Family Yacht Charters in France
A family yacht charter in France offers a relaxed and rewarding way to explore the Mediterranean together, combining beautiful coastline, clear water, and a pace that works well for families travelling with children.
While France has several sailing regions, some areas are particularly well suited to family sailing holidays. With the right route and careful planning, a sailing holiday in France can feel calm, manageable, and enjoyable — even for families new to life on board.
Why France Is a Great Choice for a Family Sailing Holiday?
France works well for family sailing holidays because it offers variety without intensity. In the right sailing areas, distances between stops are manageable, conditions are predictable, and days can be shaped around swimming, relaxing, and time ashore rather than long passages at sea.
For families, the appeal often lies in balance. Mornings are unhurried, sailing days are kept comfortable, and afternoons can be spent swimming in clear bays or exploring small coastal towns without feeling rushed.
Certain regions of France are particularly well suited to this style of travel. Island sailing areas in the western Mediterranean offer calmer conditions, sheltered anchorages, and a sense of space that works especially well when travelling with children.
From Your Front Door to Your Yacht in France
A family sailing holiday in France is straightforward to organise from the UK, particularly when travelling to Mediterranean sailing areas. Most families fly to southern France or northern Italy before transferring to the marina closest to their chosen route.
For family sailing routes around Corsica, common arrival points include Nice or Marseille, followed by a short flight or ferry connection. These routes are well established and designed to be manageable when travelling with children.
Boarding usually takes place in the afternoon, allowing time to settle into the yacht, unpack, and meet your skipper in a relaxed setting. There’s no need to sail straight away, and many families enjoy a calm first evening nearby before beginning their sailing route the following day.
What a Typical Day Feels Like on a Family Yacht Charter in France
One of the things families value most about a sailing holiday in France is the easy rhythm of each day. There’s no fixed schedule to follow and no pressure to rush — the pace is shaped entirely around what suits everyone on board.
Mornings often begin with a relaxed breakfast on deck before a short, comfortable sail to the next bay or island. Sailing times are kept deliberately manageable, leaving plenty of time for swimming, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing on board. Children tend to spend much of the day in and out of the water, while parents enjoy the calm and space that comes with life on the yacht.
Afternoons are flexible. Some days include a gentle walk ashore, a simple lunch in a small harbour town, or time exploring quiet coves. Other days are spent entirely on the water, enjoying swimming and time together without distractions.
Evenings are calm and unhurried. Meals are enjoyed either ashore or on board, and nights often end quietly as the yacht settles for the evening. It’s this balance — movement without pressure and variety without intensity — that makes family sailing holidays in France feel so rewarding.
Family Sailing Routes in France
When planning a family sailing holiday in France, it’s best to think of routes as a flexible guide rather than a fixed plan. Weather conditions, how everyone is feeling, and what your family enjoys most all play a part in shaping the week.
The example routes below focus on island sailing in the western Mediterranean, where distances between stops can be kept comfortable and conditions are generally well suited to families. These routes allow plenty of time for swimming, relaxed lunches, and unhurried afternoons on board.
As with all family sailing holidays, routes can be adapted as the week unfolds. Your skipper will always adjust plans to ensure the pace remains comfortable and enjoyable for everyone on board.
Yachts Used for Family Sailing Holidays in France
For family sailing holidays in France, comfort, space, and ease of movement on board are the most important considerations. The majority of families choose either a crewed catamaran or a family-friendly sailing yacht, depending on group size and how they like to travel.
Catamarans are particularly popular with families. Their stability, wide decks, and separate living areas make them well suited to travelling with children. Families appreciate the extra space to relax, eat together, and move around safely, both inside and out.
Monohull sailing yachts can also work very well for families who prefer a more traditional sailing experience. These yachts are comfortable and well laid out, and are often chosen by smaller families or those who enjoy a closer connection to sailing itself.
For family sailing holidays in France, yachts are selected based on suitability rather than appearance alone. Layout, safety features, and onboard comfort are always prioritised to ensure the week feels relaxed and enjoyable for everyone on board.
Family-friendly yachts commonly include well-regarded builders such as Lagoon, Bali, Beneteau, and Jeanneau. These brands are known for producing reliable yachts with layouts designed for comfort, practicality, and family use.
Route 1: Calvi – Girolata – Scandola Coast
Best for first-time family yacht charters in France
Day 1 – Travel & Arrival
Fly from the UK to Corsica, typically arriving via Nice before connecting onward to Calvi. After a short transfer to the marina, boarding usually takes place in the afternoon. This gives everyone time to unpack, meet your skipper, and settle into the yacht. Most families enjoy a relaxed first evening nearby, easing into the week without any need to sail straight away.
Day 2 – Calvi to Girolata
After breakfast, begin your first gentle sail south along the coast toward Girolata. Sailing time is kept comfortable, with opportunities to stop for swimming in clear water along the way. Girolata is only accessible by boat or on foot, which gives it a quiet, special feel that families often love.
Day 3 – Exploring Girolata & Surrounding Bays
Spend the day enjoying calm anchorages and swimming straight from the yacht. Children often spend much of the day in the water, while parents relax on board or enjoy the scenery. The pace is slow and flexible, shaped entirely around how everyone is feeling.
Day 4 – Girolata to the Scandola Coast
Sail along the Scandola Nature Reserve, known for its dramatic red cliffs and clear water. This stretch is often one of the highlights of the week. The day is unhurried, with time for swimming and enjoying the coastline from the yacht.
