Nouveau Cercle du Yachting Français: a club for sailors attached to tradition and the sea

The NCYF handlebars

The Nouveau Cercle du Yachting Français (NCYF) has just come into being. Behind its classical-sounding name, this club aims to bring together those for whom yachting is much more than a leisure activity. It's about passing on, sharing and defending a certain idea of the sea.

In July 2025, a group of sailing and motor yachting enthusiasts drew up the articles of association for a new club. The New French Yachting Circle (NCYF) was born in Paris with the declared aim of bringing together all those who consider yachting to be an art of living and a commitment both on land and at sea.

A community where etiquette counts as much as navigation

NCYF members are not all sailors, but they all share the same core values: courtesy, friendship, esteem and transmission. Far from being a classic sporting or associative club, the NCYF follows in the footsteps of traditional maritime circles, with strong references to the codes of Corinthian yachting. This model, often misunderstood or perceived as elitist, is nonetheless based on a demanding practice, respectful of customs and others.

A club open to all seas, all styles

With a Paris address on rue Galilée, the NCYF is not confined to the capital. The circle aims to build bridges between sailing basins, whether on seas, lakes or rivers. It organizes meetings on land and on the water, in France and abroad, to encourage exchanges between members. The spirit of camaraderie is paramount, but with a focus on excellence in behavior. You don't need a superyacht to join, but you do need to love a beautiful boat and sail it with care.

Le logo du NCYF
The NCYF logo

Defending a tangible and intangible maritime heritage

NCYF is actively involved in preserving maritime heritage. This includes boats of character, but also know-how, traditions and cultural practices. The club intends to become a legitimate interlocutor with public institutions, particularly on issues relating to the dismantling of wrecks or the management of marinas. This vision is based on the experience of its members, and on a desire to propose rather than suffer.

Experienced governance at the helm

Édouard Guillaud, former Army Chief of Staff, has been elected President of NCYF. He has surrounded himself with a seasoned team, drawn from the maritime and associative worlds. Their objective is clear: to build a flexible yet solid structure, where members find both conviviality and content, without administrative red tape. With over 150 members already, the club attracts a wide range of profiles, of all ages and nautical backgrounds.

Passing on to new generations

Far from retreating into a fixed sociability, the NCYF wants to open the way for young enthusiasts. Sharing experience, informal training and cruises are all ways of transmitting a demanding maritime culture. With a very modest membership fee (?50), the circle relies on its members to embark their children, sponsor young people, or simply tell others what sailing is all about.

For those wishing to join the initiative : ncyf@ncyf.fr

More articles on the theme