The French Riviera in summertime delivers a dreamy, romantic string of uninterrupted days filled with blue skies and mid-80s temps. When the sun sets, the skies take on shades of pink and purple before yielding to starry nights and warm gentle breezes. 

This idyllic setting is why travelers flock to the south of France, and we’re enthralled, too, as we sit on a teak deck below the billowing sails of Star Clipper, our four-masted sailing ship. Star Clipper is a three-ship boutique cruise line that sails all over the world on Star Clipper (170 passengers), Royal Clipper (227 passengers), and Star Flyer (also 170 passengers). 

This is small-ship cruising at its finest. While Star Clipper carries up to 170 guests, we’re sailing with just 122 during our weeklong journey. This beautiful ship feels like a new home, our private yacht for the week as we create new friendships and countless memories. 

It’s intimate. It’s romantic. It’s a carefree way to enjoy your vacation. 

Star Clipper offers a program that fits travelers who enjoy options but aren’t too thrilled about following a strict schedule. This is your cruise to enjoy your day, your way. 

Our fellow passengers came from a variety of places, with American and British passengers trailing in numbers behind the French and Germans. It’s a delightful mix that gives quite the international flavor. 

Read on to learn what we loved about small-ship cruising off the coast of France.