Grand Pavois

The Grand Pavois takes place every year in late September at Port des Minimes, La Rochelle, across roughly 100,000 m² of afloat and onshore space, with nearly 3 km of pontoons. Recent editions have gathered between 600 and 800 exhibiting brands and up to 750 boats, about half of them afloat, drawing between roughly 59,000 and 80,000 visitors depending on the year, with a strong share of professionals and international buyers (around thirty countries represented). The show is organised by the Grand Pavois Organisation association, run by yachting professionals rather than a commercial operator.

Founded in 1973, during the oil crisis, by four pioneers of La Rochelle's shipbuilding industry, Henri Amel, Roger Mallard, Michel Dufour et Fernand Hervé, the show counted 34 exhibitors and 64 boats at its first edition, drawing 3,709 visitors; the show's name was reportedly coined by Michel Dufour himself. Now ranked by the organiser among the world's top five afloat boat shows, the Grand Pavois remains a key event for yachting professionals on the Atlantic coast, combining the latest models on display with direct contact with shipyards and equipment makers.

Editions