French Riviera Yacht Charter
Crewed superyachts and yachts from Monaco, Cannes and St Tropez. Superyachts from €250,000 a week, crewed yachts from €15,000, plus 20% VAT. Broker-led since 1992.
Reviewed by Adrian Sneed, Charter Broker at Sneed Charters — a family brokerage arranging crewed yacht charters in the Mediterranean since 1992.
A crewed superyacht on the French Riviera costs from about €250,000 to €500,000 and beyond a week, and a crewed catamaran starts at about €15,000, plus an APA of 25–35% (a refundable float for fuel, food and berths) and 20% French VAT. Most weeks run between Monaco, Cannes and St Tropez in legs under 30 nautical miles, so the days are spent ashore and at anchor, not under way. May to September is the season; June and September are the weeks to want. Monaco Grand Prix and Cannes Film Festival weeks are sold as event packages, not ordinary weeks, and need booking 8–12 months ahead.
Chartering a superyacht on the Riviera
A superyacht week here runs from about €250,000 to €500,000 and beyond, before an APA of 25–35% and 20% French VAT. Three things shape it, whichever yacht you choose.
- Twelve guests, whatever her length
- Almost every charter yacht is limited to twelve guests overnight. It is a regulatory limit, not a comfort one, so a larger yacht adds space and crew rather than places for more guests.
- The berth is the scarce part
- In Grand Prix week 2026, around 106 yachts berthed in Port Hercule and roughly 180 more lay at anchor along the coast. The port’s 2026 brochure put a 50–59 m yacht’s berth at about €110,135 for the week. In Cannes during the festival, yachts above about 50 m anchor in the bay and tender in.
- The contract has blanks
- The MYBA agreement leaves the APA and the payment split to be completed, and has no gratuity clause at all. Your broker settles those with the owner’s side before you sign.
Where to charter on the French Riviera
The Riviera is the Mediterranean’s shore programme: restaurants, beach clubs and old towns a short hop apart. Choose it when the shore is the point. If your group wants long days under sail, Greece or Croatia will suit you better, and cost less in VAT.
Four cruising grounds at a glance
FontvieilleMonaco and Cap Ferrat
Best monthsJun, Sep
Port Hercule, Monte Carlo and the sheltered bays of Villefranche and Beaulieu, all within about 6 nm.
Cap d’AntibesAntibes, Cannes and the Lérins Islands
Best monthsJun, Sep
Antibes’ old town, the Croisette, and a night at anchor between Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat.
St TropezSt Tropez and Pampelonne
Best monthsJun, Sep
Lunch at anchor off Pampelonne beach, the old port at night. About 27 nm from Cannes, past the red rock of the Esterel.
PortofinoAcross the border: the Italian Riviera
Best monthsJun, Sep
San Remo, Portofino and the Cinque Terre. Add a second week, or start in Italy.
“Best months” is our own recommendation, not an industry standard.
The trade-off worth saying out loud: the Riviera has the best food and the least sailing in the Mediterranean. On a €250,000 superyacht week, starting here rather than in Croatia adds about €17,500 in VAT — 20% against 13%. That is worth paying when the restaurants and the events are why you are going. See how it compares in our Mediterranean yacht charter guide.
When to charter on the Riviera
Any week from May to September works. We would pick June or September: the same settled weather as August, quieter harbours and shoulder rates. July and August are the warmest months and the busiest, so book berths early. The mistral, the strong north-westerly, mainly blows west of the Riviera, in the Gulf of Lion.
| Month | Air, average high | Sea, about | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 21.0°C | 17°C | Shoulder |
| June | 24.7°C | 20°C | Shoulder |
| July | 27.5°C | 23°C | Peak |
| August | 27.9°C | 24°C | Peak |
| September | 24.8°C | 22°C | Shoulder |
| October | 21.0°C | 19.5°C | Late |
Two sample itineraries: one week or two
Pick the length that fits your trip. Both run one way, so each carries a delivery fee for the yacht’s return, which we quote before you sign. Your captain sets the final route on the forecast.
7-day itinerary: Monaco to St Tropez
About 55 nautical miles in all, and no leg longer than 27, so every afternoon is free for the shore.
- Day 1
Board in Monaco
Board at Port Hercule in the afternoon. Casino Square is a short walk up from the quay; dinner aboard or in Monte Carlo.
- Day 2
Monaco to Villefranche
About 6 nm to a sheltered bay below the old town. Walk the Cap Ferrat coastal path or visit Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.
- Day 3
Villefranche to Antibes
About 12 nm. Antibes’ old town and the Picasso Museum in the Château Grimaldi, then lunch on Cap d’Antibes.
- Day 4
Antibes to the Lérins Islands
About 6 nm to a night at anchor between Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, where the monks of Lérins Abbey make wine. The crew anchors on sand or a buoy, clear of the protected seagrass.
- Day 5
Lérins to Cannes
A 3 nm hop. An afternoon on the Croisette, dinner in the old Suquet quarter.
