From the Calanques to Cap d'Antibes: the best anchorages on the French coast and the rules that apply to your yacht's length.
The coast between Marseille and the Italian border has the busiest yacht anchorages in the Mediterranean: Pampelonne and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the Lérins Islands off Cannes, Cap d’Antibes, Porquerolles and Port-Cros, and the Calanques east of Marseille.
Since 2019 the French authorities have steadily restricted where large yachts may anchor to protect the Posidonia seagrass meadows. Each department now has its own limit lines, mandatory anchoring zones for the biggest yachts and a growing number of buoy fields. Our regional guides below explain what is possible in each area. Our offices in Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, Saint-Tropez and Toulon/La Ciotat can confirm the rules on the day.
Last reviewed November 2026
Anchorage Intelligence, our map of the French anchoring decrees, shows whether a rule applies to your length overall and links straight to the official text. Access is by waitlist.
The framework. Prefectoral order AP 123/2019 sets the rules for anchoring in French Mediterranean waters and bans anchoring that damages Posidonia seagrass. Department orders set the limit lines and length thresholds.
Department orders for large yachts:
In practice the ban covers a coastal band, roughly down to the depth where Posidonia stops, and you may anchor outside it. The zones are shown on SHOM charts.
Yachts of 45 m and over (or 300 GT). Under AP 157/2024, amended in 2025 and 2026, yachts of 45 to 80 m declare to the signal station at least one hour before arrival and yachts of 80 m and over need prior authorisation. Where a sector has mandatory anchoring zones, for example off Cannes, Golfe-Juan, Pampelonne, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and La Ciotat, they must anchor inside them.
Length of stay. AP 77/2025 limits a stay at anchor to 72 hours in one spot. Yachts of 24 m and over with AIS may extend in 72 hour blocks unless asked to leave.
Enforcement. Breaches are prosecuted under the French Transport Code. In 2024 the Marseille maritime court fined the captain of a 51 m yacht 15,000 euros, plus more than 22,000 euros in ecological damages, for anchoring in a protected zone near Cannes.
The orders in force are published on premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr. The free DONIA app maps seagrass and sand and is recommended by the authorities, although it is not compulsory.
Buoy fields (ZMEL) now replace free anchoring in many of the busiest bays, including Pampelonne, Port-Cros, Sainte-Marguerite in the Lérins Islands and Le Croûton in Antibes. Each has its own size limits, season and booking method. We can check space and book for you.
Yes, but not everywhere. Yachts of 24 m and over (20 m east of the Var) must anchor outside the protected coastal band, and yachts of 45 m and over must use the mandatory anchoring zones where they exist, after declaring to or getting authorisation from the signal station.
Yachts under 45 m do not, as long as they respect the limit lines and local zones. Yachts of 45 to 80 m must declare to the signal station at least one hour before arrival, and yachts of 80 m and over need prior authorisation.
Up to 72 hours in one spot under AP 77/2025. Yachts of 24 m and over with AIS may extend in 72 hour blocks unless the authorities ask them to leave.
The official texts and maps are on premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr and on SHOM charts. The free DONIA app shows seagrass and sand areas and is recommended by the authorities. Our own tool, Anchorage Intelligence, maps the anchoring decrees and shows whether each rule applies to your yacht.
This guide is for planning only and does not replace official charts or notices. Anchoring rules in French waters change from season to season: check the arrêtés in force on premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr and the SHOM charts before anchoring, or ask our team.
Tell us your yacht, dates and where you would like to anchor. Our local team will confirm what the current rules allow for your length, suggest the best spot for the forecast and arrange buoys, tenders, provisioning or a berth if the anchorage is closed.
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