A tribute to a sailing legend
Florence Arthaud, nicknamed the little bride of the atlantic her audacity and talent left their mark on the history of sailing. She lived for ten years in Marseille, where a square already bears her name, and maintained a strong link with the Mediterranean. Tragically lost in 2015 in a helicopter crash in Argentina, her memory lives on in the world of ocean racing and among sailing enthusiasts.
A pioneer of ocean racing
Born in 1957, Florence Arthaud made her mark in a world then dominated by men. After a serious car accident at the age of 17, she decided to devote herself entirely to sailing. In 1978, she took part for the first time in the Route du Rhum, where she forged a reputation as a determined sailor. Her crowning achievement came in 1990, when she won this legendary solo transatlantic race aboard Peter 1st becoming the first woman to achieve this feat. Her list of achievements also includes several records and participations in the greatest ocean races, making her an ocean icon and a source of inspiration for many generations of sailors.
A place of excellence and transmission
Built for a budget of 50 million euros with a view to the 2024 Games, the Marina Florence Arthaud is now home to a top-level center for the French Sailing Federation. It also aims to become a training and initiation center for young Marseillais. According to the mayor's office, 9,000 young people should benefit from sailing courses there in 2026, compared with 7,000 in 2025 and 4,500 in 2024.
The mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, stressed the importance of this recognition: " This place will bear her name to inspire future generations and remind them that, as she proved, no horizon is beyond reach. "
A message perfectly in tune with the spirit of Florence Arthaud, who pushed back the limits in an environment still largely dominated by men in her day.
A heritage rooted in the city
With this decision, Marseille asserts its central place in the French sailing landscape and honors one of its most emblematic figures. The Marina Florence Arthaud thus becomes a point of reference for sailors, a place of memory and inspiration for those who dream of the open seas.
By bearing the name of a woman who made her mark in the world of ocean racing, this marina also bears witness to the evolution of sailing towards greater gender diversity and equality. A powerful symbol, inscribed in stone and water, to remind future generations that adventure and the sea are accessible to all.
