Cannes is the world capital of event yacht charters. No other city on the French Riviera concentrates as many major international events in a single season — from the Cannes Film Festival in May to MIPCOM in October, Cannes is occupied every week by an international HNWI clientele seeking to combine the professional requirements of congresses with the freedom of a private superyacht.
This guide covers everything you need to know to organize your yacht charter in Cannes — prices by yacht and event, the full calendar, the best anchorages, and what distinguishes a Cannes charter from all others.
International Yachts Charter and Brokerage XXIII has been operating in Cannes for over 20 years. Our team knows every berth, every harbor master, every restaurant worth the detour, and every event around which to plan the perfect itinerary.
Why Cannes is the Premier Event Charter Destination
Event Density — Unique in the World
No city in the world concentrates as many prestigious international events in such a short season. From March to October, Cannes successively hosts the world’s largest gatherings for cinema, advertising, technology, yachting, and audiovisual media.
For yacht charters, this event density creates a unique opportunity — each week can be built around a specific event, with a yacht becoming the base of operations, the representation space, and the private grandstand simultaneously.
Geography — At the Heart of the Riviera
Cannes is positioned at the geographical heart of the French Riviera — equidistant from Monaco (45 minutes at 25 knots) and Saint-Tropez (1h30 at 25 knots). A charter based in Cannes allows you to cover the entire Riviera in a week effortlessly.
The Bay of Cannes is also one of the most beautiful in the entire Mediterranean — the Lérins Islands are 10 minutes from the port, the Estérel coastline is visible from the deck, and the Croisette is illuminated at night — a natural setting that makes every moment on board exceptional.
Infrastructure — The Best on the Riviera
The Port of Cannes — Vieux Port and Port Canto — offers world-class infrastructure for superyachts. Bunkering, technical repairs, quality provisioning, secure marinas — everything a superyacht needs is available in Cannes.
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport — a 30-minute drive away — is served by over 100 airlines from around the world. The Cannes heliport — 5 minutes from the port — allows for direct transfers from Monaco, Nice, and the main hotels on the Riviera.
The Cannes Event Calendar — Week by Week
Cannes Film Festival — May 12 to 23, 2026
The Cannes Film Festival is the most publicized event of the Mediterranean season — and one of the most requested for superyacht charters. For 12 days, the Bay of Cannes fills with the world’s most beautiful superyachts, the Croisette becomes the center of the global film industry, and Cannes nights reach a unique intensity.
What you experience from a yacht during the Festival:
From an anchorage in the Bay of Cannes or a berth in the Vieux Port, the Festival is experienced from the best possible position — a direct view of the Croisette, the ability to reach the red carpet in 10 minutes by tender, and private parties that can be organized on board with a fully controlled guest list.
For film industry professionals — producers, distributors, financiers, agents — a yacht during the Festival is the most effective business tool available. Meetings on board offer a level of confidentiality and a setting that the crowded hotels and restaurants of the Croisette cannot match.
The most requested weeks:
Semaine 1 : 12 au 18 mai — montée en puissance
Semaine 2 : 19 au 23 mai — palmarès et clôtureOur recommendation: ANNAMIA — 43 meters, reception capacity for up to 30 people for cocktails, panoramic flybridge overlooking the Bay. The Baglietto silhouette in the Bay of Cannes during the Festival is an iconic image in itself.
Monaco Grand Prix — June 4 to 7, 2026
A 45-minute sail from Cannes, the Monaco Grand Prix is often combined with a Cannes-based charter. The most requested formula — a one-week charter with Cannes as the main base and transit to Monaco for the race days.
Cannes Lions — June 22 to 26, 2026
The Cannes Lions — International Festival of Creativity — is the most important corporate event on the Cannes calendar. 40,000 advertising, marketing, and media professionals converge on Cannes for 5 days.
Why a yacht is the ultimate corporate tool during Cannes Lions:
Agencies, advertisers, and digital platforms that charter a superyacht during Cannes Lions benefit from an absolutely unique networking space — a reception on board facing the Croisette, with views of the Bay and gourmet service, is impossible to replicate in any conference room or restaurant.
