With less than two months to go before it opens, the Cannes Yachting Festival is looking very promising. From 6 to 11 September, Europe’s largest in-water show will be the first major international event of the season. For 6 days, under the sun of the French Riviera, the finest gems of the seas, the latest nautical equipment, exclusive high-end services and numerous innovations will all be on display for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks to the renewed confidence of our exhibitors, this 2022 edition is shaping up to be a very good one with projections for 550 exhibitors and 140 previews, in line with the previous year. There are more boats and we hope that close to 640 units will be exhibited. Our visitors will enjoy discovering some real gems in-water and on land, boats of all types, equipped with traditional engines or anticipating the future with the first on-board electric, hybrid or hydrogen power systems ” explains Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Yachting Festival, adding that “we are delighted to support our exhibitors in their eco-friendly development by enabling them to showcase their innovations, in particular through our “Green Route” and “Innovation Village”. Little by little, the nautical industry is improving its environmental footprint and we too are following suit by developing our own eco-responsible commitments within the framework of the organisation of this exhibition (for example: less paper, better waste management etc.) 

Cannes Yachting Festival: specific activities for each port

The Vieux Port plays host each year to the most prestigious boats presented by the world’s leading shipyards. Dedicated exclusively to the motor nautical industry, some 490 boats from 5 to 45 metres long are expected to be on show, of which 80 (less than 10 metres long) will be exhibited on land.

The Jetée will welcome the legendary international shipyards as they compete in luxury and design and unveil their latest innovations. Boats above 22 metres will be exhibited here. A true technical achievement, the Super Yachts Extension (SYE) comprises three floating barges positioned as an extension to the Jetée. Built for the festival, this seaward extension will feature some thirty of the largest motor super yachts of over 24 metres exhibited at the Vieux Port.

On the other side of the traversante, continuing on from the SYE, the Quai Max Laubeuf will present a number of large yachts. A marina will showcase twenty or so motor catamarans including some very impressive vessels up to 24 metres long and 12 metres wide. Also exhibited on this quay will be some 40 small single hull boats in-water and nearly 60 small hard and semi-rigid motor boats (5-10 metres) on land.

An area reserved for outboard and in-board engines will ensure better visibility and ease of exhibition for the leading engine manufacturers presenting products for small and medium-sized boats.

The Quai Saint-Pierre will exhibit boats ranging from 10 to 20 metres. In-water will be the realm of luxury day- boats and the new generation of very impressive and highly appreciated fast and stylish motorboats. Other types of model medium-sized open boats and fly- bridge boats will also feature on this quay.

The Pantiero quay will showcase a wide range of motorboats up to 20 metres long. First along the quay will be boats from 10 to 12 metres long, followed by boats from 12 to 14 metres and then 14 to 16 metres, while boats longer than 20 metres will be on show just before the Jetée. Installed since 2021, opposite the Pantiero and the Quai Saint Pierre, over 60 semi-rigid 10 and 17 metre boats will be in-water; there is also a new area for some fifteen electric and hybrid boats.

On land the shipyards are set up along the Pantiero quays. Occupying more than 4,600m2 in the central aisle, the boating equipment and accessories village is well- known for the wide variety and international flavour of its content.

The Palais des Festivals has a large area devoted to luxury yachting players: shipyards, architects and designers, internal layouts, ready-to-wear, accessories, tourism institutions and marinas, service companies (financing, banks, insurance, etc.), while the Tender and Toys areas presenting the latest innovations can be found outside.

The Luxury Gallery, located in the heart of the Palais, is dedicated to luxury, craftsmanship and the art of living and each year brings together an exclusive selection of famous and more exclusive brands presenting their new products and expertise to visitors who appreciate beautiful objects.

The sea trial area (located outside the visitor itinerary and accessible only when accompanied by an exhibitor) has been enlarged to make sea trials easier and ensure the Festival is safe by reducing maritime traffic within the port.

Port Canto: Sailing Area and Yachts Brokerage area

Port Canto, on the other side of the Croisette, is the second port in Cannes. It is divided into three separate areas:

The Sailing area installed since 2019 is the biggest global in-water showcase for new sail yachts. This place offers a fine view of the 115 monohull and multihull boats from 10 to 28 metres on show. Also in the heart of the Sailing area, the “Innovation Village” was launched in 2021 and set up in partnership with Mer Angels & BNP Paribas Banque Privée. It showcases intelligent start-ups in the nautical sector offering breakthrough technologies or high added-value services. From boat design to putting owners in contact with captains, these start-ups share the same values of supporting and developing the sea economy, while also protecting the seafaring space. These start-ups are creating the future of yachting: yachting that is more powerful, more responsible and more environmentally friendly.

The Yachts Brokerage area has, for 15 years, played host to the leading French and international players in the previously- owned yachts market. For 2022, a selection of previously-owned boats from 22 metres long will be available for purchase or rental. It will be possible to meet with the crews, explore their boats and share with them the elegance of their worlds.

Positioned opposite the previously-owned yachts area since 2018 the “Toys” area takes advantage of the wide areas of this dyke to exhibit on-land an increasingly large selection of sport, fun and nautical activities equipment. A fast-growing sector, “Toys” for the young and the not-so-young have become must-have equipment on yachts. Increasingly stylish, sporty, technical and eco-responsible, these toys are great fun and thrilling for those who use them!

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