Luxury South of France Yacht Charter

Chartering the Riviera, Provence Coast and Corsica by Yacht

A South of France yacht charter can reach far beyond the familiar Riviera circuit. From the event ports of Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez, the coastline opens west towards the limestone inlets of the Calanques, the vineyards of Bandol and Cassis, the Îles d’Hyères and, with the right yacht and weather window, Corsica.

Travelling by yacht allows the region to unfold as one continuous coastal journey. Mornings might begin at anchor beneath Cap Ferrat or in the quiet waters off Porquerolles, before continuing ashore for a private cellar visit, a classic car drive through the Corniches or dinner in a hilltop village above the sea.

Each charter is shaped around the yacht, season, berth access, anchorages and time ashore, with tenders, guides, drivers, private aviation and shore experiences arranged around the route. The result is a more considered way to experience the Riviera, Provence coast and islands beyond, without being tied to one fixed base on land.

Plan Your South of France Charter

Why Charter a Yacht in the South of France?

  • The Riviera, Provence coast and nearby islands are often treated as separate trips, yet by yacht they can be connected with far greater ease. Monaco, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, the Calanques, Bandol, Cassis and the Îles d’Hyères all sit within reach of one another by sea, allowing the route to be shaped around the best anchorages, restaurants, events and conditions.

  • A yacht also gives a different perspective on the region’s most recognisable moments. During the Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival or Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the yacht becomes a private base close to the centre of each event, with space to host, retreat and move between shore arrangements without relying entirely on hotels or road transfers.

  • Further west, the Calanques and Provence coast reward those travelling from the water. Narrow limestone inlets, protected coves and sea caves are best approached by tender, while the vineyards of Bandol and Cassis can be woven into the route with private tastings and long lunches ashore. For those wanting a wilder extension, Corsica offers a more remote coastline of red cliffs, deep bays and quieter anchorages beyond the Riviera.

Best Experiences Along the Riviera and Provence Coast

This coastline allows a yacht charter to move between the glamour of the Riviera and the quieter character of the coast beyond it. These experiences bring together time at sea, cultural access, food and wine, event logistics and secluded anchorages that are difficult to experience well from land alone.

Best Experiences Along the Riviera and Provence Coast

This coastline allows a yacht charter to move between the glamour of the Riviera and the quieter character of the coast beyond it. These experiences bring together time at sea, cultural access, food and wine, event logistics and secluded anchorages that are difficult to experience well from land alone.

Classic Cars and Coastal Roads

A Porsche 356 Speedster, Ferrari 246 GT Dino or Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing can be delivered to the dock for a day on the Riviera’s most atmospheric roads. Follow the Corniches between Nice and Menton, trace the headlands of Cap d’Antibes and Cap Ferrat, or climb towards the hill villages above Grasse, returning to the yacht for dinner on board.

The route can be guided or self-driven, with vehicle choice, timings and collection arranged around the yacht’s position, allowing the day ashore to feel as seamless as the time spent at sea.

The Calanques by Tender

Between Marseille and Cassis, the Calanques form one of the most striking stretches of coastline in France, where white limestone cliffs fall into narrow inlets and clear water. As a protected national park, access is carefully managed, particularly in summer, making timing and local knowledge essential.

Approached by yacht, the Calanques become less about a single viewpoint and more about moving quietly through the coastline by tender. Swim or snorkel in selected coves, explore sea caves with a local guide and return to lunch on board, away from the busier shore routes.

Wine From the Water: Bandol, Cassis and the Islands

The vineyards of Provence sit unusually close to the sea, making wine a natural part of a yacht-led journey along this coast. Anchor off Bandol for a private tasting at Domaine Tempier, continue to Cassis for mineral white wines grown above the Calanques, or visit the Îles des Embiez, where vines and marine research share the same island setting.

Cellar visits, drivers and tender timings can be arranged around the day’s route, allowing food and wine to become part of the charter rather than a separate excursion inland.

The Riviera Events Circuit by Yacht

The Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez bring the Riviera to its most animated. A yacht offers a private base close to each event, with space to host, dine, change pace between appointments and return to the water when the shore becomes crowded.

Berths, hospitality, private aviation, restaurant bookings and tender movements can be planned around the event schedule, allowing the yacht to remain the centre of the wider experience.

