The Yacht Club de Monaco: a prestigious club

The Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM), founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier III, is an exclusive yacht club in the heart of the Principality. Since its creation, it has established itself as a pillar of the development of the Port of Monaco, capable of attracting yachtsmen from all over the world and retaining an international yachting elite. Now chaired by H.S.H. Prince Albert II (at the helm since 1984), the club brings together around 2,500 members of 81 nationalities, including many superyacht owners. Recognised for its art of living the sea, this institution plays a central role in Monegasque life and Monaco's image as a mecca for global yachting but also as a symbol of belonging. Since 1976, the club has been managed by Bernard d'Alessandri, who has held the positions of secretary general and general manager.

When you decide to settle in Monaco, the Yacht Club de Monaco is naturally one of the first institutions to which you aspire to belong. It is not simply a club reserved for sailing enthusiasts; Over the decades, it has become a true symbol of success, distinction and integration into Monegasque life. Being a member of the Yacht Club is often a wish expressed by our clients. Once we have helped them buy an apartment in Monaco, they frequently ask us about the best ways to immerse themselves in the local culture. It was then that we recommended to them, with conviction, to consider joining this mythical club.

But what makes the Yacht Club de Monaco so popular with the Principality's residents? To understand it, it is essential to dive back into its history and heritage.

History of the Yacht Club de Monaco: from princely origins to the international scene

The Yacht Club de Monaco was created in 1953 at the instigation of Prince Rainier III, who was himself passionate about boating. Its ambition was to provide the Principality with a structure capable of promoting nautical activities and revitalising Port Hercule, Monaco's tourist spearhead. In 1954, the club organised its first maritime events: the revival of powerboat meetings (speedboat races) and international regattas, the development of big game fishing and diving, reviving the great Monegasque tradition of the sea. In 1970, the YCM created its Sailing School in order to train young generations of sailors, anchoring nautical education in the local culture.

In April 1984, Prince Albert II was appointed president of the club by his father Rainier III, marking the beginning of a new era turned towards the international scene. Under his leadership, the Yacht Club de Monaco launched major sporting events in the 1980s: the Primo Cup (created in 1985), which became the largest winter gathering of one-design yachts in the Mediterranean, a Monaco-New York transatlantic regatta, and the Formula 40 Grand Prix (racing catamarans). Traditional yachting is not to be outdone, with the creation in 1994 of the Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe, a biennial event dedicated to vintage yachts and classic yachts, and the organisation of an international circuit (the Prada Challenge for Classic Yachts) for five years. In 1995, the club acquired Tuiga, a 1909 sailing yacht designed by William Fife, which became the flagship of the YCM and proudly represented Monaco in classic yacht gatherings.

Thanks to this dual sporting and social vocation, the Yacht Club de Monaco has made a major contribution to making the Principality the world capital of yachting. It combines a taste for high-level nautical competition with the organisation of glamorous events, putting Monaco on the map of major international sailing events. In 2023, the club celebrated its 70th anniversary by reviving its tradition of innovation: that year, the 16th Monaco Classic Week (September 2023) brought together the most beautiful vintage yachts, while new initiatives focused on sustainable yachting were highlighted.

An exceptional Clubhouse designed by Norman Foster

Since 2014, the Yacht Club de Monaco has occupied a new state-of-the-art clubhouse on Quai Louis II, in Port Hercule. Inaugurated in June 2014 with great fanfare by Prince Albert II, this spectacular building was designed by British architect Lord Norman Foster ( Foster + Partners agency). Its emblematic architecture, reminiscent of a yacht moored at the quayside, blends harmoniously into the bay of Monaco. The building stretches over nearly 200 meters and rises on several tiers levels, like the decks of a ship. Extensive teak terraces offer breathtaking panoramic views, both towards the sea (to follow the regattas) and over the city and the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit.

Entering through a glazed atrium that frames the view of the Prince's Palace, members discover dedicated spaces on each "deck" of the clubhouse: lounge, bar and restaurant on the first level, extended by an open-air swimming pool reserved for members; a large double-height reception room on the next level; then guest cabins (bedrooms) to accommodate visitors to the club, as well as a staff apartment for the Secretary General. On the upper floors there are modular event rooms and observation decks, sheltered from the sun by retractable canvases stretched over masts, like sails. On the quay level, the complex also includes shops and the facilities of the sailing school and the rowing club, whose large windows open directly onto the pontoons to facilitate access to the sea.

