A major surprise awaits Les Voiles regulars; the village, the very heart and nerve center of the great Tropézien nautical event, is changing address, relocating to the Jean Réveille jetty, that large seawall protecting the small Var port at the edge of the gulf. Responding to a long-held aspiration to draw ever closer to the stars—the fabulous yachts of Les Voiles, stars among stars—Pierre Roinson and the teams of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez have undertaken the immense challenge of installing the race direction, jury, press center, exhibitor stands, and bar on the long pier. From this new village, spectators and sailors can now, from the best vantage point, take in the port’s activity and the majestic evolution of the racing yachts, whose training is in full swing.
At the foot of the Portalet
“For several years, we have been discussing with the town hall teams how to free up these much-sought-after parking spaces during Les Voiles,” explains Pierre Roinson, President of the SNST. “Following the organization of the Rolex Giraglia and SailGP, we developed the idea of utilizing the Jean Réveille jetty. The port parking lot now regains a significant number of spaces, and for 8 days, we will live as close as possible to the regattas and the incomparable spectacle of beautiful sails gliding past the Portalet.”
A giant Tetris!
Mercantour, the company usually responsible for the creation and construction of the village, has once again worked wonders. Laurent Rémy, the village manager, highlights the scale of the technical challenge met by the organizing teams. “The ballet of service providers, the comings and goings of vehicles, for the construction of the village resembled a giant Tetris all week,” he muses, “ We tried to minimize disruption to the port. Ultimately, the village will offer a 360° view of Saint-Tropez and the gulf. The general idea was to adapt to the sea, as we are at the heart of the spectacle, between land and sea, the sailboats and Saint-Tropez.”
We dreamed of it, Les Voiles made it happen!
Even the traditional exhibitors of Les Voiles admit that moving to the Jean Réveille jetty is a dream… come true. “Our partners are delighted with this new location, which allows them to be more visually connected to the event than ever before,” explains Pascale Perez from the Turquoise agency, the village organizer. “ Sailors will quickly find their bearings. As for the route to the traditional pétanque competition, they know it so well by heart that registrations are already almost closed. North Sails is heavily involved this year to restore the former glory of this unique and powerfully festive onshore moment of Les Voiles. The official outfitter of Les Voiles will thus take over Place des Lices on Wednesday, October 4, with all the dynamism characteristic of the brand!”
Village Opening:
From September 29 to October 7: 9 AM to 9 PM
Sunday, October 8: 9 AM to 5 PM.
2023 Program (the detailed onshore program is available online on Les Voiles website)
Saturday, September 30: Welcome for Maxis (over 18.28m) and Classic and Modern yachts up to 18.28 meters
Sunday, October 1st: Regattas for Maxis, welcome for Classic and Modern yachts up to 18.28 meters
Monday, October 2: Regattas for Maxis and Modern yachts
Tuesday, October 3: Regattas for all fleets
Wednesday, October 4: Regattas for Modern and Classic yachts, Day Off for Maxis and Club 55 Maxi Cup
Thursday, October 5: Challenges Day and Club 55 Cup for Modern and Classic yachts, Regattas for Maxis
Friday, October 6: Regattas for all fleets, Prize Giving for Maxis
Saturday, October 7: Regattas for Modern and Classic yachts,
Sunday, October 8: Prize Giving for Modern and Classic yachts
Partners of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
ROLEX
BMW
NORTH SAILS
WALLY
SUZUKI MARINE
HIGHFIELD
MERCANTOUR
BYBLOS
GALERIE BARTOUX
ESPRIT VILLAGE A SAINT-TROPEZ
PEPINIERE DU GOLFE
Official Suppliers of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
CHAMPAGNE BARONS DE ROTHSCHILD
CHATEAU SAINT-MAUR
DOMAINE BERTAUD BELIEU
CITY OF SAINT-TROPEZ
PORT OF SAINT-TROPEZ
LES MARINES DE COGOLIN
FRENCH SAILING FEDERATION
YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE
INTERNATIONAL MAXI ASSOCIATION
Organization:
Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez
President: Pierre Roinson
Principal Race Officer: Georges Korhel
Regatta Manager: Frédérique Fantino
On-water Resources: Gilles Doyen
Communication and Executive Assistant: Chloé de Brouwer
Editorial: Denis van den Brink
Websites: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr; www.societe-nautique-saint-tropez.fr
Facebook: les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Officiel
X formerly Twitter: @VoilesSTOrg
Instagram: les_voiles_de_saint_tropez
Photo
SNST/Gilles Martin-Raget
Video
SNST/Guilain Grenier, 6G
Press Relations:
Maguelonne Turcat
Email magturcat@gmail.com
