Description
7-Day Bareboat Catamaran Charter from Port de Saint-Tropez to Cannes, Monaco and the Italian Riviera
The French Riviera has a way of making every nautical mile feel cinematic - polished marinas, dramatic coastlines, and ports where the evening lights reflect off calm water like a showroom. This refined bareboat charter from Port de Saint-Tropez is designed for sailors who want autonomy without chaos: you take the helm, set the pace, and shape each day, while the shore-side process remains structured, supportive, and straightforward. From the first briefing to the final return, the focus stays on a clean, confident departure and a sailing week that feels effortless, not improvised.
Saint-Tropez is an ideal gateway for a route that blends the glamour of the Côte d’Azur with the character of Liguria. The marina’s premium facilities, provisioning options, and easy logistics help you start strong and stay organized. This eastbound itinerary is a rewarding rhythm of coastal passages and iconic ports - Cannes, Monaco, and then across to Sanremo and Alassio - before looping back through one of the Mediterranean’s most naturally protected anchorages at Villefranche-sur-Mer and finishing with Antibes and a direct return to base.
About Our Service in Saint-Tropez, the French Riviera and the Italian Riviera
This charter is built for experienced sailors who value complete independence. You manage your onboard routines, decide when to linger and when to push on, and adjust for weather and mood without needing to negotiate with an onboard crew. At the same time, the service remains professionally managed: clear reservation steps, responsive support, efficient documentation, and practical marina coordination so you do not lose time on avoidable admin. Before departure, you receive operational guidance and local context that helps you start the week with confidence - particularly useful on an itinerary that includes a border crossing and a mix of busy marinas and controlled anchorages.
Day 1 - Saint-Tropez to Cannes begins with a late-morning departure and a relaxed cruise of about 38 nautical miles along the Esterel coastline. This stretch is pure Riviera sailing - coastal scenery, comfortable conditions when timed well, and a satisfying “first day” distance that settles everyone into the boat without pressure. Arriving mid-afternoon in Cannes gives you options: a marina berth for maximum convenience or a sheltered anchorage depending on conditions and availability. Use the time smartly - refuel if needed, top up provisions, and enjoy an evening walk along the Croisette before drifting into the atmosphere of the old town.
Day 2 - Cannes to Monaco is a classic eastbound run of roughly four hours, with a scenic corridor past Antibes and the curves of Cap Ferrat. Timing matters here because Monaco berths can be competitive. A steady departure after breakfast helps you arrive early afternoon with daylight for docking and a calmer approach. Berthing at Port Hercule or Fontvieille puts full services within reach, and the remainder of the day is ideal for going ashore, taking in the harbor scene, and enjoying the sense of arrival that only Monaco delivers.
Day 3 - Monaco to Sanremo (Italy) introduces the international element. After customs clearance, you set course for an offshore leg of about 60 nautical miles, typically five to six hours depending on sea state and routing. This passage rewards confident navigation and disciplined watchkeeping, while still remaining manageable within a daylight window when planned properly. Arriving late afternoon in Sanremo keeps docking formalities smooth, leaves time for refueling, and gives you a relaxed evening to explore the waterfront promenade and the older streets that feel more lived-in than the high-gloss Riviera ports.
Day 4 - Sanremo to Alassio shifts into an easy Ligurian coastal rhythm - around three hours in calm waters with charming seaside towns sliding past the beam. Alassio is a comfortable stop for an early-afternoon arrival, a swim, and lunch ashore. Because this is bareboat, you can choose to keep the day simple and restorative or add a detour for a quiet bay if conditions invite it. Either way, the goal is the same - balance the week with enough downtime that the sailing stays enjoyable rather than rushed.
Day 5 - Alassio to Villefranche-sur-Mer is your longer return leg back into French waters, around six hours on an early departure. Villefranche is worth the effort: one of the Mediterranean’s safest natural harbors, calm and sheltered, with an anchorage that feels like a reset button after busier marinas. Plan tender operations carefully, respect local anchoring rules, and treat the afternoon as your reward - swimming in protected waters, an unhurried evening onboard, and a calm night where the yacht rests as comfortably as the guests.
Day 6 - Villefranche to Antibes is a short coastal hop of about two hours that allows a late breakfast and a gentle start. Docking at Port Vauban gives you a practical base for fuel, water, and final provisioning, but it also offers the atmosphere of a serious yachting town. Spend time wandering the old streets, browse the markets, and enjoy the sense that the week is reaching its final chapter - organized, not abrupt.
Day 7 - Antibes to Saint-Tropez is a direct return of roughly 55 nautical miles over five to six hours. Depart early to keep your arrival comfortably mid-afternoon, leaving a buffer for sea conditions, marina approach, and a calm wrap-up. A smooth finish matters, and this timing supports an unhurried disembarkation and a clean handover that respects both your schedule and the operational requirements of the base.
About Our Catamaran - Lagoon 42 (2022)
Your platform for this route is a 2022 Lagoon 42, a modern catamaran known for delivering a composed ride and an easy onboard lifestyle - exactly what you want when alternating between vibrant ports and quiet anchorages. The layout feels balanced and calm, with inviting interior volumes that remain practical for a group. The cockpit is generous and naturally social, flowing into lounge and dining areas that stay usable in real conditions thanks to protective shade and open sightlines. It is a boat that supports long, relaxed days without forcing everyone into the same space.
Accommodation is arranged across four well-appointed double cabins, each with private facilities, which is a major upgrade in everyday comfort. Privacy becomes effortless, mornings run smoother, and the boat stays organized even with a full group onboard. Handling is designed to be intuitive for competent sailors - stable movement, reassuring control, and onboard systems that do not feel like they are fighting you. Wide deck spaces invite sunbathing and quiet moments, while the overall design keeps the experience focused on enjoyment rather than complexity.
Because this is a bareboat week, the Lagoon’s practicality matters as much as its comfort. The combination of stable sailing behavior, straightforward routines, and a well-planned living layout helps you maintain a steady pace across longer legs like Monaco to Sanremo and the return from Antibes. It is a catamaran that rewards good seamanship and makes the week feel cleanly managed from start to finish.
Why This Charter Works So Well
This itinerary is a strong choice for sailors who want a week that feels elevated yet achievable - iconic ports, manageable distances, and a clear structure that still leaves room for improvisation. Starting from Saint-Tropez gives you a premium operational base, while the route east delivers variety: the polished glamour of Cannes and Monaco, the cultural shift of Liguria, and the calm satisfaction of Villefranche as your anchorage highlight. Availability is limited, and that is intentional - it keeps service quality high and departures controlled. Secure this week early, and you will have the freedom of bareboat sailing with the reassurance of professional support behind the scenes, from reservation to return.
