The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe village is open to all!
by La Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe 20 Oct 18:44 BST
20 October - 1 November 2026
Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe 2026 © Lou Benoist / AFP
After months of preparation the largest village ever created for an ocean race officially opened its gates today in Saint-Malo. And so starts thirteen days of festivities, a chance to meet the skippers, see the boats up close and personal, indeed to really immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of a sailing event like no other.
The Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe site covers a massive 71,000 square meters. The docks within the race village hosts the boats of the 115 solo skippers and there are 150 exhibitors. It is open to everyone free of charge and it is set to be a really entertaining, fun and educational experience for all ages.
For the public, the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe has officially started. The village opened this at noon today Tuesday in Saint-Malo, and the first visitors were able to explore the various stands and installations. In doing so, they kicked off this 13th edition—a thrilling new journey from the "Corsair City" to the islands of Guadeloupe, one that promises to be an emotionally charged adventure.
Many boats are already in through the sea locks and moored up
Throughout the afternoon hundreds of spectators have enjoyed the steady influx many boats passing passing through Saint-Malo's sea locks. On this historic race the organisers have long since appreciated the interest in the dock in process and have provided fantastic tiered galleries to sit and watch the skippers, the teams and their boats pass through the locks. Today it has been The Ocean Fifty, Vintage Multihull, and IMOCA classes arriving in succession, mooring along the Duguay-Trouin and Saint-Louis quays throughout the afternoon. Huge crowds gathered to enjoy the spectacle which was supported by music and introductions for each skippers in French and English. With the Ultim class having passed through the locks the previous day, the vast majority of the competitors are now moored within the basins of Saint-Malo.
Watch videos and view photos of the boats from each category passing through the lock gates via the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe media server: www.routedurhum.media/fr/rdr2026
At noon this Tuesday, the opening ceremony for the event village took place at one of the main entrances. Joseph Bizard, CEO of OC Sport Group; Julie Coutts, Managing Director of OC Sport Pen Duick; Gilles Lurton, Mayor of Saint-Malo; and Camille Pélage, Vice-President of the Guadeloupe Regional Council, toured the village together. Gilles Lurton then cut the ceremonial ribbon in front of the assembled media. "The village is now open!" he declared enthusiastically. Moments later, dozens of spectators began to pass through the site.
An incredible, all-encompassing celebration
Now begins a thirteen-day period of encounters, discovery, celebration, and sharing. What's on the agenda? A daily program featuring concerts, various activities, opportunities to meet the skippers, and a multitude of events for visitors of all ages.
Find the full daily schedule of events on our website: www.routedurhum.com/programmation
All the boats are now moored in the Saint-Malo basins, and a large number of visitors turned out throughout this first day. Weather forecasts for tomorrow and the remainder of the week indicate windier conditions. The village is confirmed to open at 10:00 a.m. this Wednesday; however, the organizers—in coordination with the authorities and local government—reserve the right to close the village should conditions deteriorate, in order to prioritize the safety of all visitors.
The festivities will continue into the evening, both within the event village and throughout the walled city (Intra-Muros) and the surrounding municipalities. For the first time, all the various initiatives—including concerts, exhibitions, street performances, and unique, one-off events—have been brought together under the banner of the "Off du Rhum," which serves as a comprehensive guide to the full program of festivities. The village will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with dining areas remaining open until 1:00 a.m. In a spirit of sharing, cohesion, and conviviality, spectators can look forward to an intense and memorable experience as they cheer on the skippers right up until the start of the race on Sunday, November 1st.
Quotes
Joseph Bizard, Managing Director of OC Sport: "The Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe is an extraordinary race. We've been eagerly awaiting its return. An exceptional race deserves an exceptional village—a place to celebrate the sailors before they set off. Spanning over 70,000 square meters, the site will welcome more than 1.2 million visitors over the course of 13 days. It's a fantastic opportunity for everyone to meet the skippers and discover their impressive boats. With each new edition, the Route du Rhum further cements its place in the global sporting and nautical landscape. It is a privilege to organize an event of this scale. The magic of the Route du Rhum never fades, and we can't wait to celebrate it with as many people as possible."
Julie Coutts, Managing Director of OC Sport Pen Duick: "Opening the village to the general public is always an incredibly emotional experience. We think...to everyone who has been involved for months and who contributed to setting up this extraordinary village. The village is now coming to life, the activities are ready to begin—this is what we have all been waiting for. We look forward to welcoming the public. Over the next thirteen days, there will be plenty of surprises, discoveries, encounters, and opportunities to try new things. This is not just a boat race; it is a complete, immersive adventure. What matters most to us is that every visitor leaves Saint-Malo with memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives."
Gilles Lurton, Mayor of Saint-Malo and President of the Saint-Malo Agglomeration: "The opening of the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe village is a significant, unifying moment. Preparing for the race has involved two years of work with all the partners who contribute to the event's success and vitality. These two years have been intense, but they allow us to look forward to the time the village is open with great enthusiasm. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our visitors. I know they will fully enjoy these moments of celebration and relaxation centered around the skippers and the sport, and that they will have a wonderful time. Right now, we need events like the Route du Rhum—events built on shared values and a sense of togetherness. And everything has been done to turn it into a grand celebration!"
Camille Pélage, Vice-President of the Guadeloupe Regional Council: "This morning marks the beginning of a great adventure. The race began in 1978 in Guadeloupe, and it has continued to grow ever since. It serves as a major economic driver for our region, while also providing us with a platform to showcase our strengths in areas such as tourism and the nautical sector." "We have an entire ecosystem built around the race and the 'blue economy.' Our territory is rich in diversity—it is a synthesis of the Caribbean—and its identity is reflected through the *Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe*. It is an event that bolsters the local economy and is always eagerly awaited by all the people of Guadeloupe."
Loïg Chesnais-Girard, President of the Brittany Region: "The Brittany Region is proud to host the 13th edition of the *Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe! The opening of the race village marks the start of this major public celebration, building excitement as we look forward to the big departure. As the race's primary partner and the owner of the port, the Region helps make this event a moment of shared experience and emotion. I wish you all many wonderful discoveries—both within the official race village and throughout the 'OFF du Rhum' program of fringe events."