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Route du Rhum 2026: how to follow the start
Sunday 1 November at 1:02pm: the start of the Route du Rhum live on TV, on the radio, at the Saint-Malo village, in the cinema, from the coast or at sea.
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It is the big moment of the Route du Rhum, Destination Guadeloupe. On Sunday 1 November 2026 at 1:02pm, the 115 skippers of the 13th edition will set off from off Saint-Malo, in six classes, on a single start line, heading for Pointe-à-Pitre. In front of the TV, at the village, on the coast or at sea: here are all the ways to experience the start, according to the race organisers.
Sunday’s programme
| Time | Where | What |
|---|---|---|
| 10am | Saint-Malo | Village opens, until 5pm |
| 11:30am | Palais du Grand Large and the coast | Live broadcast starts at the cinema, coastal viewing sites open |
| 12:10pm | France Info | Special radio programme |
| 12:30pm | Village and YouTube | Giant screens at the 360° stage, live commentary in English |
| 12:50pm | Television | Live on France 3, BFM TV and La chaîne L’Équipe |
| 1:02pm | Off Saint-Malo | The start |
From home
On television, live coverage starts at 12:50pm on France 3, BFM TV and La chaîne L’Équipe. It is also on the France.tv platform and on the race’s official website, routedurhum.com.
On the radio, France Info has a special programme on the start from 12:10pm, with commentary by two great sailors: Yannick Bestaven and Franck Cammas.
On your phone or computer, the Route du Rhum streams the start live on its YouTube channel and Facebook page, and in Instagram stories, with reporters on board. From abroad, live commentary in English is available on YouTube from 12:30pm.
In Saint-Malo, in front of the giant screens
For atmosphere, nothing beats the race village. From 12:30pm, fans gather in front of the giant screens of the big 360° stage. The village is free, with no ticket or booking; bags are searched at the entrance. On race day it closes earlier, at 5pm. Bring water, something to eat, warm clothes and why not a sign for your favourite skipper.
Other giant screens are set up in Dinard, at the Palais des Arts et du Festival, and in Dinan and Cancale.
From the coast: the 2026 rules
Watching the fleet go by from a headland is a great memory, but this year access to the coast is controlled. The Pointe du Meinga is closed to the public, and access to sites between the Pointe du Grouin and Cap Fréhel is restricted. Cap Fréhel, the Pointe de la Varde and the Île de Cézembre have restricted access; the Parc du Nicet in Saint-Malo has been set up to welcome the public.
The coastline is a Natura 2000 site: stay on the marked paths and do not enter the protected areas. Volunteers and police will be on site to inform visitors and issue fines if needed. The sites open at 11:30am. Come on foot or by bike: there will be almost no parking near the headlands. Do not forget your binoculars.
Before you go, check the interactive map on the “Suivre le départ” page of routedurhum.com: it shows, site by site, what is open, restricted or closed, and it is updated until the start.
Around the bay of Saint-Malo
ViewpointSaint-Malo RampartsSaint-Malo · 1 h to 1 h 30 for the full loop with photo stops.A panoramic loop of about 1.75 km around Intra-Muros, with views of the Sillon, Fort National, the Grand Bé, Dinard and the harbour basins.- BeachPlage du NicetSaint-Malo · 1 h 30 to 3 hoursIn Rothéneuf, Le Nicet is a small fine-sand cove sheltered from the wind, opening onto the Pointe de la Varde, reached only by a steep staircase of about a hundred steps.
ViewpointPointe du GrouinCancale · 1 to 2 hours.An iconic headland near Cancale with a panorama from the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel to the Emerald Coast, with views of Chausey, Cap Fréhel and the Île des Landes.
ViewpointCap FréhelPlévenon · 1 to 2 hours, more if you walk to the fort or along the GR34.One of Brittany’s great panoramas, with cliffs, heathland, an emerald sea and sweeping views over the north coast of Brittany.
At sea
To experience the start as close as possible, the organisers offer places on board spectator boats, booking required. Pleasure boaters must respect the zones set by the Atlantic maritime prefect: one zone for motor boats, another reserved for the race and passenger vessels. The start line is published 48 hours beforehand.
Going further
Saint-Malo, in the journal
- The Route du Rhum 2026 village opens in Saint-Malo
- Where to stay in Saint-Malo: our hotels by district
- Route du Rhum 2026 in Saint-Malo: the guide
- What to do in Saint-Malo during the Christmas holidays
- What to do in Saint-Malo during the All Saints’ holidays
- What to do in Saint-Malo: the complete guide
- What to do in Saint-Malo during the February holidays
- What to do in Saint-Malo when it rains