Provence cruise
The Great Blue (8 days)

Rendezvous in Marseille's legendary Vieux Port, under the gaze of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, to board your catamaran at 6pm.
After settling into your cabins, your crew will brief you on safety rules and life on board over a welcome cocktail. You'll leave the Vieux Port for your first sail to the Frioul Islands.
This small archipelago just a stone's throw from Marseille comprises four main islets: Pomègues, Ratonneau, Tiboulen and If, the most famous. The Château d'If, built in the 16th century, owes its fame to Alexandre Dumas' novel The Count of Monte Cristo, and its main character, Edmond Dantès, imprisoned in the fort.
Dinner and overnight at anchor on the Frioul Islands.

This morning, we weigh anchor for a must-do experience: the discovery of the famous calanques from Marseille to Cassis, which have no equal when viewed from the sea.
The view of these impressive geological formations makes for unforgettable sailing. The white limestone cliffs rise majestically above the turquoise waters, while the secluded coves, famous little cabanons and idyllic beaches invite you to daydream. Each cove reveals its own wild beauty. Your captain will choose the most beautiful one for a swimming stopover, allowing you to enjoy it to the full before returning to Cassis. This typically Provençal port village, with its brightly-colored houses sitting around the basin, its fishermen's boats and its relaxed hustle and bustle, is the perfect setting for the end of a day's cruising. Stroll through the narrow streets, pick up a few souvenirs, enjoy an aperitif in the harbor - you'll feel right at home. Dinner and overnight at anchor.

Our first stop of the day is the majestic Cap de l'Aigle, just outside La Ciotat.
At lunchtime, we reach the beaches of Bandol. This authentic seaside resort is one of the oldest in Provence. Long before Bardot in St Tropez, Bandol's first tourists were Mistinguett, Raimu and Pagnol, as well as Aldous Huxley and Thomas Mann.
In the afternoon, a beautiful sail will take us to the long-awaited stopover on the superb Porquerolles, the largest of the three Golden Islands. Rent a bike and explore its village, vineyards, superb beaches to the north and cliffs to the south, accompanied by the song of the cicadas. You can also swim at Plage d'Argent, with its fine, gently sloping sand and turquoise waters, one of the island's jewels. Stop off at Fort de l'Alycastre. In Provencal legend, a terrible dragon, the Lycastre, lived in a cave, terrorizing the population. A valiant knight, saved from shipwreck by the island's inhabitants, killed it with his sword in gratitude, thus restoring peace.
In the evening, take a seat on one of the terraces in the church square, where the locals play boules, and let yourself be swept away by the gentle island atmosphere.
Dinner and overnight at anchor

Today, we're off to St Tropez! You'll appreciate arriving by sea, a long way from the only road that's overcrowded in summer.
While the village remains a must-see for celebrities, it is not neglected by lovers of the sea, history, art and gastronomy. A high-quality program of events punctuates the year and contributes to the legend of the town. Beyond the festivities, Saint-Tropez remains an authentic village, a small port with many facets.
Discover its picturesque alleyways and charming boutiques, its Provencal market, its 16th-century citadel and its famous Musée de l'Annonciade. Spot a few celebrities among the pétanque players on Place des Lices, or sit on the emblematic terraces of Café Sénéquier or Bar le Gorille, where you can delightfully waste your time watching the passers-by. For a peaceful end to the day, enjoying a great swim, we've chosen Cap Taillat, near Ramatuelle. You'll be seduced by the purity of the water and its remarkable sandy isthmus.
Dinner and overnight at anchor.

Halfway through the cruise, let's devote a day to relaxation, total rest and the benefits of the sea. It's always nice to do nothing on vacation.
Sheltered by Cap Nègre, you drop anchor in the cove of Cavalière. This long, white-sand beach faces Ile du Levant and opens onto the Pelagos marine sanctuary.
We'll then sail to Cap Bénat, one of the most prestigious natural sites on the Var coast, planted with Aleppo pines and cork oaks, between Le Lavandou and Bormes-les-Mimosas. Cap Bénat has been home to the vacation residence of the President of the French Republic since 1968, the Fort de Brégançon, perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea. This exclusive stopover guarantees a peaceful, unspoilt atmosphere.
Dinner and overnight at anchor.

After breakfast, we'll set sail for the Golden Isles, heading for Port-Cros, where we'll disembark in a lovely, unique village, shaded by tall palm trees and nestled in a cove.
Access to Port-Cros is regulated in order to preserve its exceptional biodiversity. Lovers of diving and underwater fauna, this is the place for you.
Hiking trails, shaded by umbrella pines and holm oaks, wind across the island, offering panoramic views of the sea.
In the afternoon, we'll head for the Giens peninsula in the commune of Hyères. Linked to the mainland by two five-kilometre-long sandy inlets, it is a geological curiosity unique in the world. The salt marshes are home to an ornithological reserve populated by pink flamingos. Drop anchor near one of its beaches and spend the evening and night at anchor in this haven of peace.

In the morning, you'll enjoy a stopover in Sanary-sur-Mer. Another little Provencal port, just as we love them! Here you'll find colorful facades, lively alleyways and the shade of palm trees on the terraces, but above all its flower market, held every morning in front of the town hall. For a beautiful view of the sea, the Embiez islands, Pointe Nègre and the red stones of La Cride, climb up to the humble and charming Notre Dame de Pitié chapel.
For the last stop of your cruise, we've reserved the Embiez archipelago. Paul Ricard, founder of the famous Pastis brand, acquired these islands in the 1950s. Partly classified as a nature reserve, the archipelago is dedicated to preserving the environment. There are no deckchairs or bars on the eight beaches and coves bathed in crystal-clear waters. A far cry from the misleading cliché of the Côte d'Azur.
The marina at Saint-Pierre des Embiez is the perfect place to spend your last evening in a relaxed nautical atmosphere, reminiscing about the best moments of your time at sea.
Dinner and overnight at anchor.

We're up a little earlier this morning, but that's the price you have to pay to spend the night in Les Embiez, and it's really not that expensive. After an early breakfast, a final hour's sail will take you back to Marseille's Vieux Port, where you'll leave your catamaran at 9am.