The GRAND PAVOIS

THE GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE, A LOOK BACK AT THE HISTORY OF A UNIQUE BOAT SHOW!

Grand Pavois La Rochelle

It was in 1973, in the midst of the oil crisis, that four pioneers from La Rochelle’s shipyards took the lead and formed the hard core of an independent professional association whose aim would be to coordinate and promote the interests of the water sports industry. They created the Grand Pavois association. Its ambition? To create an in-water show where it would be possible to boatyard managers, discover the boats in-water and, above all, make appointments to try out boats at sea.

They were Henri Amel, Roger Mallard, Michel Dufour and Fernand Hervé.

Grand Pavois La Rochelle

Henri Amel was a shipyard owner and an experienced yachtsman. His boats, named after the winds, were already experiencing a much-deserved success.

Roger Mallard, a ship builder, sold 750 models of the Écume de Mer in five years, more than half of which were for export.

Michel Dufour invented the counter-moulded hull, a process that he used in the construction of his famous Sylphe and Arpège.

Finally, Fernand Hervé, a well-known figure in La Rochelle, had mastered unit manufacturing, including moulds used for mass production by other shipyards.

Grand Pavois La Rochelle

A unique example in Europe and almost unique in the world of trade shows, the Grand Pavois Organisation Association has always been governed by professionals at the service of professionals and yachtsmen. As a result of this associative status, GPO has a very strong connection with the professional world of international yachting.

And it is for this reason that the show is always in line with the needs of the French and international market. It highlights the qualities of French, European and world production and it demonstrates the richness and multidisciplinarity of small boatyards which are very likely to choose the Grand Pavois La Rochelle as their annual show.

Grand Pavois La Rochelle

The Grand Pavois’ visitors? Enthusiasts!

70% of visitors to the show are keen on water sport activities (boating, fishing, water sports)

44% of them own a boat. 

Discovering new products is the main motivation of our visitors and everyone recognises that the main attractions of the show are the presentation of the boats in-water and the thematic spaces. 

The Grand Pavois is the meeting place for enthusiasts! 

Over the years, the Grand Pavois La Rochelle has become a major event in the international water sports calendar and is one of the top 5 international in-water boat shows.

AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED SHOW

In addition to the many foreign delegations that apply for guest country of honour status.

An average of 35 countries are represented via their brands at the Grand Pavois La Rochelle.

Grand Pavois La Rochelle

THE SHOW’S KEY FIGURES

80,000 VISITORS expected

800 BRANDS

150 JOURNALISTS

100,000 M2

3 KM of pontoons

600 BOATS

300 BOATS EXHIBITED in-water

12 THEMATIC SPACES (sailing, fishing, board sports, traditional boats, tourism, sustainable sailing, etc.).

Grand Pavois La Rochelle

Sea trials and water sports events, etc.
Grand Pavois La ROCHELLE, is the essential event for autumn!

Grand Pavois La Rochelle

GRAND PAVOIS ORGANISATION

 

Founded in 1998, the association Grand Pavois Organisation (GPO) offers custom-made expertise, advice, know-how and a unique experience in France and internationally in the nautical event industry. 

GPO creates and manages French and international nautical events with the help of a permanent team of professionals with a wide range of skills (communication and press relations, marketing and sales, technical and logistics on land and at sea, partnerships and public relations): Boat shows in France and abroad, ocean races, stopovers of international competitions and transatlantic type rallies, BtoB and BtoC events and public relations operations (corporate regattas, launches and christenings of exceptional boats, promotional tours…) 

Given its associative status, dedicated to promoting the marine industry and developing the practice of sailing, GPO has a real proximity with the professional world of international sailing and a widely acknowledged know-how in the world of nautical events. The Grand Pavois Organisation association is managed by a Board of Directors entirely formed by professional nautical experts.

TO FIND OUT REFERENCES AND GET TO KNOW OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

EXHIBITORS