Twenty-two Riva yachts gathered on the French Riviera for the 16th edition of the biennial Riva Raduni, celebrating the marque's heritage with a Brigitte Bardot-inspired weekend of cruising, competition and festivities between Monaco and Saint-Tropez...
The 16th edition of the Riva Raduni welcomed 22 Riva yachts to the French Riviera on 26-27 June 2026, as owners gathered for the biennial event celebrating the iconic Italian brand and the enduring glamour of Saint-Tropez.
Organised by Monaco Boat Service in partnership with the Yacht Club de Monaco, the weekend marked more than 30 years of the event, which has traditionally signalled the start of the Riviera's summer boating season. This year's edition paid tribute to French actress Brigitte Bardot and the spirit of 1960s Saint-Tropez, with a fleet ranging from the classic Super Ariston to the contemporary Riva 88 Folgore.
Proceedings began with breakfast at Monaco Boat Service's Riva Tunnel before participants departed for a regularity race to Saint-Tropez. Favourable cruising conditions greeted the fleet, a contrast to the challenging weather experienced during the previous edition in 2024. BOAT International joined the event on board a Brazilian-owned Riva 66 Ribelle, arriving at Pampelonne Beach for lunch before the evening celebrations.
That evening, guests gathered on Saint-Tropez's famous harbour, where the venue had been transformed to evoke the village during Bardot's heyday. Owners and guests embraced the "Les Années de BB" theme with period dress, while live music and entertainment celebrated the era that helped cement Saint-Tropez's reputation as the playground of the Côte d'Azur.
The second day opened with brunch at the Saint-Tropez Lounge Club before the traditional Elegance Contest, which invited crews to interpret the Brigitte Bardot-inspired theme through fashion, yacht styling and onboard decorations. The event culminated in the customary parade through the port of Saint-Tropez, drawing crowds of visitors and locals alike and highlighting the enduring appeal of the Riva marque.
The overall honours went to Space Cowboy, the second hull in the Riva 88 Folgore series delivered in 2020, which claimed victory in both the regularity race and the overall competition. As part of the prize, the owners received two engraved F.P. Journe Élégante timepieces, marking the Swiss watchmaker's tenth consecutive year supporting the event.
The weekend concluded with the "Love Boat" gala dinner at the Yacht Club de Monaco's Aquarama Lounge, bringing together members of the international Riva community for a celebration of the brand's heritage and its long-standing connection with the French Riviera.