TheMust encounters the world’s most exquisite yachts at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.
As September draws to a close, the Mediterranean’s most glamorous rendezvous returns, uniting the artistry of modern sailing with the timeless grace of classic yachts. Behind the scenes, the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez is orchestrating every detail with passion and precision, shaping an edition that already promises to be unforgettable — where elegance, performance, and the spirit of the sea come together, both ashore and upon the waves.

Pictures : Stéphane Adam

Ashore: the unique spirit of Les Voiles.

At sea as well as ashore, the 4,000 crew members who gather in Saint-Tropez each year, bathed in the coppery light of early autumn and sailing aboard more than 300 of the world’s finest modern and classic yachts, have transformed what was once a friendly gathering into an unmissable rendezvous. True to its values, the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, led by its president André Beaufils, has nevertheless managed to stay the course and preserve the unique spirit of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.
Celebrating its fifteenth anniversary this year in an atmosphere of joy and nautical fair play, Les Voiles has firmly established the enduring success of its formula. The blend of heritage yachts with vessels of the third millennium is the event’s defining feature and genuine signature, just as much as the festivities and lively entertainments on shore, open wide to both Tropéziens and visitors alike.

The J Class and 15mJI: Titans in Battle

The J Class yachts are true legends. These nearly 40-meter-long monohulls, with their sleek lines, were defined by the Universal Rule to compete in the America’s Cup between 1930 and 1937. The largest yachts of their time, carrying the most extensive sail plans ever seen until then, their sheer scale ultimately led to their abandonment as match-racing weapons for the Cup. Yet, the passion they inspired never faded.
Thanks to timeless enthusiasm, the magic of refits, and the craftsmanship of replicas, Lionheart — designed by Burgess & Stephens in 1930 for Harold Vanderbilt but never built at the time — now lines up alongside the flamboyant Ranger (1937), Shamrock V (Nicholson, 1930), originally launched for Sir Thomas Lipton, and Velsheda (Nicholson, 1933), built for Woolworth owner William Stephenson. As in previous years, the J Class will enjoy their own courses and starts, shared with the Wally fleet, delivering a breathtaking spectacle off Pampelonne Beach.

Marked by the return of the four “royal” members of the 15mJI class to the waters of Saint-Tropez, these supremely elegant gaff-rigged cutters are distinguished both as masterpieces from the golden age of yachting and as designs from the legendary William Fife. Alongside Hispania, built in 1909 at the request of His Majesty King Alfonso XIII of Spain, the illustrious Tuiga of the Yacht Club de Monaco, Mariska, and The Lady Anne will compete in the purest traditions of yachting excellence.
Special race starts for the 15mJI will be held on Monday, September 29, and Thursday, October 2, at 11 a.m., in addition to the program scheduled for traditional yachts at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. These dedicated starts will allow the fleet to conclude the championship they have been contesting since the beginning of the season across the Mediterranean’s most iconic sailing grounds.

Moonbeam IV: A Century of Legend

Since her very first race, Moonbeam IV has entered the legend of yachting, notably winning the King’s Cup in 1920 and 1923. Acquired by Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1950, she continued her fairytale voyage by welcoming the princely couple—Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier—on board for their honeymoon.
Designed by William Fife for Charles Plumtree Johnson and built at the Fairlie shipyard in Scotland in 1914, this nearly 32-meter gaff cutter had to wait until the end of World War I to be fully rigged and launched in 1920. After an exceptional restoration carried out in Burma in 2001, the largest of the Moonbeam fleet is now celebrating her centenary in Saint-Tropez—an anniversary that grants her, for the very first time, entry into the prestigious Centenary Trophy, organized in partnership with the Gstaad Yacht Club on Thursday, October 2.

The Jewel of Les Voiles: Tahiti

It’s been six years since Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez and the Tahiti Pearl Regatta joined forces, to the delight of all. The idea is to allow a Tahitian crew that has distinguished itself during the Tahiti Pearl Regatta to come and race in Saint Tropez, and a Tropezian crew that has shone at Les Voiles to enjoy the extraordinary Tahitian regattas. It was the Windfall crew, all residents of Raiatea and Tahaa, who were invited last October to race in Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, aboard one of the yachts of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez. Actor Pierre Cosso, winner in the catamaran category, was also welcomed to St Tropez to race. The Tahiti Pearl Regatta ended in Tahaa. It was, as in recent years, led on the water by Georges Kohrel, Principal Race Officer of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Tahiti is also one of the pillars of the Saint-Tropez week with its stand of famous black pearl jewelry, local products and dedicated to tourism, hosted by Stéphanie Betz in the Village des Voiles, just like its group of dancers who traditionally welcome the return of the sailboats on the evening of the regattas…