Mediterranean

The Mediterranean is home to the site's oldest sailing clubs: several societies on the French and Italian Rivieras date back to the 19th century, born with the rise of recreational yachting among the European aristocracy wintering on the coast. Many of them still organise the classic yacht regattas that made the region's reputation, alongside newer clubs focused on sailing schools and local racing.

• The classic yacht regattas organised by these clubs (Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the Cannes Régates Royales, Les Voiles d'Antibes) rank among the most followed events in Mediterranean heritage yachting.
• The Yacht Club de France, the doyen of French sailing clubs founded in 1867 in Paris, administers the IRC rating system used by part of the zone's racing fleet.
• The Yacht Club de Monaco is one of the few clubs in the zone to openly publish its membership: over 2,500 members from 82 nationalities.