- Day 6
Cannes to Pampelonne and St Tropez
About 27 nm along the red rock of the Esterel. Lunch at anchor off Pampelonne beach, then the old port of St Tropez for the evening.
- Day 7
Ashore in St Tropez
Breakfast aboard and ashore by midday. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, the market on the Place des Lices.
14-day itinerary: St Tropez to Portofino
Two weeks lets you do the whole French Riviera and the best of the Italian one: about 240 nautical miles, St Tropez to Genoa. The second week has the longer legs. Boarding in France fixes French VAT at 20% for the whole charter.
| Day | Leg | About |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Board in St Tropez, swim off Pampelonne | — |
| 2 | St Tropez to Cannes, along the Esterel | 27 nm |
| 3 | Cannes to the Lérins Islands, night at anchor | 3 nm |
| 4 | Lérins to Antibes | 6 nm |
| 5 | Antibes to Villefranche | 12 nm |
| 6 | Villefranche to Monaco | 6 nm |
| 7 | Monaco: Monte Carlo, and Èze village above | — |
| 8 | Monaco to San Remo, into Italy | 18 nm |
| 9 | San Remo to Alassio | 24 nm |
| 10 | Alassio to Portofino, the long day (about 4½ hours at 12 knots) | 55 nm |
| 11 | Portofino: San Fruttuoso by tender, Santa Margherita | — |
| 12 | Portofino to Portovenere | 36 nm |
| 13 | The Cinque Terre villages by tender | — |
| 14 | Portovenere to Genoa, ashore | 52 nm |
For Italy on its own, see our Italy yacht charter guide.
Want this route planned around your dates and the yacht you have in mind?
Your broker builds the route around your party, the yacht and the forecast for that week.
Plan my weekWhat a Riviera charter costs, and what VAT adds
A crewed superyacht on the Riviera runs from about €250,000 to €500,000 and beyond a week; at the other end, a crewed catamaran starts at about €15,000. Rates are quoted on MYBA terms, the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association contract that is the industry standard for crewed charter. On top comes an APA of 25–35%, the Advance Provisioning Allowance: a float the captain spends on your fuel, food and berths and reconciles with receipts. France then adds 20% VAT on the fee.
| Yacht | Weekly rate | With 20% VAT | Where it suits the Riviera |
|---|---|---|---|
 CannesUltra-luxurySuperyacht130 ft and above · 10–12 guests | €250,000–€500,000+ | €300,000–€600,000+ | Full crew, tenders and toys. Event-week berths decide availability.Get My ShortlistSearch our fleetSuperyacht charter guide |
 NiceRiviera classicMotor yacht75–130 ft · 8–12 guests | €60,000–€250,000 | €72,000–€300,000 | The usual Riviera choice: Monaco to St Tropez becomes an afternoon.Get My ShortlistSearch our fleetMotor yacht charters |
 MonacoUnder sailSailing yacht75–150 ft · 6–12 guests | €30,000–€250,000 | €36,000–€300,000 | For a party that wants to sail; the legs are short.Get My ShortlistSearch our fleetSailing yacht charters |
 La RochelleStable at anchorCrewed catamaran45–75 ft · 6–10 guests | €15,000–€60,000 | €18,000–€72,000 | Stable at anchor off Pampelonne and the Lérins; fewer on the Riviera than in Greece or Croatia.Get My ShortlistSearch our fleetCatamaran charters |
Want to see real yachts in these bands? Browse our fleet, or ask for a shortlist of yachts free on your dates.
French VAT on a crewed charter is 20%, charged on the fee when the week starts in France. Only the documented portion of the week spent outside EU waters is relieved; the old flat-rate reduction ended in November 2020. On a €250,000 superyacht week that is €50,000, against €32,500 for the same yacht boarding in Croatia or Greece.
What a superyacht week actually costs, all in
A €250,000 superyacht charter fee is not what leaves your account. Add an APA of 25–35% and 20% VAT on the fee, and the realistic total is €362,500 to €387,500 — roughly 45 to 55% above the headline. A crew gratuity of 10–15% is customary and sits on top.
| Line | Low case | High case |
|---|---|---|
| Charter fee | €250,000 | €250,000 |
| APA at 25–35% | €62,500 | €87,500 |
| French charter VAT at 20% | €50,000 | €50,000 |
| All in | €362,500 | €387,500 |
The same arithmetic on a €60,000 motor yacht gives €87,000 to €93,000. The APA is a float, not a fee: whatever is unspent comes back to you. See our full guide to yacht charter costs.
What is included, and what is not
The charter fee buys the yacht, her crew and her insurance. Everything you consume aboard runs through the APA, and French VAT sits on the fee. On MYBA terms that split is standard.