The interior design of the Yacht Club is the work of French decorator Jacques Grange, who has sublimated the maritime spirit of the place. The lounges and terraces are reminiscent of the decks of an ocean liner, clad in European oak woodwork made by local craftsmen. The furnishings blend tradition and modernity, with bespoke pieces and touches of understated luxury – the private lounges and cabins are notably furnished by Fendi Casa, in pastel shades reminiscent of leather, sand and ivory. Every detail recalls the nautical refinement dear to the club. At the top, an exclusive lounge called Riva Aquarama pays homage to the famous Italian runabouts and can accommodate more than 1,000 people for prestigious receptions.

Compliant with HQE environmental standards, the building also incorporates the latest eco-responsible innovations. Photovoltaic and thermal panels convert the generous Mediterranean sun into energy, while a seawater pumping system provides cooling for the facilities. The fully glazed facades are equipped with brise-soleil and can be opened wide, promoting natural ventilation and light. Built on land reclaimed from the sea, this new clubhouse is a testament to Monaco's commitment to sustainable development, in line with the vision of "Monaco, capital of advanced yachting". A true feat of architecture, it has quickly become one of the symbols of modern Monaco, combining luxury, innovation and respect for the environment.

YCM Membership: A Selective Process and Unique Privileges

The Yacht Club de Monaco is a very selective institution, reserved for yachting enthusiasts who share the club's values of excellence. To become a member, it is not enough to apply for it: all candidates must be sponsored by two full members (known as members) who have been members of the YCM for at least one year. Once the application has been duly completed and signed jointly by the applicant and his or her two sponsors, it is submitted to an admissions committee chaired by Prince Albert II himself. The role of the sponsors is decisive: they must not only present the candidate, but also guarantee his harmonious integration within the club. In case of acceptance, the new member is officially inducted during a welcome cocktail in the presence of the members, a ritual that marks his entry into the YCM "family". Subsequently, the sponsors' mission is to accompany the new member, introduce him to the other members, involve him in the club's activities and ensure that he adheres to the philosophy and rules of the house. It should be noted that the same member can only sponsor one application at a time, and that the commission reserves the right to refuse any request without justification.

Membership of the Yacht Club de Monaco includes fees commensurate with the prestige of the institution. Indeed, according to some sources, you have to pay an entry fee of around €27,000  to join the club, not including the annual fee, the exact amount of which is not made public. In return, members benefit from exclusive privileges: access to the clubhouse's multiple facilities (gourmet restaurants, private bars, panoramic swimming pool, gym, library, accommodation cabins, etc.), invitation to booked events (gala evenings, private regattas, conferences, concerts), and the possibility of wearing the prestigious YCM handlebars on their own yacht. Belonging to this closed circle is a key to opening the doors to a unique art of living, between maritime elegance and Monegasque conviviality. The Yacht Club de Monaco is not limited to the Principality: it is resolutely internationally oriented thanks to a solid network of twinning and cooperation with more than forty prestigious yacht clubs spread around the world. These partnerships are not just a symbolic recognition. They offer members concrete rights of reciprocity: free access to the lounges, restaurants and facilities of the partner clubs, participation in regattas, and even exchanges between the respective Sailing Schools, both for the young athletes and for their coaches. To benefit from these privileges, it is generally sufficient to present one's YCM membership card accompanied by a letter of introduction, for a period of up to thirty days.

Emblematic examples include the Royal Cork Yacht Club – the oldest yacht club in the world, founded in 1720 – with which the YCM has been officially twinned since 2015. From Ireland to Singapore, via the United States and Italy, these agreements strengthen the YCM's image as a central player in international yachting, while facilitating mobility and sporting and cultural events for its members.

This network also provides access to exceptional stopovers in foreign ports, with a privileged welcome, often described as warm and refined. These relationships are a natural extension of the exclusive experience offered in Monaco and cultivate a spirit of global maritime camaraderie among lovers of luxury yachting.

Finally, faithful to nautical tradition, the YCM also takes care to preserve the elegance of the uses. At official events, members wore club attire – a navy blue blazer with an embroidered patch, tie or scarf in the YCM colours – a distinctive sign of belonging to a circle that was as demanding as it was prestigious. Beyond aesthetics, this dress code embodies an attachment to etiquette, tradition and excellence.

Club life in 2024-2025: activities, publications and news

A true player in Monegasque life, the Yacht Club de Monaco offers its members a rich agenda of sporting, cultural and social activities throughout the year. Its sailing school introduces the youngest (from 6 years old) to the joys of sailing, from the Optimist dinghy to kite-surfing, and trains future champions thanks to high-level supervision. Experienced sailors have a varied sporting programme ranging from monthly training (Winter Series) to major international regattas under the Monegasque flag. The YCM also organizes friendly get-togethers, member cruises and popular social gatherings (themed dinners, conferences with naval explorers or designers, charity evenings), cultivating the spirit of camaraderie in an exclusive setting.

