Sailing Holidays and Yacht Charter in France

If you fancy sailing in France, you’ve several areas to choose from. The Mediterranean options divide in to three cruising areas; The Gulf of Lion, the Cote d’Azur, (the French Riviera) and around the island of Corsica. Of these, the latter two are more popular for yacht charters.

For those seeking tidal sailing and happy with cooler climes, there are other choices. You can charter on the Atlantic coast, mainly around the south Brittany area, and on the north coast, in the English channel.

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Sailing Regions of France

If you fancy sailing in France, you’ve several areas to choose from. The Mediterranean options divide in to three cruising areas; The Gulf of Lion, the Cote d’Azur, (the French Riviera) and around the island of Corsica. Of these, the latter two are more popular for yacht charters.

Yacht Charter on the French Riviera

The French Riviera, (or to the French, the Côte d’Azur), on the southeast of France, needs no introduction. Renowned for its glitz and glamor, home to many celebrities, the French Riviera has become a synonym for luxury yacht charter. It is the perfect place for a sailing holiday if you want to indulge in luxury. However, in case you want to avoid ostentatious and over-priced destinations, or you are simply in the mood to explore less known and less crowded ports, we have a few recommendations. One of the hidden gems is definitely the city in bloom Bormes-les-Mimosas. There, you can stroll along charming medieval streets, admiring award-winning mimosa displays, as the name suggests.

Another seaside town popular with sailors is Port Grimaud, offering you peace and quiet, as well as the Venetian-style architecture to admire. There is also a charming fishing port of Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, favorite among water sports enthusiasts, especially scuba-divers, due to its rough coastline and steep inlets.

Yacht Charter in Corsica

The mountainous Corsica is truly a mixture of the French and Italian, but is still so unique in its dramatic and wild landscape, culture and cuisine. Chartering in Corsica will give you a perfect opportunity to explore this breathtaking French island located in the Mediterranean Sea. Start your luxury sailing holiday in a lively old port on the north of the island called Bastia, or in a charming town with a beautiful citadel - Calvi - in the northwest.

Cruise along the magnificent west coast, which offers you white sand beaches and famous hiking trails. In a bay surrounded by mountains you will find the capital city of Corsica and the birthplace of Napoléon Bonaparte – Ajaccio.

The southern part of the island is a dream destination for sailors, with its picturesque port and town on the limestone cliffs - Bonifacio. From Bonifacio, you can sail to Sardinia or visit the beautiful La Maddalena National Park. This part of the island is also popular for its beautiful beaches near Porto-Vecchio.

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France's Sailing Season

Both the French Riviera and Corsica have similar climates, with lighter winds in the morning but fresh and sometimes strong sea breezes in the afternoon, not unusually reaching F4-F5. Along the Cote d’Azur these winds are know as the Marin.

Requiring much more attention is the Mistral, which blows from the NW, down the Rhone valley and affects both sailing areas. Though less frequent in summer than in winter, this wind can appear suddenly at any time, and may last for several days, though it is less strong the further you head east along the Cote d’Azur. In addition to the Mistral, Corsica can also be affected by the Libeccio which blows from the SW, a blustery wind which may often reach F7 or more as it funnels around the top and bottom of the island.

So although for much of the time the sailing is fairly straightforward, you do need to have a plan prepared should conditions change. In between these blows, the weather is superb; not as overbearingly hot as say Turkey or Greece, with the afternoon breeze keeping things manageable, even if you’re having a stroll ashore or stopped for a swim.

Fortunately, should the wind pick up there are plenty of places to go. Along the Cote d’Azur, some of the anchorages are rather exposed but there are plenty of marinas, meaning it’s easy to cruise the coast in short hops. As you might expect given its reputation as the playground of the rich and famous, you can pay dearly for the pleasure of mooring up in places such as St Tropez or Monacco (especially if you pick Grand Prix weekend)! but there are many more modestly priced places, though you’re unlikely to pay much less than £40 a night in high season.

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To find out more, contact us via phone, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or using our charter enquiry form and we will reply to you the same business day.