Mayor Lisnard adds adaptive sailing to the city’s accessible beach, reinforcing his commitment to inclusive sport on the Riviera
David Lisnard refuses to watch from the sidelines. As a lifelong sports enthusiast who launched Cannes’ “Capital of Sport on the High Sea” programme in 2014, the mayor understands firsthand how sport transforms lives. His vision has always centered on breaking down barriers to make athletic pursuits accessible to everyone. This summer, that commitment sails into new territory with adaptive trimaran outings launching at Handiplage, located on Bijou Plage at pointe Croisette.
The city’s certified accessible beach now hosts free sailing sessions for persons with reduced mobility every Tuesday and Thursday until 28 August. Organized by the Ville de Cannes and its partners, the programme uses two specially equipped trimarans to take participants across the Bay of Cannes in small groups, accompanied by certified instructors and complete safety adaptations.
Each sailing session combines maritime adventure with calm Mediterranean scenery. With the Îles de Lérins in view, the activity provides both stimulation and serenity. The programme complements the adaptive paddleboarding activity introduced in 2023 with Eau delà du paddle and reflects a growing ambition: to make the Côte d’Azur’s most iconic shoreline open to all, regardless of physical ability.
Participants join as “crew”, not passive passengers. The boats are stable and fully adapted, with every detail designed to provide both security and pleasure. From the first manoeuvre offshore, the experience becomes sensory: the breeze, the salt, the rhythm of the hull on open water. Certified instructors lead each outing with calm precision, setting a tone that is confident, focused, and quietly uplifting.
Handiplage anchors this commitment. The facility holds both the “Tourism and Handicap” label and the highest Handiplage certification, with fully trained staff and adapted infrastructure throughout the site. In 2024, nearly 13,000 people used the beach, including 7,661 individuals with disabilities.
Beyond its numbers, Handiplage succeeds because it delivers something rarely found on crowded beaches: ease. Shade, safety, space, and simplicity are built into the design. Access ramps lead directly to the water’s edge. Floating beach chairs and assisted bathing services operate throughout the day. Friends, family members, and carers are welcome, creating a setting that feels social rather than clinical.
The adaptive sailing activity builds on other regional events that bring visibility to inclusive sport. In late June, Cannes hosted the Handi Voile 06 tour, a one-of-a-kind initiative in France that enabled guests with disabilities to try sailing and kayaking in complete safety. Events like these reinforce Cannes’ role as both showcase and working model for what inclusive leisure can look like on the Mediterranean.
The city’s investment in this vision spans all of Cannes. Since 2014, more than 200,000 square metres of public space have become accessible. Over 75 percent of municipal buildings meet official standards. Most public transport stops have been upgraded, and the city employs nearly 8 percent of its workforce from among persons with disabilities. Cultural venues, schools, and municipal services support these efforts with dedicated staff and structured inclusion programmes.
Visitors with reduced mobility arriving at Handiplage will find a place designed with care, led by people who take inclusion seriously, and animated by a city that has put accessibility at the core of its public life. In Cannes, this represents a civic standard, never a seasonal gesture.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Sailing sessions run every Tuesday and Thursday until 28 August, with morning slots from 9:30 to 12:30 and afternoon sessions from 13:30 to 17:30. Participation is free, but reservations are essential and can be made through Handiplage or the Cannes tourism office. The site itself opens daily and connects easily via accessible bus lines or adapted transport services. Detailed information and contact phone numbers are available on the Ville de Cannes website.
CONTACT DETAILS
Handiplage de Bijou Plage
Pointe Croisette
122 Bd de la Croisette
06400 Cannes
All images courtesy Mairie de Cannes
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