News
27-01-2022
50TH EDITION OF THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE!
A look back in time: Eleven at the helm!
Strange coincidences do exist. It was in 1973, during the oil crisis, that eleven companies which were part of the Syndicat Rochelais de Navigation et de Plaisance (La Rochelle Syndicate of Sailing and Water Sports) expressed the idea and wish to create an event to promote the local water sports sector. The idea? To present the vessels produced both in-water and on land. The date? Every year in September. The holidays are still in people’s minds and it’s a good time to take orders. A Constitutive General Meeting was organised on 15 March 1973 at Quai Valin in La Rochelle. The eleven founding members met with Roger Mallard as the chair of this first meeting. Around the table were the Société des Ateliers et Chantiers Amel, the Jean-Pierre Brémaud shipyard, the sailmaker Cheret, the Comptoir Maritime Rochelais, the Michel Dufour SA shipyard, the naval architect Philippe Harlé, the Fernand Hervé shipyard, the Mallard SA shipyards, Naviga-Sports, Quéré-Paillard and the marine equipment firm Soferac.
Henri Tonet, known as Amel, at the head of the shipyards of the same name – Amel being his name when he was a Resistance fighter – was the first President of the association and the President of Commission 1 in charge of general administrative, legal and financial matters. Henri Amel even provided the bank with his own guarantee so that the first edition could take place. Guy Phelippon from Naviga-Sports presided over Commission 2 in charge of practical organisation and paid to produce the first catalogue from his own pocket. Michel Dufour was the President of Commission 3 responsible for promotion and advertising. He was the one who came up with the idea of calling the show the « Grand Pavois ».
On 6 April 1973, the Grand Pavois de La Rochelle association appeared in the columns of the Journal Officiel No.82 of the French Republic. It was now official: the association was recognised by the State.
On 27 March 1973, the association’s by-laws were drafted. Its « purpose is to present to the public, in-water and on land, all types of pleasure crafts and their equipment and fittings, as well as all the activities directly related to the profession ».
The first edition was held, as expected, from 20 to 23 September 1973. 34 exhibitors were present and 64 boats were exhibited in-water on the first two pontoons at the foot of the Forum des Pertuis, in the port of Les Minimes developed following the wish of the city’s Mayor, Michel Crépeau. 3 709 visitors crowded the pontoons and, on Sunday, access had to be limited for safety reasons. It was a great success, the Grand Pavois was born!
A Board of Directors at the service of and open to the profession!
Henri Amel (Société des Ateliers et Chantiers Amel), Michel Dufour (Société Michel Dufour SA), Fernand Hervé (Chantier Navel Hervé), Roger Mallard (Société des Chantiers Mallard SA), Philippe Harlé (naval architect), Bernard Ancel (SARL Voilerie Cheret), Jean-Pierre Bremaud (SARL J.P. Bremaud), Yves Berbain (Comptoir Maritime Rochelais), Marc Caillon (Soferac Accastillage), Guy Phelippon (Société Naviga-Sports), Lionel Paillard (Société Quéré-Paillard) were the eleven members of this first constitutive meeting chaired by Roger Mallard on 15 March 1973. A Board of Directors which has changed over the years but which remains consistent in its functions and its attributions: i.e. deciding the fate of the La Rochelle boat show as well as the life of the Grand Pavois Organisation association through its other events. It should be recalled that this Board of Directors, which represents the association’s members (editor’s note: remember that all water sport professionals are entitled to join the association), meets every month to deal with current affairs and, once a year for its General Meeting.
