Cannes Yachting Festival: Where the Future of Luxury Yachting Meets the Art of Living

From Italian superyacht craftsmanship to hybrid propulsion, next-generation catamarans and design-led living at sea, Cannes 2026 offered a sophisticated preview of where luxury yachting is heading.

Cannes, September 2026 — For six September days, Cannes once again became the world’s floating showroom for the art of living at sea.

From 8 to 13 September 2026, the Cannes Yachting Festival transformed the Vieux Port and Port Canto into an extraordinary landscape of polished teak, sculptural hulls, champagne receptions, naval architecture and next-generation marine technology.

Founded in 1977, the Festival has evolved into Europe’s major in-water meeting point for yacht owners, prospective buyers, designers, shipyards, brokers, equipment specialists and the international luxury community. This year’s official figures reached more than 680 exhibitors, more than 710 boats and yachts, and 56,600 visitors, with vessels ranging from approximately 5 to 55 metres.

But the most interesting story of Cannes 2026 was not simply the size of the show.

It was the changing definition of luxury at sea.

Two ports, two worlds — one Riviera experience

The beauty of Cannes is that the Festival does not feel like a conventional exhibition.

At the Vieux Port, directly beneath the glamour of La Croisette and the Palais des Festivals, visitors move between motor yachts, superyachts, shipyards and luxury brands. The atmosphere is distinctly Mediterranean: elegant, social and intensely visual.

Across the city, Port Canto offers a different rhythm. Here, sailing takes centre stage, with large monohulls and multihulls creating a spectacular floating panorama. The 2026 Sailing Area presented around 120 sailing yachts, while more than 400 metres of quay were dedicated to monohulls and more than 450 metres to multihulls.

For an owner or serious buyer, this separation is useful. Cannes allows visitors to compare very different visions of life on the water within a single afternoon — from a sleek day boat to a 50-metre custom superyacht, from a performance sailing yacht to a family-oriented cruising catamaran.

And increasingly, the question is not simply:

“How much does the yacht cost?”

It is:

“How do I want to live on the water?”

Constance Brément Labarsouque: a new chapter for Cannes

The 2026 edition was also the first Cannes Yachting Festival under the full leadership of Constance Brément Labarsouque, who officially became Show Director in January 2026 after previously serving as Deputy Director.

With 26 years of professional experience across France and the UK, including her previous role within the Bénéteau Group, Brément Labarsouque brings both international perspective and deep knowledge of the marine industry to the Festival.

Her vision was visible particularly strongly in the Sailing Area.

Speaking about the 120 monohulls and multihulls presented at Port Canto, she described sailing as a key part of Cannes and highlighted the extraordinary diversity of the sector. She noted that “nearly one in five boats will be unveiled as world premieres”, underlining the pace of innovation within contemporary yacht design.

Another statement made for the 2026 edition perhaps captures the spirit of Cannes even better. Discussing the approximately 150 world premieres across the Festival, Brément Labarsouque highlighted the variety of projects — from new naval architecture to what she described as a “floating home” — as one of the reasons Cannes remains distinctive.

And that variety is precisely what makes the Festival compelling for owners.

The Italian powerhouses: design becomes lifestyle

Azimut | Benetti Group

Few names illustrate the movement toward lifestyle-driven yacht design better than Azimut and Benetti, part of the Azimut|Benetti Group.

Azimut spans a broad range of luxury motor yachts, while Benetti operates firmly in the superyacht and custom-yacht universe. At Cannes 2026, Azimut presented one of its strongest line-ups yet, including the Grande 44M, Magellano 27M, Seadeck 9 and new Fly 70.

The Grande 44M is particularly significant: the new flagship uses Hull Vane® foil technology, carbon fibre and mild-hybrid technology, while dedicating an entire deck to the owner. Seven units had already been sold when the yacht debuted.

The new Magellano 27M takes another route: a crossover between long-range comfort and Italian architectural sophistication, with a Mediterranean-loggia concept created with Michele De Lucchi and AMDL CIRCLE.

Indicative market: roughly €2 million to €40 million+ depending on size, specification and customisation; flagship and custom Benetti projects can move considerably higher.

Ferretti Group

Ferretti Group arrived with a 22-yacht fleet and a remarkable series of world premieres across its brands, including Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Itama, Pershing and Custom Line.

Among the 2026 highlights were the Ferretti Yachts 720, Itama 70, Riva 56′ Rivale Super, Riva 96′ Argo Super, Pershing GTX90 and Custom Line Navetta 35.

For buyers, Ferretti remains one of the most interesting groups because it offers an unusually broad progression — from sophisticated open yachts to serious superyachts — while retaining a recognisable Made-in-Italy design language.

