French Riviera Fall 2026: The Best Festivals and Events for Visitors

The Cannes Yachting Festival is one of the major boating events on the French
Riviera. From September 8 to 13, 2026, it will take place at the Vieux Port and Port
Canto, with more than 680 exhibitors and over 710 boats and yachts announced by the organizers. The Vieux Port is primarily dedicated to motor yachts, while Port Canto hosts a large selection of sailboats and large yachts.

Admission to the show is by ticket only. Visitors who do not wish to purchase a ticket can still enjoy the atmosphere of the harbors and downtown Cannes neighborhoods from public areas. The Vieux Port, located near Le Suquet, is a particularly good spot to watch the nautical activity from outside the show grounds.

Top spots:
● the Croisette, heading toward Port Canto
● the area around the Old Port
● Le Suquet, for a view from above
● the public spaces around the bay

To visit the festival grounds and view the boats on display, however, you’ll need an
admission ticket. Official hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through
Thursday, until 10 p.m. on Friday, then from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Monaco Yacht Show is one of the most prestigious events of autumn. Its 35th
edition will take place September 23–26, 2026, at Port Hercule. The organizers are expecting up to 120 superyachts and more than 560 exhibitors.

Where can you see the yachts?
Access to the Monaco Yacht Show venues requires an admission pass, with different types of passes available depending on the type of visit. Tickets are sold online only. For visitors who do not wish to enter the show, the public areas around Port Hercule and the hills of Monaco offer a chance to enjoy the sight of the superyachts from the outside.

Top picks:
● Albert I Boulevard
● the area around Port Hercule
● the viewpoints in Monaco-Ville
● the gardens and belvederes overlooking the harbor

The show will officially take place at Port Hercule from September 23 to 26, 2026,
with hours from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and until 6:00
p.m. on Saturday.

The Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB offers participants the chance to explore the
connection between the Alpes-Maritimes mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The 2026 edition features several distances, ranging from 23 km to 159 km depending on the race, with routes linking the Mercantour Massif and the Côte d’Azur.

Where can you watch the race for free?
Since the trail race takes place mainly outdoors, spectators can cheer on the runners from public areas along the course, subject to traffic restrictions and safety guidelines put in place by the organizers.

Top spots:
● the villages along the various race routes;
● the starting areas;
● the finish areas in Nice;
● public areas near the urban race routes.
As the routes vary by race, it’s best to consult the official map before choosing a
viewing spot.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is one of the major sailing events in the Mediterranean.
The 28th edition will take place from September 26 to October 4, 2026, bringing
together classic and modern sailboats in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
Where can you enjoy the event for free?

This is one of the best events on this list for visitors who want to enjoy a major event without buying a ticket. The Village des Voiles is open to the public from September 26 to October 4, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., closing at 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 4.

Admission is free.

Top spots:
● the Village des Voiles;
● the port of Saint-Tropez;
● the quays of the old port;
● coastal areas offering views of the gulf.

Every day, the Village features exhibitor booths and entertainment, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of Les Voiles.

The Roc d’Azur CIC is one of the major events for mountain biking and outdoor
sports. The 42nd edition will take place from October 7 to 11, 2026, featuring an
event village with approximately 300 exhibitors and numerous cycling races.
Where can you enjoy the event for free?
The Roc d’Azur festival is free and open to everyone for four days. The Base Nature in Fréjus is therefore the most convenient spot for visitors who want to explore the world of Roc d’Azur without participating in the competitions.

Top spots:
● the Fréjus Base Nature
● the village and exhibition areas
● the start and finish areas, when open to the public
● the checkpoints listed in the official program

The organizers publish the schedule for the various events and practical information to help you plan your visit.

The Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes Marathon will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The race connects Nice to Cannes, following much of the Mediterranean
coastline, and is one of the major sporting events of the fall on the French Riviera.

Where can you watch the marathon for free?

Spectators don’t have to participate in the race to enjoy the event. The marathon takes place along the coastal roads between the Théâtre de Verdure in Nice and the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, allowing spectators to watch the runners from many public areas along the route.

Top spots:
● the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, near the start
● the coastal sections of the route
● Antibes and Juan-les-Pins
● the Croisette in Cannes
● the area around the Palais des Festivals, near the finish line
To combine a sporting event with sightseeing, the finish line on the Croisette is one of the most interesting spots for visitors.

The Cannes Côte d’Azur Dance Festival will take place from November 21 to
December 6, 2026. This 26th edition will bring together 25 companies from 11
countries and feature an international program focused on contemporary dance.

Is admission free?
No, there is an admission fee for the Dance Festival performances. The festival has a ticket counter for the performances taking place at the various venues on the program. However, the program includes several events other than performances: lectures, panel discussions, meet-and-greets, artistic performances, screenings, and introductory sessions. Admission requirements should be checked for each event, as they are not necessarily the same.