerning travellers and devoted food lovers alike, exploring the best restaurants on the French Riviera is an essential part of the journey — a celebration of Mediterranean flavours, impeccable technique and unforgettable views.
It is impossible to overstate the influence that the light and landscapes of the French Riviera had on some of the world’s greatest artists. From shimmering seascapes to pastel façades and the hazy outline of the Maritime Alps, the Côte d’Azur offered a palette unlike anywhere else in Europe.
Visionaries such as Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Paul Signac and Marc Chagall fell under the spell of this mythic Mediterranean light. They were drawn by the way it danced across terracotta rooftops, illuminated turquoise bays and softened mountain silhouettes into dusky blues.
Many artists did not merely visit — they stayed. The French Riviera became a sanctuary where creativity flourished. Here, they found renewed energy and produced some of their most important Mediterranean-inspired masterpieces, shaped by the region’s colour, warmth and atmosphere.
A luxury yacht charter in the south of France offers a unique way to explore the artistic heritage of the Riviera. Cruising along the coastline allows you to trace the footsteps of the masters — from the dreamy coves of Cap d’Antibes to the flower-filled hill village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence and onward to the pastel harbour of Saint-Tropez.
Along the way, you can step ashore to visit celebrated museums and former artist residences, dine in restaurants adorned with their works, and admire the very views that inspired their canvases. The Riviera becomes not just a destination, but a living gallery — where sea, sky and stone still reflect the same luminous beauty that once captivated the world’s most celebrated artists.
To explore artists and the French Riviera is to discover a landscape that continues to inspire — a place where creativity, culture and Mediterranean elegance meet in perfect harmony.
To truly understand a destination, you must experience its food — and nowhere is this more evident than on the French Riviera. The cuisine of the Côte d’Azur tells the story of a region transformed: from a quiet 19th-century coastline of fishing villages and sheep farms to one of the world’s most glamorous culinary hotspots, home to Michelin-starred restaurants and rustic Provençal kitchens nestled among vineyards.
The food of the French Riviera reflects its layered cultural history. Humble, rustic dishes such as socca — the beloved chickpea pancake of Nice — and fishermen’s bouillabaisse evoke the region’s maritime roots. These traditional recipes were born from necessity, using simple, local ingredients to create deeply satisfying meals.
As the Riviera evolved into a jet-set playground, its gastronomy expanded alongside it. Today, elegant fine-dining establishments sit comfortably beside countryside auberges. One iconic example is the Tarte Tropézienne, a cream-filled brioche cake that rose to fame in the 1950s and became synonymous with Saint-Tropez glamour.
Above all, food on the French Riviera is about celebrating local produce. Sun-ripened tomatoes, fragrant herbs, olive oil, fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables form the backbone of Southern French cuisine. The magic lies in simplicity — quality ingredients prepared with care, transforming what might seem ordinary into something unexpectedly extraordinary.
From seaside bistros overlooking the Mediterranean to Michelin-starred dining rooms in Monaco and Cannes, the French Riviera offers a culinary journey that mirrors its landscape: vibrant, sun-kissed and effortlessly refined. To taste the Riviera is to taste its history — a delicious blend of tradition, innovation and Mediterranean soul.
The French Riviera is far more than sun-drenched beaches and glamorous marinas. It is also one of Europe’s richest destinations for cultural heritage, art and design. From hillside chapels adorned with modern masterpieces to grand institutions housing priceless collections, the best museums on the French Riviera showcase centuries of creativity against a backdrop of Mediterranean beauty.
Across the Côte d’Azur, visitors will find world-class museums, historic villas and maritime collections that celebrate everything from classical art to contemporary innovation. Whether you are drawn to avant-garde design, Belle Époque elegance or nautical heritage, the region offers remarkable diversity within a compact coastline.
In Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Monaco and beyond, museum experiences range from intimate artist foundations to internationally renowned institutions. Expect vibrant modern art galleries, sculpture gardens overlooking the sea, historic fortresses turned exhibition spaces and museums dedicated to some of the 20th century’s most influential creative minds.
Beyond fine art, the best museums on the French Riviera also include fascinating maritime exhibits, archaeological discoveries and decorative arts collections that reflect the region’s layered history — from ancient Greek settlements to the golden age of Riviera glamour.
Whether you are planning a cultural city break or adding enrichment to a luxury yacht charter itinerary, exploring the best museums on the French Riviera offers insight into the artistic soul of the Côte d’Azur. From artistic curiosities to major international collections, this definitive guide highlights ten exceptional museums not to miss.
If skiing in the Alps and sunbathing on a Riviera beach on the same day seems like a pipedream, read on. There aren’t many places in Europe where people can ski to their heart’s content and then be on the beach in their swimsuits a couple of hours after having a hot chocolate in Val Thorens. A quick and convenient helicopter transfer can transport you to the highest mountains and back down to the Cote d’Azur for a day to remember. It’s worth taking a luxury helicopter flight for the views of snow-capped peaks and dappled azure waters alone. We have selected three mountain/beach flight combinations that are easy to access and varied.
Tignes and Cannes
Tignes is always one of the last resorts to close its ski lifts because of its high altitude. Its 1,550m-3,450m slopes are heavy with snow, which makes it one of the most reliable places for late-season skiing. It’s ideally located in the famous Espace Killy ski circuit, which offers easy access to Val d’Isere. It also benefits from the presence of the Grande Motte glacier, which is open until 6th May this year.
A helicopter from Cannes to Tignes takes just 1 hour and 15 minutes. Enjoy white groomed pistes and white sandy beaches within one day. Sunbathing on Cannes glamorous beaches will take you a world away from the high-adrenaline slopes of Tignes and Val d’Isere. Should you tire of catching the spring sun on the private beaches on La Croisette, you can try one of the many chic restaurants along the prestigious stretch of coast. Alternatively visit the small public beach Plage de Casino nearby the Palais des Festivals, which is sheltered and good for swimming if the temperature is right. If you are a fashionista, don’t forget to take in the Cannes Shopping Festival at the Palais between 14th and 17th April 2017.
Chamonix and Monaco
Chamonix offers the highest skiing in the French Alps with the Aiguille du Midi lift at 3,842 m. Skiing is available throughout spring and closes in early May. Located at the foot of the legendary Mont Blanc, Chamonix’s altitude ensures great skiing and snow coverage. The resort has always attracted adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies with its advanced pistes such as the famous Vallée Blanche, but also has plenty of options for more amateur skiers. Chamonix also has some good restaurants and an abundance of snow activities such as snowmobiling and dog sledding.
After fun in the mountain sunshine, catch some rays on Monaco’s Larvotto Beach. This soft pebble man-made beach has a unique city setting, beautiful clear water for swimming and plenty of eateries around to satisfy even the pickiest of foodies. The good thing about this beach is how convenient it is for Monaco’s attractions such as the casino and the beautiful gardens. It’s also close to five-star restaurants and designer boutiques.
