3 cruises from Cannes on a sailing yacht

Cannes is one of those privileged places where everything you need for the happiness of a yachtsman is collected. They are located in the heart of a large protected bay, and at the same time, they have at their disposal a beautifully preserved archipelago - Lerinsky Islands, which are close to the coast, have beautiful beaches as well as coves and coves suitable for mooring and swimming.

We have prepared 3 routes for you from Cannes.

1. Bay of Cannes and Esterel

1-4 days

So we go out on a yacht Dufour360 from the yacht port of Port Canto, which is the closest point to reach the Lerins Islands. Just a mile from the island Saint-Marguerite (Île Sainte-Marguerite)... Not having time to breathe in the sea air and properly spread the sails, we anchored, enjoying the purest water and reveling in the smell of pine and eucalyptus. The forest, the largest island of the Lerins Islands, was planted in the early 19th century and covers over 150 hectares. The quays are mainly located on the northern coast of Sainte-Marguerite, on either side of Fort Royal, the former state prison that once held the "man in the iron mask", whose identity remains a mystery. In addition, in the same place, you can visit the maritime museum.

On the island Saint-Honorat (Île Saint-Honorat) worth visiting the monastery and its old tower overlooking the sea. The monastery is home to about 20 monks who are engaged in vineyards.

The Lerins argipelago is a popular stopover for many yachtsmen and tourists, especially in summer. It is protected by strict navigation regulations that limit speeds to 5 knots and prohibit the use of marine motorized vehicles (jet skis and scooters).

After visiting the Lerinsky Islands, it is worth walking along the coves and marinas along the Esterel massif. Weather permitting, you can stop for a swim, dine or sleep in the small bay of Anthéor, in Figueirette Bay or in front of l'île d'Or at the foot of Cape Dramont. For shelter from the mistral and easterly winds, it is best to overnight in Agay, the charming port of Théoule-sur-Mer or the old port of Saint-Raphaël.

Approximate route:

1 day: Departure from Canto Port and visit Saint Marguerite Island (1.2 miles).

2nd day: Swimming, lunch and visit to the island of Saint-Honorat. Return to Cannes for overnight stay (3.5 miles)

Day 3: Sailing along the Esterel massif, with stops for swimming and lunch. Overnight at Agay harbor.

Day 4: Return to Cannes (10 miles)

2. In the heart of the French Riviera

Cruise to Italy via Antibes, Nice, Monaco, Villefranche and Menton

Week 1

This route is less wild and more urban than the previous one and you can visit the symbolic cities of the French Riviera.

So we leave La Napoule in the direction Cap d'Antibes... Already, we can see the rich mansions hanging over the sea and barely hidden by the pine trees, their exotic gardens and paths leading down to a private cove.

You should definitely make a stop at Port Vauban to visit the beautiful old town with medieval streets and the azure coast - Antibes... The main symbol of Antibes is Fort Caret, built in the 17th century and it was here that Napoleon Bonaparte was imprisoned. We also recommend visiting the unique Picasso Museum, where you can see the artist's works right in the studio where he lived and worked for some time. You can spend the night at the anchorage in Villefrance-sur-Mer, which is known as the best natural refuge on the Riviera. Of course, there is quite a lot of traffic here, but there are many anchorage areas that are perfectly protected by the Cape Ferrat (Le cap Ferrat). Alternatively, disembark at le port de la Darse to admire the classic yachts maintained by the local shipyard.

To visit Monaco, you can dock in one of three ports: Cap-d'Ail, Fontvieille or Hercule.

In Monaco, we advise you to visit the Oceanographic Museum, which is as if carved out of a rock and offers impressive views of the sea and the city. By the way, Jacques-Yves Cousteau was in charge of the museum for a long time. Also, be sure to visit the main cathedral of Monaco - the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, which is known as the burial vault of princes, and the museum of vintage cars, where you can see the first brands of such automotive giants as Peugeot, Citroen, Lincoln and many others, as well as military vehicles and crews of the princely family.

Last stop before Italy - Menton (Menton). This port is like a postcard, colorful, lively and so exotic. By the way, every year at the end of February, a citrus festival is held here, when huge figures are made of fruits and even houses are built. Here is a unique, its own, microclimate, softer than in other cities of the French Riviera.