Brands that invest in this format consistently report engagement and recall rates from their clients that are infinitely superior to land-based events.
Our recommendation: RILASSATA — 49.8 meters, reception capacity for up to 40 people for cocktails, beach club, pool on the flybridge. The most impressive unit available for exceptional corporate hospitality.
Datacloud Global Congress
The Datacloud Global Congress brings together global decision-makers in digital infrastructure — data centers, cloud, artificial intelligence, and tech investors. A tech HNWI clientele representing one of the highest concentrations of purchasing power in the world of professional events.
Cannes Yachting Festival — September 8 to 13, 2026
The Cannes Yachting Festival — Europe’s leading in-water boat show — marks the start of the autumn season. 700 yachts, 55,000 visitors, 600 international exhibitors.
For our clients, the Yachting Festival is a double opportunity — a one-week charter with a visit to the show and sea trials on new builds, or a connecting charter between the Festival (September 8-13) and the Monaco Yacht Show (September 23-26).
The ideal 3-week itinerary:
8-13 sept → Cannes Yachting Festival
13-23 sept → Navigation Sardaigne ou Italie
23-26 sept → Monaco Yacht ShowMIPCOM — October 12 to 15, 2026
The MIPCOM is the world’s largest market for audiovisual content — 12,000 delegates from studios, streamers, and distributors from 110 countries. A charter during MIPCOM offers the most competitive rates of the entire Cannes season — low season, comfortable availability, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Yacht Charter Prices in Cannes
Rates by Yacht — Low and High Season
| Yacht | LOA | Passengers | Low season | High season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABELY | 33 m | 8 | €28,000/wk | €35,000/wk |
| BASILIC | 30 m | 12 | €120,000/wk | €145,000/wk |
| RAY | 32 m | 8 | €90,000/wk | €120,000/wk |
| ASCENSION | 37 m | 10 | €100,000/wk | €125,000/wk |
| ANNAMIA | 43 m | 12 | €120,000/wk | €145,000/wk |
| RILASSATA | 49.8 m | 12 | €210,000/wk | €385,000/wk |
Low season: May-June (excluding Festival and Lions weeks) · September-October High season: July-August
Event Surcharges in Cannes
Event weeks generate upward price pressure on the best units:
| Event | Estimated surcharge | Recommended booking lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Cannes Film Festival | +20 to +40% | 4 to 6 months |
| Cannes Lions | +15 to +30% | 3 to 4 months |
| Yachting Festival | +10 to +20% | 2 to 3 months |
| MIPCOM | Low-season rate | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Datacloud | +10 to +20% | 2 to 3 months |
APA in Cannes — What You Should Plan For
The APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) in Cannes is estimated between 25% and 30% of the base rate. The main items include:
Port fees: The Vieux Port and Port Canto apply variable rates depending on size and season. During the Festival and major events, port fees can reach €800 to €1,500/day for 40 to 50-meter units.
Fuel: Variable depending on the itinerary. A charter that remains mainly in the Bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands consumes little. A charter covering Monaco, Saint-Tropez, and Antibes in one week consumes significantly more.
Provisions: The Forville market in Cannes — open every morning — is one of the best markets on the Riviera for fresh produce. Our chef sources locally every morning for the menus on board.
All-Inclusive Budget — Concrete Examples
Example 1 — ASCENSION during the Cannes Film Festival
Tarif de base majoré Festival : ~130 000€
APA (28%) : 36 400€
Dépôt de garantie : 20 000€ ← restitué
─────────────────────────────────────────
Total à provisionner : 186 400€
Coût par personne (10 guests) : 16 640€/semaine
= 2 377€/nuit/personneExample 2 — ANNAMIA during Cannes Lions
Tarif de base majoré Lions : ~155 000€
APA (28%) : 43 400€
Dépôt de garantie : 25 000€ ← restitué
─────────────────────────────────────────
Total à provisionner : 223 400€
Coût par personne (12 guests) : 16 533€/semaineExample 3 — RILASSATA outside of events (low season)
Tarif de base basse saison : 210 000€
APA (28%) : 58 800€
Dépôt de garantie : 50 000€ ← restitué
─────────────────────────────────────────
Total à provisionner : 318 800€
Coût par personne (12 guests) : 22 400€/semaineThe Best Anchorages around Cannes
The Lérins Islands — The Must-See Anchorage
The Lérins Islands — Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat — are a 10-minute sail from the Bay of Cannes. These two protected islands offer crystal-clear waters over Posidonia meadows, Mediterranean pine forests right to the water’s edge, and absolute tranquility — no cars, no summer crowds, no roads.
