3 good reasons to sail around the French Riviera

The French Riviera deserves it's fame...The Calanques, the islands of Hyères, the islands of Lerins,... look even better from the sea !

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Beautiful natural parks

There are no less than 15 natural parks in the French Riviera between land and sea. Nature lovers will have the opportunity to admire an amazing diversity in the wildlife. The park of Port-Cros, in the heart of the Golden Islands, is famous for its incredible marine life. If you get lucky, you can even meet some whales!

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Hidden pieces of paradise that you can reach only by the sea

The French Riviera can be a real crowd pleaser and that might not be what you want for your holidays. The good news is that there are still a lot of beautiful and well-preserved places… which you can reach only by boat. You’ve got yourself the perfect excuse to set sail to the islands of St Marguerite and St Honorat for example or the hidden coves of the famous Calanques.

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Sun, sun and sun!

This region of France seems to always have the best weather forecast. You can definitely go there any time of the year and find sunshine. The water warms up with the arrival of spring and is perfect for the first bath of the year. The sea is calm, which is perfect for those who are not used to sailing.

Our 5 advices for a navigation around the French Riviera

Experience 1 Enjoy local specialties

A slice of tapenade in your right hand, a glass of fresh rosé in the other, is not it the ideal aperitif under the sun of the south of France? There follows a famous pissaladière for lovers of anchovies or a traditional salad Nicoise. That the south is rich in culinary specialties! And yes, there is also the bouillabaisse or the iconic ratatouille. Finish your meal with a Saint Tropez pie if you are a pastry chef. Otherwise, the Côte d'Azur is home to glaciers. Ask yourself at Place Rossetti in Nice, to enjoy an ice cream from Fenocchio. With their 90 perfumes, the hardest will be to choose! The end note will go for a glass of pastis. And you know what they say: pastis in blue sea, pastis happy! Immerse yourself in the typical atmosphere of Provence by strolling through the local markets, filled with flavors of the south. In addition, it is a beautiful show that will awaken our senses: the view with colorful fruits & vegetables, the touch to choose the best food, the smell with the flavors that go up to our nostrils and the taste during nomadic tastings in the market aisles. A delight !


Experience 2 Outstanding among the most beautiful marine species

Sperm whale, whale, dolphin or octopus, the seabed is very rich Riviera. There are even some turtles that get lost! There is a maritime area dedicated to the protection of these species, the Pelagos Sanctuary. This attracts diving enthusiasts who hope to swim among these surprising marine creatures. Is not the Côte d'Azur the ideal destination for a dive? For example, dive off the coast of the Friuli archipelago on the wreck of the Junker 88. The national park of Cros is also a favorite place to indulge in this activity. If you are not yet ready to scuba dive, just snorkel and book some nice surprises in the area, especially in the Calanques.


Experience 3 Go against more or less unknown islands

We know that too little, the Côte d'Azur is full of islands. They are also the ideal destinations for sailing with their turquoise waters, less crowded beaches and the tranquility that reigns there. Off Marseille, head for the Frioul archipelago. It is a true dream place with its four islands with limestone coasts, coves with transparent water and its omnipresent nature. There are many walks to go, such as to reach the castle of If Island from which escaped Monte Cristo. Going east, you will enjoy the magnificent panorama offered by the creeks and the archipelago of Riou. These islands are only accessible by sailboat or catamaran, so you will have plenty of time to enjoy this beautiful little committee destination, away from the crowds on the coast. On the road to Saint Tropez, Ile Rousse & Bendor Island are two beautiful anchorages to enjoy the azure water and white sand, before joining the wild islands of Gaou. The next stop will take us to the Golden Islands, also known as the Hyères Islands. Porquerolles, Port Cros or the Levant are a haven for nature lovers. Then enjoy the beautiful panorama of the island of gold, this red rock uninhabited. Some islands are less known Azureennes than the mythical Golden Islands and yet are all beautiful. This is the case of the Lérins Islands, near the bay of Cannes. At Saint Honorat or Sainte Marguerite, a wooded universe bordered by creeks awaits you to disconnect.


Experience 4 Interfering in the specificities of the regions

Traveling in the Côte d'Azur also means enjoying the diversity of the region. There are indeed many differences between the cities of this coast. While Marseille is more popular, with the Provencal markets and the old harbor with undeniable charm, another part of the Côte d'Azur is more luxurious, like Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Nice. These cities are also very popular with tourists. If you love nature, head to Hyères. This city has kept its wild look that makes it unique on the Mediterranean coast. It offers the advantages of the city while having an omnipresent nature. Finally, our favorite goes to the city of Menton, which has a more Italian style. It is enough to walk in its alleys to admire this very singular architecture. There is nevertheless a common point in the South East of France: the charming medieval villages. Our favorites go without hesitation for the villages of Tourrettes, Mons, Seillans or Callian.


Experience 5 Sail along the coast, meeting the splendid panoramas

The azure nature is breathtaking, it's obvious. A great way to enjoy it is by sailing along the coast. Enjoy magnificent views while having the simplicity of being able to dive into the beautiful sea at any moment. By renting a sailboat with professional skipper, you will discover the jewelery of the Côte d'Azur from a new angle. Following the coast, you will love the view of the many capes: Cap d'Antibes, Cape Ferrat, Cap d'Ail, Cape Martin or Cape Dramont. We must not neglect the creeks, which offer a unique spectacle. Moreover, aboard the sailboat, you can discover secret places. Then, sail off the Golden Corniche to admire the beautiful red rocks that fall into the azure waters of the Mediterranean. It is a landscape that we do not see anywhere else!

What is the best time to cruise around the French Riviera ?

The French Riviera has a perfect climate for sailing from may to october. It is one of sunniest regions in France. It is a bliss to travel there on a sailboat. You can enjoy evenings on the deck with a amazing sunset and the next morning jump out of bed and dive into the turquoise water!

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Our opinions

You can happily go sail around the French Riviera! Still, you might want to check the weather forecast every day because of the possible Mistral or the wind from the East in which case you might want to postpone your navigation to the next day.

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