If you are in Monaco in April don’t miss the chance to ski in the morning and watch the Rolex Tennis Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club in the afternoon. The event brings the finest athletic talent to the city-state from 15th to 23rd April. The championship takes place in the stunning setting of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, which directly overlooks the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. People who prefer cars to sports, should pair a Chamonix helicopter ski trip with a visit to Top Marques, a prestigious luxury goods and supercar show which takes place on 20th-23rd April at the famous Grimaldi Forum. Taking a helicopter from Monaco to Tignes, Chamonix or Val Thorens is also an option if you’d prefer ski in the afternoon or enjoy the après ski scene.
Val Thorens and Nice
Val Thorens is the highest purpose-built ski resort in Europe and it has enviable snow conditions. Located in the enormous Trois Vallees ski area, it is home to more than 140km of pistes above 3,000m, and since most of them are north-facing, skiing goes on until late in the season. The resort is car-free, making a luxury helicopter transfer the ultimate ski pass with hundreds of mountain peaks in sight. However, if you’re hoping for a ski pass a little closer to earth, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find special deals are usually available on lift tickets from mid-April. The season runs through to May and re-opens for glacier skiing in the summer. The cutting-edge ski facilities and high-tech ski lifts complement the informal and laid-back feel of the resort.
When you’re ready to enjoy your apres-ski on the beach, fly to Nice where the water is clear and inviting and the scenery is beautiful. Neptune Beach is a wonderful central private beach option that is affiliated with the famous Negresco Hotel off the Promenade de Anglais. It’s also family-friendly and its beach restaurant has a children’s play area. In the unlikely event that the weather takes a turn for the worst, the indoor lounge area offers various games to pass the time. Plage Publique du Voilier is located nearby on the Blue Beach and is close to attractions like the Museum of Fine Arts. Nice’s beaches stretch along the coast for 10 kilometres so you’ll have your pick of private or public ones. They are composed of large pebbles called ‘galets’ that make the water a uniquely vibrant blue.
With these combinations of Riviera helicopter flights you are never far from a beach or mountain. So enjoy the best of both worlds!
Yacht charters on the French Riviera have long been regarded as the gold standard of Mediterranean cruising. Known worldwide as the go-to destination for superyacht charters, the Côte d’Azur has upheld its elite reputation for decades, attracting royalty, celebrities and discerning travellers seeking glamour, privacy and exceptional cruising grounds.
From the glittering harbour of Monaco to the red-carpet prestige of Cannes and the vibrant beach culture of Saint-Tropez, yacht charters on the French Riviera offer unparalleled variety within a compact stretch of coastline. Each destination brings its own character — whether it’s Monaco’s casino elegance, Cannes’ luxury boutiques and festivals, or the relaxed yet glamorous atmosphere of Pampelonne Beach.
Accessibility is another key reason why yacht charters on the French Riviera remain so popular. Nice Côte d’Azur Airportserves as the principal international gateway, located just minutes from the coast. In summer, it becomes a magnet for private jets, supported by a dedicated business aviation terminal operating year-round. From the airport, seamless transfers can be arranged directly to your yacht.
Charter guests can embark from the Port of Nice or opt for a swift helicopter transfer to Monaco — just seven minutes away by air — ensuring a smooth and stylish start to their Mediterranean journey. This level of convenience, combined with world-class marinas and infrastructure, makes the region exceptionally charter-friendly.
Beyond its accessibility and prestige ports, the Riviera delivers a dynamic cruising experience. Anchor off secluded coves near the Îles de Lérins, cruise past dramatic coastal cliffs, or hop between glamorous harbours where fine dining, designer shopping and vibrant nightlife await.
For those seeking sun-drenched coastlines, cultural heritage and unmistakable glamour, yacht charters on the French Riviera continue to define the ultimate superyacht experience.
A French Riviera yacht charter is about more than cruising between glamorous ports — it’s about experiencing the very best the Côte d’Azur lifestyle has to offer. From sun-drenched afternoons anchored off Pampelonne Beach to elegant lunches overlooking the Mediterranean, beach clubs form an essential part of any Riviera itinerary.
Scattered along the coastline from Monaco to Saint-Tropez, these iconic venues combine exceptional dining, attentive service and vibrant atmosphere in unforgettable waterfront settings. Whether you’re seeking a relaxed barefoot lunch, a chic champagne-soaked afternoon or a high-energy party that continues past sunset, the best beach clubs on the French Riviera deliver style in abundance.
Here is our curated selection of the finest beach clubs to visit during your French Riviera yacht charter — where great food, beautiful views and Riviera glamour come together seamlessly.
Plage La Garoupe – Cap d’Antibes
The best beach clubs have a seductive magic about them, an allure that goes far past the sophisticated decor, the handsome charm of the waiters, or even the softness of the sand where white-cloth tables sit before the sparkling sea. At the top beach clubs—the ones that the A-list compete to get into in the long, languorous days of a Mediterranean Summer — there’s a lingering sense of summers past, of all the famous people who have mingled, dined and danced here, passing happy days diving off pontoons and basking in the sun.
So join us as we float from the towering cliffs of Monaco down to the Gulf of Saint Tropez, dropping anchor at the most glorious beach clubs along the French Riviera.
Monaco
Monte-Carlo Beach Club
This prestigious beach club at Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel offers the most impressive selection of options of any Monaco beach club, with a private beach with watersports and luxury tents; an Olympic sized saltwater swimming pool with diving tower, and a Michelin star restaurant on a deck overlooking the glittering sea. Laze back in your cool striped cabana with a hookah pipe, go parasailing high above the Mediterranean, or dine on fresh deliciousness at Elsa, the first all-organic restaurant to be lauded by the Michelin inspectors. Naturally, there’s also a spa onsite to take your pampering beach club experience to the next level.
The global Nikki Beach franchise has extended its reach with a pop-up ‘beach’ club on top of the Fairmont Hotel, which will return for another bout of party madness in April 2017. All the action at Nikki Beach Monaco takes place around the pool, which is surrounded by luxurious white deckchairs, from which you can indulge in some quality people-watching or gaze out at the endless Mediterranean views. With chilled DJ beats ramping up as the day wears on, Nikki Beach Monaco feels very much like a daytime nightclub, so it attracts a young crowd bent on having a good time.
If the idea of loud DJ music and enthusiastic young things spraying Champagne makes you want to retreat with haste to a place of cool, calm exclusivity, there can be no better oasis than La Note Bleue in Monaco. This sophisticated beach club at Monaco’s Larvotto Beach offers a garden-like setting by the sea, with decadent daybeds with wispy curtains, soft white deckchairs by the water, and elegant dining tables shaded by graceful sweeps of canvas. At night, drink and dine by soft lantern-light as notable jazz musicians play to an appreciative crowd.
For sheer celebrity history and Mediterranean charm, it would be hard to go past Paloma Beach, an iconic beach club nestled on a small cove in exclusive Cap Ferrat. Family-run since 1948 and named after Picasso’s daughter, the beach club at Paloma Beach offers heart-soaring views of cliffs and blue-green sea, with opulent villas climbing the steep slopes behind. Paloma Beach isn’t shiny and decadent— in fact it’s slightly rustic compared to its Monaco counterparts, with the same “shack” from 1948 serving up fresh-grilled seafood and family-style service to the dining tables scattered along the pretty pebbled beach.
