Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

What is Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez?

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is the week of sailing races that closes the Mediterranean summer each autumn, when about 250 yachts gather in Saint-Tropez harbour and race in the gulf. Its fleets range from century-old classic yachts and huge J-Class racers to modern maxis and carbon-fibre racing boats, and the organiser calls it the leading sailing event on France's Mediterranean coast.

It grew out of a challenge. In September 1981, the American yacht Pride raced the 12-metre Ikra across the gulf, a duel that turned into La Nioulargue, a famous regatta of the 1980s and 1990s. According to the organiser, Les Voiles was first run in 1999 by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, a club founded in 1862, which still organises it today.

The 2026 edition, the 28th, ran from 26 September to 4 October with 253 yachts, including a record 50 maxis and around 80 classic yachts, in sunshine and steady easterly winds. The organisers estimated around 75,000 visitors a day.

What is new for 2027?

The official site gives the dates of the next edition as Saturday 25 September to Sunday 3 October 2027. The detailed programme had not been published when this guide was checked.

The 2026 winners set the bar. Blue Oyster won overall in the maxi classes; Niklas Zennström's Svea was the best of three J-Class yachts, ahead of Rainbow and Hanuman; and Tuiga, sailed with Pierre Casiraghi aboard, won the Grand Tradition class. After the 2026 edition, the organisers said they hoped for more J-Class yachts in 2027 and possibly a race between Shamrock and Endeavour, but nothing had been confirmed. Race director Georges Korhel is also handing over to Corinne Aubert.

How is it organised?

The fleet is divided into three groups, which race in their own classes:

• Traditions: classic yachts, some more than a hundred years old, including the big classic schooners and cutters and the 12-metre class.
• Maxis: the largest racing yachts, including the J-Class.
• Modernes: modern racing yachts, scored under the IRC rating system in several classes.

In 2026, the first weekend brought the boats' arrival and the opening of the village, with racing from Monday. Highlights included the Trophée Rolex for classic yachts on Tuesday, the Maxi Yachts Cup on Wednesday, a match race between Balthasar and Tilakkhana II, and on Thursday the "Journée des défis", the day of challenges, with the Club 55 Cup between the J-Class yachts Rainbow and Hanuman. Prizes were given at the end of the week.

On shore, the Village des Voiles on the Môle Jean Réveille, the harbour's long breakwater, is open to everyone, with exhibitor stands, live music in the early evening and events such as a boules contest.

When is it, and what are the hours?

The organiser's FAQ says the boats usually leave the harbour around 09:00, with the first starts from 11:00 and the boats returning during the afternoon. In 2026, the village stands were open from 09:00 to 21:00, with music from about 18:30. The race committee can delay starts or change courses because of the weather, so check each day's race information.

Where is it held?

In Saint-Tropez, on the Var coast of the French Riviera. The yachts berth in the harbour and the village sits on the Môle Jean Réveille; the races are run in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the open sea beyond. The Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez is based on the Quai Trullet in the new harbour.

How do tickets work?

Watching from the shore and visiting the village are free. To follow the races on the water, commercial operators run spectator boat trips; the organiser names Les Bateaux Verts as a partner, with commentary on board. Prices and departure times are set by the operator, so book directly with them. Sailing on a competing yacht is a separate matter, arranged with the boat's owner or skipper.

How do I get there and get around?

Saint-Tropez sits at the end of a peninsula with one main road in, which gets very busy, so allow plenty of time if you are driving. The nearest airports are Toulon-Hyères and Nice, and the nearest main-line stations are at Saint-Raphaël and Les Arcs. From Sainte-Maxime, across the gulf, ferries run to Saint-Tropez and avoid the traffic.

For the best views from land, the organiser suggests the Môle Jean Réveille to watch the yachts leave and return, and the Citadelle and the Chapelle Sainte-Anne on the hills above the town for views over the gulf.

Where can I park, and where should I stay?

Parking in Saint-Tropez is limited and fills early during Les Voiles. Staying in town lets you walk to the harbour; Sainte-Maxime, across the gulf, is a good alternative linked by ferry, and Ramatuelle, Gassin and Grimaud are nearby. Book early: with about 250 crews in town, rooms go quickly.

What can I bring, and what should I wear?

There is no dress code for the village or the viewpoints. Bring sun protection, water and binoculars for watching from the hills, and comfortable shoes for the walk up to the Citadelle. On a spectator boat, bring a layer against the wind and spray.

Children, service animals and accessibility

The organiser had not published rules on children, animals or accessibility when this guide was checked. The village on the Môle is on the flat; the Citadelle and the Chapelle Sainte-Anne are up steep slopes. Ask the boat operator about access before booking a spectator trip.

Who goes, and what do first-timers get wrong?

The crews range from professional racing sailors on the maxis to owners and friends on the classics; famous sailors such as Paul Cayard, Jochen Schümann and Boris Herrmann were guests in 2026. Around them, the town fills with sailing fans, families and visitors who come for the atmosphere.

First-timers often expect to see the racing up close from the harbour, when the races are out in the gulf; drive in at the busiest time; and miss the evening atmosphere when the boats come back. Watch the departures from the Môle in the morning, take a boat or climb to the Citadelle for the racing, and return to the harbour in the late afternoon.