Day 1
We suggest departing from Cannes first. The beaches of La Bocca stretch for a while and also offer some breathtaking views. Watch for the historic Chateau de La Napoule as you’re sailing. This is a 14th-century French castle on the coastline that has been beautifully restored. Later on during your journey, you will also be able to see the Palais Bulles. This unique castle was designed by an architect from Hungary, and it was built sometime in the 1980s.
Continuing on, you will be able to view the famous Massif de l’Estérel French mountain range. It is a natural wonder that is incredible with its red rock formations. If you stop here a while, you can dive by these cliffs and enjoy a relaxing swim. Continuing past the Massif de l’Estérel French, you will be able to reach the port at Saint Raphael. The local beachside restaurants will impress you with their fresh ingredients and delicious cuisine.
Day 2
After Saint Raphael, St Tropez is just a little further west down the coast. There is much to explore when you are in St Tropez. For example, the Chapelle Notre-Dame de l’Annonciade is now an art museum, and it features many post-impressionist paintings. The charm of this town is found at Place des Lices. It is very close to Vieux Port and has a welcoming vibe to it. If you have extra time to explore, don’t miss out on the extraordinary Cap Camarat lighthouse. This is the second-highest lighthouse in France’s entire country, and you can see so much from up there. St Tropez is an iconic yacht charter destination, so no matter how you decide to spend your day here, it will be time well spent.
Day 3
As you sail on past Cap Camarat, you will view some fantastic views of even more rocky cliffsides. Just a little further, you can stop at Cavalaire-sur-Mer. This is a wonderful family-friendly beach town where you can enjoy some fun water sports such as jet skiing. If you’re a scuba diver, Cavalaire-sur-Mer is definitely a great place to take a few dives too, even for beginners. Beach lovers will also enjoy soaking in the sun at this location. There are almost 2 miles worth of beach to take advantage of here. Sail across the bay to Le Lavandou to spend the night. Their local restaurants will be a treat for foodies since everything they cook is from the fresh local fish caught daily. Le Lavandou is definitely a picturesque town where you can enjoy the sunset.
Day 4
Don’t forget to stock up on fresh food and wine before setting sail for some island hopping. The national park (Port Cros) has plenty of natural beauty where you can reconnect with nature. Be aware of Ile du Levant because parts of it do have nudist colonies occupying the area. Porquerolles is the largest of the islands along the French Riviera, and this is a lovely area that offers secluded bays to swim in. Enjoy lunch on the beautiful white sandy beaches and take a walk or maybe even rent bikes to ride around the trails while you’re here. Don’t forget about Hyères, this is another charming town near La Capte beach that is a perfect place to spend the night.
Day 5
Hiking in Hyères is a must! The Sentier du Littoral de la Presqu’ile de Giens hike is good for all types of hikers. If you leave early enough, you can experience a sunrise while you take this hike. There are so many things to see, so you have to take advantage of it while you can. While you’re at it, rent a kayak so you can take a closer look at the caves around the coast and get a close-up peek at some marine life. Get another bite to eat before sailing back around Cap Camarat.
The town of Sainte Maxime is just across the St Tropez Gulf, and it has some great cobbled streets, markets, and a variety of restaurants to enjoy. If you want to enjoy a show, take a look at what the Théâtre de la Mer is putting on. For those of you who want to ride a horse, look no further than the Eldorado Ranch. They offer horseback riding lessons to anyone willing to learn. There is also a skate park, tennis courts, and a circus school here so you will have neverending entertainment and activities at Sainte Maxime. This is a great way to start off your return trip back to Cannes.
Day 6
Sailing back up the coast from Sainte Maxime, you can stop at Fréjus. This town dates back to Roman times and it a place where you can take it easy and stroll around the town plaza. You can explore the historic buildings such as the Cité Épiscopale cathedral and look at the artefacts in the Musée Archéologique museum. If you’re interested in history, stop by the Musée des Troupe’s de Marine with a lot of stuff about the French colonial period. Soak in the sights of this place and take time to enjoy the sunset since you’ll be heading back to Cannes the next day.
Day 7
Start the day early and explore the Iles de Lérins. These islands are called Sainte Marguérite and Sainte Honorat. Sainte Honorat is the smaller of the two and is home to an ancient monastery still in operation today by monks. The wineries here are impeccable, so this is a great spot to do a wine tasting. Sainte Marguérite has a bird sanctuary called the pond of Bateguier. If you like bird watching, this is the place to go. There is also a sea museum in Fort Royal, famously known as the Man’s home in the Iron Mask. This is the final leg of your journey before you disembark at Cannes and take home some fond memories of the French Riviera.
