French Riviera Yacht Charter: Monaco, Cannes and St Tropez
Quick answer
A French Riviera yacht charter typically costs about €65,000–€180,000 per week for a 30–40m motor yacht and €160,000–€350,000 for a 40–55m superyacht in summer 2026, plus 20% VAT on the base fee, an APA of roughly 35–40% and a 10–15% crew tip. Most charters start in Monaco, Antibes or Cannes and cruise as far as St Tropez and the Îles d'Hyères, with daily hops of 8–30 nautical miles. June and September are the sweet spots outside the big event weeks.
Why charter a yacht on the French Riviera?
The French Riviera is the most established superyacht destination in the world, with the deepest fleet, the best marina infrastructure and the most concentrated mix of glamour, dining and culture in the Mediterranean. In a single week you can have lunch in Monaco, dinner in Cannes and a day on the beach at St Tropez.
Distances are short, the coast is well sheltered from the east, and you are never far from a Michelin-starred restaurant, a famous beach club or an art museum. Many of the world's largest charter yachts spend their summers here, which gives you choice at the top end of the market.
It is also the most expensive mainstream charter region in Europe. Base rates sit above Croatia and Greece, VAT is 20%, berthing in Monaco and St Tropez is costly in peak season, and event weeks carry heavy premiums. For travelers whose priority is atmosphere and service rather than remote anchorages, that is usually a price worth paying.
Where should you go on a French Riviera yacht charter?
The Riviera splits into an eastern stretch from Monaco to Cannes, the St Tropez peninsula in the middle, and the quieter Îles d'Hyères to the west. Most weeks sample all three.
Monaco and the eastern Riviera
- Monaco: Port Hercule and Port Fontvieille, the casino, the Grand Prix circuit and some of Europe's best dining. Best for a glamorous evening.
- Èze and Cap d'Ail: a medieval hilltop village above the sea and a smaller marina just west of Monaco.
- Villefranche-sur-Mer: one of the deepest natural harbours on the coast and a favorite superyacht anchorage, with an old town on the waterfront. Best for a calm overnight.
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Beaulieu: villa-lined peninsula, coastal walks and the Passable beach anchorage.
- Nice: the old town, markets and museums, usually visited by tender or car from Villefranche.
Antibes, Cannes and the Lérins Islands
- Antibes: Port Vauban is one of the largest superyacht ports in Europe, with the Picasso Museum and old town alongside. Cap d'Antibes offers swimming anchorages.
- Cannes: the Croisette, beach clubs and the Old Port; very busy during the film festival in May.
- Îles de Lérins: Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, a short hop from Cannes, with clear water, pine forest and a working monastery. Best for a lunch-and-swim day.
- Golfe-Juan and Théoule: quieter anchorages and red rocks of the Esterel coast.
St Tropez and the western Riviera
- St Tropez: the port, the Place des Lices market and Pampelonne beach clubs. The harbour is famously hard to get into in peak season, so many yachts anchor in the bay. Best for beach clubs and nightlife.
- Porquerolles and Port-Cros (Îles d'Hyères): national park islands with white sand, clear water and no cars. Best for a quiet day and great swimming.
- Cassis and the Calanques: limestone inlets near Marseille, usually included only on longer westward charters.
When is the best time to charter a yacht on the French Riviera?
June and September are the best months for most charterers, with warm water and steady weather but fewer crowds than July and August. The season runs roughly May to September, and event weeks shape the calendar more here than anywhere else. Our best time to charter a yacht guide puts this in a wider Med context.
| Month | Conditions | Typical wind | Crowds and pricing | Our view |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | Mild; sea still cool | Variable; mistral possible | Very high for Cannes and Grand Prix weeks | Event-driven; book far ahead |
| June | Warm, long days | Mostly light sea breezes | High; Grand Prix early in June 2027 | Excellent outside race week |
| July | Hot | Light easterly sea breeze; occasional mistral | Peak | Busy anchorages and ports |
| August | Hottest, busiest | Light; mistral days possible | Peak; French holidays | Plan berths early |
| September | Warm sea | Mostly settled | Falling; Monaco Yacht Show late month | Our top pick |
| October | Cooling | More frequent mistral and fronts | Low | Short season; fewer yachts remain |
The mistral is a cold, dry northwesterly that funnels down the Rhône valley and can blow for several days. It is strongest west of Toulon and around Porquerolles and St Tropez, and much weaker east of Cannes, where Cap Ferrat and Monaco stay sheltered. When it blows, captains simply head east.