Corsica as a Wider Charter Extension

For those who want the journey to move beyond the Riviera, Corsica brings a more remote, elemental contrast to the mainland coast. Depending on the yacht, route and conditions, the charter can extend towards Cap Corse, Calvi or the Gulf of Porto, where Genoese towers, red volcanic cliffs, deep bays and quieter anchorages create a very different atmosphere from Cannes, Monaco and Saint-Tropez.

This works best as a considered extension rather than a rushed detour. The right yacht, passage plan and weather window are essential, particularly when combining Corsica with the Riviera or Provence coast in one charter.

The Riviera Under Sail

A sailing yacht brings a more elemental connection to this coastline, particularly between Cannes, Saint-Tropez, the Îles d’Hyères and Corsica, where the passage itself becomes part of the experience. Rather than using the yacht only as a base, time at sea can be shaped around wind, coastline and the simple pleasure of moving under sail.

Classic and performance sailing yachts, from schooners such as ELENA OF LONDON to Mediterranean sailing yachts such as MES AMIS, can be considered depending on the route, season and preferred style of charter.

Perfume, Vineyards and the Côte d’Azur Hinterland

The Riviera’s coastline sits within easy reach of hill towns, vineyards and craft traditions that are often missed on a purely port-led charter. From the yacht, a day ashore can be shaped around the region’s food, wine and perfume heritage before returning to the water by evening.

In Grasse, work with a master perfumer to create a personal fragrance from rare essences. Above Nice, visit Château de Crémat in the Bellet hills for organic wines and Roman-built cellars, or explore Nice Old Town through a private rosé tasting paired with Niçoise street food.

Where to Charter Along the Riviera, Provence Coast and Corsica?

Each part of this coastline offers a different style of charter. The Riviera is strongest for events, restaurants, ports and cultural access; the Provence coast brings limestone inlets, vineyards and protected islands; and Corsica offers longer passages, wilder anchorages and a stronger sense of distance from the mainland.

The French Riviera

Best for events, culture and coastal access

The Riviera works especially well by yacht because its most recognisable places sit close together, yet take on a different character from the water. Cannes, Antibes, Cap Ferrat, Monaco and Saint-Tropez can be linked without repeated hotel moves or long road transfers, with the route adjusted around restaurant bookings, event timings, anchorages and time ashore.

Cannes gives access to the Film Festival and the Îles de Lérins, where a fortified monastery sits just offshore. Antibes and Cap d’Antibes bring deep-water anchorages, coastal walking and the Picasso Museum within reach of the yacht. Monaco places Port Hercule beneath the Grand Prix circuit, while Saint-Tropez comes into its own during Les Voiles, when classic yachts fill the gulf and the town’s maritime character returns to the foreground.

The Calanques and Provence Coast

Best for wild coastline and inland culture

West of the Riviera, the coastline becomes more rugged and less resort-led. The Calanques sit within a protected national park, where the experience depends on timing, tender use and local permissions. Rather than treating this as a quick swim stop, the day can be shaped around guided swimming, snorkelling, cave exploration and lunch on board.

Further along the coast, Bandol and Cassis bring a stronger food and wine focus, with private cellar visits arranged around the yacht’s position. The Îles d’Hyères, including Porquerolles and Port-Cros, add car-free island cycling, protected waters and some of the region’s best diving, creating a more varied counterpoint to the Riviera ports.

Corsica

Best for sailing, remoteness and unspoiled coastline

Corsica should be treated as a considered extension rather than a casual detour. For the right yacht and weather window, the crossing opens a different kind of charter, with Cap Corse, Calvi and the Gulf of Porto offering Genoese watchtowers, red volcanic cliffs, deep bays and anchorages that feel far removed from the Riviera circuit.

A sailing yacht can make the passage itself part of the appeal, while a faster motor yacht allows more time ashore once there. Route planning, yacht selection and timing all matter, particularly when combining Corsica with the Riviera or Provence coast in one journey.

