The heart of the French Riviera: Port Vauban

Nestled between Monaco and St Tropez on the French Riviera, Port Vauban has long been a staple of yachting on the Côte d'Azur, with the rich maritime heritage of Antibes evident at every turn. Having announced an impressive 135 million euros investment into a ground-breaking renovation project over 25 years, however, the historic marina has made it clear it is preparing to step firmly into the future.

By Hill Robinson

14 June 2022

Offering coveted long-term leases, state-of-the-art facilities, a brand new yacht club and sweeping environmental initiatives, Port Vauban is set to become one of the world’s most advanced marina complexes. The marina has two goals for the modernisation of the port’s infrastructure: a fully renovated superyacht quay and top-of-the-range amenities for their owners and crew.

The new IYCA (International Yacht Club d’Antibes) will provide clients arriving by air with a personalised welcome in an intimate lounge facing the heliport. It will feature a new exclusive crew area – the Crew Centre – with a lounge, relaxation spaces, a games room and a gym. A new bar, lounge, clubhouse, caterer and a 700m² panoramic terrace facing Fort Carré is also being created.

“The new IYCA will look like a vessel, The Explorer, and is designed by renowned French architect and urban planner Philippe Prost,” comments Petra Malloier, Business Relationship Manager at Port Vauban. “There are many additional state-of-the-art amenities, including a crew area with a lounge and fitness centre, as well as an upper deck lounge bar for owners and captains. The stern will provide an on-site heliport complete with a dedicated heliport lounge and elevator, enabling guests to access their yachts in complete privacy.”

Port Vauban is the largest marina in the Mediterranean by tonnage, with 1,500 berths, including 18 superyacht slips on the aptly named Billionaire’s Wharfe. Located in the glorious town of Antibes, the marina is just a 20-minute drive from Nice international airport – or a speedy five-minute helicopter transfer.