Top Yachting Events on the French Riviera in 2026

Book a front-row experience at the Cannes Yachting Festival's 48th edition this autumn by securing tickets now. This is your best move to access premier viewing points, exclusive lounge areas, and the chance to meet builders and owners on the water. Plan your route to maximize time on the docks and arrive ahead of the thursday opening to beat the crowds, ensuring you can start conversations with designers without rushing.

In the heart of the Riviera, Cannes sets the pace with two venues–Port Canto and Vieux Port–where yachting displays range from compact day boats to superyacht behemoths. Look for the accessories pavilion offering gadgets, safety gear, and exterior lighting that can influence a refit. The edition features guided tours on select days that help you understand hull shapes, propulsion options, and finishes.

Venturing west to dantibes, the vibe shifts toward hands-on experiences: tenders, launch boats, and marineside workshops. The water sparkles as crews work on polishing their craft, and cars line the harbor for easy transfers between sessions. The spring calendar often pairs a regatta with educational talks, giving you a practical sense of what a superyacht owner considers when upgrading systems.

Monaco hosts a high-profile gathering that marks the Riviera's autumn season. Expect curated tours, private viewings, and a dense program of broker talks that explains market shifts and maintenance planning. The event provides a platform where brands showcase stability, power, and design innovations for luxury crews on the water.

Plan a concise, three-city itinerary to maximize your time together with fellow enthusiasts: Cannes for the shows, dantibes for workshops, and Monaco for premium tours. Please check official calendars a few weeks in advance, as some sessions run on thursday evenings and special previews are released in edition briefs. For transport, book parking near the coast and consider a water taxi pass to move quickly between ports.

What to Expect from the Cannes Yachting Festival Experience

Book official viewings in advance to secure your favorite yachts. A lively heart of activity unfolds along the cannes waterfront, with seating along the quay and a high-volume rhythm, keeping exhibitors moving and yachts shimmering on the docks.

Walkable routes around the site place you close to sails and deck lines, while cars circulate at the perimeter and you can pause on the beach between viewings.

Look for debut models and new interiors across the docks; every exhibitor brings a different approach, and you can find many options near the official launch zones.

Plan bookings around the cannes timetable and use the card issued at the gate to access viewings, including details in the official email guiding you to transfers, escorted tours, and partner hotels.

Cannes Yachting Festival 2025: key dates, venue layout, and best visiting days

Plan to arrive early on day one to catch the first viewings and the cutting-edge launches. Just stay aware that the official 48th edition pass is required; please secure it at the dedicated desk or by email, and head to the skylounge for panoramic views of hulls, decks, and boats.

Dates and hours: The festival runs 3–8 October 2025, daily 10:00–18:00. Between sessions, stroll the town streets or along the dazur coast to recharge and plan your route between the venues.

Venue layout: The exhibition splits into two main zones around Cannes harbor. The Vieux Port hosts larger yachting displays and hull showcases, while Port Canto focuses on launches, demos, and racing craft. A raised deck links the areas, and the skylounge above provides a panoramic perch for press briefings and present updates from official staff.

Best visiting days: Notably, midweek (Wednesday to Friday) offers a balanced mix of crowds and access to racers and events, with quieter mornings for undisturbed viewings. The weekend brings more energy and prices vary by access area, so plan ahead if you want to avoid long lines.

Practical tips: Take the frequent shuttle between town and the port, wear comfortable shoes, and carry a card for quick purchases. Check the planned launches and viewings in the official app or via email alerts, and arrive at the skylounge early for the best panoramic sights over lérins and the dazur horizon. Please plan to take notes on times and doors, and just enjoy the yachting atmosphere.

Monaco Yacht Show 2025: top yachts, exhibitors, and navigation shortcuts

Grab a VIP concierge pass and head to Port Hercules at opening time to catch the first wave of cutting-edge superyachting; this early access highlights hull lines and deck layouts, with linen finishes and exceptional staterooms shaping the spirit of the experience, while the ultimate moments unfold over four days.

