Cannes countdown

Preparations are already underway for Europe’s largest on-water yacht show, the 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival.

05 July 2023

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As has been the case every year for over 45 years, the Europe’s largest in-water show will be the first major international event of the season. Over six days, from 12 to 17 September, under the sunshine of the French Riviera, more than 650 boats of all sizes (from five to 50-metres) as well as the latest nautical equipment, numerous innovations and world previews will be unveiled for nearly 55,000 expected visitors: professionals, curious on-lookers, keen boaters or experienced enthusiasts.

A major new feature of the 2023 event is the creation of an area afloat in the Vieux Port, which will accommodate smaller boats, from eight-metres upwards, in response to demand from numerous exhibitors.

“Thanks to the renewed confidence of our exhibitors, this 2023 edition is looking very good with similar forecasts to the previous year, i.e. 600 exhibitors, more than 650 boats and 140 previews,” explains Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Yachting Festival.

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“This new edition will highlight the small units with the creation of a brand new area, a marina in the heart of the Vieux Port, which will accommodate more than 50 small motor boats from eight to 12 metres.

“As the show’s DNA is to offer the most eclectic offer possible, it seemed natural to us to host in the best way its small units, traditionally displayed ashore on the Quai Max Laubeuf in a dedicated floating area.

“Once again this year, our visitors will enjoy discovering some real gems in-water and on land, boats of all sizes and types, equipped with ‘traditional’ or carbon-free engines with the first on-board electric, hybrid or hydrogen power systems.”

To conclude, Sylvie Ernoult added, “As is the case every year, all our teams are mobilised on a daily basis to offer a memorable experience to our exhibitors and visitors.”

Port Canto: a showcase for sailing, brokerage and toys

The Port Canto, located at the end of the Croisette, hosts three distinct areas: The Sailing area installed since 2019 is the biggest global in-water showcase for new super yachts. The width of its quayside area means visitors benefit from spacious and wide aisles allowing them to enjoy their visit in comfort.

This magical place offers a fine view of the 120 yachts from 10 to 26 metres on show (70 monohulls and 50 multihulls).

Also at the heart of the Sailing area, the “Start-up Village”, launched in 2021, in partnership with Mer Angels and BNP Paribas Banque Privée, highlights “smart” start-ups in the marine sector offering breakthrough technologies or services with high added value while protecting the maritime area.

These start-ups are creating the future of yachting: yachting that is more powerful, more responsible and more environmentally friendly.

The Yacht Brokerage area has, for 16 years, played host to the leading French and international players in the previously owned yachts market.

For 2023, a selection of pre-owned boats from 22 metres long will be available for sale or hire. It will be possible to meet with the crews, explore their boats and share with them the elegance of their worlds.

Positioned opposite the pre-owned yachts area since 2018 the “Toys” area takes advantage of the wide areas of this section to exhibit on-land an increasingly large selection of sport, fun and nautical activities equipment.

The Vieux Port: the world of motorboats

The Vieux Port, one of the oldest on the Côte d’Azur, plays host each year to motor units presented by the world’s leading shipyards. From small boats between five and 15-metres long, to the largest prestigious yachts exceeding 45-metres, the Vieux Port focuses entirely on the motorboat industry and has an exceptional variety of products totalling more than 480 boats in water and on land.

Combining Italian “dolce vita” and British elegance, the Jetée will welcome the legendary international shipyards as they compete in luxury and design and unveil their latest innovations presented as world previews.

Boats above 22 metres will be exhibited here. The sea trial area (located at the back of the Jetée, outside the visitor’s route and accessible only when accompanied by an exhibitor) has been enlarged in 2022 to make sea trips easier and to safeguard the Festival by reducing maritime traffic within the port.

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 superyachts 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 multihull motor catamarans including some very impressive vessels up to 24 metres long and 12 metres wide.

Also to be found on this quay: more than 40 small boats from 10-metres exhibited in water and around fifty small rigid and semi-rigid units from five to 10-metres exhibited 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 23 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 flybridge 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 close to the Jetée.

Installed since 2021, opposite the Pantiero and the Quai Saint-Pierre, around 50 semi-rigid 10 to 20 metre boats will be on show in the middle of the water body; there is also an area showcasing some 15 electric and hybrid boats.

Next to this, on the same body of water, is the brand-new marina reserved for small motor boats from eight metres. Pontoons positioned at the end of the quays will allow you to take a tour of it so you don’t miss any boats!

On land the shipyards are set up along the Pantiero quays. Occupying more than 4,600-square-metres in the central aisle, the nautical accessory and Equipment Village is well-known for the wide variety and international flavour of its content.

In this aisle, you’ll find the ultimate in electronics, fittings, paints and accessories. It’s the place to find the essential equipment to maintain your boat and on-board technology, and thus future-proof your investment.

The Palais des Festivals is home to a large area dedicated to high-end yachting players: shipyards, architects and designers, interior fittings, ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, tourism institutions and marinas, service companies (financing, banks, insurance, etc.) and outside, along the large central aisle just after the main entrance to the show, is the Tender area, which houses these elegant small units used by the large moored yachts to reach land and which due to their compact size testify to the size of their yacht located offshore.

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 select brands presenting their new products and expertise to visitors who appreciate objects of beauty.

Green Route

Because ecological transition is essential, the Yachting Festival has created a “Green Route” for showcasing environmentally-friendly solutions developed and exhibited at the trade fair by the exhibitors to reduce the nautical industry’s environmental impact on the sea and marine ecosystems and thereby to raise awareness among visitors.

Changes in demand and, above all, the importance of the arrival of these environmentally-friendly solutions in the yachting industry has led to us placing more emphasis this year on this “Green Route” and, above all, to improving its visibility so that all visitors can benefit from it. The list of exhibitors on this “Green Route” will be available in August.

Tickets are now on sale

There is a wide offer of e-tickets for visitors to the Yachting Festival. Tickets range from €31 for a single day, one person pass, to €1,375 for two people for 6 days with exclusive VIP services, including a courtesy car service provided by our partner Bentley.

Three new additions this year: 1 ticket valid for one person and two-day pass at €55; 1 complimentary pass to the show via the Sailing Area from 4 pm, in addition to free entrance from 10am to 11am; The return of our flash sales on 12 July and 12 August, 1 free ticket when you purchase 1 ticket. Tickets are also available for professionals of the boating industry at a cost of €39 for a four-day pass from Tuesday to Friday.

This year, the ticket sales desk will be exclusively online, and no tickets will be sold at the Festival entrances. The 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival runs Tuesday 12 to Sunday 17 September.

 

cannesyachtingfestival.com

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