Sailboat Hire on the French Riviera with or without a skipper

The types of sailing yachts to hire on the French Riviera

Depending on your budget and your plans, several types of yachts are available for sailing in the French Riviera:

Monohull sailing yacht hire: this is the most common option on the French Riviera, perfectly suited to sailors looking for a real sailing feel. The monohull makes it easy to access the unspoilt coves of the coastline and the anchorages of the Golden Islands thanks to its size. The heel and the sensations typical of this type of yacht are particularly enjoyable in the Mediterranean thermal breezes that set in during the afternoon.

Sailing catamaran hire: for those looking for comfort, stability and space. Catamaran hire on the French Riviera offers particularly generous living areas on board and a shallow draught that allows you to anchor as close as possible to the best beaches in Hyères, from Porquerolles to the Giens peninsula. It is the ideal option for a relaxing cruise with family or friends, particularly in shallow anchorage areas such as the bay of Pampelonne or Agay roadstead.

The services available for your sailing yacht hire on the French Riviera:

Bareboat sailing yacht hire: if one of the members of your crew has the required experience and licences, you can sail entirely independently. The yacht is fully private and you explore the French Riviera at your own pace, according to the weather and your wishes, from the Golden Islands to the Principality of Monaco.

Sailing yacht hire with skipper: this is a very popular option on the French Riviera, particularly for those discovering the destination or wishing to make the most of their holidays. The professional skipper handles the navigation and guides you to the finest anchorages, from the coves of the Estérel to the Lérins Islands, and adapts the itinerary to the wind and conditions.

Crewed sailing yacht hire: offered on luxury sailing yachts over 20 metres, this option generally includes a skipper, a hostess and sometimes a chef. Particularly sought after on the French Riviera for its prestigious setting, it lets you enjoy the cruise to the full without any hassle, with a level of service close to that of a luxury hotel.

If you prefer to board without chartering a whole boat, you can also have a look at our cabin cruise offer in the Mediterranean.

How much does a sailing yacht hire on the French Riviera cost?

The table below gives an order of magnitude of the average prices for a one-week hire on the French Riviera between Hyères and Monaco. These prices may vary according to the season, availability, model, age of the yacht…

The price includes: the sailing yacht hire and the main onboard equipment (sails, crockery, tender, bed linen and outboard engine).

The price does not include: insurance, port and mooring fees, skipper, hostess, cleaning which is often included in a compulsory pack, extras (kayak, paddle SUP…) and provisioning.

For the hire of a premium sailing yacht or a yacht on the French Riviera, please contact us directly for a personalised quote.

We strongly advise you to take out our cancellation insurance, which covers the whole crew, as well as security deposit insurance, which is particularly useful in the event of damage.

Where to sail on the French Riviera?

The French Riviera, between Hyères and Monaco, offers an exceptional coastline dotted with unspoilt coves, paradise islands and legendary towns, from the diving sites of the Giens peninsula to the yachts of Monaco, via the beaches of Pampelonne and the Lérins Islands:

• Hyères and the Golden Islands: a boat rental in Hyères is an ideal starting point to explore the three Golden Islands, Porquerolles, Port-Cros and the Levant. Porquerolles appeals for its white sand beaches (Notre-Dame, La Courtade) and its turquoise seabed. Port-Cros, a national park since 1963, is home to exceptional marine wildlife and flora, ideal for snorkelling. The Levant offers a wilder and more confidential atmosphere.
• The Saint-Tropez peninsula and Pampelonne bay: from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Saint-Tropez, this coastline is one of the most legendary in the Mediterranean. Anchoring off the beaches of Pampelonne, Tahiti or Salins, visit to the village of Saint-Tropez and its iconic port, getaway in the Provençal hinterland between Ramatuelle and Gassin.
• The Gulf of Saint-Tropez and Port Grimaud: between Sainte-Maxime and Port Grimaud, "the Provençal Venice" with its canals and pastel-coloured houses, the gulf offers quiet anchorages and a more family-friendly atmosphere. Ideal for a relaxing stopover before reaching the Estérel massif.
• Saint-Raphaël, Agay and the Estérel massif: the red rocks of the Estérel plunging into the turquoise sea offer one of the most spectacular settings on the coast. Agay roadstead, sheltered and deep, is a benchmark anchorage. Saint-Raphaël and Fréjus allow a cultural stopover with their Roman remains.
• Cannes, the Lérins Islands and the bay of La Napoule: opposite the famous Croisette, the Lérins Islands (Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat) are a haven of peace just a few miles from the mainland. Sainte-Marguerite is home to the Royal Fort and the cell of the Man in the Iron Mask, Saint-Honorat its Cistercian monastery still in activity.
• Antibes and the Cap d'Antibes: the port Vauban of Antibes, one of the largest marinas in Europe, hosts the finest yachts in the world. Sailing around the Cap d'Antibes offers spectacular anchorages (Anse de l'Olivette, Garoupe) and an unforgettable view over the Bay of Angels.
• Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: the Villefranche roadstead, one of the most beautiful in Europe, offers a deep and sheltered anchorage opposite one of the most beautiful villages on the Riviera. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a haven for great fortunes, reveals its legendary villas (Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild) from the sea.
• Monaco and the Principality: an exceptional stopover at the end of the itinerary, Monaco offers one of the most prestigious marinas in the Mediterranean. The rock, the Monte-Carlo Casino, the Oceanographic Museum make this principality an unmissable stop on a French Riviera cruise.
• Sailing to Corsica or Italy: from the French Riviera, it is easy to consider a cruise extension to Corsica (12 to 15 hours of sailing from Saint-Tropez) or to the Italian Riviera and the Cinque Terre. Distances are reasonable and allow you to combine French and Italian landscapes in a single week.