Just 12 miles away from Italian San Remo, one of the most luxurious resorts on the west coast of the Ligurian Sea with a cheerful and festive atmosphere. There are many parks and gardens with exotic plants, golden beaches, many boutiques and a chic casino.

Approximate route:

1 day... Crossing from Cannes to Cape Antibes with mooring at Port Vauban (10 miles)

2nd day... Walking tour of the old town of Antibes, visiting the Fort Carre and the Picasso Museum. Anchorage overnight in Villefrance-sur-Mer (10 miles)

3rd day. Stop in Monaco. Visit to the Museum of Oceanography, walk along the embankment. Anchorage in front of Menton (14 miles)

4th day. A day in Menton. Night at the old port.

Day 5... A day in Sanremo (13 miles)

6th day. Departure from San Remo with a stopover in Nice (26 miles). Dinner and a walk in old Nice with an overnight stay in the old port.

Day 7... Return to Cannes with lunch break between the Lérins Islands (19 miles)

3. The Golden Route

Cruise to the islands of Port Cros and Porquerolles via Esterel and St Tropez.

Week 1

If you have a week left and want to explore the entire coastline to the Golden Isles, then head west from Cannes. Leaving Cannes, we take a course southwest towards the red-ocher cliffs of the Esterel massif. If the wind is weak or completely absent, as is often the case in summer on the Cote d'Azur, we advise you to explore the islets and coves at the foot of this mountain range. After stopping near a small island Ile d'Or we headed towards the bay Saint-Tropez, but decided not to go deep now into this huge bay, which protects the ports of Saint Tropez, Port Grimaud, Cogolin and Saint-Maxime (we will come here when we return), but immediately went to the bay of Canebiers (baie des Canebiers), where we spent the night. By the way, from there you can reach Saint-Tropez on foot.

The next day, we headed for the island Port-Cros (L'ile de Port-Cros) (26 miles) stopping for a lunch break near Taillat Point. This small peninsula is a great place to relax and swim with crystal clear waters and white sand.

The remaining 15 miles to Port-Cros can be walked farther from the coast, as the island of Levan (l'ile du Levant) is not very attractive for its bare reliefs, and besides, this island belongs to the French Navy.

The only sheltered and permitted anchorage on Port-Cros is Port-Man bayas the island is a National Park and navigation is strictly regulated here.

Parkerolles Island (Ile de Parquerolles) is the largest of the "Golden Islands" with virtually untouched nature and clear blue waters, which attracts swimmers, hikers and wine lovers. By the way, there are 3 wineries on the island that produce the famous Provence wines. We advise you to anchor in the Alicastre Bay to enjoy a swim in the clear turquoise waters.

On the way back to the Gulf of Cannes, depending on the weather and desires, you can stay overnight in Saint Tropez or Port Grimaud, swim in front of the famous Pampelonne beach, and treat yourself to a stopover in the Lérins Islands.

By the way, Port Grimaud is also called French Venice with its canal streets, where boats dock right at the door of the house.

Approximate route:

1 day... Go to the Esterel massif. Anchorage and lunch near l'ile d'Or (12 miles). Trek to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez with anchorage for the night in the bay des Canebiers.

2nd day. Trek to Cape Taillat (12 miles). Rest and lunch. Trek to Port Cros Island with anchorage in Port Man Bay for the night.

3rd day. Short trek (3 miles) to La rade de Port-Cros marina. Visiting the island.

4th day. Transfer to Porquerolles Island, anchorage off Notre Dame Beach (8 miles).

For the night, depending on the weather, you can moor in the port or anchor near plage d'Argent (2 miles) or in la baie des Langoustiers in the west of the island.

Day 5. Return to Saint Tropez (36 miles). Relaxing and swimming near the Pampelonne beach. Evening and night in the port of Saint-Tropez.

6th day. Navigation around the Lerins Islands (23 miles). Anchorage on the Plateau du Milieu or in the north of the island of Sainte-Marguerite.

7th day. Return to Cannes (2 miles).

18.03.2020