French Riviera (Côte d'Azur) Travel Facts for Yachts

Fact File for French Riviera (Côte d'Azur)

The French Riviera has always been synonymous with glamour, celebrity, sophistication and of course, superyachts, and a magnet to those with means seeking sunshine and pleasure. The South of France is a lovely stretch of coastline with charming seaside villages of Mediterranean beauty and sparkling bays and coves to discover on a charter vacation. Visitors will find French cuisine at its best with fresh seafood, creamy cheeses and rich wines.

COORDINATES: 43º21N, 06º51E

LANGUAGE: French

REGION'S CAPITAL: Nice

WEATHER: Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes are sheltered by the Alps. Winds are usually gentle, from sea to land, and summer temperatures are very pleasant at 27C (81F) in Jul-Aug. Saint-Tropez is slightly warmer and drier but it is less sheltered from the wind.

BEST TIME TO CHARTER: June-September

AIRPORTS: Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)

TIME: UTC+1 (winter), UTC+2 (summer)

CURRENCY: EUR; although major credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa) are widely accepted, some restaurants and shops may refuse them. ATMs widely available.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V, 50 Hz

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

1 Jan - New Years Day
Mar/Apr - Easter Monday
1 May - Labor Day
8 May - Victory Day
May/Jun - Ascension Day, Whit Monday
14 Jul - Bastille Day
15 Aug - Assumption
1 Nov - All Saints Day
11 Nov - Armistice Day
25 Dec - Christmas Day

MAIN PORTS AND MARINAS: Menton, Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Nice, Antibes, Juan les Pins, Golfe-Juan, Cannes, Fréjus, Saint-Tropez

RECOMMENDED BEACHES: The French Riviera is studded with beautiful beaches, most of which are sandy. Beaches worth a short stop are in and around Menton, Cap Ferrat, Antibes, Golfe-Juan, Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Hyères, to name only a few.

CULTURAL: The French Riviera is one of Europe's most chic and glamorous destinations where the world's rich and beautiful spend their yachting vacations each summer. Although English is spoken in tourist areas, it is appreciated to know a few words of French.