Plan your route with your show card in hand. The map divides the event into areas A through D; available staff in the concierge lounge answer questions in real time, and frequent updates keep you on track. Short walks between adjacent decks take minutes rather than hours, and their teams can adjust the path if weather or crowds shift the flow. The route you follow is designed to maximize time with each exhibitor.

Top yachts to seek

M/Y Zenith features a cutting-edge hull and a wide beam for stability; linen-rich staterooms, a full-beam owner suite, and a motor room designed for quiet operation contribute to exceptional comfort on every voyage.

M/Y Meridian emphasizes master build and engineering excellence, with a hull design that maximizes outdoor living and a refined crew area that includes a linen-laden lounge for private talks.

M/Y Tempest pairs performance with luxurious interiors; its deck spaces invite socializing, its staterooms offer privacy and comfort, and the engineering team keeps the ride smooth even in moderate seas.

M/Y Equinox delivers an expansive owner’s deck and a cutting-edge bridge; even during show hours, the crew maintains a high level of service, guided by a robust code of conduct ensuring privacy and safety for every guest.

Leading exhibitors bring specialized services to the show: Burgess, Fraser, Camper & Nicholsons, Y.CO, Ocean Independence, Edmiston, and Northrop & Johnson. Look for the dedicated concierge lounge in Area A, where their teams and the card desk help arrange private tours or on-water demonstrations. Nearby, racers' support vessels and press tenders add to the dynamic backdrop, signaling the pace of superyachting activity.

Navigation shortcuts: start at the entrance, take the most direct route along Quai Albert 1er, then route through Areas B and C before looping back toward the marina shops. The plan minimizes backtracking and keeps you within a few minutes of each flagship display; use the code for faster check-ins and to unlock private viewings with captains or chief engineers, where offered.

From saint-tropez, your best option is a morning fast ferry or private catamaran; crossings occur regularly and take roughly 60–75 minutes, followed by a 12-minute taxi to Port Hercules. Arrive with time to spare–about 15 minutes–so you can collect the handouts on linen, staterooms, and interiors that showcase the ultimate spirit of superyachting.

Antibes Yacht Show 2025: exhibitor map and route planning

Start with the official exhibitor map and mark your top priorities within the first 60 minutes of your trip. The cutting-edge edition uses a clear color legend, with fd80 highlighting brokerage desks and anchor suppliers, helping you navigate quickly and stay focused on your goals.

Notably, the map groups exhibitors by dock and category, so you can plan a tight loop that minimizes walking and maximizes meetings with your ideal partners. Your route should balance high-volume encounters with exclusive brokerage desks, while leaving space for spontaneous chats that add value to your overall plan.

What the map shows and how to read it fast: zones, quay numbers, and main categories–brokerage, charter, maintenance, and service partners. The official layout emphasizes a logical progression along the water, making it easy to locate senior brokers, shipyards, and support services in one pass. Around every stop, you’ll find contact points, product catalogs, and QR badges to speed up follow-up after each meeting.

• Dock-by-dock zones with color-coded categories for fast recognition
• Official desk locations, hours, and meeting rooms
• Chandlers, service providers, and global brokerage firms in dedicated clusters
• Parking, taxi stands, and drop-off points mapped for cars and motor vehicles
• Rest zones and refresh stations close to major aisles for quick refreshes every few hours

Planned route, practical loop: begin at the central plaza and proceed along the main quays in a clockwise flow. Follow the fd80 legend to locate brokerage desks quickly, then pivot to exclusive brokerage groups and anchor exhibitors. This approach keeps your conversations focused and maximizes your time around the water’s edge, with a cadence that supports your business development spirit.

1. Open the map, identify 3–5 priority stands (exclusive brokerage desks, flagship builders, and service partners) and pin them in your notes.
2. Plot a clockwise loop that covers Quai A, B, and C, starting near Gate 1, to reduce backtracking and long walks.
3. Allocate 15–20 minutes per stand for concise discussions; extend to 25 minutes only for prospects with strong alignment to your goals.
4. Use the fd80 color cue as you move between zones to keep your pace steady and your plan cohesive.
5. Conclude at the central hub to collate contacts, capture follow-up actions, and set your post-show outreach for the next edition.

