Villefranche-sur-Mer is without doubt one of the most picturesque towns on the Côte d’Azur. Whether you approach Villefranche by land or sea, it resembles the most stunning oil painting, embracing all the vibrant paint-box colours that one could imagine. But this is not a still-life; Villefranche is very much alive.

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Located between Monaco and Menton, east of Nice you’ll find the commune of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, an idyllic area of the French Riviera that is not as esteemed as the popular yacht charter destinations of Cannes or Saint Tropez, but with all the appealing elements that are unmistakably Côte d’Azur.

Often referred to as the “Venice of Provence”, Port Grimaud is the delightful town in the bay of Saint Tropez inspired by the Venetian canals, and is the brain child of highly respected and influential architect François Spoerry.

Within a short cruising distance from Toulon or St Tropez, Île de Porquerolles is the largest island off the French Riviera coast and the most accessible of the trio of islands – the other two are Île de Port Cros and Île du Levant – that make up the Îles d’Hyères.

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Queen Victoria adored Menton; Winston Churchill painted its’ landscapes, and Robert Louis Stevenson and Katherine Mansfield came here to convalesce among the sunny lemon groves.

Let’s get what must be said out of the way early. Marseille—that maligned, magnificent port city—is rarely included on a luxury yacht charter in the south of France, with the majority of charter yachts floating down the coast as far as St Tropez, before turning back to cruise back up the French Riviera to glittering Cannes and Monaco.

The Bay of La Napoule is a stunning stop on a French Riviera yacht charter, with the rich red rocks of the Esterel mountain range contrasting vividly with the turquoise sea, and the gloriously pretty Cannes islands sitting just offshore with their quiet pine forests, secluded coves and sunny vineyards.

Located just a short boat trip from the mainland, the Îles de Lérins offer a wonderful refuge from the holiday crowds found along the French Riviera coast.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, or known simply as Cap Ferrat, is one of the most desirable addresses in the region with lush vegetation and magnificent views of the French Riviera from most locations on the peninsula.

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Beaulieu-sur-Mer, or quite literally beautiful place by the sea, lies in a very privileged position between Nice and Monaco.

The City of Antibes is conveniently tucked between Nice and Cannes, on the Côte d’Azur coastline, but it is certainly far from being obscure, and definitely not hidden!