Sainte-Marguerite — the larger of the two islands, houses the fortress where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned. Its white pebble beaches and transparent waters are accessible by tender in 10 minutes from the anchorage.
Saint-Honorat — smaller and more private, Saint-Honorat Island is inhabited by a community of Cistercian monks who produce one of the most original wines in the Mediterranean — a white and red Cuvée Saint-Honorat grown on vineyard plots among the pines. Our chef consistently brings a few bottles of this wine for dinners on board at the Lérins anchorage.
Anchorage position: The northern bay of Sainte-Marguerite offers the best shelter from the Mistral. The southern bay — more exposed — is preferable in calm weather and offers a direct view of the Cannes coastline.
Cap d’Antibes — The Connoisseur’s Anchorage
Cap d’Antibes is the most protected anchorage on the western Riviera — the cape itself acts as a barrier to the Mistral that regularly blows from the northwest. The Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc overlooks the cape from its terraced gardens — one of the most famous images of the French Riviera.
Cap d’Antibes is an exceptional residential peninsula — private villas hidden in the vegetation, French-style gardens, absolute calm. The anchorage facing the cape is a favorite for owners who want to combine proximity to Cannes with tranquility.
The Bay of Cannes — The Representation Anchorage
Anchoring in the Bay of Cannes during major events — Festival, Lions, Yachting Festival — means occupying the best seat in the house. The Croisette is visible from the deck, the tender reaches the port in 10 minutes, and the spectacle of other superyachts in the Bay is incomparable.
The Bay of Cannes is open to southern and eastern sector winds — in the event of a Sirocco or southern wind, the anchorage can become uncomfortable. Our captain monitors weather forecasts and repositions the yacht if necessary toward the Lérins or Cap d’Antibes.
The Estérel Coastline — The Wild Anchorage
A 20-minute sail east of Cannes, the Estérel coastline offers the most dramatic coastal landscapes on the entire Riviera — red porphyry cliffs plunging into a deep blue sea, coves accessible only by sea, and untouched Mediterranean scrub vegetation.
These coves — the Calanque du Petit Caneiret, the Crique de la Salis, the surroundings of the Île d’Or — are the most private anchorages accessible from Cannes. No land path leads there. No tourist infrastructure. Just the sea, the red rocks, and silence.
Excursions from Cannes
Antibes and the Picasso Museum
Antibes — a 15-minute sail from Cannes — concentrates within its 16th-century ramparts the Picasso Museum (in the Château Grimaldi where Picasso resided in 1946), the Provençal market in Place Nationale, and the narrow streets of Old Antibes.
Port Vauban in Antibes is one of the largest marinas in the Mediterranean — the world’s largest superyachts winter there every year. A dinner in Antibes after a day at the Lérins is one of our clients’ favorite combinations.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence from Cannes
Saint-Paul-de-Vence — the medieval village perched above the coast between Cannes and Nice — is accessible by car from the port in 35 minutes. The Fondation Maeght — one of the most important modern art collections in Europe (Miró, Giacometti, Chagall, Braque) — is worth a half-day visit.
Our chief steward organizes transfers and reservations at the Colombe d’Or — the legendary hotel-restaurant where Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall left artworks as payment for their stay.
Monaco from Cannes
Monaco is a 45-minute sail from Cannes with ASCENSION at 25 knots. The day trip to Monaco from a Cannes base is the most requested in our program — Casino, Prince’s Palace, Louis XV restaurant, shopping in La Condamine.
