Regattas in Marseille in 2025: overview, schedule, and registration process

Publication date: 04/25/2025

In the Mediterranean, within the Bouches-du-Rhône region, the Marseille area is highly favoured for sailing. Along the coast – in the famous Calanques – or further out to sea, reaching as far as Italy and Spain, or even to the Mediterranean islands such as Corsica, Sardinia, or the Balearic Islands… thousands of competitive sailors take advantage of the magnificent body of water.

Throughout the year, the sailing conditions are such that many major events are organised, regardless of the season! Sailing enthusiasts thoroughly enjoy competing in regattas held from Marseille and its surroundings. The region and its unique maritime environment are particularly well-suited for such events.

Three clubs at the helm of the Marseille regattas: SNM, CNTL, and UNM

Three historic and dynamic sailing clubs are behind the most iconic regattas in the South of France: the Société Nautique de Marseille (SNM), the Centre Nautique et Touristique du Lacydon (CNTL), and the Union Nautique de Marseille (UNM).

The regattas of the SNM, or Société Nautique de Marseille

The Société Nautique de Marseille was founded in 1887. Located on the Old Port of Marseille, it regularly organizes highly competitive regattas. Crews from all over Europe come to participate each year. 2025 will be no exception!

The regattas from Marseille organised by the CNTL in 2025

• The International Mediterranean Nautical Week, or SNIM 2025 – From 18 to 21 April 2025

The 59th edition of the event kicks off the Marseille regattas organised by the CNTL in 2025. In this race, crews are invited to compete according to the IRC technical rules. On board various one-design classes, the regatta is open to short-handed crews, whether solo or double-handed.

• The “Guérir en mer” Regatta  (“Healing at sea”) – From 6th to 8th June 2025

The second event of the SNM’s 2025 season will be organised in partnership with the Sea Rescue Service (SNSM). Open to all, the “Guérir en mer” regatta aims to connect sailing with therapy. The 5th edition of the event will include both onshore and offshore activities, honouring healthcare professionals: a regatta starting from Marseille, festive evenings, as well as Yoga, art therapy, and hypnosis sessions. As every year, an afternoon seminar will also be dedicated to the theme “Sailing and Health”.

• The Voiles du Vieux Port 2025 – From 20th to 22nd June 2025

Dedicated to traditional sailing vessels, the Voiles du Vieux Port event invites some of the most beautiful maritime heritage ships to take centre stage. Once again this year, the participating classic yachts will race in the northern harbour, much to the delight of the onshore public – with front-row views from the Terrasses du Port or along the Corniche of Marseille.

• The Quadra Solo Duo 2025 – From 22nd to 29th August 2025

This summer event invites IRC and OSIRIS classes to compete solo and in pairs in a regatta around Marseille, with two stops at Embiez and Porquerolles. In total, there are 6 days and 2 nights of competition offered to enthusiasts.

• The Baticup Mediterranean 2025 – 13th and 14th September 2025

Every year, it’s the “BTP Regatta” (Bâtiments et Travaux Public, Construction and Public Works) : an event reserved for all construction industry players – from building contractors to suppliers, including design offices and public works specialists – aboard OSIRIS, IRC, CIM, or Cruise-class yachts.

• The Vire Vire Banque Populaire Méditerranée Regatta, or Vire Vire BPMED 2025 – 5th October 2025

It is also an annual gathering held in the south and north harbours of the Phocean city: during the Vire Vire, sailors of all types are invited to compete for a day, on a coastal course covering a distance of 13 nautical miles. The course starts from the Marseille beach of Les Prophètes, then heads towards Cap Pinède, Pomègues, La Madrague, and back to the Corniche Kennedy.

• The Florence Arthaud Challenge – 29th and 30th November 2025

Formerly known as the Winter Challenge, the Florence Arthaud Challenge is organised annually by one of the three sailing clubs of the Old Port of Marseille – the SNM, CNTL, and UNM – for the OSIRIS and ORC classes. This year, it is the turn of the Société Nautique de Marseille to handle the preparations.