On-site logistics to keep your trip smooth: arrive by car or taxi and use the designated park-and-wreeze zones near Gate 2 for quick access. The route around the show grounds covers high-volume exhibitors first, then notable specialty houses, so you finish with a strong set of exclusive opportunities. If you plan a longer visit, schedule 10-minute pauses every 90 minutes to recharge and review notes with your team, ensuring your decisions stay deliberate and aligned with your goals.

What to bring and how to follow up: a compact notebook or digital tablet, business cards, a portable charger, and a copy of the exhibitor map. After your circuit, your next steps should be concrete: confirm appointments, request brochures or digital catalogs, and log key metrics from each stop. This approach, done together, yields exceptional results across a global edition and keeps your trip efficient, enjoyable, and purposeful.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2025: race schedule and spectator tips

Arrive early on race days to secure a prime view along the town beach and the Palais terrace. The edition this year delivers the most dramatic mix of classic and modern boats, with high-volume fleets and racers converging in the sheltered bay for a festival of sail that provides unforgettable moments.

Racing spans four days, with daily starts typically around 13:30 and legs that run through the afternoon. The tradition remains strong, with events held near the harbor and a postcard view as boats thread through the bay toward the lérins and back. When wind allows, coastal legs skim along the shoreline, creating minutes of suspense as crews push for line honors.

To find the best spots, please locate viewing areas along the town beach, the market quay, and the elevated terraces at Palais. For a broader perspective, consider a ferry to Cannes or a day trip to the Îles de Lérins to watch boats sail between the islands. Follow the fd80 markers that designate official viewing zones, and visit sale stands offering nautical gear, linen keepsakes, and card-sized mementos to remember the edition. You can create memories in these areas while the most frequent spectators capture dramatic sequences.

This layout also means you can move between vantage points easily, and the market near the harbor provides quick access to refreshment stalls and casual seating to enjoy the festival atmosphere. Please plan a flexible route to balance close-up action with wider shoreline views, and allow time to hop a ferry to nearby spots in the Cannes area for additional perspectives of the events.

In addition to the main regatta, this period hosts several related festivals and street events that run through the evenings. The coast buzzes with markets, live music, and family-friendly activities, so you’ll find plenty of reasons to extend your visit beyond the race days.

Riviera logistics for festival week: transport, accommodation, and on-site services

Book a fully integrated Riviera logistics package with a single point of contact to handle transport, accommodation, and on-site services for festival week. This approach streamlines communications across the industry network, with card payments and email confirmations at every step. It makes it easy to keep every detail aligned from arrival to departure and to keep horizons expanding. This package adds more control over costs and time, making every day smoother.

• Transport
  • Private airport transfers to Nice, Cannes, and Monaco with on-site greeters and real-time flight tracking.
  • Water shuttles between marinas and event piers, synchronized with daily show schedules; vessels feature sun decks and shade.
  • Executive vans and minibuses with card payments at pickup and 24/7 driver support.
  • thursday through festival days service windows, plus a 48-hour buffer before peak days.
  • Weather contingency plans with alternate routes and back-up vehicles.
• Accommodation
  • Hotel blocks near the festival core, with prestige options and early-bird rates; burgess coordinates room blocks and guest lists.
  • Glamping options and serviced apartments for crews; each unit comes fully furnished with wifi, linens, and daily refresh.
  • Prices range from €180 to €450 per night in spring peak, with year-round and weekly packages available; book at least 90 days in advance to lock best inventory.
  • Conversant neighborhood guides and walking routes to dining and transit hubs to cut commute times.
• On-site services
  • Registration desk with multilingual staff; email confirmations and QR-based check-in accelerate arrivals, delivering the ultimate convenience for teams and guests.
  • Medical station, security patrols, and information kiosks; water stations keep teams hydrated, and recycling points simplify waste management.
  • Cutting-edge AV gear with on-site tech support; spare accessories and cables stored for quick fixes.
  • Vendor showcase and shopping zones with dedicated showcases for festival wear and accessories; panoramic hospitality areas for guests.
  • Daily program updates, including briefing sessions on thursday, published in print cards, via email, and in the event app to keep everyone aligned.