A ministerial order published on 2 July 2026 in the Journal de Monaco sets out precise access rules for Port Hercule during the Monaco Yacht Show, running from 23 to 26 September 2026. The text, Order n° 2026-363, signed by Minister of State C. Mirmand, does not only concern the 120 yachts on display: it governs navigation for any vessel approaching the port during those four days.
What the order sets out
From 23 September at 00:00 to 26 September at 18:30, the port operates under a special regime. Every night, from 00:00 to 07:00, it is closed "to all traffic, inbound and outbound" (Article 2). During the day, from 23 to 25 September between 07:00 and 24:00, and on 26 September between 07:00 and 18:30, only vessels holding a Monaco Yacht Show badge may enter (Article 3). Inside the port, speed is capped at 3 knots (Article 4). Only state vessels and rescue or assistance craft are exempt from these rules (Article 5). An exceptional waiver remains possible, subject to a joint decision by the Directorate of Maritime Affairs and the Directorate of Public Security (Article 6). Any breach is recorded and prosecuted under the law (Article 7).
Who is affected, beyond exhibitors
The text makes no distinction by vessel size: it applies to any boat wishing to enter or stay in Port Hercule during the period, whether exhibiting or not. For a 20 to 60 metre yacht calling at or transiting the French Riviera that week without a show badge, entry to the port is effectively closed to non-badge holders during the day and fully closed at night. Nearby anchorages and marinas (Cap d'Ail, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Eze) become the natural fallback options.
What this changes on board
For a captain planning a Monaco call between 23 and 26 September without taking part in the show, the approach is straightforward: arrange an alternative anchorage or marina for that window, and do not count on last-minute access to Port Hercule, even briefly. If a professional reason still requires entering the port (provisioning, a technical emergency, a crew change), the only route is a waiver request to the Directorate of Maritime Affairs, best submitted well ahead of the date rather than handled on the spot. The 3-knot speed limit inside the port applies to any vessel exceptionally authorised to enter, even outside the strict closure hours. A simple takeaway for the rest of the season: local orders of this kind, specific to each port during a major event, are worth checking systematically before planning a French Riviera call during boat show season.
The background
