Sail Along the Côte d’Azur – Sailing Holiday with sailwithus

Learn more about crewed sailing in France

Arrival and departure

Your France sailing trip usually starts in Toulon or Marseille. Ideally, plan to arrive at the harbor on Saturday between 2 and 4 p.m., although arriving a bit later is also possible. A WhatsApp group will be created beforehand to coordinate with your fellow sailors.
If you’re arriving by car, you can park for free at the marina—very close to our yacht’s berth. Alternatively, there is a guarded parking lot about 4 kilometers from the harbor. The nearest airports are Nice or Marseille. After landing, you can continue to Toulon by rental car or train. Detailed harbor information will be sent to you a few days before your trip begins.

Your yacht will return to the home port on Friday between 3 and 6 p.m. Ideally, plan your departure for the following day, as Friday evening is reserved for a final get-together to wind down the trip. The yacht must be vacated by 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Friends of France and Nature Lovers

Partygoers and nostalgics, sailing beginners and experienced sailors alike—crew sailing in France is the perfect holiday for all young people right in the heart of the Côte d’Azur. Celebrities and film legends return time and again to this dreamlike stretch of the Mediterranean. Jet-set metropolises like St. Tropez and Cannes alternate with romantic coves and pearl-white sandy beaches. At the small market squares of the harbor towns, you’ll encounter seasoned boules players, buy fresh fish, and enjoy relaxed hours with good French wine in cozy bistros.

The unique French way of life, known as savoir-vivre, quickly creates a wonderful feeling: people truly savor the day. Now you know where the saying “living like God in France” comes from! As you can see, the opportunities for a great and relaxed active holiday are plentiful. So, ready to decide where to travel for your next vacation? Of course—sailing in France!

What makes sailing in France so special?

Whether you’re planning a trip in your home country Germany—say along the North Sea or Baltic Sea—or in Greece, the land of ancient heroes and gods, or Croatia with its island-rich coast—each of these regions is famous for something special. And who would have thought: not only is pétanque a national sport in France (especially in the south), but sailing on a yacht is too! Sailing and France go hand in hand. Those who win regattas like the Vendée Globe enjoy a hero status similar to that of Franz Beckenbauer or Boris Becker in Germany. Moreover, France offers excellent conditions for sailors: 5,000 kilometers of coastline plus countless inland lakes and islands provide sailing grounds for every skill level—whether you have experience or not, or if you sail with a skipper like a pro. The harbors also boast first-class infrastructure. Boaters appreciate the ramps, slipways, and ample equipment services.

French Sailing Areas in the Mediterranean

Most yachts anchor in ports along the southern coast of Brittany, stretching from the Atlantic to Spain. Sailing here is one of the greatest pleasures, thanks to the constant west winds and mild weather that lasts into September and October. As you sail along the coast, the view of the hinterland is sure to captivate you—it’s a unique panorama! Sailing in southern France will sooner or later lead you to the grand yachts moored in the harbors of Saint-Tropez, Cannes, or Nice. Continuing along the southern French coast, you’ll encounter Corsica. This island, with its many surrounding smaller islands, offers a very challenging sailing experience. Speaking of Corsica, a catamaran tour here is truly special and worth setting aside some extra money for. Sailing along Corsica’s southern coast will undoubtedly be a dream experience. When chartering with a skipper around Corsica, you’ll enjoy unforgettable trips and days along the coast near Bonifacio and the Lavezzi Islands.

From the Côte d’Azur on the Riviera to Monaco

Even the names sound like music to the ears: Côte d’Azur, Saint-Tropez, then Nice or Monaco. A sailing holiday along the Côte d’Azur means discovering a highlight every few nautical miles. Deep blue seas and stops at these world-famous destinations. In the marinas, beautiful sailing yachts lie side by side. But can ordinary people really step ashore with a yacht charter here during the French high season—from June to August—or is it better from September to May? The answer is: Of course you can—you must! Because this sailing area poses no challenges for crewed sailing with a skipper, as there are no strong currents or tides and plenty of navigational aids. For beginners, the short distances between closely spaced harbors are ideal. Cost-wise, the region is no more expensive than other parts of the western Mediterranean like Sardinia or the Balearics. Both on water and on land, sailors get their money’s worth: Although the Côte d’Azur coastline is considered glamorous, summer is the perfect time to explore France’s cuisine and the region’s wines here.