Indicative market: approximately €2 million–€50 million+, with Riva, Pershing and Custom Line models varying substantially according to size and specification.

Sanlorenzo

Sanlorenzo continues to occupy one of the most sophisticated corners of Italian yacht culture: discretion, architectural interiors and extensive customisation rather than overt branding.

Its 2026 Cannes statement was SHE, a 25.5-metre Heritage yacht inspired by the proportions and elegance of 1960s Italian yachts. Designed externally by Zuccon International Project and internally by Piero Lissoni, SHE combines heritage aesthetics with contemporary technology and hybrid propulsion.

The first five units had already been secured before the Cannes public debut — a powerful indication of the market’s appetite for highly individualised design.

Indicative market: approximately €5 million–€100 million+, depending on segment; larger custom Sanlorenzo yachts can rise substantially beyond this.

Sunseeker

The British icon brought its characteristic combination of performance, glamour and sporty luxury to Cannes.

The major 2026 story was the global debut of the Sunseeker Manhattan 94, alongside the Manhattan 56, Manhattan 68, 75 Sport Yacht, 76 Yacht and 100 Yacht.

The company also used Cannes to reveal the first images of its new 45M Superyacht, marking a new chapter in Sunseeker’s return to the superyacht segment.

Indicative market: approximately €1.5 million–€30 million+, with the new superyacht programme entering a considerably higher price category.

Sailing’s luxury revolution

Beneteau Group

The French Beneteau Group remains one of the world’s largest marine groups, with brands covering sailing and motor boating, including Beneteau, Jeanneau and Excess.

Its importance at Cannes is less about one single flagship and more about the breadth of the market: from relatively accessible premium cruising yachts to sophisticated multihulls and larger sailing projects.

Indicative market: approximately €150,000 to €10 million+, depending on brand, size and specification.

Fountaine Pajot

If one company demonstrated the strength of the modern luxury-catamaran market, it was Fountaine Pajot.

The 2026 Cannes line-up included the world premieres of the FP48, FP55 and FPY70S, alongside the FP41, FP44, FP51 and Thíra 80.

The FP55 is particularly interesting for owners who want the volume and privacy of a catamaran without moving immediately into superyacht territory. The 16.98-metre yacht has a 1 September 2026 base price of approximately €1.41 million HT, before options and equipment upgrades.

Indicative market: approximately €400,000–€8 million+, with the new FP55 sitting around the €1.4 million base-price level before options.

Lagoon

Lagoon remains one of the defining names in sailing catamarans, particularly for owners prioritising space, ease of handling, entertaining and long-range cruising.

The new Lagoon 47 was among the notable 2026 sailing premieres at Cannes. At around 14 metres, it introduces more living space, a new helm arrangement and a large forward cockpit connected to the saloon. Market listings place the starting price around €800,000 HT, before options and taxes.

Indicative market: approximately €500,000–€8 million+, depending on model and specification.

The superyacht ateliers

Baglietto

Baglietto represents another category altogether: custom Italian superyachting with a strong aluminium heritage.

Its DOM133 platform has become particularly relevant to contemporary owners because it combines substantial volume with extensive personalisation. In 2026 Baglietto announced the sale of its 14th DOM133, reinforcing demand for the platform.

Indicative market: approximately €40 million–€100 million+, depending on project and customisation.

Heesen Yachts

Dutch builder Heesen remains synonymous with high-performance aluminium superyachts and advanced naval architecture.

Its current portfolio includes yachts from approximately 50 metres upward, including the 50m Project Sophia, 56m Project Diana and 72m Project Ananda. The builder’s semi-custom approach allows buyers to enter a yacht already under construction while retaining meaningful opportunities for personalisation.

Indicative market: roughly €50 million–€150 million+, depending on size, project and specification.

Cantiere del Pardo

Italy’s Cantiere del Pardo bridges performance sailing and stylish motor boating through Grand Soleil and Pardo Yachts.

The appeal is distinctly Italian: sporty lines, sophisticated interiors and strong owner involvement, from sailing yachts to fast Mediterranean motorboats.

Indicative market: approximately €300,000–€10 million+, depending on model and customisation.

HanseYachts AG

German group HanseYachts AG brings together sailing and motor brands including Hanse, Moody and Fjord.

Its 2026 Cannes presence featured 10 models across three stands, with the world premieres of the Hanse 461 and FJORD 440 Open.

The Hanse 461 focuses on contemporary sailing comfort and easy handling, while the Fjord 440 Open represents the group’s more design-led, open-air motorboat philosophy.

Indicative market: approximately €200,000–€10 million+, depending on brand and size.

Catamarans become superyachts

Sunreef Yachts

Sunreef has helped redefine what a luxury catamaran can be: expansive living spaces, private terraces, custom interiors and increasingly sophisticated electric and hybrid technologies.

