Sailing on the French Riviera.
Charter a luxury yacht on the French Riviera and go sailing into St Tropez in style. A private yacht really is the best way to visit this beautiful stretch of Mediterranean coastline.
As a cruising ground, the French Riviera offers more contrasts than probably anywhere else in the world: unspoilt islands, rugged, rocky inlets and fine beaches sit shoulder to shoulder with the large cosmopolitan resorts of Cannes, Nice and Monte Carlo. And who could miss out St. Tropez with its famous clock tower, picturesque cobbled streets and a collection of designer boutiques to rival Bond Street! Here the ladies can - and do - get the sand between their toes whilst wearing their stilettos.
As well as all of the well known images that come to mind when the French Riviera is mentioned, there's another side to the coastline entirely down at the islands of Port Cros and Porquerolles. Here, people go to escape rather than to be seen. Port Cros covers not much more than a square mile and the tiny port could have been plucked from the French Caribbean with it's relaxed quayside and distinctive row of palm trees. A nature reserve since 1963, its completely undeveloped and offers some of the best snorkelling and diving on the coast, as well as pleasant walks along the many shaded trails that criss-cross the island.
It always helps to have a plan and the area you choose to cruise in is very much a matter of your own personal taste. We'll work with you to devise an itinerary that takes in the type of places you want to visit as well as the activities, such as water sports, that you'd like to try. Families with children often enjoy visiting the islands with their sandy beaches and small resorts, whereas those looking for nightlife and more sophistication enjoy the eastern end of the coast towards Monaco. Alternatively, after embarking on the Riviera, you could go to Corsica (an overnight sail away), or head off into Italy along the Ligurian coast to Portofino.
You could even combine sailing with a stay at the Château de Berne. Cruise along some of the highlights of the Riviera, then explore the secrets of winemaking and tasting deep in the Provencale countryside. Regular flight schedules into Nice make long weekends a real possibility and allow you to optimise the length of your holiday for the minimum office leave.
Example sailing itinerary:
Day 1. Board your yacht in the picturesque old town of Villefranche and enjoy lunch aboard before sailing to St. Jean Cap Ferrat in time to enjoy an afternoon swim.
Day 2. Sail beneath the towering cliffs of Eze to anchor for lunch at Mala Plage, a tiny beach tucked into the steep and rocky Cap d'Ail. Continue on to Monaco and explore the Grand Prix circuit or the famous Monte Carlo Casino.
Day 3. A longer sail from from Monaco to Juan les Pins, pausing for lunch at Cap Ferrat. Dinner ashore at the Belles Rives, a favourite haunt of Scott Fitzgerald!
Day 4. Sail over to the Isles de Lerins, a nature reserve. The prison where the legendary Man in the Iron Mask was held is located on one of the islands; the other is home to a monastery where the monks are renowned for their lavender liqueur. In the evening, head off to Cannes and explore the cobbled streets of the old town.
Day 5.Cruise along the coast to St. Tropez enjoying the dramatic red rocks of the Esterel and pausing for lunch in the Bay of Agay. Arrive in time for a little shopping in the glamorous boutiques or watch the world go by from one of the quayside cafes.
Day 6.After breakfast depart for the island of Port Cros, pausing for lunch at Cap Taillat with it's sandy beach and turquoise waters, well away from roads and hotels. Spend a romantic evening dining aboard in the tranquil bay of Port Man.
Day 7. A relaxing morning to explore the island and village of Port Cros before a short sail to anchor for lunch in the bay of Cavaliere back on the mainland. After lunch return to Port Grimaud in the Bay of St Tropez.
Day 8. Time to explore this Provencale 'Venice' with its network of canals and walkways, before disembarking at midday.
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Climate: The weather is warm and sunny throughout the summer, the hottest and dryest months being July and August with daytime temperatures of 28-35°C. May and June are slightly cooler and the nights are distinctly fresher, with the same being true of September and October. A sweater may be needed in the evenings at these times. The seas are generally calm with light winds, although the Mistral can blow in the Var (west of Cannes).