Yacht Broker on the French Riviera – Expert Guidance for Buyers and Sellers

Finding the right yacht brokerage services on the French Riviera is not simply a question of who has the largest listings database. It is a question of local knowledge, professional standing, and the ability to manage complex transactions with discretion. Allied Yachting has been operating as a professional yacht broker in Cannes since its foundation, with a front office at Port Canto on the Boulevard de la Croisette – one of the most active yacht hubs on the Côte d’Azur.

Our multilingual team of brokers covers the full spectrum of the market: pre-owned motor yachts, sailing yachts, superyachts above 30 metres, and new-build projects through our shipyard partnerships. Whether you are selling your yacht and need a broker who will handle every detail from valuation to closing, or you are buying and need someone who knows which yachts are genuinely available and at what price – Allied Yachting is your independent, professional partner on the French Riviera.

Why the French Riviera Is One of the World’s Most Active Yacht Markets

The stretch of coastline between Cannes and Monaco concentrates more brokerage activity than almost any other region in the Mediterranean. Port Canto, Vieux Port of Cannes, the Ports of Monaco, the Port of Saint-Tropez and Port Vauban in Antibes are home to hundreds of brokerage yachts year-round. The annual Cannes Yachting Festival brings buyers and sellers together from across Europe, the Middle East and the Americas each September – and transactions happen year-round, particularly in late winter or spring, not just during show season.

For buyers, this concentration of vessels means genuine choice: pre-owned yachts from established European shipyards, new-build launches direct from the yard, and a well-developed infrastructure of surveyors, lawyers, flag registries and marine finance specialists. For sellers, the French Riviera market offers access to a considerable amount of qualified buyers, many of whom are already based in or regularly visiting the region.

Allied Yachting’s position at Port Canto puts our brokers at the centre of this market – not observing it remotely, but working within it daily.

Our Yacht Brokerage Services on the French Riviera

Selling Your Yacht

A professional yacht sale on the French Riviera begins with an accurate market appraisal – not a figure designed to win the listing, but a realistic assessment of current demand, comparable transactions and the vessel’s condition. Allied Yachting prepares full marketing documentation, professional photography guidelines, and positions your yacht across the industry’s principal platforms: YachtWorld, boats.com, and our own database of active buyers.

We operate under Central Agency agreements in compliance with IYBA, ECPY & MYBA standards, applying the industry-standard 10% commission on the final sale price, paid by the seller. Under a Central Agency, we take full responsibility for coordinating all co-broker relationships – your yacht benefits from maximum market exposure while you deal with a single point of contact.

Buying a Yacht

Buyers working with Allied Yachting gain access to thousands of listed vessels through the most comprehensive international databases, alongside off-market opportunities from our network of owners and co-brokers across Europe. Our brokers will shortlist vessels matching your criteria, arrange viewings and sea trials, and coordinate the full due diligence process — survey, sea trial, flag registration, VAT status verification and final delivery.

We have particular expertise in motor yachts and sailing yachts in the 15–60 metre range, and in superyachts above 30 metres. We also work directly with leading shipyards – Azimut, Benetti, Baglietto, Cantieri di Pisa, Tankoa, the Ferretti Group, Maiora, Perini Navi, Astondoa and others – for clients considering a new-build project alongside the pre-owned market. Read our yacht buying guide for more details.

New Construction

For clients ready to commission a new yacht, Allied Yachting provides complete project guidance from initial specification through to delivery. Our shipyard relationships include direct representation of Azimut, Astondoa, Benetti, Cantieri di Pisa, Gianetti, Maiora, AB Yachts and Terranova across France, Monaco, Italy, Spain and Turkey. We attend builds, review specifications, and protect the buyer’s interests throughout the construction process.

What Sets Allied Yachting Apart as a French Riviera Yacht Broker

Physical presence in Cannes. Our front office is at Port Canto – the same marina where the Cannes Yachting Festival’s most significant brokerage vessels are displayed each year. Our brokers are not visiting the Riviera seasonally; they are here, meeting captains, owners and co-brokers face to face throughout the year.

Professional accreditation. Allied Yachting is a member of the International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA), the European Committee for Professional Yachting (ECPY), the Fédération des Industries Nautiques (FIN) and the Groupement des Professionnels du Port Canto (GPPC). These memberships are not decorative – they commit us to ethical conduct, transparent fee structures and legally sound contracts.

Multilingual team. Our brokers work in English, French, Russian, Italian and Spanish. For international clients – whether buying from the Middle East, selling from Northern Europe, or relocating a vessel from Turkey – language is never a barrier to a well-managed transaction.

Mediterranean-wide network. While our base is Cannes, our reach extends across the full Mediterranean: Monaco, the Italian Riviera, Tuscany, the Balearic Islands, Mainland Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Croatia and Greece. A yacht listed with Allied Yachting is visible to buyers throughout the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I choose the right yacht broker on the French Riviera?

Look for brokers who are physically based in the region – not simply listing yachts remotely. Check for IYBA, ECPY or MYBA membership, which commits brokers to professional standards and protects both buyers and sellers. Ask how many transactions the broker has completed in your size and price range, and whether they can provide references from recent clients. Allied Yachting’s brokers are based at Port Canto in Cannes and are available to meet in person.

Q: What commission does a yacht broker charge on the French Riviera?

The standard brokerage commission in the Mediterranean is 10% of the final sale price, paid by the seller. This applies whether one broker or more are involved – in the case of a co-brokerage, the commission is shared between the selling and buying brokers. There is no fee charged to the buyer for Allied Yachting’s brokerage service (although some exceptions may apply).

Q: How long does it typically take to sell a yacht on the French Riviera?

This varies considerably by vessel size, condition, asking price and market timing. A well-priced, well-presented yacht in the 15–30 metre range, listed in the first quarter of the year ahead of the summer season, can sell within weeks. Larger superyachts may take 6–18 months to find the right buyer. Allied Yachting provides an honest market appraisal upfront, including a realistic timeframe based on current demand.

Q: Can Allied Yachting help with buying a yacht if I am not based in France?

Yes. Many of our clients are international buyers who purchase yachts on the French Riviera for use in the Mediterranean, without being resident in France. We manage the entire process remotely, where needed – from initial search and shortlisting to coordinating the survey, flag registration, VAT documentation and delivery. Our multilingual team ensures no detail is lost in translation.

Q: What is the difference between a Central Agency and an open listing?

Under a Central Agency agreement, Allied Yachting is the sole broker authorised to list and market your yacht, though other brokers may introduce buyers. This produces the highest level of marketing commitment and coordination. An open listing allows multiple brokers to market the vessel simultaneously, but typically results in less focused attention from any one broker. For vessels above €2,000,000, we strongly recommend a Central Agency arrangement.