Paloma Beach promises the French Riviera experience… as it used to be. After a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water, lie back on a deckchair with an icy glass of rose’ and listen to the cicadas buzzing in the nearby pines. A place of family tradition, celebrity patronage, and the bewitching nostalgia of summers past, Paloma each is the French Riviera, and it would be remiss not to stop here on your Cote d’Azur yacht charter.
Paloma Beach, Cap Ferrat
Cap d’Antibes
Plage Keller
Return to where the French Riviera legend truly began, at the gloriously pretty Plage de la Garoupe. This stunning powder-white sand beach is where an American socialite couple called the Murphys launched the French Riviera as a summertime destination in the 1920s, clearing the beach of seaweed and fishing nets and inviting Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Picasso to sunbathe and swim in the crystal clear waters. Today, Plage Keller is the pick of the beach clubs along this pretty cove, offering excellent Mediterranean food in a sophisticated setting and beautiful views across the Bay of Angels to the distant Alps. Take a table on the silky soft sand or a deckchair on the long jetty, shaded by jaunty yellow umbrellas. Celebrity history is everywhere on the Riviera— if you only know where to look, and the refined Plage Keller beach club is the ideal beach club to celebrate the birthplace of the Riviera as we know it.
This designer-chic beach club is part of the Hotel Martinez, and is famous for its wide beach area and vast pontoon with teak decking and deliriously comfortable lounges. The most sought-after beach club experience in Cannes, Z Plage has an adjoining restaurant, a smoothie and cocktail bar, and a beach cabana offering Givenchy spa massages during July and August. Find your heaven under the shade of a white umbrella, or find an oasis of privacy between wisps of white curtains that wave gently in the afternoon breeze.
Z Plage
Baoli Beach
This glamorous beach club is a sister venue to the famous Baoli nightclub in Cannes’ Port Canto, and attracts the same A-list crowd of the young and genetically blessed. With a premier position by the majestic art deco façade of the Carlton Intercontinental hotel, Baoli Beach is the perfect venue to have an elegant lunch at a table on the sand or soak up the sun on the large jetty covered in plush deckchairs. The white and cream décor is set off perfectly against the blue sea and sky, and as the day heads into afternoon there’s a party vibe in the air that carries on long into the summer nights.
Baoli Beach
Saint Tropez
Club 55
When talking of beach clubs in Saint Tropez, you simply must start with Club 55. In 1955 when filming And God Created Woman, Brigitte Bardot’s husband Vadim mistook a simple bungalow on the beach for a bistro, and asked the owner if the film crew could have something to eat. His wife kindly agreed to cook them a meal, and so history was made. That film would propel both Bardot and Saint Tropez to global stardom, and with it, the humble bungalow that would soon become the infamous Club 55 beach club.
Today, the bungalow still stands, surrounded by tall stands of bamboo and tamarisk trees that bend gently in the afternoon breezes which skip up off the water. Tables are shaded by swoops of white canvas, deckchairs are set up on the soft sand with stunning views, and as the day goes on and the inhibitions loosen, people begin to dance. Club 55 is beach club royalty, and the guest list shows it.
For a younger and wilder crowd, head to Nikki Beach St Tropez where beautiful young things dance on tables to big-name DJs, and as much Champagne seems to get sprayed as is drunk. This is hedonism at its most energetic.
In Summer, expect your A-list crowd of young celebrities and racing drivers to be tempered with a crowd of party-goers keen to brush shoulders with the superyacht set. Despite the name, Nikki Beach St Tropez isn’t actually right on the beach, so all the action centres around the pool, which is surrounded by the signature all-white lounges and daybeds of the Nikki Beach franchise.
Tradition is important in Saint Tropez, but it is not everything. Every once in a while, a newcomer announces its arrival with such success and fanfare that it immediately rockets to the top of the ‘must-visit’ list. Bagatelle Beach is one such venue, expanding to Saint Tropez after success in St Barts, Rio, and New York. After a fire destroyed the beach club in early 2016, Bagatelle Beach reopened and is going from strength to strength. The décor is coastal chic, with wicker chairs, white tablecloths, and flashes of bright blue — all reflecting that air of bright light and sparkling sea which makes the Riviera so entirely irresistible to anyone with a touch of romance in their soul.
Bradley Mitton, founder of Mitton Wines and Club Vivanova brings a new level of sophistication to the world of wine for expats in the French Riviera and Monaco.
Hi Bradley. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your business?
I left the UK twenty five years ago to travel and experience Australia and Asia and through various work opportunities, I developed my career in the food and beverage industry and worked for eleven years amongst a number of reputable fine dining restaurants in Australia’s Gold Coast, Cairns, Hong Kong, Manila, Subic Bay and Seoul. The affinity of food and wine played a large part during my last eight years working in Asia and when I moved to Seoul in 2000, I managed an international business that focused on gastronomy, Australian wines and cigars and I acquired the ability to successfully market and promote wines, menus and events. It was when I moved to Berlin in 2002 that I started working primarily in wines and I decided that it was time to set my own company up so on a shoe-string budget, I established Mitton International Wines. The company is based in Berlin, we import boutique Argentinean, Australian, New Zealand and South African wines to Central Europe and we sell exclusively to leading hotels, private clubs, villas, yachts and international restaurants across the Continent. I then pioneered Club Vivanova that runs events in parallel with my wine business in locations that list our products as a service to build relationships with our gastronomy partners. Both Club Vivanova and my wine business work hand-in-hand to develop relationships between our wines and our clients and they are growing dynamically in the seven European countries that we work in. I currently travel throughout Europe training and educating hotel and restaurant employees in the diversity and regionality of New World wines and hosting my wine events that are mostly sold-out in Barcelona, Berlin, Milan Monte Carlo, Prague and Warsaw building great business and social connections for me and my partners. We host around 80 events per year.
Why did you decide to switch gears from being a chef to wine importing/distribution and event management?
It wasn’t something that I planned as I loved running and working in restaurants but as my career progressed, I started moving more towards sales, marketing and events and in 2002, I was flown to Berlin from Seoul and employed by a German wine importing company to channel their portfolio towards the New World and so I went from running restaurants to selling into them and the move was seamless. Having a good understanding of your clientelle is important and I understand the gastronomy business well, so I was naturally able to build a good rapport with my sommelier and restaurant managing clients. Looking back, I am happy I made the move, the restaurant industry is a killer; long hours, heavy pressure and it’s tough to make money in this sector, there’s just so many flaws in the industry that cause financial loss. The social life is great but the financial benefits just didn’t weigh up for me so I think simplifying to a trading operation made business life somewhat less stressful for me and more clean in an operational point of view.
You’ve been running your company now for 13 years. How long did it take for it to become successful?