Regattas departing from Marseille with the CNTL

The second regatta organising club in Marseille, the Cercle Nautique et Touristique du Lacydon, or CNTL, is also very well-known. Since its founding in 1970, it has built a strong reputation in organising nautical events.

Also located on the Old Port, the CNTL manages an extensive regatta programme, some of which are iconic. Among them:

• The Massilia Cup Inshore – From 4th to 6th April 2025

Organised every year in the spring, the Massilia Cup Inshore is the club’s first regatta of the season. It invites sailors and competitors from Surprise, Grand Surprise, J70, Class C30, IRC, OSIRIS, and Multi 2000 classes to participate in coastal and tactical races in the south harbour of Marseille.

• The Islands Rally – From 8th to 10th May 2025

It is a friendly and itinerant regatta, consisting of three stages: from Marseille to Les Embiez, from Les Embiez to Les Deux Frères and back to Les Embiez, and finally from Les Embiez to Marseille. Some of the rally stages are open to all types of sailboats, while the special stages are open to OSIRIS and IRC ratings.

• The Massilia Cup Offshore – From 19th to 29th June 2025

Born from the merger of Corsica Med – a competition created by the club for Mini 6.50 and CLASS40 boats – and Duo Max – created for OSIRIS and IRC boats, the Massilia Cup Offshore brings together different types and categories of boats designed for offshore racing.

The 2025 Massilia Cup Offshore will offer a course towards Corsica, with a stop at the port of Macinaggio. The Mini 6.50 class will follow a 500 nautical mile solo course.

• The Juris’Cup – 18th to 21st September 2025

This famous Marseille regatta brings together hundreds of legal professionals, including lawyers and judges, every year, in a competitive yet festive atmosphere. In addition to the sailing competition, participants also enjoy conferences on legal topics.

• The Pink Regatta – In October 2025

This year, the CNTL will once again organise the Pink Regatta: a friendly and social regatta created as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Pink October), in partnership with the SOS Breast Cancer association. The event will take place in the Marseille harbour and will invite patients undergoing treatment or in remission, association members, journalists, and healthcare professionals to race together.

The Sailing Events of the Union Nautique de Marseille

Another historic sailing club in Marseille since 1882, the Union Nautique de Marseille (UNM) also organises several competitions. This year, the oldest sailing club in Marseille is in charge of the “Les Dames à la barre” (Women at the helm) regatta, which will take place on the 14th and 15th of June.

The Marseille Regatta Calendar

Participating in mediterranean regattas: procedures and tips

Have you spotted a regatta starting from Marseille that interests you? Participating in the region’s nautical events requires a bit of preparation:

Start by contacting the organising club to learn about the general admission conditions and obtain the race regulations. We also recommend checking the accommodation options and any available services on-site during the event.

Registration for the Marseille regattas

To participate in one of the Marseille regattas, first, your boat must be administratively compliant. It must meet the requirements of one of the boat categories invited to compete and may sometimes be required to have specific safety equipment on board, depending on the course and the challenges it may present.

Each sailing competition has its own registration process: some nautical events are reserved for members of the sailing clubs, while others are open to all. Spaces may be limited, and registrations can close several months in advance or be subject to approval by the organising team. Registration fees also vary, sometimes including meals. Finally, there may be medical requirements for the participating sailors and skippers.

Documents may be required by the regatta organisers to validate your registration:

• A certificate of insurance covering participation in the regattas
• A copy of your boat’s rating certificate (IRC, OSIRIS, etc.)
• A valid licence from the French Sailing Federation (FFV) for crew members

The logistical preparation of the boat

Before taking part in a race departing from Marseille, you will also need to ensure that your sailboat is perfectly prepared. Good news: just 25 nautical miles from the city of Marseille, in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, Port Napoléon is a marina perfectly suited for this. In fact, many sailors store or dock their boats there year-round to participate in the region’s sailing events!

A true strategic base for sailors wishing to participate in various competitions, Port Napoléon is a safe haven, ideally located and very well-equipped for all types of sailboats.

Are you interested in the regattas and nautical events of the Bouches-du-Rhône? Are you considering storing, mooring, or preparing your sailboat at our marina in Port Napoléon?

Get in touch with our team, and let’s work together on your project!