Key event dates
- Cannes Film Festival 2027: May 11–22, 2027, the 80th edition.
- Monaco Grand Prix 2027: June 4–6, 2027, Monaco's first sprint weekend. Trackside berths sell out early and usually carry minimum-stay terms; see our Monaco Grand Prix yacht charter guide.
- Monaco Yacht Show: September 23–26, 2026, and September 22–25, 2027, at Port Hercule.
How much does a French Riviera yacht charter cost?
For summer 2026, 30–40m motor yachts on the Riviera typically ask €65,000–€180,000 per week and 40–55m superyachts €160,000–€350,000. Megayachts of 70m-plus run from about €700,000 to €1.5 million or more. Rates exclude APA, VAT and tips, and vary by season, event weeks and the yacht.
| Yacht type and size | Typical weekly base rate (summer) | Rough USD |
|---|---|---|
| Motor yacht, 30–40m | €65,000–€180,000 | US$75,000–$207,000 |
| Superyacht, 40–55m | €160,000–€350,000 | US$184,000–$403,000 |
| Superyacht, 55–75m | About €350,000 typical | US$400,000 |
| Megayacht, 70m+ | €700,000–€1.5M+ | US$800,000–$1.7M+ |
| Day charter, 30–40m | €12,000–€35,000 per day | US$14,000–$40,000 |
| Day charter, 50m+ | €35,000–€80,000+ per day | US$40,000–$92,000+ |
The Riviera is where most of Europe's largest charter yachts summer; our superyacht charter guide explains how the top end of the market works. For a full breakdown of charter costs, see our yacht charter cost guide.
What taxes and fees apply in France and Monaco?
France and Monaco charge 20% VAT on the base charter fee. It can be reduced in proportion to documented time spent outside EU waters, and delivery and redelivery fees are taxable too. In France, VAT applies to the base fee, not to the APA. Berthing in Monaco, Cannes and St Tropez in peak season is expensive and comes out of the APA, and event weeks push those costs higher still.
Rules change; confirm the VAT treatment and expected berthing costs with your broker at booking. Our yacht charter VAT guide compares France with Italy, Spain and Greece.
Example: a week on a 35m motor yacht
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Base charter fee | €120,000 |
| APA at roughly 35% | €42,000 |
| VAT at 20% of base | €24,000 |
| Crew tip at 10–15% | €12,000–€18,000 |
| Rough total | €198,000–€204,000 (roughly US$228,000–$235,000) |
How do you get to your yacht on the French Riviera?
Fly into Nice (NCE), which has seasonal direct flights from the US and is within about 45 minutes of most Riviera embarkation ports.
- Monaco (Port Hercule or Fontvieille): about 30–45 minutes by car from Nice airport, or a short helicopter hop.
- Antibes (Port Vauban): roughly 20–30 minutes from the airport.
- Cannes (Old Port or Port Pierre Canto): about 30–40 minutes from the airport.
- St Tropez: roughly 1.5–2 hours by road in summer traffic, or a helicopter transfer.
- Nice: the port itself is close to the airport and old town.
Charters in the region often run Saturday to Saturday but are flexible on larger yachts. Event-week charters frequently have their own start dates and minimum stays.
What does a 7-night French Riviera itinerary look like?
A classic week runs from Monaco west to St Tropez and the Îles d'Hyères and back, covering about 170 nautical miles in hops of 8–30 nautical miles. If the mistral blows, the captain will keep you east of Cannes.
| Day | Route | Rough distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monaco to Villefranche-sur-Mer | About 8 nm | Settle in; dinner in the old town |
| 2 | Villefranche to Cap d'Antibes | About 12 nm | Swim off the cape, Picasso Museum |
| 3 | Antibes to the Lérins Islands | About 8 nm | Lunch at anchor, evening in Cannes |
| 4 | Lérins to St Tropez (Pampelonne) | About 30 nm | Beach club afternoon |
| 5 | St Tropez to Porquerolles | About 30 nm | National park beaches, cycling |
| 6 | Porquerolles to St Tropez | About 30 nm | Evening in the port and Place des Lices |
| 7 | St Tropez to Cannes or Antibes | About 30 nm | Final dinner on the Croisette |
| 8 | Cannes or Antibes to Monaco | About 20–25 nm | Disembark |
On a fast motor yacht, most legs take under two hours. On a sailing yacht or catamaran, many charterers drop Porquerolles to keep the pace relaxed.