Yachts Suited to the Riviera, Provence Coast and Corsica

A luxurious yacht anchored in clear turquoise waters, with two small sailboats nearby. The yacht features multiple decks and is equipped with various water toys. Palm trees and a sandy beach are visible in the background.
BOLD
From 875,000 EUR • 85.3M • 12 Guests
Sleek white yacht sailing through vibrant turquoise water under a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
KAMALAYA
From 170,352 USD • 56M • 12 Guests
KING BENJI can accommodate 10 guests in 5 luxurious cabins.
KING BENJI
From 250,000 USD • 47M • 10 Guests
ELENA of LONDON
From USD • 55M • 10 Guests
Large sailing yacht named MES AMIS with tall white sails gliding past a steep rocky cliff topped with a lighthouse.
MES AMIS
From 155,000 USD • 44M • 10 Guests
A large white yacht anchored in calm blue waters, with two wooden boats approaching it. A lush green hillside with buildings is visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
CHRISTINA O
From 700,000 EUR • 99.13M • 34 Guests
RIANA
From 70,000 EUR • 42M • 10 Guests
Large white classic motor yacht named SHERAKHAN cruising on deep blue water under a clear sky.
SHERAKHAN
From 595,000 EUR • 69.65M • 26 Guests
OKTO superyacht luxury yachting with a pool aboard
OKTO
From 480,000 USD • 66.4M • 11 Guests
DELTA ONE
From 145,000 EUR • 38M • 10 Guests
A sleek sailing yacht anchored in turquoise waters, with a backdrop of lush green mountains and a clear blue sky.
BLISS
From 80,400 USD • 36.7M • 10 Guests
High-angle view of a luxury motor yacht SEVEN SINS with a glass-bottom pool on the deck and a fold-out beach club.
SEVEN SINS
From 300,000 EUR • 52M • 10 Guests

Why Charter This Coastline with Pelorus?

Private Access to the Calanques and Offshore Islands

Expert Captains, Private Tenders, Private Air

Marina Bookings and Event Access Handled

Itineraries Built Entirely Around You

Bespoke Yacht Charters for Families, Couples and Groups

FAMILIES

For families, the region works best when each day has variety without feeling over-planned. A charter can combine shallow-water swimming off Porquerolles, tender exploration in the Calanques, cycling on car-free islands, beginner-friendly snorkelling at Port-Cros and a private perfume workshop in Grasse.

The route can be shaped around ages, interests and energy levels, with guides, tenders and shore arrangements planned in advance so children have space to explore while adults still feel the journey has depth.

COUPLES

For couples, the South of France can move between privacy on board and highly considered moments ashore. Sail between Cap d’Antibes and Saint-Tropez, anchor for a private cellar visit above Bandol, spend the evening at Mirazur in Menton, or extend towards Corsica for a quieter, more remote stretch of coastline.

The balance between time at sea, food and wine, sailing, private transfers and smaller anchorages can be shaped around the occasion, whether the focus is a honeymoon, anniversary or simply time away together.

GROUPS

For groups, a yacht creates a shared base that can hold different interests within one journey. A morning might be spent driving classic cars along the Corniche roads, followed by a private wine tasting in Bandol, dinner on board or a night ashore during Cannes, Monaco or Saint-Tropez events.

The value lies in how those moments are joined together, with berth planning, private aviation, drivers, guides, restaurants and tenders coordinated around the group rather than arranged as separate days.

The Best Time to Charter in the South of France

May - June: May and June are ideal for those who want the Riviera at its most animated. The Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix bring the coast into focus, while longer days and early-season warmth make it possible to combine event access with time at anchor. Berths, hospitality and private aviation should be planned well in advance.

July - August: July and August bring peak summer conditions, warm water and the greatest demand for yachts, berths and restaurants. The most popular anchorages fill quickly, and access to the Calanques is more tightly managed. This period works best with careful routing, early reservations and flexibility around quieter anchorages.

September - October: September and early October offer one of the strongest windows for a more balanced charter. The water remains warm, the coast is less pressured than in high summer, and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez brings classic sailing back to the gulf. Corsica, the Îles d’Hyères and the Provence coast can also feel more spacious at this time of year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Calanques national park between Marseille and Cassis restricts visitor numbers and overnight anchoring in certain zones during summer. A private yacht with the right permits, arranged in advance, can anchor in bays that day visitors and walking parties cannot reach. Pelorus handles the permit applications before the group arrives.

