Cote D’Azur Yacht Charter: The Best of Mediterranean France
Cote D’Azur yacht charter is the ultimate vacation for sophisticated clients with a deep appreciation of art, architecture, culture and cuisine. Captain Richard, intimately familiar with Mediterranean ports of call, suggests this itinerary. Richard’s sailing catamaran, HAWKEYE, is conveniently based in San Remo, your first stop of iconic Cote D’Azur seaside towns. Your cruising itinerary can include Menton, Montecarlo, Nice, Antibes, Cannes, St Tropez and the peaceful islands of D’Hyres.
The historic towns on a Cote D’Azur yacht charter were mandatory stops on every aristocrats’ World Tour. They have been captured by artists, celebrated by authors and immortalized in film. They are places to stroll, to linger, to contemplate, and to indulge.
Hawkeye Lagoon 450 sailing catamaran 
Villa Rothschild, Cote D’Azur 
Hawkeye, Captain Richard 
Nice, Cote D’Azur
The celebrity homes of royalty and rock stars, with sweeping views of the sea, peak out from behind old stone walls. Towns are aromatic with freshly brewed coffee and decadent baked goods. Shopkeepers smile, children splash in fountains, people lounge in cafes with their dogs. The museums are breathtaking. And then there’s the shopping…
Richard has been exploring these ports of call for many years. He knows them intimately, from the beaches to the back alleys. So on a Cote D’Azur yacht charter aboard HAWKEYE, scuba divers, sun worshippers, oenophiles and antique collectors need only declare their interests.
Here Richard provides an overview of 11-days aboard HAWKEYE. Launch your imagination. Consider what you might experience with Richard at the helm on your customized Cote D’Azur yacht charter.
Day 1: San Remo
HAWKEYE’s base port, San Remo, is less than an hour by car from the Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport. Step aboard, unpack, and prepare to explore this lovely Victorian spa resort town with quaint streets shaded by palm trees. Try your luck at the Casinò Municipale di Sanremo, or just marvel at the grand architecture and design.
Day 2: Menton
Explore this picturesque town of winding, narrow passageways that wind down and across the wide, pedestrian main streets. My favorites are the cafe-lined Place aux Herbes, and the steep streets that climb towards the cathedral and cemetery. Explore traditional Provencal townhouses with ground floor, chic boutiques and charming restaurants.
Day 3: Monaco
Of all the towns on a Cote D’Azur yacht charter, the Principality of Monaco brings the most archetypal images to mind. The 19th century architectural confection, the Casino de Monte-Carlo. Prince Rainier’s press-stopping marriage to American actress Grace Kelly. The annual Monaco Grand Prix, one of the original Grands Prix of Formula One. Head-turning superyachts crowd the harbor. Climbing up the cliff sides, high-priced apartment buildings are tiered into the rocks. Get dressed in finery and paint the town.
Day 4: Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Rising out of the sea from Villefranche is Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the most famous of the “Caps” in the French Riviera. This sought after real estate is some of the world’s most expensive. There are several fine restaurants, especially appropriate for a romantic interlude. Beautiful people take sun at a small but very exclusive beach nearby.
Day 5: Villefranche-sur-Mer
We drop anchor in the idyllic bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, one of the most picturesque seascapes on a Côte d’Azur yacht charter. This quaint town, completely surrounded by steep hills, slips gently down to the shores of the cobalt blue bay.
Day 6: Nice
The pretty pastel buildings of this historic harbor town have a classically Italian flavor. Explore the colorful daily market, trendy boutique shops and traditional sidewalk cafes. The old port of Nice is picturesque, with its brightly colored buildings set against a backdrop of blue skies and the Italian Alps.
Day 7: Antibes
As we cruise east on our Cote D’Azur yacht charter you will espy the famous Fort Carré. This 16th-century star-shaped fort welcomes you into beautiful Cap d’Antibes. Beyond its glamorous yachts and exclusive villas, Antibes is a wonderful place to stop for lunch. Meander along winding streets lined with bustling shopping and restaurants. Have a coffee. Discover a treasure.
Day 8: Cannes
Cruise across the beautiful bay away from the palm trees that line La Croisette and the famous Palais des Festivals. Sail across the bay into tropical blue waters that meet the shores of the gorgeous islands (Îles des Lerins). St Honorat, the smaller of the two islands, hosts a monastery. Here the legendary “Man with the Iron Mask” was once held captive.
Day 9: St Tropez
The name “Saint-Tropez” evokes images of sunbathing celebrities, designer boutiques, and luxury yachts. It’s hard to believe this glamorous town was once just a humble fishing village. Then in 1955, the film Et Dieu Créa la Femme (And God Created Woman), starring Brigitte Bardot, brought international attention. The film forever changed this small port town into a legendary seaside resort, which naturally sparkles in concert with the glitz and glamour of the visiting rich and famous.
Day 10: Lerin Islands
Sail across the bay into aquamarine waters that lap the shores of the gorgeous islands called Îles des Lerins. St Honorat, the smaller of the two islands, hosts a monastery where the legendary “Man with the Iron Mask” was once held captive.
Day 11: Islands D’Hyres
Islands D’Hyres (Porquerolles) has two facets: on the southern side, the coast is made of steep cliffs and secluded creeks, inaccessible but to intrepid hikers.
While the northern side, on the other hand, offers fine sand beaches and turquoise waters…your very own paradise!
As for the core of the island, it is a patchwork of fertile plains on which the botanical conservatory grows ancient and unique plant species. The islands are a beautiful finale to an enchanting charter. Toulon or Marseille international airports are nearby.
Cote D’Azure yacht charter aboard HAWKEYE, a Lagoon 450 sailing catamaran, is luxury afloat. This expertly crewed yacht has an excellent layout. Dual hulls allow for living and deck spaces comparable to much larger power yachts. Two comfortable cabins are perfect for two couples or a small family. In addition to Cote D’Azur yacht charter, HAWKEYE, based in San Remo, is positioned for fabulous Italian Riviera, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily charter itineraries.
Contact Select Yachts Charter Brokers for availability and to book HAWKEYE. Trust us to launch your dream vacation.
HAWKEYE Description and Details
