Quick answer. Mainland France is in the EU. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can work here with no permit. Everyone else, including UK passport holders, needs a work visa arranged before starting.
Do skippers and crew need a work permit in France?
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: no work permit. Everyone else: you need a work visa and authorisation, which is employer led, before you start. Use the official France-Visas wizard to see exactly what applies to your nationality and situation.
Watch out: French overseas territories
Places like French Polynesia (Tahiti) are French but are not in the EU free-movement area, so even EU citizens need a local work permit there. If your assignment is in an overseas territory, check that page instead: French Polynesia (Tahiti).
Does the type of yacht matter?
On a bareboat charter (up to 12 guests who charter the yacht and hire a skipper) the rules above apply. On crewed charter, private yachts and superyachts, crew are often treated as seafarers and the route can differ with the flag and where the yacht is based, so confirm for that yacht. Working ashore follows ordinary work-permit rules.
Official source
French government visa portal: France-Visas, and its work section. Confirm the current rules for your nationality before you travel.
What we ask of you
Keep your nationality correct in your profile; it tells us your EU status.
If you hold a work permit for France, tick the work-permit box.
Tell us early if your right to work is not sorted, so we can help before your dates.
Important
Immigration rules change and vary by nationality. This is general orientation, not legal advice, and Quarterdeck is not an immigration adviser. Confirm your own position with the official source above before you travel. We will not place you in France if you do not hold the right to work. See also: Visas & work permits, overview.