French Riviera to Limit Large Cruise Ships in Bid to Protect Local Environment

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Cruise visits to the glamorous ports of the Côte d’Azur – including Cannes and Villefranche-sur-Mer – are set to become far more limited from 2026, as French authorities move to restrict large ships from anchoring off the region’s coastline.

Villefranche sur Mer

The Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, which governs Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, and Cannes, has announced new measures designed to reduce congestion, pollution, and the strain on local communities.

The regulations, confirmed on 10th October 2025, will introduce strict caps on how many large ships can visit the area, as well as limits on the number of passengers allowed ashore each day.

One Large Ship Per Day, Per Port

Under the new rules, cruise ships carrying more than 1,300 passengers will be limited to one call per day, per port across the affected Riviera destinations.

The restrictions will apply only to ships that anchor offshore, rather than those that dock directly – although most large vessels visiting the region must anchor at sea due to limited berth capacity.

The limits will tighten further during the busy summer months of July and August, when only 15 cruise ships per month will be permitted to drop anchor in each port.

In addition, new passenger disembarkation limits will come into effect. An average of 2,000 passengers per ship will be allowed ashore, with an absolute maximum of 3,000.

Cannes

The changes are expected to affect several major cruise lines, including Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises, whose vessels typically carry well above the new thresholds.

For example, Holland America’s Oosterdam – which carries 2,429 guests – is due to call in Villefranche in October 2025, while Norwegian Epic (4,070 passengers) and Celebrity Equinox (2,852 passengers) are both scheduled to visit in 2026.

While the new rules will begin to roll out from 2026, ships that booked port calls two or more years in advance are expected to be grandfathered in, meaning those visits can still proceed as planned.

Pollution and Emissions Controls

The agreement between the Alpes-Maritimes authorities, the mayors of affected towns, and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) also includes new powers to address air pollution from visiting ships.

If local officials detect “unusual smoke emissions”, the harbourmaster’s office can compel the vessel to take immediate emissions reduction measures.

In more serious cases, a ship could have its port call cancelled or be required to move at least three miles offshore to reduce its impact.

Environmental protection has long been a contentious issue along the French Riviera, where residents and local leaders have called for limits on mass tourism.

Earlier in 2025, Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi attempted to ban large cruise ships – those carrying over 2,500 guests – from calling at Nice. However, a court later overturned his order, ruling that only national maritime authorities had the power to impose such restrictions.

A Gradual Implementation

The new rules are expected to take effect gradually from 2026, following a 21-day public consultation period.

Officials say the measures aim to strike a balance between preserving tourism revenue and protecting the Riviera’s environment and quality of life for residents.

Cruise lines are yet to comment publicly, but the changes could prompt adjustments to Mediterranean itineraries in the years ahead – particularly for large vessels unable to dock in port.

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