Cannes Yachting Festival
The 2021 Cannes Yachting Festival takes place this year from Tuesday 7th September to Saturday 11th September, at Vieux Port and Port Canto on the beautiful Côte d’Azur. The festival has long been seen as the opening to the nautical season and plays host to many innovation and product premieres in the world of yachting. After a Covid-related absence in 2020, this year’s Festival is richly anticipated.
There will be around 650 boats from over 600 exhibitors, comprising monohull and multihull motor and sailing vessels. As well as the two major exhibition areas there are opportunities for potential buyers to take sea trials of some of the world’s finest yachts.
The Festival takes place at the City’s two main ports, Vieux Port and Port Canto. Located on opposite sides of the Croisette, they are linked by regular sea and land shuttle services.
Vieux Port
Located next to the old town, as the name suggests Vieux Port is one of the oldest harbours on the French Riviera. It will exhibit approximately 450 motor boats from 5 to 45 meters in length. There are exhibition areas dedicated to motorised multihulls, engine displays, electric boats and a sea trial centre.
The Quai Max Laubeuf was where the Festival started many years ago, at that time displaying only 30 boats. Today there will be around 120 yachts of 10 to 35 meters there, and a land display of smaller motorboats.
The Jetée is home to some of the best known international luxury shipbuilders, showing vessels of over 22 meters. The Super Yachts extension features approximately 30 of the largest motor yachts, constructed of floating pontoons in such a way that many of the vessels are available for sea trials.
You’ll find the Palais Des Festivals – the festival centre – at Vieux Port, exhibiting architects, designers and shipyards, and services such as insurance companies, financing houses and accessories. The Palais is also the venue for the Luxury Gallery, showing luxury lifestyle and crafts – for example watchmaking, jewellery and fashion – from famous brands as well as high-end boutique offerings to discover.
Other areas of Vieux Port include Quai Saint-Pierre, for medium-size open and flying bridge boats, and The Pantiero which displays boats ranging from the smallest motorboats up to 18 metre yachts.
Port Canto
Port Canto is host to the sailing vessels. It is the number one location in the world for tall ships, with over 850 linear meters of exhibition space and over 100 new boats from 10 to 35 metres in length. Within the sailing area is the Innovation Space, offering new technologies and start-ups; and with the relatively recent trend towards eco-friendly matters you’ll find the Yachting Festival’s Green Route exhibition here too.
Yacht Brokerage is located at Port Canto, with major international brokers and charter companies showing a selection of around 50 boats over 22 metres in length.
There’s also an area dedicated to the growing sector of “toys”. Jet skis, longboards, jet skateboards and more, these have grown enormously in popularity over recent years and are considered essential by some for nautical entertainment.
Further Information
With the cancellation of 2020’s Festival and the 2021 Dusseldorf Boat Show, there’s a truly impressive line-up of yachts this year. Motorboat & Yachting magazine feature their pick of the fleet here: https://www.mby.com/boat-shows-and-events/cannes-yachting-festival
The Festival will see many world premieres in the world of yachting, including those from Ferretti Group who will be unveiling no less than four new vessels: Riva 76’ Perseo Super, Riva 68’ Diable, Pershing 6X and Wally WHY200. Read more here: https://www.luxuo.com/motoring/yachting/ferretti-group-cannes-yachting-festival
Find out more about visiting the Cannes Yachting Festival at https://www.cannesyachtingfestival.com
