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The Cannes Yachting Festival kicks off the boat show season with a bang. In the luxurious surroundings of the Cote d’Azur, Cannes is the perfect place for the world’s top boat builders to convene and unveil their very latest models. As Europe’s leading in-water exhibition, you can expect some 600 boats to be lined along the quays of Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto, and yet more on land. Cannes Yachting Festival offers a diversity not seen in other shows, with boats ranging from 2 metres to over 60 metres. You’ll find everything from motor and sailing yachts, to monohulls and multihulls, so whatever you’re in the market for you’re sure to get plenty of inspiration here.
With everything from luxury brands to water toys the Cannes Yachting Festival is about more than the boats themselves. It honours the boating lifestyle, giving space for yachting service provides, tenders, clothing, marinas and designers to exhibit. Over 50,000 people attend this hugely popular 6 day show, so things can get busy in town. Start planning your trip to the Cannes Yachting Festival with our guide to everything you need to know, and make the most of your time.
Get Orientated
The festival takes place across Cannes’ two huge marinas, Port Canto and Vieux Port which sit at either end of the legendary La Croisette Boulevard. There are multiple entry points, and a free shuttle service, both by boat and on land, which links the two and operates every 15 minutes. Port Canto plays host to the brokerage area for used boat over 22 metres, as well as the toys section, and the brand new Sailing Yachts area. Over in Vieux Port are the motor yachts as well as the Luxury Gallery
Hottest New Boats this Year
There will be a whopping 200 new boat launches at the festival this year, including over 100 global launches. As the first major show of the season, this is where the industry gets to show off their latest models, and we get to see what’s been happening in those all-secret shipyards. The official website offers a complete list of all new launches, but be sure to keep an eye out for:
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Mangusta Oceano 45: Designed by naval architect Studio Plana and with an interior by Alberto Mancini, Overmarine Group are excited to be showing off not just this 45 metre motor yacht, but a 43-metre model too. With 5 cabins and a sleek silhouette, this is the largest yacht launching at the show this year.
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The Fifty R: Elegant and futuristic have somehow combined on this 15.5 metre sailing yacht by Eleva with impressive results. With her ice blue hull and black sails she is hard to miss.
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Vandutch 48: Few manufacturers capture the essence of the South of France more than VanDutch. And this brand new 48 is no exception. Promising to capture the same features and layout as the popular prestige 55, its smaller size means greater manoeuvrability.
Don’t Miss
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The Sailing Area 2019: New to the festival is an area dedicated to regal sailing yachts.
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The Luxury Gallery: The festival’s Luxury Gallery is growing year on year, with ever more prestigious brands exhibiting. Discover everything from watchmaking, to jewellery, spirits, fashion and accessories, household linen, decoration, furniture, design, art, high-tech products and more.
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Toys: What is boating without some rip-roaring water fun? As the toy manufacturers get ever more creative this is the place to see the latest in innovation and shop around for Seabobs, Hydrofoils, and tenders galore.
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Palais des Festivals: In the Vieux Port’s Festival Centre you’ll find a space where shipyards, architects and designers convene, and where interior layouts, ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, marinas, and service companies bring forward their very latest products. It’s a great place to get started before visiting the boats.
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Quai Max Laubeuf: There are boats lined along numerous quays in two marinas, but be sure to visit the Quai Max Laubeuf, the quay where it all started back in 1977. Some 160 boats in 10 to 20 metre category will be on display, a far cry to the 30 boats the show started with.
Location: Vieux Port and Port Canto, Cannes, France.
Dates: Tuesday 10 to Sunday 15 September 2019
Opening times: Daily 10am to 7pm. Late opening until 10pm on Friday. Closes at 6pm on Sunday.
Tickets: General admittance tickets start from €15 per day. The festivals offers a variety of packages ranging from one day to the full six days of the show including the Cannes Yachting Festival VIP programme, which includes a personalised tour, helicopter transfers, visit to the yachts, and access to the VIP Club.
Travel Guide
Where to Stay
Rooms get booked up well in advance during the festival, so if you haven’t already it’s best to get booking! Cannes oozes chic luxury, and has a wonderful selection of hotels, apartments and villas to choose from which are within easy distance of the ports, La Croissette Boulevard, and Cannes’ historical centre. Our top picks for the best places to stay in Cannes are:
Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic: One of Cannes’ most celebrated hotels takes pride of place on La Croissette. With views across both ports and the Palais des Festivals you’re within a few steps from the yachting action. Fabulous Art Deco honours the twenties style, and there is an undeniable red carpet flair. For character and luxury, there is no other choice.
Le Canberra: This sophisticated 4-star boutique hotel is just so delightfully Cannois. Located in the lively heart of the town on the prestigious Rue d’Antibes, which runs parallel to the La Croisette Boulevard, it is unpretentious, with light, airy rooms and a pretty garden with swimming pool.
Villas and Apartments: From studio apartments tucked in the heart of Cannes old town, to sprawling villas with swimming pools, there is a huge selection of high quality accommodation to be found on websites such as Airbnb.com, Sotherby’s and Riviera Luxury Rentals.
Where to Eat
Cannes has no shortage of excellent restaurants, from chic little bistros serving age-old Provençal dishes, to Michelin-starred restaurants tucked inside the city’s most luxurious hotels. Be sure to book early to enjoy the elegant surroundings, impeccable French cuisine, and lively, sophisticated atmosphere which oozes from every establishment. Here are some of our top picks:
The Panoramic Restaurant: The best seat in the house for lunch has got to be the aptly-named Panoramic Restaurant located on the roof of the Palais des Festivals. Gaze across the yachts and Bay of Cannes as you enjoy the gourmet cuisine and a glass of French wine.
Bobo Bistro: This oh-so-trendy bistro is charmingly bourgeois bohemian, with an eclectic retro décor, and a menu created from local, seasonal, organic produce. And being located on the fashionable Carré d'Or it’s got a fabulous location going for it too.
La Palme d’Or: With two Michelin stars up its sleeve and views of the Bay of Cannes which are nothing short of distracting, this is one of Cannes’ most acclaimed restaurants. Located in the elegant Hôtel Martinez, La Palme d’Or has long-time Chef Christian Sinicropi heading its kitchen you can be assured of an ever-changing, creative menu.
Getting There
There closest airport is Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport, which welcomes flights from all over Europe and beyond. Taxis, buses and a train link the airport to Cannes, which takes approximately 30 to 50 minutes. Alternatively, there are numerous chauffeured vehicles for hire, or you can fly by helicopter from the airport to the show in 7 minutes.
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