Chaired by Alain Pochon since 1995 (editor’s note: Director since 1992, Vice-President in 1994), nowadays, the Grand Pavois Organisation’s Board of Directors is composed of Jean-Jacques Lemonnier, Vice-President (Amel Yachts), Yannick Hemet, Treasurer (Four Winns & Wellcraft), Boris Compagnon, Secretary (Chantier Catana) and the Directors, Olivier Caris (Neel Trimarans), Hélène de Fontainieu (Dufour Yachts), Merry de La Poëze (Jeanneau), Olivier Grassi (Grassi Bateaux), Erwann de Vuillefroy (Fountaine Pajot), Didier Le Moal (J Composites), Paolo Serio (Dream Yacht Charter), Christophe Soares (Navicom) and Benoit Treguilly (Tahé Outdoor). Professionals, as ever open to and at the service of other professionals and enthusiasts!
A 50th anniversary edition…
If 1973 marked the first edition, 2022 will celebrate the 50th edition of the La Rochelle international in-water boat show. And although the show has undergone changes over the years to adapt to and anticipate future trends, the show has preserved and upheld certain values which have made, continue to make and create its differences, but conviviality continues to be its watchword. The Grand Pavois La Rochelle remains, as in 1973, a highlight for presenting the new products of the coming year and continues to be perfectly representative of the water sports sector. An essential event for many shipbuilders as well as for equipment manufacturers and service companies which come together at Port des Minimes, the birthplace of sailing in France and La Rochelle since it will also be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022. 50th edition for the Grand Pavois La Rochelle, 50 years for the La Rochelle marina… A wonderful year in view which enthusiasts at the service of enthusiasts will celebrate!
Other news
DATES OF THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE
FROM WEDNESDAY 20 TO MONDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2023
A LIMITED EDITION WATCH BY B.R.M CHRONOGRAPHES, OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER PARTNER OF THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE
B.R.M Chronographes, Official Timekeeper of Grand Pavois Organisation events in 2023.
73,000 VISITORS AT THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE 2022
73,000 VISITORS AT THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE 2022
ANNULATION DU SPECTACLE VOILES DE NUIT DU SAMEDI 1ER OCTOBRE 2022, SPECTACLE REPORTÉ EN 2023.
C’est avec une immense déception que le Conseil d’Administration présidé par Alain Pochon et réuni ce matin 9 heures a pris la lourde et douloureuse décision d’annuler le spectacle Voiles de Nuit qui devait se dérouler samedi 1er octobre au soir.
« Sustainable Innovation » with EDF
The Grand Pavois La Rochelle is focusing on the theme of « Sustainable Innovation » with EDF.
ETF SERIES 2022: THE “GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE FOILING EVENT »
An event within an event organised by La Rochelle Nautique and the ETF Series.
QUATRE BATEAUX EMBLÉMATIQUES DE LA PLAISANCE FRANÇAISE, NÉS DE QUATRE FONDATEURS DU GRAND PAVOIS !
Quatre bateaux emblématiques de la plaisance française créés par quatre des membres fondateurs du Grand Pavois La Rochelle seront exposés au cœur de l’Espace Patrimoine et Tradition du salon.
« 40 ans, 40 histoires… » un vrai voyage dans le temps plein d’anecdotes
Découvrez ou re découvrez le Hors-Série Sud-Ouest réalisé en 2012 lors de la célébration des 40 ans du Grand Pavois La Rochelle.
GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE PRACTICAL GUIDE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!
You’re looking for practical information to help you get the most out of the show? Follow the guide
UN ESPACE PECHE DÉDIÉ ET UNE MARINA GRAND PAVOIS FISHING AVEC 27 ÉQUIPAGES DE MARQUE INSCRITS À CE JOUR
UNIQUE : TESTER LES NOUVEAUTÉS EN MER ET SUIVRE DES FORMATIONS EMBARQUÉES !
GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE 2022, ENCOURAGING THE PARTICIPATION OF ALL WITH THE HANDI CAP’ACCESS CENTRE
The Handi Cap’Access Centre will celebrate its 12th edition this year at the Grand Pavois La Rochelle.
A 50TH ANNIVERSARY FOR THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE WITH MANY INNOVATIONS!
