1. Economy: A benchmark show for all enthusiasts and a veritable showcase for the nautical industry!

Created in 1973, the “reference show for all enthusiasts” has become one of the world’s leading afloat boat shows, welcoming nearly 700 boats, including 300 afloat. More than 80,000 visitors are expected over six days, and above all, it will enable the French and European marine industry to take the pulse of the year 2025, after the exceptional post-Covid years.

An autumn rendezvous, the Grand Pavois La Rochelle aims to be a true reflection of the French and European marine industry, with 800 international brands present, and remains THE business event of the autumn season to find out the state of health of the French and European marine industry.

Jean-Paul Chapeleau (President of La Fédérations des Industries Nautiques): “The latest figures seem to indicate a return to normal. The economic slowdown is being felt in almost all areas, against a backdrop of high inflation and a geopolitical climate rarely so tense. Moreover, the national economic and political situation is not a reassuring factor for the markets. However, just like the off-season, the autumn B-to-C shows are shaping up to be dynamic”.

Perfectly representative of the largest number of French and European registrations, the Grand Pavois La Rochelle will be one of the most important economic indicators of 2025 for yachting professionals.

Key figures (Source Fédération des Industries Nautiques):

4 million regular boaters; 11 million water sports enthusiasts; 12,222 new registrations (2023) with 75% powerboats and 49% boats < 6 meters; 67,633 ownership transfers with 78% powerboats and 54% boats < 6 meters; 97,766 licenses issued.

2. Eco-navigation & Sustainable Innovations, a fast-growing area!

Le Grand Pavois La Rochelle is focusing on Eco-navigation & Sustainable Innovations with EDF, welcoming more than 50 companies and startups dedicated to this theme this year. Initiated in 2019, the partnership with EDF aims to present, at the show, solutions aimed at decarbonizing the maritime sector, which are and will be on the market tomorrow. This area, which will be divided into 2 parts, will showcase products both afloat and ashore. A major advantage for the twenty or so boats presented afloat, since some of them will be directly available for sea trials.

Boats with electric or hybrid engines, electro-solar catamarans, recharging stations for harbors, electric thrusters and motors, eco-designed teak decks, ecological antifoulings, reconditioning shipyards, possibilities for converting thermal boats to electric and hybrid, dismantling of pleasure boats, architects and design offices, etc. So many solutions to discover during the 6 days of the show!

Two highlights to note:

• A round-table discussion on “Maritime Decarbonation: observations and concrete solutions” will be held on Thursday, October 3 at 10:30 a.m. with EDF and the Grand Pavois La Rochelle. With the support of the French Secretary of State for the Sea and Biodiversity, and under the patronage and presence of Phil Sharp (skipper of Ocean Lab and President of Genevos), this round-table will address the themes of international maritime freight, synthetic fuel, the return of sailing and advances in traction wing propulsion for ships, with the presence of specialist speakers (by invitation and registration).
• Trophées Innovation Nautisme Nouvelle-Aquitaine”. Sud-Ouest is organizing the fifth edition of the Trophées Innovation Nautisme Nouvelle-Aquitaine, with the participation of the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Atlantic Cluster and a panel of local players. Charline Picon is the Patron of this 5th edition, triple Olympic medalist at the Olympic Games (gold at the Rio Olympics, silver at the Tokyo Olympics and bronze at the Paris Olympics in 2024). The winning projects will be presented by their promoters before a jury at the Grand Pavois La Rochelle on Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 3pm to 5pm. The winners will be announced on the same day, Thursday October 3, at 6pm, on the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine stand.

3. Passion – Themed areas for all passions

Le Grand Pavois La Rochelle aims to be the benchmark show for all enthusiasts. To this end, a number of themed areas are available to cater for all passions: Bateaux à flot, bateaux à terre, Multicoques, Equipements, Services & Tourisme, Eco-navigation & Innovations durables avec EDF, Pêche & Grand Pavois Fishing, Bateaux Evénements, Boutique & Hall Art & Déco, Invité d’honneur, Location & Croisière, Héritage & Savoir-faire… Let’s not forget that the Grand Pavois La Rochelle is the only show to have its feet in the sand and to include a beach in its exhibition with the new Grand Pavois Beach area! Exceptional…

4. For everyone – Trials of new boats and training courses at sea, introductions and baptisms for beginners…

The DNA of the Grand Pavois La Rochelle is to test boats at sea. These boats can be found in the Bateaux à l’essai area or in the heart of the Marina Grand Pavois Fishing. From 6:00 p.m., the transverse pontoons open, allowing exhibitors to go out to sea for customer trials.

It’s also worth noting that the Grand Pavois La Rochelle is committed to nurturing dreams and developing sailing activities. Each year, nearly 1,500 baptisms and initiations are offered on the Minimes beach and in the heart of its new Grand Pavois Beach area, with light sailing, paddles, kayaks…. And don’t forget the equipment presented by the exhibitors. Even wetsuits are provided!

5. A rich program of events, with film screenings and the presence of numerous skippers, authors, adventurers…

A flurry of highlights at the Grand Pavois La Rochelle 2024, including the presence of skippers such as Maxime Sorel with the association Vaincre la Mucoviscidose, Yannick Bestaven, the latest Vendée Globe winner, Antoine Cornic and Arnaud Boissières, Olympic medallists at the last Olympic Games in Paris 2024, Charline Picon and Sarah Steyaert with the Fédération Française de Voile, writers such as Antoine and Capucine Trochet… incredible encounters and projects such as SP80 (speed record attempt) and Antoine Albeau with his Zephir project, round-table discussions on the Future of Sailing? and Bien préparer sa Transat?… film screenings with Maxime Sorel’s “Mon double Everest”, Thomas Ruyant’s “29173 NM”, Lost in the Swell documentaries… In short, a Grand Pavois La Rochelle not to be missed, and events to keep in everyone’s diaries.

