What is a Cannes Lions yacht charter?
A Cannes Lions yacht charter simply means hiring a luxury yacht in Cannes during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Many brands, agencies and technology companies use yachts as a private space to host clients, hold meetings or organise events during the week. With the yachts moored in Cannes harbour, just steps from the Palais des Festivals, they provide a convenient and impressive base throughout the festival.
Why do companies charter yachts during Cannes Lions?
Cannes Lions is one of the busiest weeks of the year in Cannes, with hotels, restaurants and traditional event venues booked months in advance. A Cannes Lions yacht charter offers something quite different — a private space on the water where companies can host clients, hold meetings or organise events away from the crowds.
For many brands and agencies, a yacht becomes a base for the week. Guests can come and go easily from the Palais des Festivals, while the yacht provides a relaxed setting for conversations, presentations or evening receptions overlooking the harbour. It also offers flexibility that is difficult to achieve with land-based venues, allowing companies to host multiple gatherings throughout the day and evening.
Where are Cannes Lions charter yachts located?
Most yachts used for Cannes Lions are berthed in the Vieux Port of Cannes on the Jetée Albert Edouard, directly adjacent to the Palais des Festivals where the festival takes place. Many of the event yachts line the famous “Yacht Row”, making them easy for guests to reach on foot from the main conference area.
When should you book a Cannes Lions yacht charter?
Demand for Cannes Lions yacht charters is extremely strong each year, and the most suitable yachts are often booked well in advance. In most cases we recommend starting the process six to twelve months before the festival, particularly if you need a larger yacht for events or a prime berth in the port.
How much does a Cannes Lions yacht charter cost?
The cost of a Cannes Lions yacht charter varies depending on the size of the yacht and how it will be used during the festival. Smaller yachts used mainly for meetings or smaller hospitality gatherings may start from around €35,000–€50,000 for the week.
However, the yachts most commonly used during Cannes Lions are typically around 40 metres in length, offering several deck spaces that work well for hosting guests. For this type of yacht, a typical Cannes Lions yacht charter cost is often around €150,000 for the week, allowing companies to welcome 70–80 guests on board for receptions and events.
Larger superyachts or yachts used for bigger receptions can cost considerably more, particularly if additional services are required such as catering, event staffing or production for events on board.
How many guests can a Cannes Lions yacht accommodate?
This depends on the yacht and the berth regulations set by the port of Cannes. Many yachts comfortably host 30 to 80 guests for meetings or receptions, while larger yachts used for branded events can accommodate well over 100 guests. When planning a Cannes Lions yacht charter we always look carefully at guest numbers and the type of event you have in mind.
What kinds of events take place on Cannes Lions yachts?
Yachts are used in many different ways during the festival. Some companies use them as a quiet base for meetings during the day, while others organise cocktail receptions, client dinners or small panel discussions. A Cannes Lions yacht charter can also work well for product launches, influencer gatherings or simply as a relaxed hospitality space throughout the week.
How does the Cannes Lions yacht charter process work?
It usually begins with a conversation about how you plan to use the yacht during Cannes Lions — whether for meetings, client hospitality or larger events during the week. From there we suggest a selection of suitable yachts based on guest numbers and how you expect to host on board.
Once the yacht is chosen, we handle the practical arrangements behind the scenes. This includes managing the berth application process with the port of Cannes, which is a key part of securing the yacht’s position during the festival.
In the lead-up to Cannes Lions we also help organise the details on board, from catering and service to guest flow and daily schedules. During the week itself, we effectively act as event planners on the yacht each day, helping ensure everything runs smoothly for meetings, receptions and client events as they happen.
Having arranged yacht charters for Cannes events for many years, we’re familiar with the practicalities of operating in the port during the festival and the small details that make a difference once the week begins.
Why use a specialist Cannes Lions yacht charter broker like Bespoke Yacht Charter?
Cannes Lions is one of the busiest weeks of the year in Cannes, and organising a yacht charter during the festival involves far more than simply choosing a yacht. Berths on Yacht Row are limited, regulations and security requirements can change each year, and not every yacht is suitable for hosting corporate events or brand activations.
Bespoke Yacht Charter is a leading broker for Cannes Lions yacht charters, having successfully delivered over 70 charters during the festival with exceptional feedback from global brands, agencies and corporate clients. Our experience means we understand the logistics, berthing process, event requirements and the types of yachts that work best for meetings, hospitality and evening events.
Working with a specialist broker ensures you secure the right yacht, the best berth and a seamless experience throughout Cannes Lions, with every detail organised well before the festival begins.
