Grand Pavois La Rochelle
A great place to view Neel, Nautitech, Bali, Lagoon, Excess and Fountaine Pajot.
Grand Pavois La Rochelle is Europe’s largest in-water boat show, and the one that is a key event for multihull sailors. Every September, the Port des Minimes marina fills with roughly 700 boats, 300 of them afloat, from 800-plus brands across 35 countries. Boats are moored and boarded on the pontoons, with sea trials booked directly with exhibitors rather than through agents.
What sets it apart is its location. Fountaine Pajot builds twenty minutes from the marina, and NEEL Trimarans builds inside La Rochelle itself, so a real share of the multihull fleet on the water was built close enough to arrive under its own sails. Add Lagoon, Excess, Bali and a cluster of catamaran charter operators, and it boasts a strong multihull line-up.
Founded in 1973 by four local shipbuilders as an association-run, in-water alternative to land-based shows, Grand Pavois has kept that structure ever since, a rarity in an industry now dominated by private events groups. It runs every September at Port des Minimes.
Our 2026 Grand Pavois guide covers the multihull builders and charter operators on show, the show’s history, and an exhibitor search widget.