I’m still working on that. The first five years was just building, setting-up clientelle, establishing a database, changing portfolios, learning from mistakes, losing money left right and centre and basically trying to get a start-up business on the road. It was very tough, long hours but inspirational and a great learning curve. I see my business as an train, with an engine and carriages and you have to continuously fine tune the engine to keep it moving ahead but also make sure the carriages (employees, administration and back-office) are keeping up as in our business, it’s the weakest link that is the threat. The wolf is only as strong as the pack and the pack is only as strong as the wolf; so you have to have the whole package running like clockwork from purchasing to pricing and stocking, communication then delivery and of course, the after-sales. We run a slick and specialist operation, I refuse to accept mediocrity and I’m always challenging ourselves internally to do better and be better and grow but carefully and in a planned and selective manner.
You mentioned that the first few years were tough. How did you keep yourself motivated?
I used to take each day as it came, there are always fires to put out with the business and issues to deal with and you’re going to have battles and you win some and lose some but you’ve just got the make sure that you win the big war, that’s the main objective and you’ve got to always be trying to streamline the way the company runs. The motivation comes from within, you need to be hungry, you have to want to survive and succeed and if you are not driven , you just won’t make it and if you’re not strong, it’s no use even starting out. There are employees and there are entrepreneurs and we all have our place in life and I think I was just born ready; I motivate myself and focus on my targets, taking very little notice of distractions and negative people or influences, I take most of my business decisions myself and I am driven to be the best and I think even though that can sometimes be a bit dangerous, that is the key to success, if it is controlled and not erratic. Never take no for an answer and if you fall down failing, just get up, and start again, keep going. Winston Churchill once said that when you’re going through hell, keep going!
A Club Vivanova Event in Monaco
You’re originally from England but have lived in Australia, Hong Kong, the Philippines, South Korea, Germany, and now France. Which place has been your favorite so far and why?
I’ve enjoyed everywhere that I’ve lived for different reasons and at different times, they showed me many different facets of life; but my favourite part of the world is the South of France. I studied French at school for eight years and I fell in love with the language, the literature, the culture, the food, the art, the women, the fashion, just everything, it was all so romantic and so when I moved back to Europe after Asia, I decided to develop my wine business in Monaco and travelled frequently and just fell back in love with the lifestyle. Eventually I had enough business there to be able to move and now live in the hills behind Cagnes Sur Mer looking down over the Mediterranean and it’s serene. The food is wonderful as are the wines, you can be in many of Europe’s business cities quickly and the pace of life is slow so I can balance that with my frantic, travelling and pressured corporate life running events and wine sales. One thing I have always respected though is my work ethic; it’s a relaxing and ambient place to live but you’ve always got to make money, if you start to get too comfortable here, you can end up on the slippery sslope of just having fun and then waking up one day with nothing. So I still work as hard here as I have ever done, but I just enjoy life in this region so much more than anywhere else I have lived. And I think that if you’re willing to give and commit in business in this part of the world, there are amazing rewards.
Have you ever experienced any major culture shocks?
Yes, plenty and especially in Asia; it’s an amazing place and just has so much to offer and the diversity of cultures is quite astonishing. I’ve lived in mud-huts and tree-houses and travelled extensively through East Timor, Komodo, Lombok, Bali and other parts of Indonesia in the 1990s. I spent a few months in the North of the Philippines living amongst the rice paddies in villages without power and I set-up a restaurant in Boracay (Philippines) before it had any power and the restaurant and kitchens were run off generators. I have many wonderful, humorous, humbling, sad and inspirational stories from my experiences and they all built me to be the person I am today. I’m going to write a book.
Bradley Mitton
Where would you say people are most conscious of how they dress and how they present themselves?
I can’t say France as I think in general, the fashion in this part of the world can be superficial and scruffy so I will say Milan; locals always look sharp and Italians have a wonderful and diverse fashion sense; it’s not a style, it’s a statement and in Milan, everything is fashion, the people, the buildings, the restaurants, the designs, the hotels; they just like to make things look good and they like to look good themselves. It’s a great pleasure walking around Milan seeing how people really take pride in what they wear and how they look; I like that, it shows self-respect and pride and a drive to look and feel well.
The traditional English and French styles are quite different. Would you say living in France has had an influence on your style?
I haven’t lived in the UK for 25 years; the styles are at different ends of the fashion spectrum. Living in France has made me dress less formally but with an open-mind to believing that most clothes fit together, jeans with a jacket and formal shirt, colours that would normally not go in the UK, for example brown shoes with blue trousers is forbidden in the British scene, I’ve become less classical and more Continental and I like it, it’s relaxed. I buy most of my suits from Ermenegildo Zegna, shirts from Gucci and Dolce Gabbana, ties from Hermes and shoes from Tod’s. You can mix and match here as long as you’re looking elegant.
How would you describe your style? How has it evolved over time?
Yes, definitely, we evolve as we get older. I would say I’m a classic dresser, I like clean-cut, blues and whites; I try to dress sharply but casually, open-necked shirts, dark colours and not always formal clothing but I have to look professional and elegant as I’m meeting and doing business with leaders of the greatest hotels on the Continent and they want to deal with like-minded, executive, quick-thinking and clean-cut partners. You have to be able to walk into a room and make an impression in my business and wearing something sharp but acceptable to the eye is important.
What items will you never leave home without?
I never leave home without my sunglasses (unless it’s evening) or a jacket. I always wear a jacket, I think it’s a great accessory to turn any outfit into something that makes a statement. I also always wear one ring, a gold one my Mother gave to me; it’s a charm, but I think minimal jewellery is also important and of course a good watch.
Why is it important to present yourself well?
As I’ve mentioned, the people I deal with in business and the people that I like to surround myself in general in life are international business leaders. They run exceptional and highly professional operations in which success, efficiency and leadership is key and so I have to have an effect on these people when I meet them and in turn, they also want to also do business with sharp, sincere, executive and elegant people. So I have to look the part, to fit the sector that I work in and that means dressing well, not over-dressing but just to be clean and crisp and I have to wear that character well to present myself in the right manner. It’s not just what you wear though, it’s how to carry that but the impression has to be right and of course the style of clothes you wear is important.
Turning back to Club Vivanova – what are the most important elements of a good event?
Again, I think it all comes back to relationships and efficiency. One of my regular attendees recently sent me a testimonial, it said “Bradley is the soul of Club Vivanova, the brains and the heart behind it, and that is a guarantee in itself for us that he will continue to attract new and interesting people.” My club members and my clients trust my judgement and they expect excellence, they expect the best and I cannot give anything else, no waivering, no excuses, we have to perform at the absolute top level as reputations are always at stake and so we have to put on a good show. If we have partners involved, they have to fit the profile, they hav to be leaders in their sector. The most important elements for a successful event are good communication, promotion and advertising of the date, an excellent and tested menu with specialist wines that match, a unique venue that is managed well so there are no disappointments and then of course I run each event like my own open pop-up restaurant, we manage the door, the aperitif, the service, the menu, wines, presentations then the finale of the event with appreciations, after-service images posted online and so on. We have to have a well-run, professionally executed package so people arrive, and they know I’m taking care of business until the end of the night. It is tough work as we’re dealing with temperamental human beings, alcohol and food it can get complicated but it is inspirational and challenging and I love it, because we always do it right and so we always succeed.