The event for the coming year’s innovations
THE RETURN OF THE PYRO-DIGITAL SHOW VOILES DE NUIT
Now a world reference in the field of pyro-digital shows, Voiles de Nuit, organised by the association Grand Pavois Organisation, will be held on the fore-port of La Rochelle on Saturday 1 October 2022.
80,000 VISITORS AT THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE 2021
2021 will remain forever engraved in the memory of Grand Pavois Organisation!
After being cancelled in 2020 due to the global pandemic and the introduction of the health pass in 2021, the Grand Pavois La Rochelle believed it would potentially see a 20 to 30% drop in visitor numbers for this edition organised in the unusual context of a health crisis. However, this year’s event contradicts and counters all forecasts since 80,000 visitors (editor’s note, 79,916 visitors) were present on the pontoons and alleys of the international in-water boat show, namely a 5% increase in relation to the previous edition in 2019.
DES TEMPS FORTS POUR TOUTES LES PASSIONS !
Invité d’honneur, bateaux de courses, bateaux événementiels, innovations, job dating, foils …
NIKOS ALIAGAS AT THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE TO SHARE MEMORIES THROUGH HIS PHOTOGRAPHS INSPIRED BY « GREECE AND THE SEA »
Greece, guest of honor at the Grand Pavois La Rochelle 2021, will be presenting the exhibition « Greece and the Sea » by Nikos Aliagas.
10 UNMISSABLE EVENTS AT THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE 2021.
Discover ten unmissable events from this year’s edition!
OLIVIA PIANA, THREE TIMES SUP WORLD CHAMPION, PATRON OF THE APRIL MARINE PADDLE JAM, THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE’S PADDLE GATHERING
JOIN US ON SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER 2021 FOR A UNIQUE SUP GATHERING!
THE GRAND PAVOIS ORGANISATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONFIRMS THAT THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE 2021 WILL TAKE PLACE.
Following the Board Meeting on Wednesday 25 August, the Grand Pavois Organisation Board of Directors confirmed that the international in-water boat show, the Grand Pavois La Rochelle 2021 will be held.
THE « HANDI CAP’ACCES » POLE FAVOURS PARTICIPATION BY ALL.
The « Handi Cap’Acces » Pole will celebrate its 11th edition this year at the Grand Pavois La Rochelle.
AN ECO-RESPONSIBLE APPROACH FOR ALL
The Grand Pavois La Rochelle adheres to the Charter for eco-responsible events in La Rochelle.
THE APRIL MARINE PADDLE JAM, THE GRAND PAVOIS’ SUP GATHERING.
Join us on Saturday 2 Octobre 2021 for a unique SUP gathering.
« A SHOW AS MUCH AWAITED BY WATER SPORT PROFEESSIONALS AS BY OUR ENTHUSIASTIC VISITORS »
MAKE A NOTE OF THE DATES FOR THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE FROM TUESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER TO SUNDAY 3 OCTOBER 2021
A COMPLETELY FOIL AND PADDLE YEAR!
Three Foil highlights will be on the programme at the Grand Pavois. An exceptional edition that will clearly be placed under the sign of Foil since three national level events will be on the programme on the weekend of the Atlantic show.
GREECE, THE GUEST COUNTRY OF HONOUR AT THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE 2021
A leading tourist destination, Greece is renowned for its stunning mountain landscapes, its natural wonders, its infinite coastline and its large and small islands, famous around the world for their unequalled beauty.
« SUSTAINABLE SAILING AND THE PORT OF THE FUTURE WITH EDF » AT THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE.
The Grand Pavois La Rochelle is focusing on the theme of « Sustainable Sailing and the Port of the future with EDF”.
YANNICK BESTAVEN,PATRON OF THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE 2021
Yannick Bestaven, the magnificent winner of the 2020/21 Vendée Globe on Maître CoQ IV, will be the patron of the 40th edition of the Grand Pavois La Rochelle.
CRÉATION DE LA GRAND PAVOIS ACADÉMIE.
Avec trois premiers webinars accessibles à tous pour préparer votre retour sur l’eau.