Saint-Tropez from Cannes
Saint-Tropez is 1h30 from Cannes with ASCENSION. The Cannes-Monaco-Saint-Tropez itinerary in one week is the most requested in our catalog — the three most iconic addresses on the Riviera in 7 days.
Cannes Gastronomy — What Our Chef Prepares
The Markets of Cannes
The Forville Market — open every morning except Monday — is the most well-stocked fresh produce market in Cannes. Our chef visits every morning during Cannes-based charters — Provence vegetables, local catch of the day, regional cheeses, flowers, and aromatic herbs. This is the basis of the authentic Provençal cuisine our chef prepares on board.
The La Bocca Market — further from the port but more accessible — offers the best socca and panisse in Cannes, Nice specialties, and a selection of Provence wines in bulk.
Must-Visit Restaurants
For dinners ashore, our chief steward reserves the best tables in Cannes ahead of the charter:
La Palme d’Or — two-star Michelin restaurant at the Hôtel Martinez. The reference table in Cannes since 1982 — contemporary Provençal cuisine, impeccable service, view of the Bay.
Mantel — starred table in Old Antibes. Daily market cuisine by Noël Mantel — one of the most respected chefs on the Riviera.
La Mère Besson — a Cannes institution since 1936. Authentic family Provençal cuisine — pistou soup, Niçoise stew, socca. The address that locals recommend to their guests.
Our Recommendations by Profile
For a Corporate Event Charter
Recommended yacht: RILASSATA or ANNAMIA Formula: Full week with a program of receptions on board Events: Cannes Film Festival · Cannes Lions · Datacloud
A 40 to 50-meter superyacht during an event week — with a bespoke gastronomic program, coordinated access to land-based events, and representation service on board — is the marketing investment with the highest return on investment available in Cannes.
For a Family Discovery Charter
Recommended yacht: ASCENSION or ABELY Formula: Non-event week in low season — May or September Itinerary: Cannes · Lérins · Cap d’Antibes · Monaco · Saint-Tropez
The Riviera outside of events in May or September is the best version of the Côte d’Azur — exceptional light, reduced crowds, already warm water, and low season rates.
For a Couple’s Charter or Anniversary
Recommended yacht: BASILIC — the Riva 100 Corsaro is the most romantic yacht in our fleet Formula: 3-5 day week charter in low season Highlights: Dinner at the Lérins at sunset · Marriage proposal facing Cap d’Antibes
Frequently Asked Questions about Chartering in Cannes
When is the best time to charter in Cannes without an event? May and September are the two best periods for a yacht charter in Cannes outside of events — water at 20-24°C, exceptional light, Lérins Islands accessible without the crowds, and low season rates on all our yachts.
Can you combine a Cannes charter with the Monaco Grand Prix? Absolutely — it is one of the most requested combinations. A one-week charter based in Cannes with transit to Monaco for the 2-3 days of the Grand Prix. Our captain plans the itinerary according to the F1 schedule.
How far in advance should I book for the Cannes Film Festival? 4 to 6 months minimum for the best units. Book well in advance — demand is very high during this period.
Can we organize a professional reception on board during Cannes Lions? Yes — it is our most requested formula during Cannes Lions. Our chief steward manages all logistics — catering, service, decoration, invitations. For a reception of 20 to 40 people, RILASSATA is the ideal unit.
What is the minimum duration for a charter in Cannes? The MYBA standard is one week — 7 nights. Outside of event weeks, some owners accept charters of 3 to 5 days. Contact our team for options available according to your dates.
Can yachts berth directly in the Bay of Cannes during the Festival? Superyachts of our size berth at the Vieux Port or Port Canto — or anchor in the Bay of Cannes during the Festival. Our team coordinates berthing requests in advance and manages the necessary permits.
Booking Your Cannes Charter
Our team responds to any Cannes charter request within 48 hours — availability, exact weekly rate, APA estimate according to your itinerary, and gastronomic brief.
View our entire fleet → See the Cannes event calendar → See all our events →