In 2024, the club has focused on spreading its history and vision. A prestigious publication, published by Assouline, has enriched nautical literature: a 192-page art book celebrating the Yacht Club de Monaco, its heritage and its international influence. This book, released on the occasion of the club's 70th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of its new clubhouse, highlights the Principality's commitment to yachting and the collective vision of Monaco as a spearhead of sustainable yachting. With a preface by Prince Albert II (who celebrated 40 years as president of the YCM in 2024), the book retraces the club's heyday and its role in promoting Monaco as a nautical destination of excellence.

In terms of internal regulations, the Yacht Club de Monaco ensures that its practices evolve in line with the times. The membership regulations have been regularly updated (last updated in 2021) in order to clarify the admission procedures, the rights and duties of members and the rules of conduct within the club. Respect for sporting ethics, elegance of dress and the spirit of courtesy is reaffirmed, as is the attachment to the preservation of the exceptional setting offered by the club (environmental charter, rational use of resources, etc.). The life of the YCM was also punctuated by the publication of Yacht Club Magazine (or Yacht Class magazine), the official magazine where reports, interviews with nautical personalities and news from friendly clubs were published. Finally, the YCM actively communicates via the networks and its website on its latest news: its members' sporting results, new initiatives (for example the installation of charging stations for electric boats at the port), or announcements of upcoming events in 2025. The club thus begins 2025 with renewed dynamism, continuing its mission to make Monaco a world reference in yachting.

Yacht Club Monaco's flagship events

Over the decades, the Yacht Club de Monaco has launched and hosted many world-renowned nautical events. Among the most emblematic events are :

• Monaco Yacht Show – The annual luxury yacht show, held every late September at Port Hercule. Created in 1991, the Monaco Yacht Show is now the largest show in the world dedicated to luxury yachting, with a floating exhibition of dozens of exceptional superyachts and more than 30,000 professional and VIP visitors. During the show, the YCM serves as the setting for private parties, business cocktails and conferences, positioning Monaco at the centre of the yachting industry.

• Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe – This biennial event, launched in 1994 by Prince Albert II, brings together in Monaco the most beautiful yachting units of yesteryear: century-old sailing yachts, vintage motor yachts, vintage motor boats, all brought together for regattas and concours d'elegance that are unique in the world. For four days, shipowners and crews will revive the golden age of yachting in a 30s atmosphere, celebrating the preservation of maritime heritage and the associated art of living . Classic Week has become one of the unmissable events on the Monegasque calendar, attracting collectors and curious people around the values of tradition and transmission.

• Primo Cup – Credit Suisse Trophy (now UBS Trophy) – Created in 1985, the Primo Cup is held every winter (February) and brings together hundreds of one-design yachts (J/70, Smeralda 888, Longtze, etc.) from all over Europe in Monaco. Under the aegis of the Yacht Club, this regatta is the largest winter sailing meeting in the Mediterranean. On a technical and often windy stretch of water, the Primo Cup offers the crews a tough competition at the beginning of the season. Winning the famous Monegasque trophy – a precious cup – is a highly coveted honour in the world of sports sailing.

• Giraglia Rolex Cup – Founded in 1953, the Giraglia Cup is a legendary offshore race linking Saint-Tropez to Genoa (via the islet of Giraglia in Corsica) and has been sponsored by Rolex since 1998. While its arrival usually takes place in Italy, Monaco has had the honour of hosting the outcome in some years, notably in 2014 when the new clubhouse was inaugurated. The YCM collaborates with the Yacht Club Italiano to co-organise this event when Monaco is the host city. The "Rolex Cup" sees the most beautiful offshore racing yachts compete and remains a highlight for Monegasque sailors.

• Palermo-Montecarlo – Initiated in 2005, this ~500 nautical mile offshore race between Sicily and Monaco has become an end-of-summer classic. The Yacht Club de Monaco, co-organiser with the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, welcomes the international fleet to the finish at Port Hercule at the end of August. Speed, endurance and tactics are the order of the day in this event, which is part of the Mediterranean offshore sailing championship.

In addition to these major events, the YCM offers many other sporting events: Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series (winter championship in several acts for one-design series), Monaco Optimist Team Race (team regatta for young people under 14 years old), Grimaldi Trophy (coastal race between Sanremo and Monaco), Not to mention the powerboat grand prix and solar or electric boat exhibitions. The club also participates in prestigious social events, for example by hosting each year parties during the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix or charity auctions under the aegis of Princess Charlene. This effervescence of events contributes to the influence of the Yacht Club de Monaco and the dynamism of the Principality throughout the year.

