Viewed from the roadstead off the city, Nice shows its elegant buildings overlooking the famous Promenade des Anglais and squeezed by the mountains behind them. If you feel like going ashore you will be overwhelmed by the boisterous life of the waterfront but don't stop there! A walk through the old town of narrow alleys and colorful houses is a must. Here you will find several noteworthy attractions, such as the Cathedral of Santa Reparata or the flower market on Cours Saleya.

Moving on, it's worth dropping anchor in the deep shoals of nearby Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat or heading deeper toward Villefranche sur Mer, sheltered from almost any wind thanks to its strategic location. Here you'll find crystal-clear bays just a few minutes' sail away for a quiet stop overlooking lush, verdant nature.

Known for its social life, luxury, and red carpets, Cannes is surely the most glamorous town on the French Riviera. Overlooking the Gulf of La Napoule, its ancient harbor allows good protection even in mistral winds. From there, you can go ashore to enjoy a stroll along the Promenade de la Croisette dotted with boutiques, bistros, and luxury hotels. 

As you move away from the Croisette, take note of the magnificent panorama of the Massif de l'Esterel, which shows itself imposingly with its abrupt walls of red rock sloping down to dive into the sea: in some places it will be possible to stop at the roadstead for a swim in these truly transparent waters. 

Heading west, the view will open onto Saint-Tropez, an ancient fishing village, with its colorful houses and squares where the inhabitants still serenely play boules: it was made famous by Brigitte Bardot, who first chose it as her refuge. Here you can drop anchor in the beautiful Baie des Canebiers via the wild and unspoiled Pointe des Sardinaux.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for a nature experience, then it is best to head for the Isles of Lérins just a mile away from Cannes. Their coastlines allow for roadstead stops that are nothing short of fabulous. You will find clear, calm waters and can dive in to visit the Sainte Marguerite Island Underwater Ecomuseum, the largest in the archipelago. It consists of six 2-meter high, 10-tonne heavy faces placed about five meters deep. Due to their particular surface, they encourage the colonization of marine fauna and flora by promoting the biodiversity of the area. Inland, too, you can take a nice walk, among hiking trails dominated by the scent of pine and eucalyptus trees, and Fort Royal, the ancient perched fortress where Dumas' Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned. 

On the neighboring island of Saint-Honorat, too, you can take advantage of quiet clearings and blue-green seas, then go ashore and visit the fortified monastery where the monks are sure to welcome you and let you taste their wine and honey production.

Continuing the sail to Marseille, you will encounter the islands of Hyères, also called the "Golden Islands," which despite being only a few miles from the coast, are so diverse and isolated that they seem very remote.

The largest, Porquerolles, passed into the hands of the French state only in 1961 and has since assumed the status of a National Park. Private cars are banned here and hotels are scarce, so that day-trippers are practically forced to return to the mainland at the end of the day. From the boat, on the other hand, you can anchor in a bay or at the marina enjoying the island almost entirely to yourself. Among the most beautiful bays is that of Plage Noire, named for its dark sand, which is difficult to reach on foot, and that of Plage d'Argent, with its seabed of fine, white sand. The many rocky coves to the south of the island, on the other hand, provide clear water and uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean. 

A short distance away is the island's Port Cros National Park. Among its highlights: walking trails among lush and fragrant native species, deserted coves surrounded by rocks and pine forests such as Port Man, and underwater sites rich in fish and marine flora perfect for snorkeling.

This National Park is located in the area that stretches from Marseille to Cassis and then on to La Ciotat and consists of a series of narrow inlets that have formed at the foot of limestone massifs where you can find wild nature and breathtaking blue-green water. The difficulty of access has meant that their natural beauty has been preserved and is now a destination for the luckiest tourists who can find crazy snorkeling sites here, as well as rock barriers to climb from the sea and caves with prehistoric graffiti to visit. Among the most striking spots to stop for a swim are definitely the Calanque d'En-vau, the Calanque de Port Pin, and the Plage Sauvage de Morgiou.