Cannes Yachting Festival 2024 is set to expand in area and offering with the launch of a new area for new motorboats from 8m long – the first time the show has presented boats of this size in the water.
The new layout and new show features make it possible to accommodate the major modernisation and transformation works being undertaken this year and until 2026 in the Vieux Port.
The new marina will cover more than 1,700m2 and provide more than 300m of linear quay. Visitors will find the boats and brands usually exhibited on Quai Max Laubeuf, an area that is unavailable due to the works with 170 boats – 150 in water and 20 on land – with rigid or semi-rigid hulls expected in the new space. In addition to the boats, a selection of outboard engines suitable for these boat sizes will also be displayed.
This marina will be located between the sailing and brokerage and toys areas that have been accommodated in Port Canto for several years.
Also new this year will be the opportunity for visitors to take a full tour of Port Canto – a loop of around 2.5km – to see almost 340 boats including 120 new sail boats over 10m long, 170 power boats from 8m in length and around 50 used large yachts from 24m in length.
Traversantes – pontoons with a motorised central part – will allow visitors to go from one quay to another and small motorboats to go out for sea trials.
There will also be an additional restaurant with capacity for 130 place settings.
“2024 represents a year full of challenges for the Cannes Yachting Festival,” said Sylvie Ernoult, Cannes Yachting Festival director.
“The works in the Vieux Port have an impact on our show and are a challenge we are taking on.”
She added: “We believe this new space will attract a large number of our visitors and give some the opportunity to come and discover Port Canto for the first time. This new configuration for the show also allows us to create an even clearer and more simplified visitor circuit with almost one quay, or one large area, associated with a type of boat.”
The Super Yachts Extension will remain the same.
