ARRIVAL
Flights from Germany to Marseille, Toulon-Hyères or Nice, from there continue by hire car, train, bus or taxi to the charter base. Practical for those travelling without a hire car: between Menton and Marseille, the railway line runs directly along the coast with stops in all major towns.
CHARTER
The Kiriacoulis charter base in Bormes-Les-Mimosas is an ideal starting point for a trip to the Iles d'Hyères and the Calanques. From there, it is only a few miles to the offshore islands and the infrastructure in the town is good. Dream Yacht Charter has a base in the harbour Port Pin Rolland in Saint Mandrier-sur-Mer, as well as in Marseille, so that one-way trips are possible.
WIND AND WEATHER
Usually light winds in midsummer, with a sea breeze from the south-east often blowing in the afternoon. Mistral from the northwest is more frequent in spring and autumn. Between Marseille and the Iles d'Hyères, the stormy wind that hits the Bay of Marseille through the Rhône Valley can be particularly strong. East of the Iles d'Hyères, along the coastline to Italy, the Mistral hardly plays a role, but very strong winds from the east can occur here.
Good weather and swell forecasts are available fromMétéo Marine of the French weather serviceMétéo France (www.meteofrance.com and as an app) and the usual sources such asWindy (www.windy.com) orWindfinder (www.windfinder.de) and its iOS and Android apps.
HARBOURS & ANCHORAGES
There are dozens of harbours between Marseille and Nice, making short stops possible. In the Calanques near Marseille alone, it is only possible to anchor. In the Port Pin calanque alone, there are moorings for smaller boats and moorings for larger yachts, which also have to tie the stern to the rock with shore lines. An experience!
The infrastructure is good in most harbours, but in July and August it is usually very crowded and places in harbours are rare. The anchor bays then become cramped. It is not unusual to hang out fenders at the anchorage. You can register with the harbours via VHF channel 9 and a berth will then be allocated. Or enter the harbour, moor at the reception jetty (Pont d'accueil) and ask the harbour master (Capitainerie) for a free berth.
NAVIGATION & SEAFARING
The micro-area of the Hyerian Islands is well suited for beginners. The distances are short, the anchorage is good, the wind and waves are low to moderate - unless there is a mistral or strong easterly wind. However, the 600 metre wide ring around the islands, which are completely national park territory and where strict nature conservation rules apply, must be observed: Anchoring and landing is prohibited in many places, speed is limited to 5 knots and only "bateaux propres", boats with faeces tanks, are allowed to sail here.
However, the restrictions look more complicated on the maps of the national park than on site: yellow buoys always mark the restricted areas. So you simply anchor outside the markings. The same applies in the bays of the Calanques. Information can be found on the pages of the national parks at en.portcros-parcnational.fr and www.portcros-parcnational.fr.
LITERATURE AND NAUTICAL CHARTS
The French harbour and area guide "Bloc Marine Méditerranée" with information also in English is on board the charter ships, as are nautical charts, and a good English-language area guide is the "Imray Mediterranean France & Corsica Pilot" by Rod and Lucinda Heikell. In general, knowledge of French helps, but is not a must. tip: A lovingly drawn anchorage guide is "Carnet de Mouillages II" by Sabine Chautard.
TERRITORY CHARACTERISTICS
TheCôte d'Azur is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Germans. However, relatively few German charter sailors and owners can be found on the water. However, the stretch of coast between Marseille and Menton is extremely worthwhile and is also a good starting point forTrips to Corsica.
The great attraction of the district is itsVersatilityBetween Marseille and the Iles d'Hyères you will find the fjord-like bays of the Calanques and the Iles d'Hyères.Beautiful natural sitesin which time and again lonely anchoring à la Robinson onturquoise coloured water is possible.
Just a few nautical miles to the east, on the stretch of coast between Saint-Tropez and Nice, the Côte d'Azur shines with harbours full ofLuxury yachtsjet-set hustle and bustle and inviting coastal towns. Excursions to theProvence hinterlandfor example to the region's wineries, is possible from almost every harbour.
The area is also wellSuitable for beginnersThe distances to the next harbour or anchorage are always short.Swell builds up quickly in bays, however, as in the afternoon thenumerous motorboats and yachts in the area return to their harbour, or when an old wind sea from the Mediterranean hits the French coast.
Not to be underestimated is theMistralblowing from the north-west andStorm force is reached with a corresponding swell: if it is forecast, it is necessary to seek shelter quickly in a north-west-facing sea.protected harbour - and you can expect to be blown in for a week. In the summer months, however, the wind tends to be rather light with aBreeze from the south-eastwhich allows pleasant light wind sailing in the afternoon.
