Côte d'Azure
Sat 5th - Sat 12th June 2027

Our first trip in 2027 is to the South of France – to the Côte d’Azure to be precise. This follows a very successful trip in 2024, which started in Marseille.  This time we start a little further east, near Toulon, and head towards St Tropez and beyond.

Our itinerary is not yet fixed, but the map shows an indicative route that covers some of the many possible ports of call described below.

Toulon

Toulon is where the trip starts with a proper taste of the Mediterranean: a vast natural harbour framed by white limestone hills, naval ships and ferries, with sailing boats tucked into the marina alongside the waterfront. Behind the quays lies the old town, a maze of narrow streets, shady squares and fountains, while the famous Cours Lafayette market brings the colours, smells and bustle of Provence right down towards the port. For the more energetic, the cable car climbs Mont Faron, 584 metres above the city, for an extraordinary view across the rade. Toulon feels unmistakably maritime, but thoroughly Provençal too.

We will pick our boats up either in Toulon Harbour or in one of the marinas on the southern side of the bay, a short taxi ride from the city.

Cavalaire-sur-Mer

Cavalaire is the sort of place where the sailing boat seems to fit naturally into the landscape. The town sits at the head of a broad, sheltered bay, backed by wooded hills and protected by Cap Lardier and Cap Cavalaire. Four kilometres of fine sandy beaches curve around the bay, with clear water, little coves and plenty of opportunities to get back on the water. The harbour is lively without losing its seaside-town character, and there is a distinctly nautical feel to the place: sailing, windsurfing, diving and other watersports are all part of everyday life. Ashore, cafés and restaurants line the waterfront, making this an easy place to slip into holiday mode.

 

Port Grimaud

Port Grimaud is the Côte d’Azur’s great piece of seaside eccentricity: a modern town designed as a watery Provençal village, where canals replace streets and boats can be moored almost outside the front door. Created from the 1960s onwards by architect François Spoerry, it has become known as the “Venice of Provence”, with colourful façades, little bridges and waterways opening directly onto the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Arriving by yacht gives the place its full theatrical effect, as the harbour and canals suddenly appear as one great boat-filled playground. It is very different from the old villages of the Var – but that is precisely its charm.

Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez needs little introduction, but arriving by boat gives a rather different perspective from the one suggested by its reputation. Yachts and traditional boats fill the old port, colourful waterfront buildings rise behind the quays, and the narrow streets of the old village climb away towards the ochre-and-red church tower. It is undeniably glamorous, yet there is still a working Mediterranean port beneath the designer boutiques and famous names. Wander the old harbour early in the day, explore the lanes and market, or take to the water again for the beaches and coves around the peninsula. Saint-Tropez is perhaps at its most convincing when seen from the cockpit, approaching under sail.

Sainte-Maxime

Across the Gulf from Saint-Tropez, Sainte-Maxime has a distinctly different feel: lively, elegant and thoroughly Provençal, but without quite the same celebrity intensity. Its marina sits beneath the town’s church tower, with the Massif des Maures rising behind it and beaches stretching away along the coast. The waterfront is made for wandering, with cafés, shops and terraces close to the harbour, while the old town and covered market offer a glimpse of local life beyond the resort. Sailors are particularly well placed here, with the beaches and rocky Pointe des Sardinaux leading the eye eastwards and the whole sweep of the Gulf opening out to the west.

Saint-Raphaël

Saint-Raphaël combines the pleasures of a proper French Riviera town with some seriously good sailing country on its doorstep. The renovated Vieux Port is a particularly attractive arrival point, with yachts and sailing boats alongside the traditional pointus fishing boats and their distinctive pointed bows. The fish market and old town are just behind the waterfront, while the hills of the Esterel rise dramatically to the west, their red volcanic rocks contrasting with the deep blue Mediterranean. A wander ashore can take in Provençal markets, narrow old streets and Belle Époque architecture; back on board, the coastline towards Agay and the Esterel is one of the trip’s great sailing landscapes.