At Cannes 2026, the fleet included Sunreef 60, 70 and 80 sailing yachts, 80 and 100 Power models, with the ULTIMA 88making its highly anticipated world premiere.

Indicative market: approximately €3 million–€30 million+, with highly customised superyacht catamarans moving substantially higher.

Wally

Wally occupies one of the most design-conscious positions in contemporary yachting, combining minimalist Italian aesthetics with performance and advanced materials.

At Cannes, Wally exhibited within the Ferretti Group environment, while its wider 2026 programme also emphasised performance sailing and the growing Wally racing fleet.

Indicative market: approximately €5 million–€50 million+, depending on model and specification.

Technology becomes part of the luxury experience

The most significant change at Cannes 2026 was perhaps not a yacht at all.

It was the technology underneath it.

BlueNav

French company BlueNav is developing hybrid propulsion and smart-navigation solutions. At Cannes 2026, BlueNav and Mercury Marine announced a new collaboration combining Mercury combustion propulsion with BlueNav electric propulsion. The objective is practical rather than purely conceptual: lower fuel consumption, reduced engine operating time and greater comfort during manoeuvring and cruising.

Volvo Penta

Volvo Penta presented its latest hybrid propulsion technologies, with particular focus on the D13 IPS hybrid offer and D13-IPS1350H, bringing integrated hybrid technology from helm to propeller.

For yacht owners, this matters because hybrid technology is increasingly becoming about comfort, not simply sustainability: quieter anchorages, smoother manoeuvring, lower vibration and reduced generator use.

Torqeedo

Electric propulsion specialist Torqeedo represents another side of the transition: smaller electric mobility and propulsion systems for boats and tenders.

Its relevance is particularly strong for owners seeking quieter, lower-maintenance and lower-emission solutions for everyday boating, auxiliary craft and smaller vessels.

Absolute Yachts: a strong 2026 statement

Italian builder Absolute Yachts arrived with one of the more complete presentations of the season: 11 models and three world premieres — the Navetta 50, Navetta 58 and Navetta 66.

The three new Navettas — The Absolute Calypso, The Absolute Andromeda and The Absolute Aurora — focus on natural light, open living spaces, step-free movement and stronger visual connections with the sea.

Absolute also introduced an unexpected luxury detail in Cannes: a collaboration with Italian fragrance house Vranjes Firenze, pairing each new yacht with a dedicated fragrance. It is a small but revealing detail about where luxury yacht design is heading — toward multisensory experiences rather than simply beautiful furniture.

Indicative market: approximately €2 million–€10 million+, depending on model and customisation.

The real 2026 trend: luxury becomes quieter

Walking through Cannes this year, one could sense a subtle shift.

The yacht industry is moving away from the idea that luxury must always announce itself.

Instead, the strongest new concepts increasingly focus on:

Silence. Space. Privacy. Natural light. Connection with the sea.

The Grande 44M gives the owner an entire private deck. Azimut’s Seadeck 9 uses mild-hybrid technology to create a quieter experience at anchor. Sanlorenzo’s SHE transforms heritage into understated contemporary luxury. Absolute focuses on seamless indoor-outdoor movement. Fountaine Pajot and Lagoon continue expanding the possibilities of multihull living.

And across the industry, hybrid propulsion is becoming less of a futuristic talking point and more of an owner-experience technology.

Cannes as the gateway to the next yacht purchase

For prospective buyers, Cannes remains uniquely efficient.

In one location, an owner can compare Italian superyachts, British performance yachts, French catamarans, German sailing technology, Dutch superyacht engineering and an increasingly sophisticated ecosystem of propulsion, navigation, interior and lifestyle suppliers.

For established owners, the Festival offers something else: a chance to understand where the market is moving before making the next investment.

Because today’s yacht is no longer simply a floating asset.

It is a private architecture of lifestyle — a place for family, friends, wellness, business, privacy, exploration and personal expression.

That may ultimately be the most important message from Cannes 2026.

The future of yachting is not only faster or larger.

It is more personal.

And in Cannes, that future was already floating.

CITY for VIP — 2026 Owner & Buyer Price Guide

Indicative market ranges only. Actual prices vary significantly according to model, VAT status, engines, interior specification, customisation, equipment and options. Large custom and semi-custom yachts are generally quoted individually.

The Cannes 2026 snapshot

Dates: 8–13 September 2026
Locations: Vieux Port & Port Canto, Cannes
Visitors: 56,600
Exhibitors: 680+
Boats & yachts: 710+
Boat size: approximately 5–55 metres

2026 focus: world premieres, hybrid propulsion, sustainable technology, multihull growth, owner-centric design and increasingly personalised life at sea.