A bespoke village bridging land and sea at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
by Maguelonne Turcat 26 Sep 17:30 BST
30 September - 4 October 2026
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez © SNST / Gilles Martin-Raget
At Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the spectacular show embraces both the water and the land. At 09:00 am this morning, the Village des Voiles, based on the Jean Réveille jetty, opened its doors to both the competitors and the public.
With registration and training already in full swing, the crowds are out in force and enjoying the Indian summer gracing the port in France's Var department. Featuring all the organisation structures as well as a number of boutiques, a bar, a stage and a giant screen, the Village has raised its game again this year to ensure that the experience is exceptional for one and all. We take a guided tour.
The art of hospitality
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez has a unique, magnetic appeal that extends to the yachting community and far beyond. In addition to the 3,500 crew members, who come to the town to race and share their love of the sea through until Sunday 4 October, there are also up to 75,000 visitors per day in the port.
Suffice to say that the Village des Voiles is a veritable hive of activity which calls for a few 'traffic calming schemes': "Since we based ourselves on the Môle Jean Réveille jetty four years ago, the village has been a resounding success. It's a remarkable location with that feel-good factor for all. That said, together with our partners, we felt a need to enhance certain aspects like the reception area at the entrance to the village, and under the guidance of an artistic director, we've revised all the signage and made it coherent," explains Pierre Roinson, president of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez.
Several information points have also been created to guide the public around the venue more fluidly. The partnership signed with the Ecole du Luxe, a neighbouring institution in the Gulf of St Tropez, ensures that there are always trained hosts and hostesses present at the entrance to the village and at the Club des Voiles (Guest/Partner area) and press area. Throughout the week, thirty or so students will be on hand to help the public thoroughly enjoy the event.
Exhibitors: The useful and the lovely
The inauguration of the Village des Voiles will take place on Sunday at 5:00 pm. Once the virtual ribbon is cut in the presence of Pierre Roinson and all the officials, Sylvie Siri, Mayor of St Tropez, will have her annual tour of the village and meet and greet the exhibitors. A wealth of different stands await her on the quayside this year, including the arrival of Broderie Minute, who are poised to meet all the crews' needs in terms of clothing branding, together with several boutiques featuring art and photography (Dominique Perrotin, Antoine F., Laurent Rabé), marine-themed jewellery (Bellessoeur, Oz Tahiti), as well as Maui Jim x Afflelou sunnies. Eagerly awaited every year will be the North Sails (clothing) boutique and the stands showcasing Brig (RIBs), Suzuki Marine (engines), SKX Yachting (deck hardware), Bernard Optic (binoculars), Neptunia (high-end marine inspired cutlery) and 727 Sailbags (recycled wares), which make unique custom pieces on site. In addition to its boutique at the entrance to the village, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez's partner brand North Sails is offering crews a pop-up sail loft for all manner of repairs in the harbour office car park.
Sunshine vibes
"The weather is key," admits Pierre Roinson, who has participated in every edition of Les Voiles and knows only too well that the relaxed atmosphere so cherished at the event, together with the aim of getting as many people sailing as possible, is dependent on the wind gods. As such, the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez and Principal Race Officer Georges Korhel regularly consult the weather servers to get an idea of what lies in store for the upcoming week of racing.
The good news is that the outlook is rather favourable with summery conditions and moderate E'ly winds for the start of the week, prior to a spell of stormy weather expected on Wednesday or Thursday. The perfect showcase then for the majestic fleet of 253 sailboats, with the prospect of some truly sublime images in line with the tradition of Les Voiles.
Schedule
Saturday, September 26: Registration confirmation
Sunday, September 27: Registration confirmation
Arrival of the Yacht Club de France's Coupe d'Automne (Cannes-Saint-Tropez)
Monday, September 28: Races for the Maxis and Moderns
Tuesday, September 29: Races for the Maxis, Moderns, and Classics, including the Rolex Trophy
Wednesday, September 30: Races for the Moderns and Classics, including the Rolex Trophy Day-off for the Maxis, Club 55 Maxi Yacht Cup
Thursday, October 1: Club 55 Cup, Gstaad Yacht Club des Centenaires Trophy (staggered starts), Challenge Day for the Moderns and Classics, Wally Nano 37 Challenge
Races for the Maxis
Friday, October 2: Races for the Maxis, Moderns, and Classics, including the Rolex Trophy
Saturday, October 3: Races for the Maxis, Moderns, and Classics, including the Rolex Trophy Prize-giving for the Maxis, including the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy
Presentation of the Rolex Trophy
Sunday, October 4: Prize-giving for the Moderns and Classics, including the BMW Trophy and special trophies
www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr/en