Cannes celebrates a month of yachting with two major international events
Cannes is preparing for a busy September on the water, with two major international events bringing modern yachting and classic sailing to the Bay of Cannes.
The Cannes Yachting Festival will take place from 8 to 13 September, followed by the Régates Royales from 19 to 26 September, creating three weeks of events across the city’s ports and coastline.
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Cannes Yachting Festival opens the season
The 49th Cannes Yachting Festival will welcome more than 680 exhibitors and 700 boats ranging from five to 50 metres, with nearly 150 world premieres.
Around 56,000 international visitors are expected across the Vieux Port, Port Canto and the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.
The Vieux Port will focus largely on motorboats, superyachts, equipment and marine services, while Port Canto will host 120 new sailing yachts, 180 dayboats and more than 45 brokerage yachts over 25 metres.
Innovation will also be a major focus this year.
The Innovation Route will highlight new solutions aimed at transforming the industry and improving sustainability, with dedicated awards recognising developments in areas including navigation, boats, sustainable products and CSR initiatives.
Classic yachts return for the Régates Royales
A few days later, attention will turn to maritime heritage as the 48th Régates Royales brings more than 100 classic sailing yachts to Cannes.
Boats ranging from eight to 35 metres will compete in the bay, while visitors will also be able to see the yachts along Quais Saint-Pierre and Laubœuf before and after racing.
A public village will be open every day from 9am to 7pm, with exhibitors, entertainment and evening concerts.
Commentated trips out to sea will also give spectators the opportunity to follow the races more closely.
A long history of yachting in Cannes
This year’s Régates Royales coincides with the 165th anniversary of the Yacht Club de Cannes, highlighting the city’s long-standing relationship with sailing and international yachting.
Together, the two September events showcase two sides of Cannes’ maritime identity: the Cannes Yachting Festival looking towards the future of the industry, followed by the Régates Royales celebrating its history and some of the finest classic sailing yachts in the world.