The Yacht Insider: Cruising to Nice, in the South of France
Once you find a place to tie up in this busy port on the French Riviera, you may never want to leave.
June 14, 2010
The South of France, from St. Tropez to Monaco, is one of the most popular summer cruising destinations in the world. You can charter any type of yacht you’d like, from a bareboat sailboat to a mid-range catamaran or a luxury motoryacht, and spend your days cruising from port to port along the glamorous French Riviera.
In high season, dock reservations must be made several weeks ahead.
Each port offers something different, from Monaco’s Grand Prix to the star-studded film festival at Cannes, but I’ve always been a fan of the city of Nice as a must-visit destination. From its morning market bursting with fresh fruits and vegetables to its historic old town shops and sprawling beach scenes, Nice offers a bit of something for all tastes.
As with any location in this region, the primary challenge of cruising into Nice is securing dockage in the port. I took the photograph accompanying this column in mid-May 2010, during a rainy week at what was barely the beginning of the cruising season—and already almost all of the berths in Nice were full. If you plan to visit during July and August, which is prime cruising weather, then you will need to make reservations several weeks in advance. And you will be competing for space against some of the largest motoryachts in the world, which likely will be offering the harbormaster thousands more euro per night when paying by LOA.
Your best bet is to send an e-mail, or call +33 (0) 8 20 42 55 55. The port does monitor VHF channel 9, but again, if you’re calling for a berth while you’re already on approach, you are likely to be disappointed.
You’re also likely to encounter tremendous ferry traffic, as Nice is a primary home base for day-trippers zipping to and from the French island of Corsica. (That’s actually a worthwhile adventure, if you start or end your cruising itinerary in Nice and want to add a few days in a hotel on Corsica to your vacation. Try for tickets with Corsica Ferries.)
Once you secure a berth in the port at Nice, though, you may never want to leave. You will be within walking distance of the old town, the beaches, the casino, the stunning architecture and fountains, the shops, the restaurants, and all the specialty food stores your luggage can withstand.
I’m most likely to be found at the Cours Saleya Market, sampling freshly made fig nougat and olive tapenade. I’ll keep an eye out for you.
For additional information about chartering on the French Riviera, visit the Yachtworldcharters.com France page.
