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Boating and maxi-yachts |
| La Rochelle has succeeded in federating its
natural assets with long-standing tradition to make the yachting
industry one of the keys to its international reputation. |
n With
a mooring capacity of 3,600, the Minimes harbour is one
of Europe's largest marinas. La Rochelle hosts major international
competitions on stopover - the Whitbread in 1998, the Volvo
Ocean Race in 2002, the single-handed Figaro in 2003, 2005 and 2008, and the Grand Prix powerboat race in 2007.
The Grand Pavois is Europe's largest in-the-water boat show.
Every year since 1973, the event has attracted sailing enthusiasts, yachting professionals, boatbuilders and brokers.
"Maxi-yachting" is the final touch brought to La Rochelle's
marine landscape. Located right in the heart of the city, the Bassin
des Chalutiers harbour facilities were redeveloped in 1995, making
this the only port on the Atlantic seaboard capable of taking in vessels
longer than 17 meters for technical work or wintering.
- Boatbuilding
La Rochelle's yachting history dates back to the 1960s, when the
project of building a major yachting harbour was first conceived,
concomitant with the establishment of yachting industry pioneers
in the area. However, it was only in the 1970s that a full-fledged
industry took form.
La Rochelle and its surrounding area boast nearly 190 companies,
directly generating some 2,500 jobs. Yachting accounts for just
over 2.3 million euros in revenues, with 20% of all sales made
on the export market.
La Rochelle's boatbuilders produce roughly 700 units annually:
wooden sailboats, aluminium craft, cruising and competitive catamarans,
fishing and pleasure boats, series and luxury single-hulls.
- Marine suppliers
and services
Boatbuilders can rely on a full range of specialists in sails,
spars and masts, custom-made parts, rigging and hardware. The
leading names in engines and motors are represented in La Rochelle
by dealers and authorized agents. Alongside yacht construction,
La Rochelle counts numerous repair services which handle
overhaul, maintenance and caretaking.
Prompted by the presence of boatyards and several thousand craft
stopping over or berthed here, a variety of services for professionals
and yachtsmen sprang up. Some twenty local companies specialise
in boat rental and sale.
- Architects
and design firms
La Rochelle's international fame also stems from the outstanding
skill of its architects and design firms.
The first "Charente-Maritime" racers, winners in such major offshore
competitions as the Fasnet, Admiral's Cup, Two-Star, and Figaro,
were designed by La Rochelle's architects. These are the firms
that the leading boatbuilders turn to for the plans of their most
prized production single-hulls.
The reputation of the locality's design firms has for years
reached well beyond our borders. Whether for surveys or studies,
they are regularly called on for such prestigious undertakings
as the French and Italian Challenges or the development of the
Club Med.
La Rochelle also houses the Institute for Certification and
Standardisation in the Yachting Industry.
- Marine platform
Developed around the former Bassin des Chalutiers, the marine
platform groups together some thirty companies operating
in a variety of areas, including boat building, repair, mechanical
work, marine painting, custom-made hardware, frame work, yacht
refit and accommodation. The basin can take in vessels up to 5
meters in draught for work afloat or in drydock, and the effective
breadth between the locks is 16.5 meters.
The technical platform (2.5 hectares)
also has a 150-ton lift which professionals can use to haul out and
launch the oversized craft in their care. The facility's harbourmasters office is ready to assist the skippers and crews of those supersized vessels.
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