A grand nautical fresco celebrating 40 years of legend
To mark the 10th anniversary edition of the Vendée Globe, a one-of-a-kind nautical parade orchestrated by the Maindron Production team will unfold in the channel of Les Sables d’Olonne. A true living show on the water, it will invite the public to relive the greatest moments of this unique human and maritime adventure. Ten floating stages will follow one another like moving chapters of an epic tale, blending emotions, achievements, discoveries, and reunions. From memories of the early editions to the race’s most intense moments, through the universality of the challenge, the solitude of the seas, the richness of distant horizons, and the triumphant return of the sailors — each scene will carry a piece of the legend. Sound, lights, music, and stage atmospheres will enhance this artistic procession, offering an immersive sensory experience at the heart of the Vendée Globe universe.
A tribute on the water and in the air
The forty skippers of the 2024 edition will be honored at the center of an evocative flotilla, made up of traditional Vendée boats, sailboats from Les Sables d’Olonne sailing school, SNSM rescue launches, and race RIBs. The celebration will be accompanied by festive and spectacular performances from DJ Fanou, Et Vogue la Galère, Kris Too Queen and her artists, Les Bidons de l’Enfer, and Banda Couak On Joue: a true whirlwind of sound, rhythm, and light. At 10:30 p.m., the sky will in turn light up with a drone ballet of 1,000 drones, retracing highlights from the first ten editions, followed at 11 p.m. by a monumental fireworks display orchestrated by Jacques Couturier, visible from the beach. The Saint-Nicolas Priory will also be illuminated in a spectacular light display — a final nod to this collective odyssey. A must-attend event for all sea lovers, and a moment of communion between the public and the sailors, where the spirit of the Vendée Globe will shine in all its glory: between adventure and challenge, solitude and camaraderie, tradition and modernity.
Practical Information:
Where to stand?
For the nautical parade: opt for the quays along the channel on the La Chaume or Les Sables side (the jetties will be closed for safety reasons).
For the nighttime show: settle on the beach, between the Atlantes and Travot Street — the ideal spot to fully enjoy the sound and view of the drones and fireworks.
Traffic & parking:
Check the interactive map to plan your visit with ease: Viewthemap
