One broker's 2026 guide puts a crewed 30–40 m motor yacht on the French Riviera at about €65,000–€180,000 a week in summer, and 40–55 m yachts at about €160,000–€350,000, before extras. On top, plan for VAT on the charter fee, which brokers quote at 20%, an APA of about 30–40% and an optional tip of about 10–15%.
At a glance
| Broker ranges, summer week | 30–40 m motor yacht about €65,000–€180,000; 40–55 m about €160,000–€350,000 (Bespoke Yacht Charter, 2026) |
| One published example | Robusto, 34 m, 10 guests: €82,000–€95,000 a week plus expenses (Goolets) |
| Extras on top | VAT on the charter fee, an APA of about 30–40%, an optional tip of about 10–15% |
| Busiest and dearest | July, August and event weeks such as the Monaco Grand Prix, 4–6 June 2027 |
| The one thing to check | How VAT is worked out for your yacht and itinerary |
What a week costs, by size
The French Riviera, from Saint-Tropez to Monaco, is one of the most expensive places to charter a yacht, because demand for berths and large yachts is high in summer and around major events.
| Yacht size | Summer weekly charter fee |
|---|---|
| 30 to 40 m motor yacht | €65,000–€180,000 |
| 40 to 55 m | €160,000–€350,000 |
| 55 to 70 m | €350,000–€700,000 |
| 70 m and over | €700,000–€1.5 million or more |
Source: Bespoke Yacht Charter, 2026 Riviera cost guide, read 29 October 2026. These are one broker's ranges, not a measured average. The same guide says prices "typically" start around €100,000, so the lower figures are for smaller or older yachts.
One published example: Robusto, a 34 m yacht for 10 guests with six crew, cruising Monaco, Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Antibes and Nice, is listed by Goolets at €82,000 (low season) to €95,000 (high season) a week plus expenses. The listing does not say which season year the rates are for.
What drives the price
- Event weeks. The Cannes Film Festival in May, the Monaco Grand Prix on 4–6 June 2027 and other trade events push up rates and berth costs.
- Berths. Marina nights in Cannes, Monaco and Saint-Tropez in high season are a large cost, paid from the APA.
- Fuel. Moving between ports every day uses more fuel; spending more nights at anchor keeps the APA down.
- Size and age. A newer yacht of the same length usually costs more.
What is included and what is extra
In the charter fee: the yacht, the crew and their wages, and the yacht's equipment.
On top:
- VAT on the charter fee. French tax guidance treats the short-term hire of a pleasure boat that is handed over in France as taxable in France. For yachts of 15 m or more, time spent outside EU waters, shown by technical records, can be taken into account. Brokers quote 20% (Ocean Independence; Bespoke Yacht Charter).
- APA, the Advance Provisioning Allowance: an advance for fuel, food, drink and berths, accounted for with receipts. Goolets asks 30% on Robusto; Bespoke Yacht Charter says 30–35% is typical, and some listings ask 40%. The APA is an expense advance; it does not make the purchases VAT-free.
- Gratuity: at your discretion. Bespoke Yacht Charter and Goolets both suggest 10–15% of the charter fee.
- Shore costs: restaurants, beach clubs, cars and helicopters.
Illustration: Robusto for a week in high season
| Line | With 30% APA | With 40% APA |
|---|---|---|
| Charter fee | €95,000 | €95,000 |
| VAT at 20% | €19,000 | €19,000 |
| APA | €28,500 | €38,000 |
| Gratuity at 10% | €9,500 | €9,500 |
| Illustrative planning budget | €152,000 | €161,500 |
That is about €15,200 to €16,150 per guest for ten guests, before flights and meals ashore, or about 1.6 to 1.7 times the charter fee. The APA is reconciled against receipts: unused money comes back, and a shortfall is settled as the contract says.
What to ask your broker
- Is the rate for my exact dates, and is it an event-week rate?
- How is VAT worked out for this yacht and itinerary, and does any relief apply?
- What APA do you advise for my route, given the marinas I want?
- Are berths booked in Saint-Tropez or Monaco for the nights I want, or will we anchor?
- Can the charter start and end in different ports, and what does that cost?
- Is there a minimum charter length in July and August?
When this is not the right choice
- You want quieter anchorages. Less developed areas may offer quieter anchorages, though popular areas remain busy and exposed crossings can be rough.
- Your budget is under about €100,000 for the week, including extras. That buys a smaller or older yacht in the shoulder season, or a day charter.
- You want the scene for one day. Bespoke Yacht Charter lists day charters at about €12,000–€35,000 for 30–40 m yachts.
- You are not going for the event. During event weeks, prices and crowds both peak.
Questions people ask
Is VAT charged on French Riviera yacht charters?
Usually. French tax guidance treats the short-term hire of a pleasure boat handed over in France as taxable in France, and brokers quote 20% on the charter fee. For yachts of 15 m or more, documented time outside EU waters can be taken into account, so ask your broker how it applies to your yacht.
How much APA should I budget on the Riviera?
The listings we read ask 30% to 40% of the charter fee. With several nights in Cannes, Monaco or Saint-Tropez marinas in July or August, plan for the higher end. The APA is reconciled against receipts at the end.
Can I charter a yacht for one day on the French Riviera?
Yes. Bespoke Yacht Charter lists day charters at about €12,000 to €35,000 for 30 to 40 m yachts and from about €35,000 for yachts over 50 m. Smaller day boats cost less.
When is the Riviera most expensive?
July and August, and event weeks such as the Cannes Film Festival in May and the Monaco Grand Prix on 4–6 June 2027. June and September usually cost less, as Robusto's low and high rates show.
Sources
- Bespoke Yacht Charter, How much does a French Riviera yacht charter cost in 2026?, read 29 Oct 2026
- Goolets, Robusto (34 m), French Riviera rates, read 29 Oct 2026
- Ocean Independence, Yacht VAT explained (updated November 2025), read 29 Oct 2026
- French tax authority (BOFiP), BOI-TVA-CHAMP-20-50-30: place of supply for the short-term hire of means of transport, including pleasure boats, read 29 Oct 2026
- Formula 1, 2027 race calendar (official): Monaco Grand Prix, 4–6 June 2027, read 29 Oct 2026
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