In the charter fee
- The yacht and her tenders
- Full crew: captain, chef, deck, interior
- Insurance and running maintenance
- Water toys aboard
Billed through the APA
- Fuel for the yacht and tenders
- All food and drink, provisioned to your tastes and allergies
- Berths, moorings and port fees
- Communications, laundry, deliveries
Extra, on top of both
- French charter VAT at 20%, on the fee
- Crew gratuity, 10–15% customary, your choice
- Delivery fee, if one way
- Flights, transfers and trip-cancellation cover
In Monaco and St Tropez in July and August, berths are the APA line that moves the most.
Want this worked out for a real yacht and your dates?
Your broker replies within one business day with yachts that are actually free for your week, priced with APA and VAT included. No fee to you.
Get My ShortlistCannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix weeks
Two weeks a year, the Riviera stops being an ordinary charter. The yacht becomes a private stand or a hosting venue, and it is priced as an event package rather than a normal week. Both need booking 8–12 months ahead.
Monaco Grand Prix
4–6 June 2027
The 2027 race weekend is 4–6 June, Monaco's first sprint weekend. Grand Prix charters are usually sold with a minimum of 4–5 days, Wednesday to Sunday, priced as a package and not as a week divided by seven; the berth is often billed on top. Port Hercule has about 700 berths and they go months ahead, and yachts cannot leave the harbour during the race. If you want to cruise as well, add days after Sunday.
Cannes Film Festival
11–22 May 2027
The 80th festival runs 11–22 May 2027. Most groups take the full 12 nights or one of its two weeks. The prized berths are stern-to on the Jetée Albert Edouard in the Vieux Port, facing the Palais, for yachts up to about 50 m; larger yachts anchor in the Baie de Cannes and tender in. Festival rates carry a premium, though less than Grand Prix week.
Both suit corporate hosting — see event yacht charters and corporate yacht charter. We are NDA-friendly.
Where your week starts
Most Riviera charters board in Monaco, Antibes, Cannes or St Tropez, and nearly everyone flies into Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE). Cannes' Palais des Festivals is 27 km from the airport; Monaco is about 15 miles. Boarding in France fixes 20% VAT for the whole charter, and a yacht repositioned for you carries a delivery fee.
Your brokers
You get a named broker, not a call centre. The same person takes your first message, negotiates the contract and is reachable while you are aboard.
Hansel Sneed
Founder & Charter Broker
Hansel founded Sneed Charters in 1992 and has been placing crewed charters for more than thirty years.
Adrian Sneed
Charter Broker
Adrian reviewed the rates, taxes and event details published on this page, and he is the person who will answer when you send your dates.
Get a shortlist for your dates
Tell us the week, where on the Riviera and how many are aboard. Your broker replies within one business day with yachts that are genuinely free for those dates, priced with APA and VAT included. No fee to you — the yacht's owner pays our commission.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 1-561-463-6840 or message us on WhatsApp. We're NDA-friendly and your details go no further.
French Riviera yacht charter FAQs
How much does it cost to charter a yacht on the French Riviera for a week?
From about €250,000 to €500,000 and beyond for a superyacht, and from about €15,000 for a crewed catamaran, before extras. Add an APA of 25–35% for fuel, food and berths, 20% French VAT on the fee and a discretionary crew gratuity of 10–15%. A €250,000 superyacht week lands at roughly €362,500–€387,500 before the tip; a €60,000 week at €87,000–€93,000.
How much VAT do I pay on a yacht charter in the South of France?
20% on the charter fee when the week starts in France. Only the documented part of the week spent outside EU waters is relieved; the old flat-rate reduction ended in November 2020. On a €250,000 superyacht week that is €50,000, about €17,500 more than the same yacht boarding in Croatia or Greece.
Can I charter a crewed yacht from Monaco to St Tropez?
Yes. It is the classic one-way Riviera week: about 55 nautical miles in seven days, via Villefranche, Antibes, the Lérins Islands and Cannes, with no leg longer than 27 miles. One-way weeks usually carry a delivery fee for the yacht’s return, which we quote before you sign.
Can we sail from the French Riviera to Portofino in two weeks?
Yes. Two weeks covers St Tropez to Monaco, then San Remo, Alassio, Portofino and the Cinque Terre, finishing in Genoa: about 240 nautical miles, one way. The longest leg, Alassio to Portofino, is about 55 miles. Boarding in France fixes French VAT for the charter, and the one-way finish carries a delivery fee.
How far ahead should I book a yacht for the Cannes Film Festival or Monaco Grand Prix?
Eight to twelve months. Port Hercule’s berths go months ahead for the Grand Prix, which in 2027 runs 4–6 June with a usual 4–5 day minimum. The Cannes Film Festival runs 11–22 May 2027, and the Vieux Port berths facing the Palais are the first to go.
Do I pay a fee to use a charter broker?
No. The yacht’s owner pays our commission, and the charter rate is the same whether you book through us or direct. You get a named broker who sends a shortlist of yachts actually free for your dates, priced with APA and VAT, and who stays reachable while you are aboard.
Sources
Checked October 2026.