The Village des Voiles relocates to the seawall in Saint-Tropez

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez © SNST / Gilles Martin-Raget

A big surprise awaits regular visitors to Les Voiles de Tropez. Indeed, the beating heart and the nerve centre of this major yachting regatta in France's Var region is switching locations to the iconic Jean Réveille jetty, which wraps around the port of Saint Tropez, nestled along the fringes of the gulf.

A dream, star-studded rendez-vous that just gets better and better with every edition, Pierre Roinson and the teams from the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez have set themselves the massive challenge of accommodating Race Management, the jury, the press centre, exhibitor stands and a bar along the seawall. As a result, from today onwards, spectators and sailors will have a front row seat for all the in-port entertainment as well as the on-the-water action as the majestic yachts transition from training to the racetrack.

At the foot of Le Portalet

"In coordination with the teams from the town hall, we've spent the past few years mulling over how best to free up much-needed parking spaces during Les Voiles," explains Pierre Roinson, President of the SNST. "Following the organisation of the Rolex Giraglia and SailGP, we developed the idea of utilising the Jean Réveille jetty. As a result, there are now a significant number of additional parking spaces and we'll be able to enjoy 8 days up close and personal with the incomparable spectacle created by beautiful boats slipping along under Le Portalet in race mode."

A giant Tetris!

The Mercantour company, the prime contractor which is traditionally responsible for creating and constructing the village, has worked its magic once again as the village director Laurent Rémy explains: "With the waltz of service providers and the toing and froing of the vehicles for constructing the village, the whole of the past week has been reminiscent of a massive game of Tetris! We've tried to minimise any inconvenience for the port and we've ended up with a village that provides 360 degrees views around Saint Tropez and the gulf. The general idea was to gear ourselves towards the sea, since we're at the very heart of the show, 'twixt land and sea, looking out over the sailboats and Saint Tropez."

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez - photo © SNST / Gilles Martin-Raget

Les Voiles is a dream come true!

Naturally, utilising the Jean Réveille jetty to full effect is something that the regular exhibitors at Les Voiles are absolutely thrilled about. "Our partners are delighted with the new location, which means that they can be even more visually connected to the event," explains Pascale Perez from the Turquoise agency, which is hosting the village. "The sailors will soon get their bearings. As for the traditional 'boules' competition, they already know the way there by heart, so registration is already nearly complete. North Sails has put a great deal of effort into this year's event to restore this wonderfully unique and amazingly festive gathering within Les Voiles to its former glory. As such, the official equipment supplier for Les Voiles will be injecting some real pizazz into the Place des Lices on Wednesday 4 October to reflect the dynamism of the brand!"

Village opening times

From 29 September to 7 October: from 09:00 to 21:00 hours
Sunday 8 October: from 09:00 to 17:00 hours.

Programme 2023 (details of the programme ashoe are available online via Les Voiles website)

• Saturday 30 September: Maxi registration (over 18.28m) and Classic and Modern yachts measuring up to 18.28 metres
• Sunday 1 October: regattas for the Maxis, registration of the Classic and Modern yachts measuring up to 18.28 metres
• Monday 2 October: regattas for the Maxis and the Modern yachts
• Tuesday 3 October: regattas for the whole fleet
• Wednesday 4 October: regattas for the Modern and Classic yachts, Day Off for the Maxis and Club 55 Maxi Cup
• Thursday 5 October: Challenge Day and Club 55 Cup for the Modern and Classic yachts, regattas for the Maxis
• Friday 6 October: regattas for the whole fleet, Prize-giving for the Maxis
• Saturday 7 October: regattas for the Modern and Classic yachts,
• Sunday 8 October: Prize-giving for the Modern and Classic yachts