The Cannes Film Festival, the Monaco Grand Prix and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez bring the Riviera to its peak each year. A luxury superyacht charter on the French Riviera gives you a private base for all three, with marina bookings, event credentials and hospitality arranged around the yacht before you step on board.

Sailing yachts suit the passages between Saint-Tropez, the Îles d'Hyères and Corsica, where the prevailing wind runs with the route and the sailing is the experience rather than the means of getting there. ELENA OF LONDON, a performance schooner built to the lines of a 1928 Transatlantic Race winner, and MES AMIS, an award-winning sailing yacht built for Mediterranean passages, both operate in these waters. Motor yachts suit those combining multiple events., the Grand Prix, the Film Festival, Les Voiles, where covering ground quickly matters more than how you cover it. SEAWOLF and KAMALAYA are both well suited to the Riviera circuit at pace. Pelorus works across both and advises based on the itinerary.

Yes. Nice Côte d'Azur Airport handles private aviation and is fifteen minutes from Port Vauban in Antibes. Cannes Mandelieu is closer to the Croisette waterfront. Monaco Heliport connects directly to Port Hercule for groups arriving by helicopter from Geneva, Milan or London. Pelorus arranges the aviation transfers and times the yacht's arrival to meet the group at the dock.

Port-Cros, a car-free island in the Îles d'Hyères, is one of the finest dive sites in the Mediterranean. The underwater trail at the Sentier de la Palud, the Dalles de Bagaud and the Rocher de la Gabinière are all within the Port-Cros National Park. Pelorus arranges private diving sessions at Port-Cros, including access to free-diving world champion Stéphane Mifsud, as part of the charter programme.

The region is particularly strong for food and wine experiences that can be built around the yacht’s position. Anchor off Bandol for a private tasting at Domaine Tempier, continue to Cassis for white wines grown above the Calanques, or head inland from Nice for a private rosé tasting paired with Niçoise street food. For a more formal evening ashore, dinner at Mirazur in Menton can be arranged with a private car collecting you from the dock.

Cellar access, drivers, tender timings and restaurant bookings can be arranged so the day flows naturally from yacht to shore and back again.

Yes. Port Hercule sits directly below the circuit and several sections of the race are visible from the water. Pelorus secures berths in Port Hercule for Grand Prix weekend, alongside grandstand access and hospitality arrangements. The marina fills completely for race weekend and berth allocation is managed by the Monaco authorities, lead times of twelve months or more are standard for the best positions.

Cliff jumping at the Giens peninsula, an underwater snorkelling trail at Port-Cros shallow enough for beginners, a private perfume workshop in Grasse where children create their own fragrance from a selection of rare essences, e-bike rides through the Maures massif and tender expeditions into the Calanques sea caves. The South of France has more for children than most families realise, and a private yacht reaches the parts of it that hotels cannot.

Through Pelorus Junior, children follow their own age-appropriate programme on board alongside the main itinerary: treasure hunts, underwater discovery sessions and storytelling built around the coastline they are sailing through. For families travelling with particularly curious young minds, the Curious Minds programme turns the charter into a voyage of genuine discovery.

A tranquil seaside scene with clear turquoise water and a sailboat near rocky shores. Large boulders are visible in the foreground, and small sailboats can be seen in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Why We Love the South of France

The Riviera is often treated as familiar, but by yacht it becomes far more varied. The same journey can move from the event ports of Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez to the limestone inlets of the Calanques, the vineyards above Bandol and Cassis, the protected islands of the Îles d’Hyères and, with the right yacht and timing, Corsica.

What makes the region work especially well is the number of elements that need to be joined properly. Berths, permits, tenders, private aviation, cellar access, classic cars, guides, restaurant bookings and event hospitality all need to work around the yacht’s position. When planned well, the charter becomes less about following the usual Riviera circuit and more about connecting the coastline in a more intelligent way.

Design Your Riviera and Provence Yacht Charter

Our charter specialists understand the anchorages, berth planning, event logistics, cellar doors, private aviation and permits that shape this coastline. Speak with a specialist to create a yacht charter that connects the Riviera, Provence coast, offshore islands and, where appropriate, Corsica.

Plan Your South of France Charter