Marinas on the Côte d’Azur

With its bays, harbours and numerous coves, the Côte d’Azur is a dream come true for sailors. Here, sailing enthusiasts can enjoy some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful marinas and moorings and seek out their own secret destinations. With its 33 marinas and magical scenery extending from Menton to Cassis, the Côte d’Azur is a must-visit spot for boat lovers. 

From Menton to Nice: a coast lined with famous marinas 

A number of well-known marinas are dotted along the coastline on the eastern side of the Riviera. The old port and port Garavan in Menton offer sheltered berths on either side of the Plage des Sablettes. Yachts and sailboats stand moored side by side in a typical Provençal setting.  

In Monaco, in September, some of the world’s most beautiful yachts gather at Port Hercule for the Monaco Yacht Show, a key event for boat enthusiasts. Next along you have the Alpes Maritimes’ golden triangle which alone boasts four renowned marinas: the port of Beaulieu-sur-mer facing Beaulieu’s natural harbour, Port des Fourmis, to the west, in the Bay of Fourmis, the port of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and, finally, the port of Villefranche-sur-mer, opposite Villefranche’s magnificent natural bay, which is a stop-off point for numerous cruise ships. 

Port Lympia, in Nice, just a stone’s throw from the Promenade des Anglais, has managed to retain its traditional charm with fishing boats moored opposite magnificent yachts and ferries off to Corsica. 

Antibes’ yachting harbour 

Port Vauban in Antibes is famous for its billionaires’ quay where you’ll spot some of the world’s most beautiful superyachts, moored at the entrance to the port, as if to greet arriving boats. Every year in June, the Voiles d’Antibes welcomes vintage and classic yachts, dating back to the late 19th century. But Antibes also features three other marinas including port de la Salis, next to Pointe Granille, east of the Cap d’Antibes headland, port Gallice and port du Croûton, facing Golfe Juan, to the west. 

Cannes’ ports in the Bay of Cannes 

Cannes, nestled in the Bay of Cannes, features some of the most beautiful ports in the Mediterranean including port Pointe-Croisette and port Canto, which look westwards towards the pointe Croisette peninsula, and the old port of Cannes with its traditional and charming atmosphere. This south-facing port borders the old town, at the end of La Croisette.  

Saint-Raphaël bay 

In and around the bay of Saint-Raphaël are 5 ports, all linked to Saint-Raphaël: the old port, Santa-Lucia, Boulouris, Agay and “les ancres à vis”; while port Fréjus, in the centre of Fréjus, opens onto the eastern side of the bay. 

Ports in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez 

The ports that line the Gulf of Saint-Tropez are some of the most beautiful in the world and are renowned for their luxury lifestyle and nightlife. The port of Port-Grimaud - Provence’s Venice - is located deep inside the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and features a maze of exceptional streets and seawater channels. Port-Cogolin, as you head down towards the sea, offers a lovely view of the gulf area. Finally, the famous port of Saint-Tropez, in the heart of the village, boasts more than 730 moorings and 2 basins extending over 9 hectares. It is a major stopover point in the Mediterranean and faces the port of Sainte-Maxime, on the other side of the Gulf. 

From Hyères to Cassis, along the Calanques (rocky inlets) 

A visit to Hyères is an absolute must as you continue westwards. It is exceptionally located on the Giens peninsula and its port - Saint Pierre - which has been European Blue Flag certified since 1989 provides moorings for more than 1,500 boats in a sheltered setting. The town also has 3 other ports: Ayguade, Capte and Auguier which exude a traditional Provençal charm. 

Cassis port is another must for visitors en route to Marseille. This small marina, in the heart of the town, facing the bay of Cassis, borders some of the coast’s most beautiful rocky inlets and offers 69 berths and some 30 mooring buoys in the pre-calanques zone.