Régates Royales Cannes 2026

Walk past the Old Port during the Régates Royales and it quickly becomes clear that this is not an ordinary week in Cannes.

The modern yachts usually moored in the harbour share the scene with classic sailing boats, some of them more than a century old. Polished wood, tall masts, elegant hulls: for a few days, the port feels almost like a step back in time.

From 19 to 26 September 2026, the Régates Royales return to the Bay of Cannes. And you do not need to be a sailing enthusiast to enjoy what is happening on the water.

 

When the Old Port becomes the best place to watch

The spectacle begins long before the boats leave the harbour.

In the morning, crews prepare the yachts at the dock. Sails come out, ropes are checked and the decks gradually come to life before the first boats head into the bay.

For visitors, this is perhaps the most interesting part of the Régates Royales: seeing the yachts from just a few metres away.

Once the fleet moves out to sea, the perspective changes completely. The masts stand out against the Lérins Islands and the coastline, creating an image of Cannes that feels far removed from its hotels and beaches.

 

Yachts you rarely see together

The appeal of the Régates Royales goes far beyond the competition itself.

The event brings together sailing yachts from different periods, with shapes and proportions that are rarely seen in modern marinas.

Some of these boats have passed through several generations of owners and restorations. Others continue to race despite their age, giving the event a character of its own.

These yachts are not simply displayed behind barriers. They sail, turn, accelerate and compete across the bay.

That is probably what sets the Régates Royales apart from a traditional boat show.

 

Where to watch the Régates Royales in Cannes

For a close-up view of the yachts, the Old Port remains the most interesting place.

The quays offer a chance to watch the preparations before the races and see the crews return later in the day.

Once the boats are out in the bay, the experience is different. From the Croisette, you can see more of the fleet at once. From the higher streets of Le Suquet, the view opens across a much wider section of the bay.

There is no single “best spot”. It really depends on what you want to see: the boats and their details in the harbour, or the sails as part of the wider Cannes landscape.

 

September is the right setting for the Régates

The Régates Royales arrive after the intense pace of July and August.

Cannes is still lively, but the seafront feels different. The days are still long enough to stay outside, terraces remain busy and the Old Port naturally becomes the centre of attention for the week.

That change of pace suits the event particularly well.

Classic yachts do not need music, giant screens or elaborate installations to draw a crowd. Their presence alone is enough to transform the bay.

 

From Hotel Alnéa, the harbour is a natural extension of the city centre

For guests staying at Hotel Alnéa, the Régates fit easily into a day in Cannes.

The hotel is located in the city centre, between the train station, shopping streets, the Palais des Festivals and the Old Port. In the morning, it only takes a short walk down to the harbour to see the crews preparing before departure.

Later, you can return to the centre for lunch, continue towards the Croisette or head up to Le Suquet for a higher view of the fleet.

A car adds very little here: most of the action takes place around the harbour and the bay.

 

Régates Royales Cannes 2026: key dates

The Régates Royales will take place from 19 to 26 September 2026.

Throughout the week, the races take place in the Bay of Cannes, while the yachts and crews remain around the Old Port before and after each race.

Timings and routes may change depending on sea conditions. For the latest daily programme, it is best to check the official event information before heading out.

 

A week when Cannes turns its attention to the sea

There is something very simple about the Régates Royales: beautiful boats, wind and the Bay of Cannes.

That is exactly why it works.

For one week, the quays feel more alive, the landscape changes and a piece of yachting history returns to the water in front of the city.

Even if you know nothing about sailing, a walk through the Old Port is enough to understand why this event comes back every September.

 

CREDIT

@RégatesRoyalesCannes