When the summer heat and crowds on the coast get too much there are few better ways to escape it all than to get out on the water. Whilst hiring a luxury yacht for a day may be the ultimate dream, it is not necessarily within budget for every family. A great new alternative to experience the coastline from the sea has been launched this year with the introduction of a summer navette (boat shuttle) running along the coast from Cannes to Mandelieu/La Napoule to Theoule-Sur-Mer and on to La Figuerette.
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| View of Cannes from the navette |
The service is operating from 21st June 2019 through till 28th September 2019 with departures from Cannes approximately every 2-3 hours and on Thursdays and Fridays (mid July - mid August) the boats run into the evening until 11.30pm. It's a great way to enjoy some time out on the water, indulge in the views of the stunning coastline with the mountains behind, and also explore some of the other coastal towns without the stress of traffic or parking.
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| The navette in La Figuerette |
The pricing is very fair for the 'day ticket' which covers you for a return or hop-on / hop-off journey.
€10 (over 10 years old),
€5 (under 10s)
FREE (under 3)
A single journey costs €6 (€3 for kids)
The boats are brand new and, unlike the St Tropez service, they hug the coastline giving passengers some fabulous views. As you leave the bay of Cannes you get a wonderful view of the city with the mountains as a backdrop and then it travels along the coast past Cannes La Bocca and into it's first port of call, Mandelieu/La Napoule. There you get a great view of the beautiful Chateau La Napoule on arrival. Also spot the second chateau up on the hill to the left - it's called Le Chateau des Mineurs and was built as a 'holiday home' for miners working in the area!
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| Chateau La Napoule |
After leaving Mandelieu the boat continues round to the bay of Theoule for its second stop. From here the coastline becomes a more dramatic backdrop with the beautiful Esterel mountains framing the sea. After the boat rounds the Pointe D'Aiguille be sure to pick out the famous Pierre Cardin bubble house with it's own personal ampitheatre!
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| Theoule-Sur-Mer |
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| The Pierre Cardin 'Bubble' House |
The journey all the way from Cannes to La Figuerette takes approximately one hour. We decided to enjoy the one hour cruise all the way to the end and then spent a lovely lunch and afternoon at one of the beach restaurants that La Figuerette has to offer. Watersports were also available, though on a hot summers day all you may want is a lounger, parasol and a cold drink!
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| Watersports at La Figuerette |
We returned on an afternoon boat to Theoule-Sur-Mer and had aperitifs and an early dinner beside the sea before catching the 8.45pm boat back to Cannes with the sunset at our backs. We returned to the buzz of Cannes about 9.30pm after a fantastic day.
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| The Esterel behind us on our return to Cannes |
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| Our return to Cannes |
Places to eat and drink: This list is not exhaustive but here are a few restaurant / beach options
La Figuerette:
Matipi Plage has loungers and parasols for €12 a day and has a nice and reasonably priced snack menu with a glass of rose at €3. The furthest beach bar/restaurant from the port.
Bondi Beach bar & restaurant has loungers, cocktails and a full menu.
Le Panama - restaurant and loungers (€24 for a day)
Theoule-Sur-Mer:
Marco Polo - newly rebuilt this bastion in the centre of Theoule beach (just to the right after you disembark) has a lovely fresh menu, cocktails and loungers.
L'Aiguille - as you disembark the boat turn left and this is the last restaurant on the sand. An idyllic spot for drinks or food.
In the marina area - turn right after disembarking you will find:
Magellan: Traditional restaurant in the heart of the marina with a full menu and loungers.
Chez Phillippe: Fish restaurant further around the marina.
There is also a pizzeria and snack style restaurant all on the waterside just beside where the boat comes in.
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| Our view for dinner in Theoule-sur-Mer |
Timetable
Cannes Mandelieu/La Napoule Theoule-Sur-Mer La Figuerette
9h00 9h30 9h45 10h00
11h20 11h50 12h05 12h20
14h30 15h00 15h15 15h30
16h50 17h20 17h35 17h50
19h10 19h40 19h55 20h05
21h30 22h00 22h15 22h30
The evening services in bold only run on Friday and Saturday nights until 8th September, 2018
La Figuerette Theoule-Sur-Mer Mandelieu/La Napoule Cannes
10h10 10h35 10h50 11h10
12h30 12h55 13h10 13h30
15h40 16h05 16h20 16h40
18h00 18h25 18h40 19h00
20h20 20h45 21h00 21h20
22h40 23h05 23h20 23h40
Accommodation:
Visiting the French Riviera and haven't booked your accommodation yet? Why not check out our wonderful centrally-located, self catering, townhouses and apartments sleeping from 2 - 11 people. All our properties are air-conditioned and are located on pedestrian streets within 5 minutes walk of the beach. We are a small family-run company so we are on hand for anything you may need before, during or after your stay! Quote this blog to receive a special discount!!
Chic Gites - Accommodation Cannes
Visiting the French Riviera and haven't booked your accommodation yet? Why not check out our wonderful centrally-located, self catering, townhouses and apartments sleeping from 2 - 11 people. All our properties are air-conditioned and are located on pedestrian streets within 5 minutes walk of the beach. We are a small family-run company so we are on hand for anything you may need before, during or after your stay! Quote this blog to receive a special discount!!
Chic Gites - Accommodation Cannes
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