From 9 a.m. this morning, the Village des Voiles de Saint-Tropez, based on the Môle Jean Réveille, opened its doors to both the competitors and the public. Beneath bright blue skies, any clouds swept away by a strong NW’ly wind, the gusts packing quite a punch, visitors were treated to the wonderful spectacle of the competing yachts coming alongside in the old port in glorious sunshine. Open to one and all from 9.
From 9 a.m. this morning, the Village des Voiles de Saint-Tropez, based on the Môle Jean Réveille, opened its doors to both the competitors and the public. Beneath bright blue skies, any clouds swept away by a strong NW’ly wind, the gusts packing quite a punch, visitors were treated to the wonderful spectacle of the competing yachts coming alongside in the old port in glorious sunshine. Open to one and all from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through until 6 October, this villages comprises all the structures devoted to the organisation, together with a number of boutiques, a bar and a stage, which will form the beating heart of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Indeed, although the races play out offshore, it is on this promontory betwixt land and sea that the social and festive ambiance of this extraordinary event truly comes to the fore.
An enchanting setting Linking the port and the gulf of Saint Tropez, the village is once again stretching across the 2,500 m2 that make up the Môle Jean Réveille venue as the new site proved to be a runaway success last year. To stroll from the Portalet tower, at the foot of which is the main stage, to the marquee where the competitors register for the event at the far end of the jetty, is to benefit from a wonderful spectacle to both port and starboard. On the one side are picture postcard views of the old port, which has already begun to fill up with Maxis and classic yachts; on the other an excited Gulf of Saint Tropez greeted today’s arrivals with some gusty conditions, enabling a number of boats to test themselves in the breeze before they get down to action on the racetrack. Below this, the exhibitors’ village enables visitors to combine the useful and the pleasing to the eye. “A day of Les Voiles draws in the equivalent of peak summer crowds, enthuses Pascal Bonnet, the person in charge of the Village entertainment. And as last year’s formula enjoyed such success, we’re continuing with the same ethos, bar a few minor tweaks. For example, we’ve extended the bar to increase the area for socialising in front of the jetty and be better protected, plus we’ve allowed people to circulate on both sides, overlooking the sea and the port.” For the event opener this Saturday, the shuttles were already in service to enable visitors to gain direct access to the beating heart of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez via the harbour office, with entry still possible by foot by going around the port via the Quai Frédéric Mistral. From Monday at 6.30 p.m. through to 5 October, a band will perform on the main stage every evening, with DJ Fabrice warming up the decks until then to kick off festivities this evening.