Surely, France is one of the most popular destinations in the world, even for people across the Atlantic who come here drawn by the legends and appeal this country in Western Europe garners. But you probably don’t have a clear idea just how popular France is. Well, it seems it’s not only very popular, but it’s the most popular since, for 20 years now, it’s been the most visited country in the world with close to 90 million tourists visiting every year.
Then it’s not a coincidence that the Mediterranean shores on the French side are among the most exclusive and coveted stretches of sand in the entire basin. Who in the world hasn’t heard of Monte Carlo, Saint Tropez or Cannes and who hasn’t dreamed at least once of visiting these places?
Cannes yacht charter rentals and benefits
- There is no other place on earth where yachts and yachtsmen feel more at home than on the French Riviera which is probably which this place gets so crowded in the summer months. Geographically, the Cote d’Azur runs from the town of Menton near the Italian border to the small port of Hyeres in western France. This includes famous ports such as Marseille and Nice.
- Sadly, the high popularity of Cannes yacht charter rentals translates into higher prices for yacht charter holidays in France than in other places in the Mediterranean, but there plenty those who don’t mind paying extra for a chance to moor your boat next to a celebrity’s yacht.
- The other big disadvantage when it comes to chartering a yacht in France is the fact that the local marinas tend to get overcrowded in the summer time, so it would be a wise idea to book early and pay in advance, if you want the privilege of mooring next to the boardwalk and glancing at the people stroll by.
- The French coast can be divided into two separate parts, based on the geography of the country: there’s the Atlantic coast which is harder to navigate but offers more challenges from a sailing point of view and the Mediterranean coastline which offers more distractions on land thanks to its luxurious resorts and beaches. It’s up to you how and what you choose for your sailing holiday.
- Travelling to France is fairly easy because the country is part of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement which allows citizens from other participating countries free and straightforward entry. You need only a valid passport for stays up to 3 months. Visas are required for people from outside the EU.
For yacht charters, there are several laws being enforced in France that you should be aware of. For example, only bareboat charters are permitted if the yacht is owned by a foreigner and only after the certain formalities have been completed. It is forbidden to take on a paid crew and if your yacht has a paid crew upon entering the country, it must be declared to customs upon arrival in France and after that a VAT tax must be paid. But for people chartering yachts in France procedures are much more straightforward and usually taken care of local yacht charter agencies.
Barbara Ratliff 
Andrew Williams