 

Agay

Agay is less about seeing and being seen and more about dropping the hook, going for a swim and wondering why you have not stayed longer. The bay is beautifully sheltered between Cap Dramont and Pointe de la Baumette, with the dramatic red rocks of the Esterel rising behind it. Three sandy beaches curve around the water, while the small harbour sits at the heart of the bay, backed by restaurants, gardens and the wooded slopes of the Rastel. From the deck, the contrast is striking: brilliant blue Mediterranean, deep green vegetation and the extraordinary rust-red cliffs of the Esterel. It is one of those places where the sailing itself becomes part of the attraction.

Le Lavandou

Le Lavandou still carries the character of the fishing village from which the modern resort grew. Walk along the harbour and you can see the traditional pointus bobbing among sailing boats and yachts, while the quays provide an easy route into the heart of town. Beyond the port, the coastline unfolds into a remarkable succession of beaches and small coves – twelve sandy beaches along twelve kilometres of coast – backed by the green slopes of the Massif des Maures. The turquoise water and sheltered bays are irresistible for a sailing crew, while ashore there are fish markets, cafés and the relaxed rhythms of a genuine Mediterranean seaside town.

Bormes-les-Mimosas

Bormes-les-Mimosas gives the trip a change of pace: leave the yacht in the modern harbour and climb into one of the prettiest medieval villages in the Var. Perched above the coast, Bormes is a tangle of narrow lanes, little squares, flower-covered façades and covered passages, with ochre Provençal houses climbing towards the old castle. The name is no accident either – the area is famous for its mimosa and remarkable botanical diversity. Down at sea level, the coastline stretches away towards fine sandy beaches and secluded coves, while the Massif des Maures provides a green backdrop. It is a place to swap sailing shoes for walking shoes for an afternoon.

Sailing Conditions

Prevailing winds are mild, typically blowing at a gentle 5 to 15 knots (Force 3–4).

Sea breezes often build up by mid-afternoon and drop off by sunset.

While the powerful northwesterly Mistral wind is primarily a winter and spring phenomenon, occasional brisk episodes can still sweep down from the mountains.

June Weather
Average Temperatures
25C
High Temperature
28C
Low Temperature
23C
Rainfall
25-55mm in the month
Rainfall Days
2-8 Days

Important Trip Information

Embarkation: 1700 onwards on Sat 5 June 2027

Set sail: 1000 on Sun 6 June 2027 

Arrival Back in Toulon: 1600 on Fri 11 June 2027

Disembark: 0900 on Sat 12 June 2027

The Sundowners member price of the trip for the yacht charter is:

 Standard Berth £600 
(£50 discount if booked before 1 Dec 26)

Single Occupancy Preferred £900 Click for details
(£50 discount if booked before 1 Dec 26)

which includes the following: 

Basic Yacht Charter

Not included in the sailing event price are:
flights, transfers, outboards, personal insurance, victualling, meals ashore, diesel, bed linen, end cleaning, water, mooring fees and any personal expenditure.

The Club’s standard terms and conditions apply.  In summary:

  • Paying your deposit commits you to the trip and to paying all payments as and when required.
  • If you withdraw from an event you are still liable for the full cost unless a replacement participant is found.
  • If a replacement is found there will be an admin charge made for the change of participant.
  • You agree to bear the shared cost of any security deposit loss levied by the charter company for loss or damages.

The full cost of the deposit is approx £2500 per boat.

HOW TO GET THERE

British Airways and Easyjet fly direct to Toulon from the UK but there are many more flights available from the UK to Marseille, with BA, Easyjet and Ryanair all running multiple flights per day.  Our starting point in Toulon is reachable in about 2 hours via coaches that leave direct from Marseille airport.

Do not book flights until advised to do so by the event organisers.

Payment Schedule

Payment Due Date Shared Cabin Single Cabin

Deposit

Immediately

£200*/£250*

£200*/£250*

Mid Payment

4 Jan 2027

£200

£200

Final Payment

1 Apr 2027

£150

£450

   

Total Cost

£550*/£600*

£850*/£900*
* Lower price for bookings up to 30 Nov 26
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