The Route du Rhum 2026 village opens in Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo is in Route du Rhum mode! Since Tuesday 20 October 2026, the village of the famous transatlantic race has been welcoming visitors free of charge around the Vauban and Duguay-Trouin docks. For thirteen days, racing yachts sit alongside the ramparts of the corsair city, skippers prepare to cross the Atlantic and the quays become a huge place to stroll, discover and celebrate. Here is what you need to know to make the most of it before the start for Guadeloupe on Sunday 1 November.

A festive opening on 20 October, in the rain

The village opened on Tuesday 20 October at noon. Despite the rain, the ceremony brought together elected officials, partners and the first visitors in the heart of Saint-Malo. Mayor Gilles Lurton cut the ribbon alongside Tymal, the race mascot, and representatives of Guadeloupe and Brittany. A symbolic moment: even before setting sail, the Route du Rhum brings together two regions linked by this maritime adventure.

The arrival of the Ocean Fifty boats put on a first show on the water. Among them, Baptiste Hulin, skipper of the Ocean Fifty Viabilis and one of the sailors from the Saint-Malo area taking part in the race, entered the docks to applause. The Guadeloupean rhythms of the band Les Don’zels set the tone for this first day. The atmosphere already felt like a great departure: a mix of impatience, music and love of the sea.

Impressive boats to see from the quays

The village stretches along the Vauban and Duguay-Trouin docks, a stone’s throw from the walled city and the Esplanade Saint-Vincent. Visitors can watch the moored boats, discover their very different shapes and get a sense of the preparation needed to cross the Atlantic single handed. The Ultim multihulls catch the eye with their sheer size, while the IMOCA, Ocean Fifty and Class40 boats each show another way of ocean racing.

The organisers announced around 115 boats and 150 exhibitors for this edition. The walk is not only about performance: take time to read the names on the hulls, watch the teams at work from a distance and discover sometimes little known sailing disciplines. For safety reasons, the pontoons are not freely open to the public. The quays remain the best way to admire the fleet without getting in the way of the preparations.

Events, meetings and a Guadeloupean atmosphere

The Route du Rhum is not only for sailing fans. Discovery stands, partner areas, water activities, concerts, meetings with the skippers and food stalls punctuate the visit. On the village stage and around the docks, the programme changes every day. The Saint-Malo tourist office held signing sessions with the sailors from 21 to 30 October, from 11am to noon, so the public could chat with those about to start.

Another new feature in 2026, the OFF du Rhum takes the party beyond the village. Concerts, exhibitions, street parades and cultural events spread across Saint-Malo and the surrounding area. It is a good reason to spend a whole day in the corsair city: see the boats in the morning, have lunch on site, then wander the streets of the walled city or catch an event in town. For the events and any changes, check the official Route du Rhum programme before you go.

Route du Rhum 2026 village: dates and opening hours

The village is open from Tuesday 20 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. Entry is free, with no ticket or booking. The stands do not keep the same hours every day, and only part of the village stays open during the late evenings, until 1am. Here is the schedule published by the organisers:

Bags are searched at the entrance. Events, boat arrivals and lock passage times may change, particularly depending on the weather. Allow some flexibility if you are coming specifically to see a manoeuvre on the water.

How to get to the village without wasting time

During the Route du Rhum, traffic around the walled city and the Sillon is restricted. For a relaxed visit, the train is a particularly practical option: Saint-Malo station is about ten minutes’ walk from the village. BreizhGo TER regional trains run more often during the event, with later return trains on Fridays and Saturdays. If you come by car, use the Paul Féval or Croix Désilles park and ride car parks rather than looking for a space at the foot of the ramparts.

Shuttles link these car parks to the village area. The tourist office announces a bus every fifteen minutes from 9am to 11pm, free on presentation of your parking ticket for up to five people per vehicle. The public car parks charge a fee. For people with reduced mobility, dedicated parking is provided on rue de la Distillerie and place Duguesclin, along with an adapted shuttle and an information point at the tourist office.

The grand finale: the start on 1 November

The highlight of these thirteen days is set for Sunday 1 November 2026 at 1:02pm, the official start time of the Route du Rhum, off Saint-Malo. The boats left the docks over the previous days, including the Ultims on 30 October and several other classes on 31 October and 1 November. These lock passages are among the most eagerly awaited moments, but their times may change.

On race day, the village will welcome visitors from 10am to 5pm and show the race on screen. Whether you come to admire an ocean giant, meet a sailor or simply feel the buzz of Saint-Malo, it is a great chance to see ocean racing up close. Then it is on to Pointe-à-Pitre, where the rest of this human and sporting adventure will play out.