Cannes is glamour, a sophisticated lifestyle, culture and international flair. The harbour city jewel on the Côte d'Azur is a meeting place for the rich and famous and is world-famous for its international film festival, where the stars of the big screen pose on the red carpet at the Palais de Festival in May. Around four months later, the show no longer takes place in front of the architectural landmark of the film festival, but behind it, in the Vieux Port of Cannes and in the harbour basin opposite, Port Canto.
Test drives in a dream setting off the coast of Cannes
At the Cannes Yachting Festival, around 700 boats from 550 exhibitors from 35 countries take centre stage and can be viewed and, above all, tested. Shipyards invite their potential customers to do so before and after the trade fair opens. Anyone looking for a new boat should definitely not miss this opportunity to make direct comparisons in the marvellous ambience of southern France. The trips take you past the Îles de Lérins and out onto the Golfe de La Napoule, where you are welcome to push the command buttons all the way.
The sailing formats are located in Port Canto
For fans of all sailing formats, the Port Canto harbour on the east side of the La Croisette promenade and shopping mile is once again the first port of call this year - regular tender and bus shuttles connect the two marinas. The journey takes around 15 minutes. The Cannes Yachting Festival offers the largest selection of sailing boat models in the world, with around 100 yachts, catamarans and numerous world premieres expected this year. As last year, part of the harbour will be reserved for motorboats with lengths of around twelve metres, and the 300-metre-long quay wall will accommodate up to 170 boats, 140 of them in the water and 30 on land. There will also be an area for large brokerage offers and a variety of water sports equipment.
Superyachts moored at the superyacht extension
The Vieux Port will continue to mainly accommodate motor yachts, although restrictions are expected there until 2026 due to modernisation and conversion work, which will be compensated for by the expansion in Port Canto. The largest exhibits will once again be moored at the superyacht extension, first and foremost the 44 metre long "Juno's 7" by Benetti or the 40 metre long Sanlorenzo SD132. The major shipyard groups such as Azimut, Ferretti, Princess, Sunseeker and Sanlorenzo set up their stands in the immediate neighbourhood and directly adjacent to the Palais de Festival. The variety of models and innovative new products is impressive, which proves the relevance of the trade fair. Day prices have risen to 40 euros this year; those who book two days pay 60 euros - see you soon on the Côte d'Azur!
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