International partnerships and commitments to nautical innovation

True to its motto of "Art of Living the Sea", the Yacht Club de Monaco is actively involved in international partnerships and projects aimed at promoting responsible and innovative yachting. On the sporting level, the club is a partner of many federations and other yacht clubs around the world. For example, it maintains twinning or reciprocity agreements with prestigious clubs such as the New York Yacht Club, the Royal Yacht Squadron (UK), the Yacht Club Italiano or the Yacht Club de France, facilitating exchanges between members and the organisation of joint events. A "Partners' Club" also brings together the YCM's official sponsors – major luxury brands, banks (Credit Suisse, UBS) or nautical companies – who support the club's initiatives and in return benefit from visibility at events.

In terms of the environment and technology, the Yacht Club de Monaco has established itself in recent years as a laboratory for sustainable nautical innovation. Aware of the ecological challenges, he is multiplying actions in favor of cleaner yachting. Every summer since 2014, it has organised the Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge, a unique competition dedicated to boats powered by alternative energies (solar, hydrogen, electric). During the 10th edition in July 2023, the event inaugurated an E-Boat Rally linking Monaco to Ventimille, bringing together a record number of electric boats available on the market and concretely demonstrating the potential of zero-emission propulsion on true coastal sailing. Through this challenge, which is part of the "Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting" approach, the YCM intends to play a leading role in the environmental transition of the sector. At the same time, the club has launched the "YCM Explorer Awards" program to reward innovations and achievements in ocean exploration, as well as an annual Environmental Symposium bringing together scientists, industrialists and sailors around solutions for the preservation of the seas.

The YCM is also directly involved in eco-responsible ocean racing. Since 2016, he has been a partner of Team Malizia, the sailing stable founded by German skipper Boris Herrmann and Pierre Casiraghi (son of Princess Caroline and vice-president of the YCM). Under the flag of the Yacht Club de Monaco, the IMOCA Malizia-Seaexplorer took part in the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe with Herrmann, carrying a strong message on the protection of the oceans (CO₂ measurements at sea, promotion of clean energy). This collaboration illustrates the club's commitment to the young generation to combine sporting performance and climate awareness. Similarly, the YCM supports the initiatives of the Prince Albert II Foundation for the Marine Environment, and has partnered with Monaco Ocean Week, an annual multidisciplinary event dedicated to the health of the oceans.

In terms of infrastructure, the Yacht Club de Monaco manages its own marina at the foot of the clubhouse, offering 26 berths for mega-yachts up to 60 m, equipped with top-of-the-range services and eco-responsible solutions (water treatment, shore power supply, waste sorting). This marina, a showcase for sustainable luxury yachting, is fully in line with Monaco's objectives in terms of environmental excellence. The club also participates in international projects such as the La Belle Classe Destinations network (a quality label for yacht stopovers around the world) or the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina (a platform for meetings between innovative port players), in order to spread good practices beyond Monaco's borders.

Illustrious members of the Yacht Club de Monaco

Over time, the Yacht Club de Monaco has counted and welcomed many leading personalities into its ranks. In the lead, of course, is the princely family of Monaco: Prince Albert II is its active president, often present at regattas and events, perpetuating the nautical passion inherited from his father. Other members of the Grimaldi family were involved, such as Princess Caroline (present at the club's social events) or her son Pierre Casiraghi, a distinguished sailor committed to the life of the club. Beyond the Monegasque elite, the YCM seduces big names in yachting and international business. Wealthy shipowners, industrialists and patrons are among them, making the clubhouse a meeting place for the nautical jet-set.

The club's exclusive events also attract their share of celebrities. Thus, private concerts given for the members have seen music legends such as Sir Elton John (2016), Duran Duran (2017) or Sting perform. In September 2019, it was Lionel Richie who sang "All Night Long" on the club's terrace in front of a handpicked audience, in the presence of Prince Albert II and prestigious guests such as actor Samuel L. Jackson, NBA star Magic Johnson, the footballer Paul Pogba or the stylist Domenico Dolce (from Dolce & Gabbana). This mix of crowned heads, sporting champions and show-business icons illustrates the unique aura of the Yacht Club de Monaco, where passion for the sea and international glamour intersect.

The YCM thus enjoyed a prestige and influence that went far beyond the Monegasque quays. It serves as a showcase for Monaco's know-how in hosting luxury events and maritime innovations. Its voice is heard in international nautical bodies, where the club promotes a vision that reconciles tradition and modernity. Through its members and network, it spreads a certain idea of elegance and conviviality at sea, summed up by its unofficial motto: "life at the Yacht Club de Monaco is the art of living the sea". Synonymous with excellence, refinement and commitment, the Yacht Club de Monaco continues, more than 70 years after its foundation, to write an essential page in the history of world yachting, while actively preparing the future of boating from the Principality.