Every September, for a few weeks, the French Riviera becomes one of the hubs of the international yachting world. From September 8 to 13, 2026, the Cannes Yachting Festival kicks off the new sailing season with more than 710 boats and yachts and over 680 exhibitors gathered between the Vieux Port and Port Canto. Fifteen days later, from September 23 to 26, 2026, the Monaco Yacht Show takes over at Port Hercule with an expected fleet of approximately 120 superyachts and the industry’s leading international players.
For Magrey & Sons, these events naturally resonate with the luxury real estate market on the Riviera. International clients who travel between Cannes and Monaco are also looking for properties that can extend this special connection with the Mediterranean. Waterfront villas, proximity to ports, and ease of access: when viewed from the sea, the criteria for a property take on a new meaning.
These three weeks thus offer a different perspective on the French Riviera, bringing together yachting and luxury real estate, supported by a partnership with Yachting Concept Monaco.
Every year, over a three-week period, two boat shows take center stage: the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 8 to 13, 2026, followed by the Monaco Yacht Show from September 23 to 26, 2026. Together, they showcase what the French Riviera is all about today.
Founded in 1977, the Cannes Yachting Festival has always been the first major event of the new season. Owned by the Fédération des Industries Nautiques and organized by RX, it takes place across two complementary venues, connected by the Croisette and by water shuttles. The Vieux Port, at the foot of Le Suquet, is where the yachts are concentrated, with a focus on marine innovation: launches by major international shipyards and new equipment. This is also where sea trials are held.
Port Canto, at the eastern end of the Croisette, brings together the Sailing Area, the Yacht Brokerage Zone, the Toys Area, and the Power Boat Marina. Here you’ll find exceptional sailboats, pre-owned superyachts, and motorboats up to 13 meters in length, all in an atmosphere quite different from that of the Old Port. The show also features a dedicated section highlighting the industry’s technological and environmental advancements, allowing visitors to follow the market’s developments more closely.
The official figures speak to the event’s scale: more than 710 boats, over 680 exhibitors, 56,600 visitors, and 680 journalists.
Launched in 2024, the Innovation Route has quickly established itself as an unmissable highlight. A true showcase of technological excellence and eco-friendly initiatives, this exhibition highlights the major advancements shaping the future of yachting. For its 2026 edition, the Cannes Yachting Festival is reviving the “Innovation Route Awards” to recognize the most remarkable projects and honor the pioneers of a more accessible, cleaner, connected, and sustainable recreational boating industry.
With 120 entries submitted, the selection process was, once again this year, particularly rigorous. For this edition, the jury—composed of six experts—selected 52 major innovations that stand out for their boldness, relevance, and ability to transform the industry.
“The role of the Cannes Yachting Festival is to enhance the appeal of boating and inspire our visitors. Highlighting our exhibitors’ forward-looking solutions and initiatives is a given. It is a source of real pride to see the central role these solutions play at the Cannes Yachting Festival. The 52 selected boats, equipment, and services demonstrate the industry’s deep commitment to more responsible recreational boating, without ever compromising on the joy of sailing,” emphasizes Constance Brément, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival.
Through these 52 innovations, the Cannes Yachting Festival underscores the momentum of an industry committed to greater sustainability, higher performance, and greater connectivity.
As soon as the show opens on Tuesday, September 8, the four winners of the “Innovation Route Awards” will be announced during the Exhibitors’ Cocktail Reception and will receive an exclusive trophy designed by France Hélice. A Special Jury Prize will also be awarded to a particularly bold project.
Fifteen days later, the Principality takes the reins. From September 23 to 26, 2026, Port Hercule will host the 35th edition of the Monaco Yacht Show, under the high patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II. The expected fleet will number around 120 superyachts, including 43 vessels delivered in 2026, at a time when the order books of major shipyards extend beyond 2028.
Toby Moore, CEO of Informa Prestige, organizer of the Monaco Yacht Show, stated: “What this fleet offers a client is found nowhere else in the world. In four days and in a single port, you can walk the decks of 43 yachts delivered this year, stand alongside the shipyards that built them and the brokers who will charter, manage, or resell them.”
The 2026 edition emphasizes design and sustainability, featuring the Blue Wake program dedicated to more sustainable propulsion systems, the Adventure Area, the Design & Innovation Hub, and a completely redesigned Designer Gallery.
“This year, we’ve redesigned the Designer Gallery with an expanded and unified platform, partially set on the harbor’s rocks, to create a seamless and refined experience for visitors. By bringing designers closer to the superyacht and tender docks in the Dockside Area and optimizing the quality of the exhibition spaces, we ensure that both the creative process and the final designs are showcased in the best possible environment,” says Toby Moore, CEO of Informa Prestige.
Beyond the show’s staging, this trend is telling. In the yachting market, exclusivity is no longer defined solely by size or finishes. Design, innovation, and customization are now key factors in the purchasing decision.
A boat show is more than just a show. In Cannes and Monaco alike, some of the clients on the docks are also among those whom Magrey & Sons assists in acquiring exceptional waterfront residences along the coast.
The partnership announced in 2026 between Magrey & Sons and Yachting Concept Monaco is a natural extension of this trend: yachting and luxury real estate are not merely two adjacent markets. On the Riviera, they share the same geographical context and, often, the same way of experiencing the Mediterranean. This perspective also builds on the discussion featured in Magrey Insider Issue 6, which focused on waterfront villas and the unique characteristics of these exceptionally rare properties.
From Monaco, the maritime route to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Cap d’Antibes, and then Cannes almost naturally maps out some of the premier locations on the French Riviera and the Magrey & Sons offices.
From the sea, you don’t just look at a facade you see it come to life as the seasons change. For some buyers, the property is no longer just a destination. It becomes an anchor.
This relationship between the sea and the property is particularly evident at the Domaine de la Belle Étoile in Cap d’Antibes, whose location offers a privileged view of the coastline from the Mediterranean, where Magrey & Sons was proud to celebrate its launch on July 23, 2026.
From Cannes to Monaco, this is also where the rarity of an exceptional property is truly measured.
CANNES PALM BEACH – TOP FLOOR 3-ROOM APARTMENT – WATERFRONT – PANORAMIC SEA VIEW
Cannes Palm Beach - Waterfront apartment
CANNES PALM BEACH - UNIQUE - WATERFRONT VILLA
ILE SAINTE MARGUERITE - Exceptional property in the heart of the Lerins Islands
