04 July 2023
At the 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival, more than 650 boats from 5 to 50 metres, plus the latest nautical equipment, innovations and world previews, will all be unveiled for the nearly 55,000 expected visitors.
Professionals, curious on-lookers, keen boaters and experienced enthusiasts alike will also be able to enjoy a major new feature of the 2023 event – the creation of an area afloat in the Vieux Port, which will accommodate smaller boats from 8 metres up, in response to demand from numerous exhibitors.
Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Yachting Festival, said: “Once again, 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 onboard electric, hybrid or hydrogen power systems.
“Thanks to the renewed confidence of our exhibitors, this 2023 edition is looking very good, with similar forecasts to the previous year, that is 600 exhibitors, more than 650 boats and 140 previews,” she added.
“This new edition will also 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 8 to 12 metres.
“As the show’s DNA is to offer the most eclectic range possible, it seemed natural to host the small units that are traditionally displayed ashore on the Quai Max Laubeuf in a dedicated floating area.
To conclude, Ernoult said: “As is the case every year, our teams are mobilised on a daily basis to offer a memorable experience to our exhibitors and visitors.”
Exhibitors are gradually revealing their new products on the Yachting Festival website, and the list of boats and products and services is also constantly updated. There will be specific activities for each port, as follows.
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 superyachts. 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 yacht market. For 2023, a selection of previously owned boats from 22 metres 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 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.
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 5 and 15 metres to the largest prestigious yachts exceeding 45 metres, the Vieux Port focuses entirely on the motor boat industry, with 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, unveiling 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 30 of the largest motor super yachts of over 24 metres exhibited at the Vieux Port.
On the other side of the traversante – pontoons with a motorised centre section that opens to let out boats for sea trials – and continuing on from the SYE, the Quai Max Laubeuf will present a number of large yachts.
A marina will showcase 20 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 50 small, rigid and semi-rigid units from 5 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 dayboats and the new generation of very impressive and highly appreciated fast and stylish motor boats. 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, 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 in 2021, opposite the Pantiero and the Quai Saint-Pierre, around fifty semi-rigid 10- to 20-metre boats will be on show in the middle of the water body; there’s 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 8 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 metres squared 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, etc. It’s the place to find the essential accessories to maintain your boat, maintain a good level of onboard 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.).
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.
Each year, the Luxury Gallery brings together an exclusive selection of famous and select brands presenting new products and expertise to visitors who appreciate objects of beauty.
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, thereby raising awareness among visitors.
Changes in demand and, above all, the importance of the arrival of these environmentally friendly solutions in the yachting industry have 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.
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 six days with exclusive VIP services, including a courtesy car service provided by our partner Bentley.
Three new additions this year include:
Tickets are also available for professionals of the boating industry at a cost of €39 for a 4-day pass from Tuesday to Friday. For this year, the ticket sales desk will be exclusively online and no tickets will be sold at the festival entrances.
Press accreditation is available by obtaining a press badge to cover the Yachting Festival.