In Cannes, September moves to the rhythm of the sea

Published on 3 September 2026

From the Cannes Yachting Festival to the Régates Royales, the destination celebrates sailing and invites visitors to extend their summer between the Bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands

In Cannes, September doesn’t mark the end of summer: it’s a special time to enjoy the sea in a different way. As the intense heat subsides, the Mediterranean light softens and the city returns to a more relaxed pace, the Cannes coastline becomes the setting for a month dedicated to sailing. Two major international events are the highlights: the Cannes Yachting Festival, from 8 to 13 September, followed by the Régates Royales, from 19 to 26 September. With a mix of modern boats, exceptional yachts, classic sailing vessels and day trips to the Lérins Islands, Cannes offers a different way to experience the sea, combining innovation, heritage and nature.

September: the major sailing event in Cannes

The month kicks off with the Cannes Yachting Festival, which will take place from 8 to 13 September across the city’s two iconic harbours, the Vieux Port and Port Canto. Regarded as one of the major international events in the yachting world, this year’s show features over 700 boats and yachts – motor and sailing, monohulls and multihulls – as well as the sector’s latest innovations. Visitors will be able to discover world premieres and enjoy sea trials in the Bay of Cannes. (Cannes Yachting Festival)

A few days later, the bay takes on a new look. From 19 to 26 September, the Régates Royales celebrate their 48th edition, bringing together more than 150 classic sailing yachts, among the finest traditional yachts in the world. These historic vessels, designed by renowned naval architects such as William Fife III, Nathanael Herreshoff and William Gardner, offer a unique spectacle both from the Cannes coastline and out at sea. (Régates Royales de Cannes)

September thus sees two distinct worlds unfold in succession: that of modern yachting and its innovations, followed by that of classic tall ships and the elegance of traditional sailing. Two events which, each in their own way, illustrate the historical and cultural bond that unites Cannes with the Mediterranean.

The sea as the central theme of a holiday in Cannes

Aside from these two events, September is a particularly good time to explore the Cannes coastline. The maritime influence helps to temper the town’s climate, allowing you to make the most of outdoor activities as summer draws on, but in a milder atmosphere.

It’s the perfect time to explore the Croisette on foot or by bike, stroll along the beaches, watch the boats from the harbours or even set sail. Opposite Cannes, the Lérins Islands offer a natural and historic retreat, just a few minutes’ boat ride from the Vieux Port. The archipelago allows you to experience, in a single trip, everything from the bustling nautical life of the bay to the tranquillity of Sainte-Marguerite’s woodland paths or the unspoilt landscapes of Saint-Honorat.

This connection to the sea is also part of a commitment to preserving natural areas and better regulating water-based activities. On Sainte-Marguerite, the Mooring and Light Equipment Zone enables the island to welcome recreational boaters whilst limiting unauthorised mooring within a protected area.

The Lérins Islands: where heritage meets the sea

Making the most of September in Cannes also means taking the time to rediscover the Lérins Islands and their heritage treasures.

On the island of Saint-Honorat, the monastery tower of Lérins Abbey, built in the 11th century, has just been given a new lease of life. After six years of work, it was officially inaugurated on 22 June 2026. The restoration work has, in particular, ensured the building’s long-term protection, restored its masonry and joinery, enhanced its interior spaces and improved visitor facilities and safety. This restoration marks a new stage in the promotion of this exceptional heritage site and in the process of nominating the island of Saint-Honorat for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

On Sainte-Marguerite Island, history can now also be explored through new technologies. Since this summer, the Musée du Masque de Fer et du Fort Royal has been offering a free, multilingual augmented reality tour. Using touchscreen tablets and audio headsets, visitors can explore Fort Royal at different periods in history through 360-degree reconstructions and rediscover the stories of its prisoners, notably that of the Man in the Iron Mask. The experience is suitable for children aged 11 and over and is available in French, English, Italian, German and Spanish.

An original way of bringing heritage and innovation together: after admiring the yachts and sailing boats in the bay, visitors embark on a journey through another side of Cannes’ history – that of its islands, its fortifications and its centuries of maritime history.

A month to set sail

In September, Cannes reveals yet another facet of its identity. The sea is no longer merely the city’s backdrop: it becomes the central theme of a holiday that combines major events, yachting, heritage, nature and the art of living.

From the parade of yachts at the Cannes Yachting Festival to the historic sailing ships of the Régates Royales, from the harbours along the Croisette to the footpaths of Sainte-Marguerite, from the monastery-tower of Saint-Honorat to Fort Royal and its new augmented reality tour, Cannes invites you to set sail, at a leisurely pace, to extend the summer in a different way.

Press contacts:

Blandine Dugenetay – 04 92 99 84 4 5 – [email protected]

Marine Cheli – 04 92 99 31 67 – [email protected]

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