12 Sailing Trips in France Worth Booking

1.Marseille: Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 453 reviews · 1 day · from $64Our pick

Join the Goélette Alliance at Marseille’s Old Port for a relaxed evening sail to the Frioul archipelago. You’ll swim in a sheltered cove, eat a fresh vegetarian buffet, sip Provençal rosé, and watch the sun set over the sea. Fabio has guided some departures, and the multilingual crew speaks English, French, and Italian.

“We loved our guides, and we liked how chilled it was, however for the price I think there could have been more drinks available (or lower the price?). It was a nice touch that they played a bit of music. We went mid-june and it was far too cold to swim around 8:30! Nice idea, but the stop off was too late - only the Instagrammers were brave enough!”

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2.Marseille: Frioul Calanques Sailing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 433 reviews · from $113

Join a skipper and up to seven other people for a four-hour sail from the Mucem in Marseille to a Frioul calanque. You can help raise the sails, steer, swim, snorkel, or simply enjoy the cliffs and sea. Skippers such as Valentin, Julien, Leo, and Remy have been praised for patient instruction and friendly local insight.

“Had a great time, we stopped at a beautiful Calanque and also got the opportunity to sail.”

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3.Marseille: Calanques Sailing Day Trip with Lunch and Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 411 reviews · 7 hours · from $159

Sail from Marseille aboard Le Don du Vent, a historic yacht with a friendly French and English-speaking crew. Enjoy coffee and navettes, then cruise toward Sormiou, Morgiou, Sugiton, or La Côte Bleue. Swim, snorkel, and eat a generous chef-prepared buffet with organic white wine and rosé.

“Excellent day on the boat. The crew was extremely professional, kind, and funny! Delicious food and wine, great swimming and views. Nice balance of shade and sun on the boat, with comfy bean bags for lounging. We cut the engine and sailed when the wind cooperated, which was really special. It’s a spectacular and historic boat, too. Overall, super!”

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4.Marseille: Calanques Sailing Cruise with Lunch and Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 354 reviews · 1 day · from $153

You board Goélette Alliance at Marseille’s Old Port for a full day around Château d’If, Frioul, Riou, and the Calanques. Expect two swimming stops, masks and fins, a fresh vegetarian buffet, coffee, snacks, and one glass of rosé. The crew speaks French, English, and Italian, with Cap Fabio and Patrick among the guides mentioned by name.

“Wonderful day aboard a sailboat. The crew was the best: helpful and kind. As always, the employees make the excursion excellent ! Snorkeling in the Mediterranean is bliss. The food aboard was awesome and I have not been so relaxed in a Long time.”

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5.Côte d’Azur: Half-Day Coastline Catamaran Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 266 reviews · 3 hours · from $76

Spend three hours aboard a Côte d’Azur catamaran with French and English-speaking crew. Expect an aperitif after boarding, a swim stop near Saint-Tropez, kayaks and paddles, and time to relax on deck. Captains and crew members such as Alex, Clément, Ryan, Gael, and Leia have earned warm praise for their friendly help.

“Really fun trip with opportunities to swim and use the kayaks, conditions were a little choppy but the crew made the best of it and adjusted. Super friendly crew and a wonderful experience.”

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6.Marseille: Set sail for the Château d’If and the Frioul Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 138 reviews · 3 hours · from $69Top rated

Meet your Marseille-born captain beneath the Mucem footbridge for a three-hour boat trip past Vallon des Auffes, Degaby Island, and Château d’If. You’ll spend about 90 minutes at Frioul, with time for a cove swim, a walk, lunch, or a café stop. French and English guiding, water, masks, and paddles are included.

“The sea was a bit rough but that made the boat ride even more fun. The skipper was great, and interacted well with all clients on the boat.”

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7.Lérins Islands Sailing Discovery, snorkeling and paddle SUP

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 110 reviews · 3h 30m · from $100

Join skipper Valentin or Valentino for a 210-minute small-group sail from Antibes toward Île Sainte-Marguerite and Fort Royal. You’ll learn the basics of sailing, hear the Man in the Iron Mask story, then snorkel or use the paddleboard in clear Mediterranean water. Swimming runs May 15 through September 15.

“This day has been the highlight of my holiday! Our guide was so accommodating. As it was only the three of us he changed the timing of the tour, allowing us extra time in our favourite places. Would do again if I was in the area!”

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8.Marseille: Sailboat Cruise with Lunch, Swim & Organic Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 109 reviews · 7 hours · from $159

Join the Eleanor Mary at Marseille’s Old Port for a seven-hour sailing day with a maximum of 12 people. The crew chooses between the Côte Bleue, Calanques National Park, and possibly the Frioul Islands according to the weather. You get lunch, organic wine, snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, and time to swim.

“This boat was amazing! The lunch was really nice and our swim spots were great”

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9.Golf Juan: Sunset Sailing Cruise with aperitif at the Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 101 reviews · 3 hours · from $88

Join captain and guide Valentin for a three-hour sunset sail from Juan-les-Pins, limited to nine people. Cruise past Antibes and the Lérins Islands, hear local stories, swim or snorkel near Sainte-Marguerite Island or Cap d’Antibes, and enjoy wine with local snacks as the sun sets.

“Great fun but the paddle board was not great as it was only an inflatable one.”

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10.Marseille: Evening sailboat trip to the Calanques du Frioul with buffet and organic wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 79 reviews · 3h 30m · from $94

Set sail from Marseille’s Old Port on a 210-minute evening trip to the Frioul archipelago. Anchor in a wild cove for swimming, snorkeling, sunset views, a vegetarian buffet from La Casa Consolat, and Provence rosé. The French and English-speaking crew keeps the mood relaxed, with the city glowing on your return.

“La croisière était très sympa ! L’équipage à bord a été super agréable et les différents plats / boissons proposés étaient délicieux ! À recommander !”

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11.From Cannes: Half-day sailboat trip to the Lerins Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 58 reviews · 3h 30m · from $176

Join Celia and Eric for a 210-minute sail from Cannes to the Lérins Islands. With only six people aboard, you can swim, snorkel, paddle, and enjoy rosé, beer, sodas, cheese, and charcuterie at anchor. A skipper, hostess, fuel, equipment, and shore transfer by tender are included.

“Such a lovely time! Cecile & Eric are such good hosts and delightful to get on and in the water! Thank you!”

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12.Departure from BRUSC sunset on sailing catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 41 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

Join the certified captain and crew of CAT EXPLORER for a three-hour sunset sail from Brusc. You will pass Embiez, Six-Fours-les-Plages, and Sanary-sur-Mer, then anchor for a local aperitif and possibly a swim or paddle stop. The new catamaran has a toilet and shower, with guidance in French, English, or Italian.

“Super sunset, équipage génial , apéritif + de quoi grignoter inclus, qui était top ! Petite pause pour le sunset où on peut aller faire du paddle, du kayak, et de la plongée ! Génial !”

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