6. Guest of honor: the Basque Country

Land and ocean, beaches and mountains, powerful and grandiose landscapes, world-renowned wave spots, culture that is omnipresent in daily life… the Basque Country will be in the spotlight at the Grand Pavois La Rochelle 2024. A recreation of a Basque village, with its local colors and evocative street names, the 80,000 visitors expected at the 2024 edition of the international afloat boat show will be immersed in the atmosphere of the traditional Basque country and its provinces of Labourd, Basse-Navarre, Soule, Vizcaya, Guipuzcoa, Alava and Navarre. In the 750 square-meter hall reserved for the occasion, you’ll find a market of local producers of gastronomic products, as well as demonstrations of traditional dances, songs, bandas, exhibitions (history of pelota, costumes…) and the traditional restaurant of the Guest of Honor.

7. A new space with the Grand Pavois Beach

It’s a new name that celebrates the new concept put in place by Grand Pavois Organisation for 2024, with the Grand Pavois Beach. As a result, the Plage des Minimes has become the Grand Pavois Beach, with the aim of celebrating board sports: wingfoil, windfoil, light sailing, surfing with pocketsurf, and rowing activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding. But the idea and desire is also to open up to new sports such as BMX, mountain biking… Five areas will be on offer at the Grand Pavois Beach: The Spot, the tent for events (conferences, screenings, meetings, autographs…); The swimming pool for introductions and water games; The parquet floor for events and BMX demonstrations; The sand for introductions at sea and events on the beach; The Beach Bar for refreshments overlooking the sea.

The priority: to open up to as many people as possible, and especially to brands, to promote the practice and promotion of all these activities, which bring in new users and create new passions, all in a spirit of fun and sharing. Also worth noting is the introduction of baptisms and trials in the pool and/or on the water, with the support of the exhibiting brands and the area’s partners, including numerous clubs from the French Sailing Federation.

8. A growing sector with the Rental and Cruising Area

A major global player in the boating sector, the boat rental market is experiencing strong demand, as well as an evolving offer both at sea and on inland waters. Given the importance of this market, this year the Grand Pavois La Rochelle is developing a Rental & Cruising area to showcase the diversity of its offer. Placed in tents afloat in the immediate vicinity of the boats, this enables prospective renters to visit and/or plan the boat on which they will book their sailing time. Indispensable for planning, and an undeniable asset for professional charter companies! Whether you’re renting from professionals to private individuals, managing and renting through specialized agencies, or renting from private individuals via online platforms, there are many ways to “take to the sea” for a week or a day, with or without a license in your pocket. The Grand Pavois La Rochelle will provide an opportunity to meet the various players in this fast-growing market.

Economic info: Marine rental sales for the French boating industry total 245.4 million euros, including 122 million euros for operators in France and French overseas departments and territories, 33.7 million euros for agencies (French customers sailing abroad), 61 million euros for short-term rentals (platforms and direct) and 28 million euros for private rentals. In all, 954,000 people embarked. In terms of average price, the range is broad, from an average of €4,346 per contract at the high end to €490 for short-term rentals.

9. Practice for all with Handi Cap’Access!

For the 14th year, the Comités Départementaux Sport Adapté 17, Handisport 17 and the Charente-Maritime department will be informing, welcoming and guiding people with disabilities and their families who want to discover and learn about water sports. By 2023, 600 people had benefited from a preferential rate for the disabled, and 279 baptisms at sea had been completed. Seven boats will enable people of all physical and mental conditions to sail for an hour and a half, with a total of 50 volunteers taking turns and 17 volunteer skippers and team-mates sharing out the tasks during the 3 daily outings. Two types of wheelchair adapted for swimming will be freely available on the beach, and a carpet on the beach will also facilitate access to the sea and movement around the Grand Pavois Beach area. Last but not least: the Handi Cap’Access stand at Grand Pavois La Rochelle has been awarded the “Grande cause nationale, bouger 30 minutes par jour” label by the French Ministry of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

10. Boats Events and presentation of Monuments Historiques boats

Sailboats preparing for a tourdumondiste adventure with The Odyssey Experience and Sail for Tomorrow, sailboats with Nav’Solidaire that will set sail the day after the Grand Pavois La Rochelle, bound for Gambia and Senegal with 100 kg of prostheses on board, Super Arlequin-type sailboats from Voile Magvalor revitalizing old units, Spanish Basque training ships with Saltillo… Several boats with incredible stories will be on display in the Events Boats Area.

In the Heritage & Know-How Area, the focus will be on classic yachts, well-known units such as Damien by Gérard Janichon and Jérôme Poncet, and workboats emblematic of the Charentais Pertuis. This year, the space will feature a majority of boats classified as Monuments Historiques, all with incredible histories and, above all, the most accomplished restoration projects. In France, there are just over 1,600 boats with the BIP (bateau d’intérêt patrimonial) label, and almost 300 protected boats (listed or classified as Monuments Historiques). This year of maritime heritage is an opportunity to consider the future of this ecosystem of public interest. A round-table discussion on Thursday, October 3, will enable those involved in this heritage to ask the following questions: What is a heritage boat, and what should be preserved? Why conserve and restore these boats? What are the paths to protection and certification? What assistance is available to shipowners, whether they are owners, associations, local authorities or companies?…