After a first edition that took place in the spring of 2018, the Covid prevented the organization of the "Voiles Classiques" of Canet-en-Roussillon. It is therefore with some impatience that the organizers announce the next edition on July 10 and 11, 2021. This second edition of this event is organized by the Association des Vieux Gréements, on this part of the coastline which is rich in wooden boats of all types: latin barques, Catalan barques, workboats, ketch, yawl, sloop, cutters and schooners... Maintained boats that can face the prevailing local winds: Tramontane and Marin.
Nearly 60 traditional boats
Canet-en-Roussillon is the Mediterranean port with the largest fleet of old sailing ships, a fleet installed on the Florence Arthaud pontoon at the end of the port. It consists of about sixty boats, which can rely on the practical advice of a carpenter and his team. Indeed, the Bernadou Shipyard - a shipyard still run by Daniel Bernadou, the fifth generation of marine carpenters! - is still practicing this art of carpentry with an overflowing passion. This workshop has even been awarded the "Living Heritage Company Label" (E.P.V).
Numerous events are organized by the Association des Vieux Gréements de Canet-en-Roussillon with the consent of the town hall and its Tourist Office. They aim to attract the eye of bathers and walkers along the beach with their majestic sails and their hulls of yesteryear.
Retrospective of "Les Voiles Classiques 2018
This prestigious event was born in the spring of 2018. It is complementary to those of the summer season (Vires-vires, Mondays of yesteryear, pirate festival, trolling and lamparo fishing ...). The first edition was quickly organized in less than 3 months. But on June 17 and 18, 2018, it was 29 sailboats that sailed down the channel to gain the open sea and the starting line. A severe weather warning could have caused the event to be cancelled, but the owners didn't want to hear it that way and all set off to tackle the course. Thus, each crew was able to test their boat until some of them broke, but without any accident. The return to the port and the (long) evening that followed still remains in the memories of these sailors
Let's hope that the 2nd edition announced on July 10 and 11, 2021 will keep its promises..