A Quick Detour to Porquerolles

Among the “Îles d’Hyères,” located just off the town of Hyères on the Côte d’Azur, Porquerolles is the main island. It’s one of our top recommendations due to its uniqueness: only about 340 people live today on this former pirate island. For this reason alone, the island is a perfect excursion destination for families with children. Porquerolles on the Côte d’Azur is just two kilometers wide and nearly eight kilometers long—a kind of large adventure playground. In short: during the week of your sailing trip, you should actively sail toward Porquerolles. The nature here is largely untouched—pine forests, coves, and beaches as far as the eye can see. The island’s limestone and shale soils also benefit the vineyards. For example, Richard Auther’s estate on the island produces world-class wines.

Discover the Calanques of Cassis and spectacular limestone fjords!

Another natural wonder you can discover in the western part of the Côte d’Azur sailing area is the Calanques National Park. It lies almost on the route from Marseille to Cassis. These limestone fjords offer unique day anchorage spots and a great opportunity to escape the bustling coastal cities. The flora and fauna here are also very special: in the beautiful, crystal-clear waters, protected species of dolphins, turtles, and corals thrive, while rare bird species inhabit the nearby islands. Nature lovers are sure to enjoy a wonderful day here—whether diving, swimming together, or hiking.

Sail along the Côte d’Azur!

Let yourself be carried by the French wind! The sailing areas along the Côte d’Azur offer you the most beautiful swimming beaches that you can spontaneously reach during your trip for a swim stop. On board, the crew occasionally plans a delicious picnic featuring regional cuisine, which you enjoy together in a picturesque bay. When traveling by sailboat, the price is always right! From Cassis, your sailing journey can continue eastward to the harbor of Toulon. This marina is also an ideal starting point for a sailing holiday in France along the Côte d’Azur. From here, you are just a few sails away from the enchanting, beautiful islands of Hyères, Porquerolles, Port-Cros, and, of course, St. Tropez. As mentioned before, this former fishing village is always worth a short detour—if only to admire the most beautiful yachts.
On the way to Toulon along the French Mediterranean coast lies the Bandol region. It is said to be one of the most beautiful sailing areas in the heart of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Marina Bandol is well protected, and with your boat, you are in a place where you can enjoy time and tranquility.

A Venice in the heart of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez

Port Grimaud is a place you should definitely check out when sailing in France. Originally located in a marshland and alluvial plain, it was developed for tourism starting in the 1960s. François Spoerry, an architect from Alsace, designed this modern Provençal lagoon town. The houses are low-rise, most with their own boats and private docks in the gardens. The facades are painted in vibrant Mediterranean colors. Aside from Venice, there are hardly any other places where land and sea blend so seamlessly. Just take a look!

There’s Caribbean charm right in France too!

Anyone spending a sailing holiday in France can bring the Caribbean directly to the deck: the seven Glénan Islands in Brittany are known as the Caribbean of France—and rightly so. White beaches, picturesque color contrasts, and rugged rocky landscapes reminiscent of Martinique or the British Virgin Islands characterize this archipelago in the Bay of Biscay. The area is highly regarded among sailors. With a bit of luck, you might even spot a basking shark up close. But don’t worry—the species is completely harmless, feeding exclusively on plankton.

Sailing in Northern France: at the Port of Saint Malo

Whether south or north—you’ll find sailing yachts along the coasts of France everywhere. For your sailing holiday in France, Saint-Malo in the west, on the Emerald Coast (Côte d’Émeraude) in Brittany, is another great option. This small town of 47,000 inhabitants boasts a fortress and a historic old town as main attractions. Truly impressive is the bay of Saint-Malo, where you can witness one of Europe’s largest tidal ranges live: the difference between low and high tide can be up to twelve meters.

Are you captivated by French flair and just can’t get enough? Then discover the French Caribbean with sailwithus. The journey begins in the French overseas territory of Martinique, and from there it’s all about sailing, swimming, fun, and soaking up the sun! Check out what crewed sailing in the Caribbean has to offer and start planning your holiday.