Day 5 – Scandola Coast & Nearby Anchorages
Enjoy a relaxed day exploring the coastline and nearby bays. Many families choose to stay anchored, swim, paddleboard, and enjoy lunch on board rather than moving on.
Day 6 – Begin the Return Toward Calvi
Start making your way back toward Calvi, stopping for swimming and lunch along the route. This day often feels reflective, as families enjoy one of their final full days on the water.
Day 7 – Final Day Near Calvi
Spend your final full day close to the marina. Some families enjoy one last swim or a gentle walk ashore, while others prefer a quiet afternoon on board before a final evening together.
Day 8 – Disembark & Travel Home
After breakfast, disembark and begin your journey home.
Route 2: Ajaccio – Propriano – Bonifacio
Best for families wanting more variety while keeping sailing comfortable
Day 1 – Travel & Arrival
Fly from the UK to Corsica, usually via Nice, before continuing to Ajaccio. After transferring to the marina, boarding takes place in the afternoon. This allows time to unpack, meet your skipper, and settle into the yacht without any pressure to sail on the first day.
Day 2 – Ajaccio to Propriano
After breakfast, begin sailing south along the coast toward Propriano. Sailing time is kept comfortable, with opportunities to stop for swimming along the way. Propriano feels relaxed and welcoming, making it an easy first stop for families.
Day 3 – Propriano to Bonifacio
Continue toward Bonifacio, planning the day to include swimming and lunch stops. Arrival beneath Bonifacio’s limestone cliffs is often a highlight for both adults and children, and the marina is calm and well sheltered.
Day 4 – Exploring Bonifacio
Spend the day enjoying Bonifacio at a gentle pace. Families often split time between swimming from the yacht and a walk into the old town, which is compact and easy to explore together.
Day 5 – Southern Corsica Bays
Enjoy a relaxed day exploring nearby bays along the southern coast. The water here is clear and calm, making it ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and unhurried time on board.
Day 6 – Begin the Return Journey
Start making your way back north, stopping for swimming and lunch en route. The pace remains flexible and shaped around how everyone is feeling.
Day 7 – Final Day Near Ajaccio
Spend your final full day close to the marina, enjoying one last swim or a quiet afternoon on board before a final evening together.
Day 8 – Disembark & Travel Home
After breakfast, disembark and begin your journey home.
Which Family Sailing Route in France Is Right for You?
Choosing the right sailing route in France is less about distance and more about what suits your family’s pace, interests, and confidence on the water. Both Corsica routes are designed specifically for families, offering calm conditions, manageable sailing days, and plenty of time to relax and enjoy life on board.
Route 1: Calvi – Girolata – Scandola Coast is ideal if this is your first family sailing holiday in France, if you’re travelling with younger children, or if you’d prefer a quieter, nature-led experience. Sailing distances are kept short, and the focus is firmly on calm anchorages and unhurried days.
Route 2: Ajaccio – Propriano – Bonifacio suits families who would enjoy a little more variety during the week, including time in charming harbour towns alongside swimming and coastal sailing. While still relaxed, this route offers a slightly broader mix of scenery and experiences.
If you’re unsure which route would suit your family best, many families choose Route 1 for their first sailing holiday in France and explore Route 2 on a future trip once they feel comfortable with the rhythm of sailing together.
Yes. France works very well for family yacht charters when the right sailing region is chosen. Areas such as Corsica offer calm conditions, manageable sailing distances, and a relaxed pace that suits families travelling with children.
Is a Family Sailing Holiday in France Right for Us?
A family yacht charter in France isn’t the right holiday for everyone — and that’s a positive thing. The best sailing holidays work because they suit the people on board and the way they like to travel.
A family sailing holiday in France is a great fit if you enjoy spending time outdoors, your children like swimming and simple adventures, and you’re comfortable with a flexible plan rather than a tightly scheduled itinerary. Many families also appreciate the balance France offers, combining natural scenery, relaxed sailing days, and gentle time ashore.
It may not be the best choice if you prefer busy resorts, highly structured activities, or holidays built around constant entertainment. Sailing holidays are about slowing down, sharing experiences, and enjoying the journey as much as the destination.
We’re always happy to talk this through honestly. The right family sailing holiday should feel right before you book.
What to Pack for a Family Sailing Holiday in France
Packing for a family sailing holiday in France is usually simpler than many people expect. Life on board is relaxed and informal, and packing light makes moving around the yacht easier and more comfortable for everyone.
Clothing
Most families spend their days in swimwear and casual clothing. Lightweight clothes, one warmer layer for evenings, and a light windbreaker are usually all that’s needed. Comfortable shoes with non-marking soles are useful on board, along with sandals or flip-flops for time ashore.
For Children
Sun hats, UV swim tops, and water shoes are practical additions, particularly for rocky coves and beaches. A small backpack for days ashore and one familiar comfort item for younger children can help them settle quickly into life on board.
Practical Essentials
Soft-sided luggage is important for storage on a yacht. Sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, any personal medication, and phone chargers are usually all that’s required. Some families like to bring motion-sickness remedies, even if they’re rarely needed, for added peace of mind.
What You Don’t Need
There’s no need for formal clothing, large suitcases, or lots of toys. Most yachts provide bed linen and towels, and children tend to stay occupied with swimming, exploring, and time on the water.
Planning a Family Sailing Holiday in France
A family charter to France should feel exciting, but also clear and manageable from the very beginning.
If you’d like to explore what’s available before speaking to anyone, you can browse family-friendly yachts in France and get a feel for the different boat types, layouts, and options that work well for travelling with children.