cannes

Cannes is known for many things: the Film Festival each May, stretches of sandy beaches along the Croisette, the reliably sunny, beautiful weather and, of course, the Cannes Yachting Festival.

The 2016 Cannes Yachting Festival will be held September 6-11 in the shimmering bay of Cannes.

To mark its 35th anniversary, the Cannes International Boat and Yacht Show unveiled a new image, but remaining true to its roots, this well-attended exhibition still is the launch pad for many of the models from European production boatbuilders.

This newest addition to the Azimut’s S Collection represents a stunning shift in styling by Stefano Righini. Full of innovative features, the new 55S makes good use of the space-saving possibilities afforded by a triple Volvo IPS package, including a garage for a 9-foot 4-inch (2.85-meter) tender and an expandable beach club.

Hull No. One of Cranchi’s new 54-foot (16.59-meter) hardtop line is designed for seaworthiness, maneuverability and silence. The hull is built in Kevlar, carbon and fiberglass with a superstructure of sandwich PVC, fiberglass and carbon to limit the weight and provide the necessary strength.

The Riva 63 Virtus, the largest open yacht produced by the shipyard to date, is the product of the long-standing, close working relationship between Officina Italiana Design and Advanced Yacht Technology, Ferretti’s research and design center.

The newborn in the Moonen family is the 82 Alu My Way, an all-aluminum yacht in the recently introduced semi-custom series. The yacht boasts all the best characteristics of a displacement and a fast hull and when equipped with twin MAN V12s, she has a top speed of 25 knots and a remarkable range of 2,000 nm.

Kanga is the first hull of the new semi-custom composite WallyAce 26m series. A glass-walled superstructure surrounds the main deck, which includes comfortable lounging and dining areas, while the lower deck holds four guest staterooms plus an owner’s suite with direct access to Wally’s patented terrace on the sea.

Canados has a new flagship with this alluring flybridge designed by Francesco Paszkowski. The design and décor emphasize privacy both inside and out and exploit every inch of interior volume.

The Darwin 86 Percheron is the newest example in a semi-custom series designed and engineered by Sergio Cutolo/Hydro Tec for Cantiere delle Marche (CdM). Hull No. Two has a totally different layout from Vitadimare3 (Hull One) but the two yachts share the same exterior lines, roomy interiors and a range of 7,000 nm at 8.5 knots.

With a reverse-X bow, silver hull, and sleek lines, Turkish builder Bilgin’s newest launch has already caught a lot of attention and is now seeking a new owner. This striking yacht—designed inside and out by H2 Yacht Design—features a modern interior combining Maccassar ebony and zebrano veneers with top-quality leathers and fabrics.

Inspired by features usually found on superyachts, the new Sunreef 82 boasts a raised salon, control station forward and the galley and dining area aft. Accessed via a central walkway, the maindeck owner’s suite boasts great real estate and large windows.

The MCY 70, the third model in the Monte Carlo Yachts range, has all the stylistic elements Nuvolari-Leonard gave the line, including a high, flared bow and harmonious lines. A sliding door folds to allow easy transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. A central passage leads to a comfortable lounge area equipped with armchairs and tables.

Lurssen's largest-ever build is shrouded in secrecy, but details are beginning to circulate. In Taiwan, Horizon Yachts recently hosted an open house to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Cannes saw a new luxury event this June with the inaugural Cannes Croisette Show.