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A not-to-be-missed event starting October 19
The Vendée Globe 2024 village in Les Sables-d'Olonne will be open to the public from October 19 to November 10, with 30,000 m2 of dedicated space. Admission is free, but you need to register online in advance to obtain your access ticket. Registration on the official Vendée Globe website will help you avoid the queues and guarantee your place at this not-to-be-missed event. Please note that it is not possible to pick up your ticket on site. 5 time slots are offered each day, with a 2-hour slot during which you must enter the village. You can then stay as long as you like.
How do I get to the village?
To reach the village, visitors have several transport options. Les Sables-d'Olonne is served by regular trains from Nantes and Paris, facilitating access by public transport. Once in Les Sables-d'Olonne, a shuttle service runs between the station and the race village. By car, it's best to park in the nearby park-and-ride facilities and then take the shuttle to the village, to avoid traffic jams and parking problems in the town center.
What to see and do on site?
The village offers total immersion in the world of ocean racing, with a variety of activities for young and old alike. First of all, the Vendée department is offering an immersive exhibition in a 1,200 m2 space to discover the living conditions of skippers aboard an IMOCA, through visual and sound effects.
Every day, live programs such as "Vendée Live" will allow viewers to follow the skippers' news and discover their boats before the big start. New for this edition, the "Xpérience Vendée" program (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 to 11:50) will invite prestigious guests, such as chefs who will prepare recipes live.
In addition, visitors will be able to take part in a wide range of culinary demonstrations and tastings, some hosted by the skippers themselves, such as Arnaud Boissières, as well as program recordings, art exhibitions, games and fun activities...
Visitors will also have access to conferences and round-table discussions led by maritime experts and partners such as UNESCO, addressing topics related to ocean protection. Younger visitors will be able to take part in the Vendée Globe Junior educational program, an opportunity to learn while having fun.
Immerse yourself in the race to see the boats and meet the skippers
One of the highlights of the village is the opportunity to see the IMOCA boats up close and meet the skippers before they set sail. Please note, however, that the pontoons will be closed to the public on November 8 and 9, 2 days before the start.
While the 60-footers can be admired from the pontoons, two boats can also be visited. Fabrice Amedeo and his team have renovated a 1998 IMOCA, which will be installed in the heart of the village to raise awareness of environmental conservation. Starting on October 19, visitors will be able to discover a bunk and a kitchen area to tell the story of the round-the-world adventure, as well as sensors similar to those installed in the sailor's IMOCA, which measure CO2, salinity, temperature, anthropogenic pollution and biodiversity in the oceans.
On the Place du Palais de Justice, in the heart of the town of Les Sables-d'Olonne, visitors will be able to tour an IMOCA exhibition boat provided by the sponsor of Initiatives C?ur. On board, Eric Tabarly won the Transat Jacques Vabre in 1997 alongside Yves Parlier, and the following year, Thomas Coville triumphed in the Route du Rhum. She was also the boat aboard which Yves Parlier dismasted in the 2000/2001 Vendée Globe, deciding to carry out repairs in order to continue his race. The boat's last race was the Transat Jacques Vabre 2007, in the hands of Yannick Bestaven, the latest winner of the Vendée Globe 2020.
Each day, visitors will also be able to attend autograph sessions with the skippers present in the village throughout the opening. The stands of race partners and sponsors will be offering activities and challenges, such as climbing the mast with Charal or living an immersive experience in the sodebox...
Eating and hydrating
To satisfy visitors' taste buds, the village offers a variety of catering outlets. the "Cantine du Vendée Globe" offers a varied menu, and numerous foodtrucks provide a quick and convivial alternative. The V and B Globe bar, open every day, organizes concerts and skipper autograph signings, creating a festive and convivial atmosphere.
A village committed to social and environmental initiatives
The village highlights initiatives to protect the oceans and the environment. In collaboration with the Vendée Globe Foundation, there will be stands dedicated to raising ecological awareness and preserving marine environments. Visitors will be able to find out about the concrete actions taken by Vendée Globe skippers and partners to promote a sustainable future.
Practical tips for a successful visit
To ensure that your visit takes place in the best possible conditions, please bring weather-appropriate clothing, including windbreakers and comfortable shoes. Drinking water points are available on site, and it's advisable to consult the program in advance to make sure you don't miss any of the day's highlights.