What are your future plans for your businesses and your “brand”?
I just keep my head down, keep pushing for better and more exclusive events, inspirational event partners, out-of-the-box thinking in regards to the concepts but all the time, remembering that it’s the clients who have to enjoy themselves so we have to feature projects that will impress or interest them. Our plans include two galas in 2016, one at the Fairmont on 12th March and one at the Café de Paris on 23rd April. I’m also releasing and wine and food cookery book and we’re just going to keep pushing to be better, fine-tuning all the time, listening to our clients, re-focusing and using all of the criticism we get positively to drive the brand forward fast. The brand has grown extensively in Monaco, though it is always important to be grounded in this part of the world and stick to the basic guidelines of running a successful business. Success goes to people’s heads, not mine, we’re still the same, caring, small company we were ten years ago, straight and true and I’ll never lose that special sincere touch that we give to everything that we do.
Are there any rules or principles that you live by? What keeps you grounded?
Principally, I try to be a gentleman. I believe in truth and sincerity, there is no other way; and that you only get out of life what you put in, I am a non-believer in luck or fate, business and success is 0% luck and 100% determination and grit. My father always taught me that there are two ways of doing things in life, the right way and the wrong way and the right way is always the hard way and so getting to the top is painful and sometimes lonely but when we strive for that and drive ourselves to do things correctly, no short-cuts, no excuses, then we normally get to where we want to be. And then when we get there, we aim for the next plateau and so on. Driven people are never satisfied, they just want to keep becoming better and better and so I stick to my principles and strive for greatness in work and in life. I’m grounded because I’m a father, my son is 16, he lives with me in France and so I have a wonderful home life, full of love and happiness. I cook a lot at home, I entertain and run my home like an extension of my old restaurants and that is what gives me the grounding that I need. I love nature and so spend lots of time in my garden and I run most mornings between 5 and 10 kilometres, it clears my mind, focuses and channels my thoughts and once I arrive at my desk, I’m ready to challenge anything that comes my way.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
In my field of sales and marketing, I would advise entrepreneurs not to take on anything that you are passionate about, you have to work with a business almost remotely as if you’re tuning a racing car, feelings and personalities have to be left behind. If you’re too close to your business personally, you’ll make emotional decisions, not good. Decisions have to be made clinically and with a view to total survival. I’m not saying that you have to be impersonal but business is business and business is cut-throat these days and if you want to succeed and build something substantial in a lifetime, you have to be ready to challenge, sacrifice, accept physical and mental pain and sleepless nights and drive yourself to perfection. Nothing in this life is easy, there is no free lunch, so be prepared to do it the right way, the hard way and always surround yourself with amazing, smart, sharp and successful people and always be true! “If you can keep your wits about you while all others are losing theirs, and blaming you. The world will be yours and everything in it, and what’s more, you’ll be a man, my son.”
Elegant, timeless and effortlessly refined, ANTISAN Yacht is a true classic on the French Riviera charter scene. Permanently based in the iconic Vieux Port de Cannes, ANTISAN Yacht is one of the most appealing choices for luxury yacht charter in Cannes — particularly for groups seeking generous space, stability and understated sophistication.
At 33 metres in length with an impressive beam of nearly 8 metres, ANTISAN Yacht offers the internal volume and reassuring stability typically associated with significantly larger yachts. Her proportions translate into expansive exterior decks, providing ample room for alfresco dining, relaxed sunbathing and stylish entertaining against the backdrop of the Mediterranean.
Inside, ANTISAN Yacht combines classic design elements with contemporary comfort. Warm finishes, elegant furnishings and thoughtfully arranged living areas create an inviting onboard atmosphere — ideal for both leisurely family cruising and refined corporate hospitality. Large windows enhance natural light throughout, while the spacious layout ensures guests enjoy comfort without compromise.
For clients searching for a well-priced charter yacht in Cannes that delivers both scale and style, ANTISAN Yacht represents exceptional value. Whether cruising between the Îles de Lérins, Monaco and Saint-Tropez or hosting elegant quayside receptions during major Riviera events, ANTISAN offers versatility, presence and proven appeal.
With her prime Cannes location, balanced performance and classic aesthetic, ANTISAN Yacht remains a superb option for relaxed luxury on the Côte d’Azur.
ANTISAN Yacht is available for Mediterranean charters year-round, offering an exceptional platform for both private cruising and high-profile corporate entertaining. Renowned for her versatility and prime positioning during Riviera events, ANTISAN has become a standout name for luxury yacht hospitality in Cannes.
Her highly experienced, professional crew are particularly skilled in delivering seamless service during major international gatherings. From discreet executive meetings to large-scale brand activations, ANTISAN Yacht ensures every charter is executed with precision, style and attention to detail.
Designed with both relaxation and entertaining in mind, ANTISAN features generous onboard spaces that allow clients to fully tailor their experience. Sun-drenched decks provide the perfect setting for daytime receptions, while elegant interior areas transition effortlessly into sophisticated evening venues for cocktail parties and networking events.
When moored in the prestigious Vieux Port de Cannes, ANTISAN Yacht can host up to 100 guests quayside, making her an exceptional option for luxury yacht events in Cannes. During key industry gatherings — including Cannes Lions, Cannes Film Festival, MIPIM, ILTM and MIDEM — her capacity can be expanded further by utilising the adjacent quay. This flexibility makes ANTISAN Yacht an ideal venue for large-scale receptions, media launches and exclusive celebrations.
For clients seeking a proven, professional and prestigious setting for Cannes yacht events, ANTISAN Yacht delivers year-round Mediterranean availability combined with unrivalled event expertise in the heart of the Côte d’Azur.
As Renoir so eloquently suggested, the spirit of the French Riviera is something to be experienced rather than explained. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Cannes, where luminous Mediterranean light, refined culture and maritime glamour converge. To stand before the same horizons that inspired master painters, dine in Michelin-starred restaurants overlooking the sea, and glide across sapphire bays aboard a private yacht is to encounter the Riviera at its most authentic. A yacht charter in Cannes offers not simply a holiday, but an immersion into a lifestyle shaped by beauty, elegance and freedom.
Cannes is far more than a glamorous seaside resort; it is one of the Riviera’s most strategic and sophisticated charter hubs. Ideally positioned at the heart of the Côte d’Azur, the city provides immediate access to some of the Mediterranean’s most celebrated cruising grounds. Within minutes of departing the historic Vieux Port or nearby Port Canto, yachts can anchor off the tranquil Îles de Lérins — a protected archipelago known for crystal-clear waters, pine forests and historic monasteries. These islands offer an idyllic first stop, perfect for swimming, snorkelling and relaxed alfresco lunches surrounded by pristine nature.
