For ten days, the race village set up on the Vendée Globe esplanade will offer a free programme of events and entertainment. Festivities will begin with a spectacular 1,000-drone show on Friday 29 May at 10:30pm over the Grande Plage in Les Sables d’Olonne. Initially scheduled for Saturday evening, the organisers decided to move the show forward due to strong wind conditions forecast for Saturday.
A full week of entertainment for all audiences, day and night, featuring concerts, DJ sets, an open-air cinema evening, speed runs, meetings with the skippers and an immersion into the world of the Far North. Visitors will be able to get close to the famous Vendée Globe IMOCA yachts, watch the final preparations before departure and discover a wide range of activities and exhibitions dedicated to the ocean and polar regions.
The highlight will come on Sunday 7 June at 1:02pm, when the nine skippers entered will set off solo, non-stop and without assistance on a 3,500-nautical-mile race towards the Arctic Circle.
KEY MOMENTS NOT TO BE MISSED
For ten days, Les Sables d’Olonne will come alive with the unique atmosphere of major ocean racing events, in a summer setting facing the IMOCA fleet.
On Friday 29 May evening, the bay of Les Sables d’Olonne will light up with a spectacular 1,000-drone show at 10:30pm, visible from the Grande Plage.
The official opening of the race village will take place on Saturday 30 May at 10:00am, followed by the presentation of the nine skippers on the main stage at 12:00pm.
A skipper signing session will be held at 5:15pm on the village pier, before the Polar Bar comes alive in the evening with DJ Pfel & DJ Greem (former members of C2C).
Another major highlight of the week will be the “Women Offshore” open-air cinema evening on Tuesday 2 June, bringing together leading female sailors including Elodie Bonafous, Francesca Clapcich and Violette Dorange, with the presence of Sam Davies and the Alice Milliat Foundation, before the outdoor screening of “Devenir”, the documentary following Violette Dorange’s 2024 Vendée Globe adventure.
Then, on Thursday 4 June, the IMOCA yachts will head out into the Bay of Les Sables d’Olonne for the spectacular speed runs. The monohulls will compete on a short course visible from the beach and broadcast live on the giant screen in the village before returning through the famous channel later in the afternoon. The day will conclude with the speed runs prize-giving ceremony at 6:30pm on the village stage, followed by an evening performance by DJ Pone, DMC World Champion and former member of Birdy Nam Nam.
IMOCA YACHTS AND SKIPPERS UP CLOSE WITH THE PUBLIC
Visitors will have access to the pontoons to discover the nine IMOCA yachts, observe the teams’ final preparations and meet the skippers before their departure towards the Arctic Circle.
Signing sessions, stage appearances, dockside discussions and entertainment will allow the public to experience the behind-the-scenes atmosphere of the race alongside the sailors and their teams.
AN IMMERSION INTO THE WORLD OF THE FAR NORTH
Beyond the sporting event itself, the race village will offer families a true immersion into Arctic territories while raising awareness of the major challenges facing the ocean.
Visitors will be able to discover the exhibition by photographer Florian Ledoux, a specialist of polar regions, attend guided tours and meet people actively involved in ocean protection.
Throughout the village, visitors will enjoy family-friendly entertainment, creative workshops for children, storytelling sessions and immersive spaces inspired by the Far North.
On Sunday 31 May, the Solidarity Day will highlight the charitable commitments of the skippers as well as a large clearance sale organised in support of the SNSM sea rescue service.
On Friday 5 June, for World Environment Day, several events dedicated to climate and ocean issues will be organised for the public, including a beach clean-up operation and a conference with Plastic Odyssey.
Several scientific and environmental organisations will be present throughout the village to raise awareness among visitors of all ages about climate and societal challenges: IFREMER, the French Polar Institute (IPEV), the Vendée Globe Foundation, Under The Pole and the Alice Milliat Foundation.
THE BIG START ON 7 JUNE AT 1:02PM
After ten days of festivities and entertainment, the nine skippers will cast off on Sunday 7 June from 10:30am before sailing down the legendary Vendée Globe channel cheered on by the public.
At 1:02pm, the skippers will then head towards the Arctic Circle for a 3,500-nautical-mile solo race, non-stop and without assistance. The live start sequence will be broadcast on the giant screen in the village and online.
The IMOCA yachts will gradually disappear over the horizon, bringing ten days of excitement and celebration in Les Sables d’Olonne to a close.