Who is a French Riviera yacht charter right for?
The Riviera suits charterers who want glamour, superb dining and a big choice of yachts, and it is the natural home for event charters. It suits fewer travelers who want seclusion or value.
| Traveler | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Excellent | Beach clubs, nightlife, social ports |
| Event-goers | Excellent | Grand Prix, Cannes, Monaco Yacht Show |
| Couples | Very good | Romantic ports, fine dining |
| Families | Good | Short hops, but busy ports and anchorages |
| Seclusion or value seekers | Fair | Pricey berths, crowded summer anchorages |
Who should choose elsewhere? If budget matters, a similar yacht usually costs less in Croatia or Montenegro, with lower VAT. If you want quiet island anchorages, Greece or Corsica fits better. And if you prefer beach clubs with more nature around them, compare the Balearics, where Ibiza and Formentera offer a similar scene with clearer water.
Can you combine the French Riviera with other charter areas?
Yes. The Riviera links naturally with Corsica, the Italian Riviera and, on larger yachts, Sardinia.
- Riviera plus Corsica: Calvi on Corsica's northwest coast is roughly 95 nautical miles from Nice, an overnight or long day passage. Bonifacio and the Lavezzi Islands follow to the south.
- Riviera plus the Italian Riviera: Portofino is roughly 90 nautical miles east of Monaco, with Sanremo on the way, though this brings Italian VAT into play for days spent there.
- Riviera plus Sardinia: via Corsica and the Strait of Bonifacio to the Costa Smeralda, best as a two-week or one-way charter on a larger yacht. See our Amalfi Coast and Italy guide for the Italian side.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charter a yacht on the French Riviera?
For summer 2026, 30–40m motor yachts on the Riviera typically ask €65,000–€180,000 per week and 40–55m superyachts €160,000–€350,000. Add 20% VAT on the base fee, an APA of roughly 35–40% for motor yachts and a 10–15% crew tip. Event weeks such as the Monaco Grand Prix carry premium pricing and minimum stays.
What is the VAT on a yacht charter in France and Monaco?
France and Monaco charge 20% VAT on the base charter fee. It can be reduced in proportion to documented time outside EU waters, and delivery and redelivery fees are also taxable. In France the APA itself is not subject to VAT. Rules change, so confirm the treatment in your contract.
Can I charter a yacht for a day on the French Riviera?
Yes. Day charters are common out of Monaco, Cannes, Antibes and St Tropez. Typical 2026 rates run about €12,000–€35,000 per day for a 30–40m yacht and €35,000–€80,000 or more for 50m-plus, usually with fuel and extras on top.
When is the best time to charter a yacht on the French Riviera?
June and September offer warm water and settled weather without the peak crowds of July and August. May has the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix, which bring very high demand. Late September brings the Monaco Yacht Show and a quieter end to the season.
What is the mistral and does it affect Riviera charters?
The mistral is a cold, dry northwesterly wind that funnels down the Rhône valley. It is strongest west of Toulon and around the Îles d'Hyères and St Tropez, and much weaker around Monaco and Cap Ferrat. It can blow for several days, so captains switch to sheltered anchorages east of Cannes when it arrives.
Where do French Riviera yacht charters start?
Most start in Monaco (Port Hercule), Antibes (Port Vauban), Cannes or Nice, all within about 45 minutes of Nice airport. St Tropez is a common start or finish for charters focused on the western Riviera, though the drive from Nice is longer.
Can larger yachts anchor at Pampelonne beach near St Tropez?
Yes, but with restrictions. French maritime authorities ban larger yachts, broadly those over 24m, from anchoring on protected posidonia seagrass and have redrawn anchoring zones in bays such as Pampelonne. Your captain will use permitted sandy areas, which can sit farther from the beach.
Charter rates, APA, VAT and fees quoted are approximate, vary by yacht and season, and change often. Confirm current figures with your broker at booking.