The French Riviera, also called the Côte d’Azur, stretches along France’s southeastern coast from around Saint-Tropez to the Italian border. Few coastlines pack as much variety into so few miles. In that short distance, you will find some of the most famous towns in the world, each with its own feel and all reachable in a single charter.
At Moran Yacht & Ship, we have spent decades helping clients explore the Mediterranean’s finest destinations. The must-see places along the Riviera fall into three groups: the iconic glamour stops, the charming coastal towns, and the hilltop villages worth a detour inland. The most memorable charters mix all three.
The Iconic Charter Stops
These are the names most people picture when they think of the French Riviera. They are the busiest, the most famous, and the most photographed, but they are popular for a reason. Each one offers a different flavor of Riviera glamour.
Monaco
Monaco is the smallest country in Europe after the Vatican, but it punches well above its weight as a yacht destination. Port Hercule, the principality’s main harbor, regularly hosts some of the largest superyachts in the world. From the dock, it is a short walk to the famous Monte Carlo Casino, the Prince’s Palace, and the Oceanographic Museum. The Monaco Grand Prix in late May and the Monaco Yacht Show in September are two of the most popular times to be in port.
Cannes
Cannes is best known for the Cannes Film Festival each May, when the boulevard La Croisette fills with celebrities and red carpet events. Outside of the film festival, the city is a beautiful place to spend a few days. The Old Town, called Le Suquet, sits on a hill above the harbor and offers narrow streets, restaurants, and panoramic views over the bay. Just offshore, the Lerins Islands make an easy boat ride from the harbor, with quiet coves, scuba diving spots, and an active monastery on Saint-Honorat.
Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez was a small fishing village until Brigitte Bardot put it on the map in the 1950s with And God Created Women. Today it is one of the most glamorous yacht destinations on the Mediterranean Sea, with the Vieux Port lined with megayachts each summer. Pampelonne Beach, just outside town, is a long stretch of soft sandy beach and home to the most famous beach clubs on the Riviera, including Club 55 and Nikki Beach. The Place des Lices market on Tuesdays and Saturdays is also worth visiting for local food and shopping.
Charming Coastal Towns
The Riviera’s smaller towns offer the same beautiful coastline without the same level of crowds. These are some of our favourite stops to recommend for guests who want a quieter experience or a balance between busy and calm.
Nice
Nice is the largest city on the Riviera and a popular home base for charter guests starting their trip. Its international airport has direct flights from most major European cities, and the Nice-Ville train station connects easily to Monaco, Cannes, and over the Italian border. The Old Town, Vieux Nice, is full of narrow streets, ice cream shops, and the daily Cours Saleya market. The long pebble beach along the Promenade des Anglais is a defining feature of the city, and Castle Hill, just above the port, gives you the best panoramic views of the Bay of Angels.
Antibes
Antibes sits between Cannes and Nice and is home to Port Vauban, one of the largest yacht harbors in Europe. Cap d’Antibes, the peninsula just south of town, is one of the most exclusive stretches of coastline in France, home to the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, one of the most legendary luxury hotels in the world. The Old Town is surrounded by 16th-century walls and houses the Picasso Museum inside the Château Grimaldi, where Picasso worked for several months in 1946. It is one of several art museums along this stretch of the Riviera, which has drawn painters and sculptors for more than a century.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer is a hidden gem with one of the deepest natural harbors on the Mediterranean coast, which makes it a perfect place to anchor. The town itself is small but stunning, with colorful buildings stacked along the waterfront and quiet, narrow streets winding up the hillside. The Citadel and the chapel decorated by Jean Cocteau are both worth a stop, and the harbor is one of the best swimming spots on the Riviera.
Cap Ferrat
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a small peninsula between Villefranche and Beaulieu, lined with grand villas, pine-shaded coastal paths, and quiet swimming coves. The standout attraction is the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a pink mansion surrounded by nine themed botanical gardens with sweeping views of the sea. Walking paths circle the cape itself and offer some of the best coastal hikes in the region.
Menton
Menton sits right at the Italian border and has a noticeably different feel than the rest of the Riviera, with strong Italian influences in its food and architecture. The Old Town is full of pastel-colored buildings, citrus trees, and the Cocteau Museum near the harbor. Menton hosts the Lemon Festival each February, a multi-week celebration with massive sculptures made entirely of citrus fruit.
Hilltop Villages Worth a Detour
Beyond the coast, the hills behind the Riviera are dotted with quaint towns and medieval villages that are worth a half-day trip from your yacht. They pair nicely with the gorgeous beaches along the shore and add a different layer to the charter experience, with most easy to reach by car from any major port.
Èze
Èze is a tiny medieval village perched on a cliff about 1,400 feet above the sea, between Nice and Monaco. The Exotic Garden at the top of the village is built into the ruins of an old castle and offers some of the most stunning panoramic views on the entire Riviera. A short drive or even a walk along the Nietzsche Path connects Èze to the coast at Èze-sur-Mer.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a hilltop village inland from Nice that has been a magnet for artists for nearly a century. Marc Chagall lived and is buried here, and Picasso, Matisse, and others spent time in the village. The Fondation Maeght, just outside the walls, is one of the most respected modern art museums in Europe. The village itself is surrounded by olive trees and cypress hillsides, with galleries, small restaurants, and stone streets that feel a world away from the coast.
Planning the Best Time for a French Riviera Yacht Charter
The French Riviera’s charter season generally runs from May through September. Here is a quick breakdown of the season:
- High season covers July and August, when the weather is warm, the beach clubs are full, and the harbors are at their busiest.
- May and September are often the sweet spot, with great weather, lighter crowds, and the region’s biggest events like the Cannes Film Festival, the Monaco Grand Prix, and the Monaco Yacht Show.
- October and early November can still be pleasant on the coast, with smaller crowds and a chance to enjoy the towns at a slower pace.
One of the Riviera’s biggest advantages is the short distances between stops. A typical itinerary might cover six or seven harbors in a week, with plenty of time for swimming, beach club afternoons, and the occasional day trip inland.
Chart Your French Riviera Adventure with Moran Yacht & Ship
The Côte d’Azur packs more variety into a short stretch of coast than almost anywhere else in the world. From the famous casino in Monaco to the beach clubs of Saint-Tropez to the quiet harbors of Villefranche and Cap Ferrat, the region rewards both first-time guests and longtime Mediterranean travelers.
At Moran Yacht & Ship, we have decades of experience matching clients with the right yachts and the right destinations. With an office in Monaco, our team is on the ground in the heart of the Riviera and works the coast every season. From securing berths in the busiest ports to timing trips around major events like the Grand Prix and the Monaco Yacht Show, we handle the logistics so you can focus on the experience.
Contact our team today to start planning your luxury yacht charter on the French Riviera!