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Set sail along France's stunning Cote D'Azur from Nice to Marseille

This unique sailing adventure takes you to a side of France few get to see. Explore the exciting portside cities of Nice, Cannes and St Tropez, where glitz, a vibrant culture and lovely beaches await. Then sail to the islands of Ile du Levant, Ile du Porquerolles, Cavalaire-sur-Mer and Port-Cros to experience the beauty of France’s Mediterranean and the Iles d’Hyeres Archipelago. Swim, snorkel and laze on the deck of the boat and on white-sand beaches, while also experiencing the natural beauty and intriguing history of the islands. There's also delectable cuisine and unique waterside adventures awaiting you in each port.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Nice, France
Finish
Marseille, France
Destination
France
Style
Original
Theme
Sailing
Code
ASRN
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 9

Why you'll love this trip

  • Live the life of a champagne jetsetter on a sparkling wine budget as you tour the islands and coastal towns of the famous Cote d’Azur, soaking up the relaxation and flexibility of life aboard a yacht

  • Nice is the perfect place to kick off this French Riviera adventures – wander the Old Town and soak up the superb culture, and you’ll quickly be in holiday-mode

  • Visit the Iles de Lerins and sip wine made by the monks who still call its ancient abbey home

  • Swim, catch the sun and strut with the rich and famous in glitzy St-Tropez and historic Cannes. Then float back down to earth in the friendly seaside town of Cavalaire-sur-Mer

  • Explore the Iles d’Hyeres, often described as the jewel of the French Mediterranean. Cycle through fig orchards and ancient oak forests on Porquerolles and discover Port-Cros’ picturesque beaches and some of the best snorkelling in France

Is this trip right for you?

  • As the majority of this trip takes place on a sailing boat, you’ll need to feel comfortable with moving about the vessel, including the use of stairs. With that said, sea legs come naturally to some but not so much for others. Your friendly crew will be able to help with the effects of sea sickness if needed.

  • A zodiac is used to transport passengers from the boat to the mainland, with landings taking place at piers (dry landings) as well as on beaches (wet landings). Zodiacs can sometimes be awkward to climb in and out of, but a sense of humour and can-do attitude is all you need.

  • This is an adventure on board a real yacht, which means living spaces, cabins, bathrooms and showers need to be shared with other passengers. Sleeping quarters can be quite compact, but you will be spending the majority of your time above board in the open air.

  • Time on the water also means time in the sun. Remember to pack sun protection, such as sun screen and a hat, and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. See ‘Essential Trip Information’ below for a full packing list.

  • Please note that smooth sailing is dependent on the weather, so itinerary changes may occur at the last minute if the weather becomes unfavourable. If any changes are made, you can trust in your knowledgeable skipper to choose an alternative route or activity.

  • Due to the size of the yachts, sound carries easily from one side to the other and can wake your fellow travellers. If you’re planning to have a late night, it’s a good idea to head into town and experience the local night life.

Map of Cote D'Azur Sailing Adventure: Nice to Marseille including France
France, Sailing
France, Nice
France, Nice

Boats

Deck plan

You can view the boat information here.

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Itinerary
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Welcome to France and the French Riviera. Your adventure begins today with a welcome meeting at 4 pm, where you’ll meet the skipper and your shipmates. We'll be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so ensure you bring these details to provide to your skipper.
The first port of call is the local supermarket to buy provisions for your trip as a group. If you have any special dietary requirements, please make sure you notify us at the time of booking so we can accommodate your requests. If arriving early into Nice, take some time to explore. Perhaps stroll along the Promenade des Anglais or discover the Cours Saleya Market in Vieux Nice. While away the hours in a delectable cafe or check out the many museums or beaches the city has to offer. If you have a number of days in Nice before you trip begins, you might like to visit the cliff-top village of Eze, known as 'The Eagles Nest'. Just 10 minutes from Nice, this medieval town is full of art galleries, workshops and restaurants. At the top is a ruined castle commanding one of the most beautiful panoramas on the Cote d'Azur. Alternatively you can visit Grasse, the capital of perfume, or the capital of the Principality of Monaco, Monte Carlo. Spend your first night aboard the boat in Nice before setting sail tomorrow morning.

Notes: The beauty of sailing is that each day is unique and, while we have a destination to reach, if the weather changes or something takes the group’s fancy, we are flexible on the day's itinerary. The itinerary is subject to change and may vary depending on weather and berth availability. Your skipper will make the final call to ensure your safety at all times.
Accommodation
  • Overnight boat (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Monaco return train transport - EUR10
  • Eze day trip - EUR4
  • Grasse perfume tour - EUR6
  • Matisse Museum - EUR10
  • Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art - EUR10
  • St. Nicolas Cathedral - EUR3
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Your skipper will collect the trip kitty of EUR110 at the pre-departure meeting today.

