Many boat shows still display some of their boats out of the water, in halls, on metal structures, lit by neon. In Cannes, the sea remains at the center of the show. This is not a minor detail. It's a philosophy.
A 20-meter yacht resting on blocks is an object. In the Bay of Cannes, it becomes a boat again.
Founded in 1977, the Cannes Yachting Festival brings together hundreds of boats each year at Port Canto and the Old Port, with large vessels displayed directly in the harbors, and smaller ones exhibited under tents on land. Engines ready to start, windsock visible, wake still present. You step aboard, feel the boat move beneath your feet, and understand what the catalog doesn't say.
1977: Why Cannes
The Festival International de la Plaisance, the original name of the Cannes Yachting Festival, was born in Cannes in 1977 for reasons that geography made obvious: two deep-water ports, first-class hotel infrastructure, an international clientele already present on the French Riviera. And the Mediterranean, right there, in September, at its maximum temperature.
What was intended to be a regional boat show is quickly becoming the global event for leisure yachting. Major brands realized early on that presenting a boat in the Bay of Cannes is not the same as presenting it in a neon-lit hall. The light, the sea, the context change everything in the perception of the product. A boat on the water is a living boat. A boat on concrete is a sculpture.
What the in-water format really changes
A boat out of the water is half dead. Docked in a hall, all boats end up looking the same. Same artificial light, same concrete floor, same silence. In Cannes, the sea immediately puts differences back in their place. The hull you see isn't the same as in a catalog. The engine noise is there. The movement is there. A 12-meter boat looks huge in a hall. In the water, a 12-meter boat regains its real proportions.
In Cannes, we board with deck shoes, move from boat to boat via the gangways, sit in the cockpits, and test the interior spaces in near-real-life conditions. This is why the From Antonio D42 chose the Cannes Film Festival for its world premiere in 2019. The clean aft platform, the waterline, the power increase, all of that can truly only be understood on the water.
Cannes Yachting Festival 2026: the September edition
The 2026 edition of the Cannes Yachting Festival will be held in September at Port Canto and the Old Port of Cannes. The exact dates will be confirmed on the Official festival website,Recent editions generally take place over a full week, from Tuesday to Sunday, in the first or second week of September.
September remains one of the best months to sail the French Riviera. The sea reaches its maximum temperature. The summer wind patterns begin to stabilize. The light changes in quality, becoming more golden and less direct. It's no coincidence that the festival has always chosen this month: the setting is part of the product.
See the festival from the sea
During festival week, Port Canto is transformed. The docks overflow, tenders shuttle between boats, and crews in white polos bustle on deck. Behind the showcased hulls, Cannes becomes the gravitational center of global yachting for a few days: builders, brokers, designers, shipyards, investors. An entire industry converges on the Croisette. And meanwhile, in the Bay of Cannes, a stone's throw from the exhibition docks, sailing continues. The sea, on the other hand, is not putting on a show.
From a boat offshore of Port Canto during the festival, you can see something visitors miss: the alignment of the displayed hulls from the water, the boats in their real environment, the bay with the Croisette in the background, and the Lérins Islands on the horizon. From the water, the Cannes Yachting Festival suddenly seems obvious.
Our boats are based at Port Canto, in the heart of the festival area. During the Cannes Yachting Festival week, we offer private charters departing from the port, heading towards the Lérins Islands, Cap d’Antibes, or simply cruising the bay to see the festival from its best vantage point. The boats available departing from Cannes including the models you might see displayed on the pontoons, except here they are sailing.
Boating during the Cannes Yachting Festival
From Port Canto, with a dedicated skipper. Limited availability in September.
FAQ – Cannes Yachting Festival 2026
September 8-13, 2026
The Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 will take place from September 8-13, 2026 in Cannes. The exact dates will be confirmed on the official website yachting-festival.com. Recent editions are generally held over a full week, from Tuesday to Sunday, in the first or second week of September.
The Cannes Yachting Festival takes place in Cannes, France. Specifically, it's held in the two major ports of Cannes: Port Pierre Canto and Vieux Port.
The festival takes place at two sites in Cannes: Port Canto, east of La Croisette, which hosts the majority of exhibitors and large motor and sailing yachts; and the Vieux-Port (Old Port), in the city center, which hosts some exhibitors and smaller boats. Both sites are within walking distance of La Croisette.
What is the difference between the Cannes Yachting Festival and the Monaco Yacht Show?
The Cannes Yachting Festival (September, Cannes) is the largest in-water boat show in the world by the number of boats on display and visitors, catering to both professionals and private individuals across all market segments. The Monaco Yacht Show (late September, Monaco) is exclusively focused on superyachts and very large vessels, with an almost entirely UHNWI and professional clientele. Both events are held a few weeks apart on the same coast.
Can you rent a boat during the Cannes Yachting Festival?
Yes. Clapi Boats offers private boat trips departing from Port Canto during the festival week. This is an opportunity to sail in the Bay of Cannes while the festival is in full swing, and to see the exhibited boats from the sea in their real setting. Availability is limited in September: contact us in advance to check for available slots.
Is the Cannes Yachting Festival open to the public?
Yes, the Cannes Yachting Festival is open to the public with an entrance ticket (prices available on the official website). Access to the exhibited boats is free on the pontoons; you can board, visit the interiors, and speak directly with manufacturers and distributors. Certain sea demonstrations are organized by invitation or by reservation with the exhibitors.