From Cannes, routes unfold effortlessly in multiple directions. Cruising east reveals the dramatic coastline toward Antibes, Cap d’Antibes and Monaco, where rugged cliffs give way to elegant harbours and cosmopolitan sophistication. Heading west leads toward the golden beaches of the Estérel coastline and onward to Saint-Tropez, famed for its beach clubs, nightlife and legendary harbour scene. This central location allows charter guests to experience a wide spectrum of Riviera highlights without long passages at sea.
Accessibility is one of Cannes’ greatest advantages as a yacht charter base. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, located less than thirty kilometres away, offers extensive international connections, while Cannes-Mandelieu Airport accommodates private jets with exceptional efficiency. Helicopter transfers between airport and yacht can take as little as fifteen minutes, ensuring a seamless arrival from runway to deck. VIP terminals, concierge services and dedicated ground support further enhance the sense of effortless luxury.
Cannes’ infrastructure is designed to host global events of the highest calibre, including internationally renowned film festivals, trade shows and cultural gatherings. As a result, marina facilities, security services and hospitality standards are among the best in the Mediterranean. Charter guests benefit from this expertise, enjoying smooth logistics, premium provisioning and professional support throughout their stay.
Time ashore in Cannes offers an abundance of indulgent experiences. The iconic Boulevard de la Croisette forms the city’s glamorous spine, lined with palm trees, luxury hotels and flagship boutiques from the world’s most prestigious fashion houses. Designer shopping, private appointments and bespoke services cater to discerning visitors seeking exclusivity. Along the waterfront, chic beach clubs provide comfortable loungers, attentive service and excellent cuisine, creating the perfect setting for leisurely days by the sea.
Gastronomy is another highlight of Cannes. From traditional Provençal restaurants hidden within the historic quarter of Le Suquet to contemporary fine-dining venues overlooking the bay, the culinary scene is both diverse and refined. Fresh seafood, regional wines and innovative cuisine reflect the richness of Mediterranean culture. Many charter guests choose to combine shore-side dining with onboard meals prepared by a private chef, creating a seamless blend of experiences.
Cannes also offers cultural depth beyond its glamorous façade. Museums, galleries and nearby historic villages reveal quieter dimensions of the Riviera, where art, heritage and local traditions remain deeply rooted. Excursions into the Provençal hinterland can include wine tastings at family-run estates, visits to perfume houses in Grasse or guided tours of medieval hilltop towns with sweeping coastal views. These experiences provide balance, complementing the excitement of coastal cruising.
At sea, the appeal of a charter yacht in Cannes becomes even more compelling. Mornings begin with uninterrupted ocean vistas and the gentle sound of water against the hull. Guests can swim in sheltered coves before breakfast, enjoy water sports throughout the day, and relax on deck as the yacht glides between destinations. As evening approaches, the Riviera’s famous light transforms the coastline into a palette of gold, rose and violet, creating unforgettable sunset moments best appreciated from the privacy of your own vessel.
Nightfall offers further possibilities. Some guests prefer tranquil anchorages beneath star-filled skies, while others return to port to experience Cannes’ vibrant nightlife, rooftop bars and elegant waterfront venues. The flexibility to alternate between serenity and excitement is one of the defining pleasures of chartering a yacht.
Combining exceptional accessibility, world-class hospitality and immediate proximity to iconic cruising areas, Cannes stands as one of the premier starting points for a French Riviera yacht charter. It offers the perfect balance between cosmopolitan sophistication and natural beauty, between cultural richness and carefree leisure. For travellers seeking to design a personalised Mediterranean journey — whether focused on relaxation, adventure or celebration — Cannes provides an unrivalled gateway.
Ultimately, a yacht charter in Cannes captures the essence of the Riviera itself: radiant light, effortless elegance and the freedom to explore at your own pace. From secluded island anchorages to glamorous harbours alive with energy, every moment reflects the timeless allure that has drawn artists, celebrities and travellers to this coastline for generations. Once experienced from the water, Cannes reveals why it remains one of the most compelling and luxurious destinations in the Mediterranean.
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?
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!
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!
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
M/Y BLUE MAMBA is an exceptional yacht, now available at an exceptional price. With sleek lines and an attractive blue hull, this 38.7m (127′ 1″) motor yacht streaks across the water at a top speed of 28 knots. Offering six staterooms that cater for up to 12 guests, BLUE MAMBA superyacht for sale is a rare find for her size range.
Custom built by Oceanline Shipyard in 2008, the elegant vessel is also an excellent proposition as a charter yacht. Her above-average guest capacity proves a distinctive selling point in the charter market, but her top-end design and performance confirm her pedigree. With clean lines and a gleaming silver superstructure, the superyacht’s stylish exterior was designed by Frank Mulder, while the yacht’s contemporary interior is courtesy of Art Line Interiors from the Netherlands.
M/Y BLUE MAMBA is a superyacht of unrivalled design and performance. She is equipped with an ultra-modern stabilization system, which reduces roll motion effect, comfortably and smoothly cruising between your desired locations. She also features bow thrusters, which enable better manoeuvrability at low speeds.
The stunning yacht’s spacious interior offers a level of comfort and style that is unsurpassed. The layout is unique and includes a sumptuous forward master cabin, which is positioned up on the yacht’s main deck. The bedroom has large windows, which let in abundant light and an impressive sunken bathroom down a short flight of steps. A very comfortable VIP Stateroom with a queen-sized double bed is located on the lower deck and four more cabins, accessible by a spiral staircase, complete the well-considered accommodation. Additionally, the stylish yacht is capable of carrying up to six crew on board.
The decor is elegant yet inviting, consisting of neutral tones with rich brown sofas and seating that complement the dark teak and grey marble finishes. The overall effect is ultra-modern yet effortlessly chic. Amenities include a 52” Sharp Aquos TV, high-quality sound system, air Conditioning, Wi-Fi connection and a deck Jacuzzi.
The yacht is perfect for entertaining guests due to the large dining table for up to 12 people which can be converted into a bar. The main deck aft has fixed seating, a large table and occasional chairs for larger groups. M/Y BLUE MAMBA offers a good selection of water toys, a tender and a swim platform.
Initially on the market for EUR 6,250,000, this yacht is now a brilliant buyer’s opportunity at EUR 4,900,000 through Worth Avenue Yachts. BLUE MAMBA is currently in Saint-Tropez.
Food tourism continues to rise, and for anyone exploring the Côte d’Azur — especially by yacht — discovering the local restaurants in Nice is an essential part of the experience. As one of the French Riviera’s most vibrant culinary capitals, Nice offers an exceptional blend of tradition, innovation and Mediterranean flair.
For yacht charter guests cruising the coastline, Nice makes a perfect gastronomic stopover. From the colourful stalls of Cours Saleya market to tucked-away bistros in the Old Town and refined dining rooms overlooking the Baie des Anges, the city delivers flavour at every level.