When to sail on the French Riviera?

The sailing season runs from April to October on the French Riviera, with a particularly mild Mediterranean climate.

Spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) offer the best conditions: pleasant weather, calm sea, fewer people and more accessible anchorages.

In July and August, visitor numbers are very high, particularly in the bay of Pampelonne, the Lérins Islands and around Monaco. Conditions remain excellent but anchorages can be crowded in high season and marinas often fully booked, to be reserved well in advance.

Here is an average of the temperatures recorded in recent years on the French Riviera: 

Sailing conditions on the French Riviera

The French Riviera enjoys ideal conditions for coastal sailing in the Mediterranean, with a mild climate, short distances between stopovers and many well-equipped marinas all along the coastline.

The dominant winds on the French Riviera are the Mistral (north-west), which can blow strongly in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and off the Golden Islands, the Sirocco (south-east), warmer and laden with humidity, and the Levant (east). In summer, regular thermal breezes set in mid-day and drop in late afternoon, ideal for relaxed sailing.

The western part, between Hyères and Saint-Tropez, is more exposed to the Mistral, while the eastern part, from Cannes to Monaco, is protected by the Estérel and Mercantour massifs. Anchorages are numerous and well identified, but can be crowded in high season.

The documents required to hire a bareboat sailing yacht on the French Riviera

To hire a bareboat sailing yacht on the French Riviera, you must hold:

• A coastal skipper's licence (or equivalent),   
• Sufficient sailing experience.
• A sailing CV may be requested by the charter company.
• For larger units, an offshore skipper's licence or equivalent may be required.

Useful information for your sailing yacht hire on the French Riviera   

What language is spoken on the French Riviera?

The official language is French. Provençal, a regional language of Occitan origin, is still present in some local expressions and on bilingual signs in the hinterland. In tourist areas such as Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Antibes, Nice and Monaco, English and Italian are widely spoken in marinas, restaurants and shops. As one of the most international destinations in the Mediterranean, the French Riviera makes communication easy for foreign travellers.

What currency is used on the French Riviera?

The official currency is the euro (€), both in France and Monaco. Bank cards are accepted everywhere, in marinas, restaurants, shops and petrol stations. ATMs are very numerous in all coastal towns. In Monaco, some luxury establishments and casinos may accept other currencies (USD, CHF, GBP) on an exceptional basis, but the euro remains the reference currency.

How to get to the French Riviera?

The French Riviera is one of the most accessible destinations in Europe, by plane, train or road:

• By plane: two international airports serve the region with direct flights from all over Europe and many long-haul destinations:
  • Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE): the second largest airport in France, ideal for reaching the ports of Nice, Antibes, Cannes and Monaco
  • Toulon-Hyères (TLN): for reaching the bases of Hyères, Toulon, Bandol and the Var
  • Marseille-Provence (MRS): an alternative for the western part of the French Riviera (Bandol, La Ciotat)
• By train: the TGV connects Paris to Nice in around 5h30, with stops in Toulon, Saint-Raphaël, Cannes, Antibes and Monaco. A practical and eco-friendly option to reach your departure base.
• By road: the A8 motorway (the "Provençale") serves the entire French Riviera, from Aix-en-Provence to the Italian border, with exits at all major ports.

How to finalise the booking of your sailing yacht on the French Riviera?

Once we have received your enquiry, a Filovent advisor will contact you to understand exactly what you have in mind: dates, budget, crew composition, experience level and expectations (comfort, itinerary, skipper…).

You will then receive several sailing yacht proposals tailored to your plans, with personalised recommendations on cruising areas and options (skipper, hostess, equipment…).

Once the boat has been chosen, payment of a deposit secures the booking.

Are there any cruising taxes on the French Riviera?

On the French Riviera, there is no specific cruising tax equivalent to the Greek TEPAI. However, some costs should be anticipated:

• Port fees: variable depending on the marina, particularly high in Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Antibes, Monaco and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in high season. Stopovers in Monaco or at the Vauban port in Antibes can reach very high rates in July-August.
• Mooring taxes: applied in protected areas such as the Port-Cros National Park, where anchoring on a hook is strictly regulated and chargeable on certain buoy zones.
• Crossing to Monaco: no customs formalities (Monaco is part of the European customs area) but port fees are among the highest in Europe.
• Extension to Italy: eased formalities (Schengen area and EU) but Italian port fees in San Remo, Imperia or Portofino should be anticipated.

Good to know