A floating journey through art and light, where each horizon reveals a new masterpiece and every ripple reflects the soul of the Riviera.
Draw me like one of your french girls
An artist’s journey through the French Riviera, by sea.
There are places in the world where beauty doesn’t just exist – it happens, like brushstrokes on water. The French Riviera is one of those places. It’s more than a coastline; it’s a canvas. A stretch of glittering sea and pale stone villages that has, for over a century, seduced the world’s most imaginative minds. Matisse found light here he couldn’t find in Paris. Picasso came to work, and stayed for love. Cocteau, Renoir, Chagall—all drawn to the coast by a muse no studio could replicate. To explore this storied shoreline by yacht is to experience it as they did: drifting from cove to cove, through shifting colour palettes, discovering moments of stillness and bursts of brilliance alike.
need to know
when to go
April - September
Charter length
Chartered for a fortnight
Who for
All generations and all group types
Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer
Begin in Nice, where ochre shutters and turquoise balconies catch the morning sun like a painting come to life. Before boarding, visit the Musée Matisse in Cimiez—an intimate collection nestled among olive trees. Then slip out of the port and into the quiet elegance of Villefranche-sur-Mer. The bay is a perfect amphitheater of light and colour. Dine on deck as the town glows amber in the evening.
Monaco — Modern Visions
Sailing east brings you to Monaco, where the art world’s sharpest edges meet old-world luxury. Inside the Nouveau Musée National, minimalist installations contrast with Belle Époque architecture. The streets above are lined with private galleries, each one a hidden portal into the now. The contrast is jarring, thrilling—the Riviera revealing its ever-evolving self.
Cap Ferrat to Antibes — The Spirit of Picasso
The yacht slips past Cap Ferrat, all green cliffs and secret villas, and comes to rest beneath the ramparts of Antibes. Here, in the Château Grimaldi, Picasso once worked feverishly while the waves crashed below. The museum houses his works, yes—but also his energy. Antibes is a place that feels lived in by artists, even long after they’re gone.
Îles de Lérins and Cannes — Light and Solitude
A short sail leads to the Îles de Lérins, where silence reigns and time slows. Paddle past sea-worn stones and ancient monasteries. Later, arrive in Cannes—not for the red carpet, but for its lesser-known galleries and winding backstreets. Art lives here, too, tucked between designer boutiques and sandy boulevards.
Saint-Tropez — From Bohemia to Brilliance
Despite its reputation, Saint-Tropez still holds its original charm—for those who seek it. The Musée de l’Annonciade houses one of the Riviera’s most surprising modern collections, with works from Bonnard, Signac, and Vuillard. Beyond the museum, artists still paint in the open air, echoing the plein air traditions of a century ago.
Porquerolles — Nature as Masterpiece
Far from the dazzle of mainland ports lies Porquerolles, a quiet island where nature has always been the great artist. The Fondation Carmignac, part-gallery, part-garden, is both meditative and provocative. The air is scented with pine and salt. The sea, impossibly clear. Here, the Riviera reminds you: art is not always framed—it is sometimes just felt.
Cap d’Antibes and Farewell
Returning north, a final stop at Cap d’Antibes offers closure—a slow lunch under parasols, a walk through the grounds of the Hôtel du Cap. It is a place that feels like the end of a novel. Elegant. Faded. Timeless.
find the perfect yacht
As experienced brokers, we’re able to offer a truly unique experience and make your dream yacht charter a reality with our client-centric approach and local knowledge. Our exclusive luxury yachts for charter are complete with a full crew, concierge services, exceptional amenities, from onboard swimming pools to cinema rooms and water sports equipment.
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