Monaco Classic Week 2027

What is Monaco Classic Week?

Monaco Classic Week, full name Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe, is a four-day gathering of classic yachts and vintage motorboats held every two years by the Yacht Club de Monaco. It was launched in 1994 and brings century-old sailing yachts, period motor yachts and antique runabouts to the principality for regattas, elegance contests and a free public village.

The 17th edition, in September 2025, drew more than 150 historic boats: 40 classic sailing yachts, half of them more than a hundred years old, about a dozen period motor yachts, 70 vintage powerboats including a record 50 Rivas, and a fleet of 12-foot dinghies. The top prize, the Monaco Classic Week Trophy, went to the gaff schooner Mariette of 1915, which the jury praised for its condition, its owner's 20-year loyalty to its captain and the crew's tradition of training young sailors.

What is new for 2027?

The 18th edition runs from Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 September 2027, according to the official site. The organiser describes it as "the unmissable biennial event in classic yachting".

The official site currently lists a fleet of more than 50 traditional sailing boats, 14 vintage motor yachts, 70 antique motorboats including 52 Rivas, and 25 Dinghy 12s, alongside about 15 exhibitors in the village. Some of these figures come from the 2025 edition, so treat them as a guide to the scale rather than a confirmed 2027 entry list. The full 2027 programme will be published closer to the event.

How is it organised?

Classic Week mixes competition, judging and display:

• Regattas for the classic sailing yachts, in classes from vintage gaff-rigged boats to classic Marconi rigs and the "big boats".
• Navigation and trials for the motor yachts, which compete in dead-reckoning navigation, and for the motorboats, which take on endurance and manoeuvrability tests.
• The Concours d'Élégance, under BMW's patronage and chaired by Allegra Gucci, which judges each vessel's lines, the crew's attire and naval etiquette.
• The Chefs' Competition, in which crews cook on board.
• Exhibitions, which in recent editions have covered yachting and cinema and a "Rock & Royals" art show.

The 2025 results show the range of boats involved. The Elegance Contest went to Mariska (1908) among the sailing yachts, Blue Bird (1938) among the motor yachts and Lady Isabelle (1930) among the vintage powerboats. In the regattas, Olympian (1913) won the Vintage Gaff class, Falcon (1930) the Vintage Marconi class and Argynne III (1955) the Classic Marconi class, while the oldest prizewinner, Partridge of 1885, took the Mairie de Monaco Prize.

The village in the Yacht Club de Monaco marina is the public heart of the event, with about 15 exhibitors, from maritime craftsmen to restorers.

When is it, and what are the dates?

Daily schedules for regattas, parades and village hours had not been published when this guide was checked. Classic Week takes place a couple of weeks before the Monaco Yacht Show, a separate event focused on new superyachts.

Where is it held?

At the Yacht Club de Monaco and its marina in Port Hercule, Monaco's main harbour, with racing on the waters off the principality. The club was founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier III and has been led by Prince Albert II since 1984; it has about 2,500 members from 82 countries. Its modern clubhouse overlooks the harbour, a short walk from the Monte-Carlo casino and the Grand Prix circuit.

How do tickets work?

The village is free and, in the organiser's words, "a lively and free space, open to all visitors". You can walk the pontoons, see the boats up close and visit the exhibitors without a ticket.

Taking part is different: boats enter through the Yacht Club de Monaco, and the official site has a separate invitation request form for its events, as well as media accreditation for 2027. Boarding a participating yacht is up to its owner and crew, so do not expect to step aboard without an invitation.

How do I get there and get around?

The nearest airport is Nice Côte d'Azur, about 22 km from Monaco. From Nice, trains run along the coast to Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, an underground station a short walk from Port Hercule, and buses also link the airport with Monaco. Within Monaco, everything around the harbour is walkable, and local buses and lifts help with the steep streets.

Where can I park, and where should I stay?

No event parking has been announced, and Monaco's car parks are busy; the train is usually easier than driving. Staying in Monaco puts you closest to the harbour, but it is expensive. Beausoleil, on the French side of the border just above Monaco, and Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Menton along the coast are alternatives linked by train.

What can I bring, and what should I wear?

No rules for the village have been published, and there is no dress code for visitors. The Concours d'Élégance judges crews on their attire, so expect participants to dress the part in classic yachting style. Practical advice, not an official rule: September on the Riviera is usually warm and sunny, so bring sun protection, and wear flat shoes on the pontoons.

Children, service animals and accessibility

The organiser has not published specific rules on children, animals or accessibility for 2027. The village is free and open to everyone, so families can visit, but pontoons and boarding steps are not always step-free. Visitors with access needs should contact the Yacht Club de Monaco before travelling.

Who goes, and what do first-timers get wrong?

The fleet is sailed by owners, professional crews and restorers who care for some of the oldest working yachts in the world, from Edwardian schooners to 1950s and 60s Rivas. Ashore, classic-boat enthusiasts, Monaco residents and visitors wander the village and watch the boats come and go.

First-timers often confuse Classic Week with the Monaco Yacht Show, which is about new superyachts and is held later in the month; assume they need a ticket for the village, which is free; and expect to board the boats, which needs an invitation. Come for the regattas and the Rivas, and walk the pontoons in the evening when the boats are back in port.