Niçoise cuisine is deeply rooted in local produce and Provençal heritage, yet it reflects the city’s unique crossroads position between France and Italy. The result is a rich culinary identity shaped by Mediterranean ingredients and influenced by Italy, North Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the broader regions of France. Olive oil, tomatoes, anchovies, fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables form the backbone of many dishes, while seafood features prominently thanks to the city’s coastal setting.
Dining at local restaurants in Nice offers far more than a meal — it is a sensory journey. The aromas of basil and garlic drift through narrow streets, markets burst with colour and energy, and sunlit terraces provide the perfect backdrop for long, leisurely lunches.
Whether sampling traditional Niçoise specialities in an authentic neighbourhood eatery or enjoying contemporary interpretations in a modern Michelin-starred venue, Nice presents a culinary landscape that is both diverse and distinctly local. For visitors seeking genuine Riviera flavour, the local restaurants in Nice remain one of the city’s greatest pleasures.
All holidaymakers know that other than beautiful surroundings, luxurious accommodation and the much-deserved opportunity to relax, no holiday would be complete without good food. Luckily the South of France has the culinary prowess to make fine dining a certainty on your Mediterranean escape. Naturally, French Riviera Helicopter Transfer and gourmet cuisine go together like champagne and caviar. That’s why so many restaurants have exclusive helicopter landing spots, which allow for quick and luxurious transfers directly to their grounds. We spoke to the leading helicopter transfer company on the French Riviera, Heli Securite, who have recommended the following five restaurants with landing spots for direct landing.
Tahiti Beach
Tahiti Beach, Saint-Tropez
Tahiti Beach is one of the best-located restaurants in Saint-Tropez and perfectly represents the joie de vivre for which the seaside town is universally famous. Fortunately, the food is wonderful, the atmosphere is relaxed and the friendly staff make you feel at home. Tahiti’s food is consistently good and served by the sea with the selection of freshly caught fish and tasty pizza straight from the oven being highlights. In fact, it’s difficult to know what you’ll enjoy more: the delicious food or spectacular sea views.
Chez Bruno
Chez Bruno, Lorgues
Famed for its truffles, the one-Michelin-star Chez Bruno serves more of this exquisite delicacy than any other restaurant in the world. Bruno has been running this iconic restaurant set in the pretty Provençal town of Lorgues for many years and it’s a truly local family business, which has started to expand internationally.
The outdoor setting of idyllic gardens and a terrace is lovely in the summer and during winter a roaring fire gives the cosy interior a magical feel. This really is truffle heaven, and Bruno’s signature dish, a potato and truffle combination, has people returning for more. Most of the produce is found within two hours of the restaurant, so diners are guaranteed the finest quality.
La Bouitte
La Bouitte, Saint Martin de Belleville
La Bouitte is a charming hotel located at the foot of the Saint-Marcel ski slopes in Saint–Martin de Belleville. However, it’s the hotel’s restaurant that really draws the crowds. René and Maxime Meilleur are a father and son team whose impeccable cuisine has been granted three Michelin stars and classified among the ‘great gables of the world’ since 2012. The restaurant is set in an authentic mountain chalet with a cosy yet chic decor befitting an establishment that prides itself on creating cuisine that respects the quality of local products and the art of cooking. The outside terrace nestled amongst the trees is perfect for apres ski drinks or a pre-flight lunch, since the helipad is located 50 metres away.
Les Gorges de Pennafort
Les Gorges de Pennafort, Callas
Les Gorges de Pennafort is one of Provence’s unmissable highlights set in a beautiful setting close to the Cote d’Azur. Chef Philippe Sa Silva and his wife took over management of the restaurant twenty years ago and haven’t looked back, even receiving a Michelin star in that time. His innovative use of regional produce combined with a contemporary twist, such as foie gras and Parmesan ravioli, have won the loyalty of international customers. Chef Da Silva’s flavoursome menu also extends to an impressive cocktail list, including their unique speciality: champagne with grapefruit cream. The sensationally sublime cuisine can be enjoyed in the elegant and light-infused dining room or outside on the terrace under a bioclimatic pergola, which adapts to the weather conditions.
La Bastide de Moustiers
La Bastide de Moustiers, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
La Bastide de Moustiers’s restaurant serves provençale cuisine in a wonderfully rural country setting. The lovely country house is an upscale inn owned by Alain Ducasse, a noted chef famous for his three Michelin star restaurant in London’s Dorchester hotel among others. Nestled in the Provence village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the restaurant sits amid ancient olive trees and vibrant lavender bushes. The menu changes daily in accordance with the products available in the hotel’s vegetable garden and is served under a shaded terrace. Chilled pea and fava bean bouillon, steak, chimney baked lamb, and a cocotte of spring vegetables are all mouth-watering favourites prepared with care and attention.
The Monaco Grand Prix 2016, the 74th edition of the prestigious event, is sure to be the ultimate fixture on this year’s Formula 1 calendar. Each and every stretch and corner is steeped in history, from Casino Square to the world’s most renowned hairpin, the Fairmont, past elegant yachts and through hillside tunnels.
The first practice laps take place at 10am on Thursday 26th May with the second coming later in the afternoon at 2pm. Although this means arriving in Monaco a full two days before the actual race, this is a great opportunity to see the cars in action and to take in the atmosphere of the track.
Overtaking on the Monaco circuit is notoriously difficult; qualifying is therefore more important in the Principality than at any other Grand Prix, and is definitely not to be missed. The qualifying begins at 2pm on Saturday, with the race itself starting at 2pm on Sunday, although be advised to arrive early to navigate the crowds.
Cars have been clocking exceptionally quick times this year so there is a quiet confidence among automotive fans that the circuit’s lap record of 1:18:0.63, set by Daniel Ricciardo in 2015, may be broken in 2016. Unlike most other Grand Prix races, you’ll have to book a grandstand seat to gain a first-hand view of the action, as the tight streets make it very difficult to walk from corner to corner. For this reason, a portable radio can be a good addition to the experience, so you can hear what’s going on even when you can’t see it.
Ferrari 458 Italia
The nearest airport is Nice Cote d’Azur International Airport, from where it is possible to reach Monaco by train with the journey taking around 40 minutes. But which automotive racing fanatic ever took the train to such a prestigious automotive event? A more exhilarating way to arrive would be to hire a supercar and drive via the autoroute, which would take around the same time. It’s one way to turn an already incredible experience into a life-long memory.
But a hired luxury vehicle isn’t just useful for the journey into Monaco itself. The Grand Prix is unique in that there is a rest day between the practice laps and the race, which gives you a day to put a supercar through its paces on the very same picturesque streets that will later host the grand prix, and even explore the surrounding area. Envisage a trip through the streets of Monaco in a Ferrari 458 Italia – an icon of automotive design!
Spring, or printemps, is one of the most rewarding times to experience yacht charters on the French Riviera. As daylight saving moves the clocks forward on the last Sunday in March, the Côte d’Azur awakens to longer, brighter days and a renewed Mediterranean energy. Cafés spill onto sunlit terraces, coastal roads shimmer in soft golden light, and marinas begin preparing for the height of the season.