Cannes

Set sail for the archipelago of the Iles de Lerins, just off the coast of Cannes. Stop by Sainte Marguerite Island, where the Man in the Iron Mask was once held captive. Visit Saint-Honorat Island, sampling wine at a restaurant run by local monks and produced from their own vineyard. This tiny island has been occupied by monks from as early as the 5th century AD. Sail on to the glamorous city of Cannes. Famous for its international film festival, take a tour of the city’s Palais des Festivals and walk down the red carpet. If glitz and glamour isn’t your thing, explore the mountain range of the Massif de I’Esterel and either hike or cycle through forest to the highest point.

St-Tropez

Cast off for St-Tropez. Once a modest fishing village, the city is now a holiday paradise for the rich and famous. Head to Pampelonne Beach for some celebrity spotting, where part of ‘And God Created Woman’ was filmed. All of the beaches have toilets, change rooms and sun chairs for hire, or take to the water and try your hand at paddle-boarding. Wander around the old fishing quarter of La Ponche to get a feel of what St-Tropez used to be like, or stretch your legs along the city’s coastal trails. St-Tropez comes alive at night. If you’re thinking of heading to one of the many bars, restaurant or clubs make sure you have the appropriate clothes, as mere shorts and sandals won’t cut it here.

Cavalaire-sur-Mer

Less known and more modest than its neighbours along the Cote d'Azur, the charming seaside town of Cavalaire-sur-Mer offers 3 kilometres of white sandy beach where you can swim, snorkel or simply relax. Perhaps take a walk along coastal paths to quieter beaches or wander through wooded parklands along the Fenouillet path. In the evening, do as the locals do and feast on a ‘plateau de fruits de mer’ (fresh seafood platter) at a restaurant on the harbour.

Iles d’Hyeres Archipelago

Due to strict environmental protection laws, the Iles d’Hyeres (or Islands of Gold) boast a unique natural beauty. Head to Ile de Port-Cros. The smallest island in the archipelago has a big history, from the establishment of a monastery in the 5th century to raids by Barbary pirates in the 16th century, the founding of an artists’ colony after WWI and the ‘Battle of Port Cros’ during WWII. Rich in flora and fauna, in 1963 it became France’s first marine national park. There are no automobiles on Port-Cros, so walk along trails through unspoiled pine forests and snorkel in the clear waters surrounding the island. You'll also visit the largest island in the archipelago, Porquerolles, which is also a national park. Automobiles and smoking have also been banned on Porquerolles. The best way to explore the island is to hire a bike and take one of the well-marked trails out through ancient oak forests and fruit orchards. Alternatively, you may prefer to relax on the white sandy beaches to the north of the island.
Accommodation
  • Overnight boat (6 nights)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

After breakfast today disembark the yacht by 10 am and transfer to a hotel in Marseille. This is where your sailing adventure comes to an end. If you’re flying out today, please don’t book a flight before 4 pm in case we’re delayed due to weather conditions. If you choose to stay on in Marseille, France's oldest city, there’s plenty to see and do. Perhaps hike up to the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde for spectacular views over the city at sunset. One of Europe's most important ports, Marseille is a dazzling fusion of cultures, with souq-style bazaars appearing alongside Provence produce stalls and local artisan shops. Don't leave without slurping down a bowl of bouillabaisse, the local fish stew.
Optional Activities
  • Chateau d´If, boat and entrance - EUR16
  • Notre Dame de la Garde - Free
  • Calanques Boat trip - EUR50
  • Wine and Oil Tasting - EUR20
  • Visit to a Calissons Factory - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
 View this trip in reverse

Meals

No meals are included on this tour

Transport

Boat

Accommodation

Overnight boat (7 nights)

Dates & availability

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Important notes

MINIMUM AGE
The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document, to delegate their authority.
Please note that triple cabins are not available. If travelling with a child, the child will need to share with one of the adults, and the other adult will share with another adult passenger, or pay a single supplement.
WEATHER CONTINGENCIES:
Please note that we may have to make changes on the itinerary due to weather conditions. Intrepid monitors these situations as they may arise, so that itineraries or activities can be amended as necessary. Any changes will be relayed to you by the Skipper.
IMPORTANT BOOKING CONDITIONS:
The places showing on the dates and availability page are an indication only so please contact Intrepid to check if your preferred date will depart before making any final arrangements, such as booking non-changeable flights
ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION:
Please note that the majority of our sailing trips start and/or finish at a marina or port. If you have pre-booked any additional accommodation through us, you will need to make your own way to the joining point on day 1 and from the finish point on the final day. We do not provide transfers between hotels and the port/marina. Please check the joining and finish point information in the trip notes for details.
PASSPORT DETAILS:
Please provide full passport details at time of booking including exact name as per passport, date of birth, nationality, issue and expiry dates as these are essential for booking services on this trip.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:
Dietary requirements are required at the time of booking so that any included meals can be properly catered for.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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