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With its glittering mix of celebrity glamour and tranquil Mediterranean charm, there’s a reason why the French Riviera remains the iconic superyacht playground of the world. The yachting season is in full swing now, with a full schedule of events and grand openings guaranteed to make this summer season sparkle.
With designer outposts taking over spas and beach clubs, royal photography exhibitions and summer concerts at the Monaco Palace, plus the annual lineup of iconic festivals, there is always something to see and do on a French Riviera yacht charter.
Here’s a run-down on some of the most exciting French Riviera events, pop-ups and exhibitions on the yachting calendar from mid-July to September 2023.
When: June-September
This year, the most exclusive sunbeds in Pampelonne will be at Loulou Ramatuelle, where Gucci has opened an outpost to their Saint Tropez boutique. Take a deckchair upholstered in the signature Gucci web stripe design, lay back on a midnight blue pillow embossed with the interlocking G, sip on a cocktail designed by House Gucci, and look out towards your yacht at anchor.
Complete with Gucci cabanas and umbrellas in a fresh yellow and white stripe, this beach club looks exceptionally smart this summer. There’s also a pop-up Gucci boutique on site, naturally, with breezy summer outfits perfect for your French Riviera charter.
When: July-August, various dates.
Where: Monaco, Cannes, Antibes
The French Riviera firework shows that light up the coast each summer never lose their magic. And what better spot to watch these pyrotechnic festivals than from the deck of a superyacht, seeing explosions light up the sky above Cannes, Antibes, or Monaco?
When: 31st July to 22nd August
Where: Sporting Monte-Carlo, Salles des Etoiles
The world’s most elite dinner show, Billionaire, is coming to Sporting Monte-Carlo this summer. This iconic evening show, born in Porto Cervo and with outposts in Dubai, will include 25 extravagant guest acts over its run, including the Tribertis Duo Carlo and Ursula, rollerskaters suspended three metres above the stage, and an exceptional performance by Allesandro Ristori & the Portofinos on August 14. Celebrity chef Batuhan Piatti of Masterchef, Ciprianis, and Raffles fame will provide the gourmet experience.
Where: Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, Cap d’Antibes
Drop anchor off the Cap d’Antibes and take the tender to the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, a place that surely needs no introduction. Wander through the lush grounds to the hotel’s new Dior Spa, a statement of elegance in the rose garden. Have a treatment in the stunning cabana or the sage green and white gazebo finished in the signature Dior Toile de Jouy. Alternatively, visit the Iyashi Dôme treatment room for infra-therapy. The spa also features a fragrance boutique housing the Collection Privée Christian Dior perfume range.
When: 16th July-6th August
Where: Inner Courtyard, Monaco Palace
The Monaco Palace will host the iconic Summer Palace open-air concert series with the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra again. Enjoy the exceptional acoustics in the glamorous setting of the Royal Courtyard as the music rises above the palace towards the mountain behind.
When: Jazz À Juan: 10-21st July, Jammin Summer Festival, mid-July - late August
Where: Juan-les-Pins and Antibes
The Jazz À Juan Festival is a legend, attracting international jazz greats to play on a stage in a small patch of pine trees overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Running since 1960, this is one of the iconic festivals of the French Riviera summer, and this year it will play host to jazz musicians, including Winton Marsalis and John McLaughlin.
Not chartering during the Jazz À Juan Festival? Not to worry. The Jammin’ Summer Festival runs with over 30 concerts between mid-July and late August.
When: July 18th to 21st
Where: Theatre de Verdure & Place Massena, Nice
Celebrate the world’s oldest jazz festival, which started in Nice in 1948, with a historic line-up including Louis Armstrong. See an eclectic powerhouse of acts across the jazz, rock, hop, hip hop and funk genres, with guests including Hiromi, Sir Tom Jones, Tower of Power, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland New 4tet, Adi Oasis, and Omah Ley.
Be sure also to visit Hotel Negresco, the site of the famed first post-festival jazz session back in 48 and the one that cemented this event into jazz history.
When: July 8th to September 3rd.
Where: Grimaldi Forum, Monaco
Follow Monet’s artistic journey along the French Riviera with a series of 100 paintings rarely exhibited together, including one that has never been shown before. This exhibition has been curated to celebrate the 140th anniversary of Monet’s first visit to the French Riviera with his friend, Pierre-August Renoir. Monet painted 23 paintings on the Riviera, including the famous ‘Antibes Seen From the Salis Gardens’.
When: Until 21st August
Where: State Apartments, Prince’s Palace.
Palace for the Royal Photo Exhibit to celebrate the centenary of the birth of the late Prince Rainier III. The exhibition, called ‘Le Prince Chez Lui’, features photos of the Prince at home in the palace, at the Villa Iberia in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and the Chateau de Marchais, the historic Grimaldi family residence. It also features pictures of the Maison de Roc Agel, a small farm in the steep hills above Monaco that he and Grace Kelly and the children escaped to when they could— the exact property that Grace Kelly was driving back from when she died.
When: 27-30th September
Where: Port Hercules
There’s a buzz, a frisson about the Monaco Yacht Show that’s hard to define. It’s a heady combination of the press launches of some of the latest yachts, thrilling new water toys, supercars and luxury brands, and of course, the parties on yachts and rooftop bars overlooking the port. There’s a sense of gathering the finest superyachts on earth for the world to admire and being there to walk amongst them. Bluewater can organise clients an unforgettable VIP experience of the Monaco Yacht Show.
