St. Tropez to Genoa, lookings for tips for cozy marinas and nice anchor spots

[rolf.nielsen]

As the title says. We have 10-14 days for the ~120 nm trip so we'll have plenty of time to stop by a number of places. What we don't want is to end up in mega noisy down town marinas such as Nice, and super fancy marinas such as Monaco are not for us. We're a couple with small kids (4+6 years) so we are looking for nice quiet places where we can drop anchor and jump in, alternatively small cozy marinas with playgrounds for kids etc. This is a very popular area for cruising so I hope someone out there has some good tips for me!

 

[mcanderson]

Have you bought Rod Heikels guide to France? It covers the ares very nicely. We have our boat at Beaulieu Sur Mer and like the marina a lot. You can book well ahead and they appear to be good with finding space. Also St Jean Cap Ferrat is a smaller marina approx 350 boats and maybe able to help.

Villefrance Sur Mer is a great anchorage and very protected in all but a southerly.

Good luck!

 

[westernman]

Porquerelles and Port Cros are worth a visit - even if they are in the wrong direction. After that Ile Lerins. In all three cases you can anchor somewhere sheltered.

 

[charles_reed]

As the title says. We have 10-14 days for the ~120 nm trip so we'll have plenty of time to stop by a number of places. What we don't want is to end up in mega noisy down town marinas such as Nice, and super fancy marinas such as Monaco are not for us. We're a couple with small kids (4+6 years) so we are looking for nice quiet places where we can drop anchor and jump in, alternatively small cozy marinas with playgrounds for kids etc. This is a very popular area for cruising so I hope someone out there has some good tips for me!

Sadly, I think you've chosen the most barren piece of coast for "Cosy marinas and nice anchor spots." As you don't specify draught/length it's difficult to give a substantive answer.
Ste Maxime and les Issambres are good for small boats, usually full @ that time of year. You then have the two ports of Frejus and St Raphael the second being my preference. It is possible to anchor off in Agay Plage, not good if it's windy. There's a fairly pleasant marina @ Les Treyes/Miramar but little ashore. Watch out for the fish-farm outside.
The twin marinas of Mandelieu and la Napoule are quite pleasant but not terribly exciting ashore. And, of course Port Grimaud - great sightseeing for an architect.
Cannes I detest, the world's gastronomic pit - but the anchorage, between the Iles Lerins is great if you get there early enough. Le Freres on Honorat run a good little restaurant and the monastery is worth a tour - have a look at the vineyards;kids welcome.
The anchorage @ Villefranche s Mer is a little rocky but ashore you can actually see the Riviera microclimate in operation - great for avid gardeners and lovely little village.
The two marinas just round from Menton are pleasant and the last you'll find in civilised France, because you'll now be entering superyacht territory with concrete pens and beyond-budget prices and facilities that are spurned by clientèle and therefore disused.
Porto Solé is not too bad and the Lunghomare is pretty lively. I've never been to Porto Maurizio but have heard good reports.
have to confess I miss out the Italian Riviera ports, but have had a couple of very pleasant stays in the one just S of Varazze, not cheap but most pleasant.

When you do get to Genova, go to the Porto Vecchio - the hinterland is well worth exploration

 

[TonyBuckley]

les Issambres

+1 - nice little place with a well kept marina and lovely restaurant on the road. Well served by mini (and not so mini) markets very close by. In my imagination, there is even a playground but not 100% sure.

 

[rolf.nielsen]

Thanks for the great tips - keep 'em coming. We're a 36" motor yacht drawing 1.2m so we should be able to reach most places.

I'm glad I asked for tips, because I really do want to avoid the big noisy marinas - the area is a given because I need to reach Genova to put my boat on a ship to Rotterdam. With your tips + the cruising guide mentioned above that's already in the mail we should be in for a nice trip. When we do choose marinas do we need to book in advance if we come for only 1-2 nights and don't mind 2-3 position if needed? Can we risk being turned away if the marina is full.", ie do I need to have a fallback option ready at hand ? Cruising with two little kids I don't want any surprises.

 

[TonyBuckley]

Thanks for the great tips - keep 'em coming. We're a 36" motor yacht

Small boat - you could get that in anywhere.