Across the Riviera’s iconic ports — from Monaco to Antibes and Cannes — yachts are making their return crossings from the Caribbean, readying themselves for a busy Mediterranean summer. Crews polish teak decks, provision galleys and finalise itineraries as the final traces of winter fade into pastel dusk skies. For charter guests, this pre-season atmosphere brings a sense of anticipation and exclusivity that is uniquely special.
Historically, the French Riviera first gained prominence not as a summer playground but as a refined winter retreat. Convalescing visitors sought the benefits of the mild climate, while aristocrats escaped northern Europe’s grey skies. Nearly a century ago, luxury yachts were rare here; elegant travellers arrived instead aboard the celebrated Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée expresses.
In 1922, the PLM introduced its first-class-only service to the Riviera, and Le Train Bleu became synonymous with sophistication. Distinguished passengers included Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel, F. Scott Fitzgeraldand Somerset Maugham — figures who helped cement the Riviera’s glamorous reputation.
The shift toward summer luxury followed. Visionaries such as Gerald and Sara Murphy persuaded the legendary Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc to remain open beyond the winter season, redefining the Riviera calendar. In 1923, Coco Chanel famously stepped ashore in Cannes with a sun-kissed tan after cruising aboard Flying Cloud, the yacht of Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster — a moment that transformed fashion and symbolised the Riviera’s evolving summer culture.
Today, yacht charters on the French Riviera are a year-round possibility, yet spring offers a particularly appealing balance. The harbours are less crowded than in peak July and August, luxury hotels feature attractive off-season rates, and many attractions reopen after Easter. Clear, crisp days and calm seas create ideal conditions for cruising between glamorous ports, anchoring in secluded coves or exploring the Lérins Islands.
While summer often claims the spotlight as the prime time to visit, spring provides a quieter, more refined Riviera experience — one where charter guests can enjoy the Mediterranean coast with space, light and understated elegance. For those considering yacht charters on the French Riviera, printemps delivers sunshine, serenity and the promise of the season ahead.
Fine gastronomy enriches a luxury yacht charter experience. Today’s superyacht chef is a master of his craft, with a wealth of experience in some of the best kitchens around the world. Nevertheless, exploring the best onshore restaurants offers a cultural experience that should not be missed: a tantalising array of flavours, refined by the tastes of exotic cultures, which invigorate the palate. Superyacht charter guests can best enjoy five-star dining experiences in or near the luxury marinas that characterise Mediterranean coastlines.
We’ve handpicked a selection of our favourite institutions for fine dining in close proximity to Mediterranean marinas:
Situated at the end of the Barceloneta boardwalk, Enoteca serves a sumptuous and contemporary Mediterranean menu, with an alluring wine list. This two Michelin-starred restaurant takes inspiration from its prime waterfront location and offers an array of avant-garde seafood dishes, with a Catalunyan twist, of course. Chef Paco Perez’s Esparden (sea cucumbers) alone are a reason to incorporate a night in Barcelona into your Mediterranean yacht charter itinerary.
So long overshadowed by Monaco and Cannes, Nice’s port is starting to step out of her more glamorous neighbours’ shadow and offers a selection of fine dining institutions. The streets that fan out from the port have undergone a renaissance in the past year or two and are now home to the city’s hottest bars and restaurants; none more so than Jan, on Rue Lascaris. Run by Jan Hendrick, an ex-superyacht chef himself, the restaurant’s menu blends contemporary French cuisine with ingredients from his native South Africa. The cosy dining room offers aesthetic perfection. It’s no surprise that Jan received his first Michelin star earlier this year.
Monaco’s Le Louis XV is the flagship restaurant of Chef Alain Ducasse’s fine dining empire. Set inside the freshly renovated Hôtel de Paris on Monaco’s iconic Casino Square, this three Michelin-starred restaurant offers a stunning panorama of the Monte Carlo coastline. The new design evokes glamorous Riviera beachside living, while the cuisine also reflects the restaurant’s glamorous location, serving up a gastronomic voyage of discovery.
Give the captain and crew a night off during your yacht charter in Italy, and treat yourself to an exquisite experience at Naples’ Il Comandante. Set on the top floor of the modern Romeo Hotel, the name (‘the Captain’) is a nod to the city’s maritime heritage. Diners can enjoy a spectacular view of the port and the bay of Naples beyond. Using the finest ingredients from both land and sea, this elegant and contemporary menu thoroughly deserves its one Michelin-starred status.
April 23rd marks the opening date for one of the Mediterranean’s most exclusive restaurants: La Guerite. Enjoying a meal at this lavish eatery is not as simple as reserving a table; diners must first cross a short stretch of the Mediterranean to reach the Iles de Lerins, on which the restaurant is located. The reward for doing so is threefold: breathtaking views of the Côte d’Azur, a sumptuous menu of multicultural cuisine and an air of exclusive luxury.
Whether you’re cruising between ports on a luxury yacht charter or planning a gastronomic adventure ashore, the Mediterranean’s marinas are gateways to some of the world’s most memorable dining experiences. From Michelin-starred institutions to hidden coastal gems, each restaurant in this guide reflects the rich flavours, vibrant cultures and timeless elegance that define the region’s culinary landscape. Savour the views, explore the local terroir and make every meal an unforgettable part of your Mediterranean journey.
The French Riviera is not only famous for its coastline and glamour — it is also one of Europe’s most rewarding destinations for driving. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, it’s little surprise that the main motorway feeding south-eastern France, the A7 from Lyon to Marseille, is known as the Autoroute du Soleil — the Highway of the Sun.
Driving on the French Riviera offers a rare combination of dramatic coastal scenery, mountain passes and picturesque countryside, all within relatively short distances. From panoramic cliff-top roads overlooking the Mediterranean to winding inland routes through olive groves and vineyards, every journey feels cinematic.
One of the pleasures of driving in the French Riviera region is the ease with which landscapes change. In a single day, you can follow the coastal Corniches above Monaco, climb into the Provençal hinterland, and descend once more towards glittering harbours lined with yachts. The region’s excellent road network makes it simple to design bespoke itineraries that blend sea, countryside and culture.
For those combining land and sea, driving the Côte d’Azur pairs perfectly with a yacht charter. Many of the most scenic self-drive routes are located close to the Riviera’s principal ports and marinas, allowing travellers to alternate between time on the water and spectacular journeys on wheels.
Imagine leaving your yacht for the morning to meander inland through vineyards, stopping to purchase wine directly from the producer. Continue towards a perched medieval village for a leisurely Provençal lunch beside a heritage fountain, before driving onward through a protected national park where wildflowers and native wildlife flourish. By late afternoon, you can return to the coast in time to watch the sun set over the Mediterranean from the deck.
Whether you prefer a relaxed convertible cruise along the shoreline or a spirited drive through mountain switchbacks, driving the French Riviera delivers variety, beauty and freedom in equal measure. It is a destination where the journey is every bit as memorable as the arrival — where every curve in the road reveals another unforgettable Riviera view.
