For six days, Cannes once again became a showcase for the world of luxury yachting as the Cannes Yachting Festival brought together more than 700 boats across the Vieux Port and Port Canto. Running from September 8–13, the 2026 edition gathered leading shipyards, designers, marine innovators, and luxury lifestyle brands along the French Riviera, creating an experience that extended well beyond the boats themselves.
The Festival offered visitors the chance to step aboard yachts ranging from 16 to 180 feet, explore the newest developments in boating, and experience select vessels through sea trials. At the Vieux Port, motor yachts and marine technology took center stage, while Port Canto brought together sailing yachts, brokerage, dayboats, and a selection of lifestyle experiences. Together, the two harbors created a complete portrait of modern life on the water.
An Experience On and Off the Water
The Cannes Yachting Festival blurs the boundaries between yachting and the world of luxury, and this year’s partners added another layer of refinement to the experience.
Range Rover
Range Rover brought a glimpse of its electric future to Cannes with the presentation of the Range Rover Electric, its first pre-production vehicle with zero tailpipe emissions. While retaining the unmistakable silhouette and presence associated with Range Rover, the model introduced a quieter version, combining electric technology with refinement, capability, and a serene interior.
For Festival guests, its presence offered a natural connection between two forms of modern luxury: sophisticated travel on land and mobility at sea.
Louis Roederer
Luxury at Cannes also extended to the glass. Founded in 1776, Louis Roederer remains one of Champagne’s great independent, family-run houses, with vineyards spanning nearly 600 acres across some of France’s most distinguished terroirs.
At the Festival, the House’s bubbles became part of the experience of slowing down between yacht visits and taking in the atmosphere of the Riviera. Champagne also accompanied moments in the VIP Clubs, adding an unmistakably French sense of celebration to the show.
Green Bees Helico
For those arriving in Cannes with time and convenience in mind, Green Bees Helico provided a particularly elevated way to reach the Festival. Operating from Cannes and Nice, the company offered helicopter transfers designed around comfort, efficiency, and flexibility, with tailored experiences available for both private and professional journeys.
The Festival’s VIP experience could begin before guests even reached the harbor, with helicopter arrival followed by access to private entrances, dining, transfers between the Vieux Port and Port Canto, and time in the exclusive clubs.
Roche Bobois
At the heart of the Festival’s VIP experience was another expression of French art de vivre: Roche Bobois. The French design house, known for collaborations with designers, artists, and artisans, transformed the VIP Club terraces into inviting spaces for guests to pause between the action.
For the Festival, Roche Bobois brought its Formentera collection, designed by Philippe Bouix and upholstered in Missoni fabrics. Generous sofas and vibrant sun-drenched tones gave the terraces a distinctly Mediterranean character, turning a moment of rest into part of the overall experience.
The Yachts That Defined 2026
With more than 700 boats represented, narrowing the field was no easy task. Among the most noteworthy were a series of world premieres that demonstrated just how quickly yacht design continues to evolve.
The Grand Soleil 80 Plus Long Cruise stood among the largest sailing premieres of the Festival. Measuring 85.9 feet, the new flagship of the Plus range combined a carbon rig, twin rudders, a telescopic keel, and a hybrid platform with bright, highly considered interiors designed for long-range cruising.
Northrop & Johnson brought a curated collection of yachts to Cannes for sale and charter. Among the standouts was NOROADER, a 116-foot Sunseeker 116 built for entertaining, with five cabins, expansive outdoor spaces, a flybridge bar, Jacuzzi, and outdoor cinema.
The Swan 80-301, measuring 83 feet, offered a different interpretation of sailing luxury. Created with naval architect Germán Frers, exterior designer Lucio Micheletti, and interior designer Misa Poggi, the yacht paired performance with generous living spaces, flexible outdoor areas, and twin helm stations.
Also making its world debut was the CNB 62, a nearly 64-foot yacht designed by Philippe Briand around the idea of refined, long-distance cruising with a reduced crew. Its light-filled saloon, carbon arch, and integrated tender garage reflected a balance between practicality and understated elegance.
For multihull enthusiasts, the Festival presented several compelling premieres, including the WINDELO 55 Sport, a 53-foot catamaran designed around offshore performance, and the FP48, a new generation of Fountaine Pajot sailing catamaran that emphasized open living spaces, social areas, and energy autonomy through integrated solar technology.
As the Cannes Yachting Festival drew to a close on September 13th, the boats left behind more than impressive specifications. Across two iconic harbors, the 2026 event offered a glimpse into where yachting is heading next: greater comfort, smarter technology, thoughtful design, and a seamless relationship between life on land and life at sea.
