Yacht charter in French Riviera (Côte d'Azur)

Short legs to the best water in the region, with the mistral deciding which side of the islands you sit. Park rules apply at Port-Cros — take a buoy where one is laid.

1. 1

   Hyères or Bormes-les-Mimosas

   Saturday handover; short move along the coast.

2. 2

   Porquerolles

   Across to the island; the northern beaches and the village.

3. 3

   Port-Cros

   East to the national park island; regulated mooring, underwater trail.

4. 4

   Île du Levant or back to Porquerolles

   The third island is partly military; check what is open.

5. 5

   Cavalaire or Le Lavandou

   Back to the mainland coast, heading east.

6. 6

   Gulf of Saint-Tropez

   Round Cap Camarat into the gulf; Saint-Tropez or a southern bay.

7. 7

   Base

   West again for the Saturday handover.

From the old port: a national park coast of limestone inlets, then east toward Cassis and the islands. The most exposed option when the mistral is forecast.

1. 1

   Marseille Vieux-Port

   Handover in the city; out past the Frioul islands.

2. 2

   Frioul and Château d'If

   The islands off the harbour; a short first leg.

3. 3

   Calanque de Sormiou or Morgiou

   Into the park; access and anchoring are regulated.

4. 4

   Calanque d'En-Vau or Port-Miou

   The deepest and narrowest of the inlets.

5. 5

   Cassis

   The far point east, under Cap Canaille.

6. 6

   Back west along the park

   Return, with the afternoon breeze behind you.

7. 7

   Marseille

   Into the old port for handover.