An €82 million redevelopment project at the Vieux-Port de Cannes, home of the Cannes Yachting Festival, is due for completion by the end of 2027
The project will create a new waterfront with nine berths for superyachts up to 75 metres and an alongside berth for yachts up to 140 metres.
The upgrade is being managed to modernise the historic port sustainably, and includes features such as a carbon offset program, electric vehicle and boat charging stations, use of sustainable building materials, solar panels and an eco-friendly crew lounge.
“Our vision is to celebrate the heritage of Vieux-Port while giving Cannes the modern, world-class infrastructure it deserves,” explained Emmanuel Messiaen, port director of IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes.
Every element of this redevelopment has been designed to respect the city’s historic character.
Emmanuel Messiaen
“Every element of this redevelopment has been designed to respect the city’s historic character, while ensuring it continues to thrive as a vibrant, sustainable destination for decades to come.”
The first stage in the transformation has been completed, with the opening of the Fisherman’s Village.
The redeveloped area was built using repurposed materials from the original fishing quarter, with 90% of the materials from the demolition re-used.
Work has now switched to extending and enhancing the facilities on Quai Laubeuf with highlights including a state-of-the-art, modernised shipyard for vessels up to 30m, a new cruise and ferry terminal, new capitainerie offices, underground parking with more than 500 spaces, and 5,000 sqm of landscaped gardens.
Calmer water environment
The new shipyard is expected to have a soft opening by the end of 2025, with the new cruise terminal due to open early 2028.
Work is also well underway to extend the breakwater along Jetée Albert Edouard to provide nine new berths for vessels up to 75m and a berth for ships up to 140m on the Quai du Large.
As well as extending capacity, the enhancements will provide a calmer water environment with more room to manoeuvre in the port.
In addition, to improve water quality, polluted sediments are being removed during the breakwater works.
Charm and authenticity
The project is being led by David Lisnard, the Mayor of Cannes, and driven by Fayat Group in partnership with IGY Marinas, with the partners aiming to bring Cannes into the 21st Century without losing the charm and authenticity of the Vieux-Port.
Upon completion, the JAE (North and South) and Quai Esterel docksides at IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes will offer up to 5,200 square meters (56,000 sqft) of usable dock surface.
There will be 686 berths, increasing the berth area to 4,817sqm.
