The 22nd edition of Les Voiles d’Antibes – Trophée Panerai starts today based until 4 June at Port Vauban in Antibes and marks the first stage of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Mediterranean.
Les Voiles d’Antibes – Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2017
Why attend Les Voiles d’Antibes
The event will welcome over 80 magnificent vintage and classic yachts ranging in size from 7 to over 60-metres representing countries including France, Italy, England, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the United States.
(image: Laurent Masson)
Keep a look out for Moonbeam IV; built in 1914 by the Fife yard in Scotland and once owned by Prince Rainier of Monaco, Moonbeam IV is the most successful yacht on the circuit winning the Big Boat trophy four times since 2011.
Three 19th-century yachts will compete this year – Lulu, launched in 1897, who has been awarded national historic treasure status in France, Tigris (1899) and 18-metre Marigold, built by Camper & Nicholson in 1892, who still retains her original interiors and lines.
Over 500 crew are expected to attend alongside thousands of visitors who can admire the yachts berthed dockside during the event.
The actual races commence on Thursday 1 June with a total of four races scheduled – one each day. The prize-giving ceremony takes place after the last race on Sunday.
As well as the yacht racing, Le Village is a dedicated zone set up at Bastion Saint Jaume with exhibitor stands from Yacht Clubs, Selliers, Sailmakers, Photographers and yachting-related businesses.
Les Voiles d’Antibes is free entry and a nice family-friendly event to admire some truly stunning yachts. I feel its important to mention that in the evenings after 8.30pm the crowd at the Village is large so bear this in mind if you have smaller kids to watch as there is no security fencing between the Village and the port.
Entertainment at Les Voiles d’Antibes
From 6pm each evenings, Le Village is an excellent place to enjoy free live music and buy a drink at one of the pop-up bar zones.
The Friday night particularly is legendary and well known as one of the best nights out in Antibes – I’ll be heading along to see Al and the boys from Blah Blah on Friday night who always put on a superb show!
Here is the schedule of concerts for Les Voiles d’Antibes 2017:
31 May : 5.20pm Lohen, then at 8pm SBK 06
01 June: 9pm Namaz Pamous
02 June: 9pm Blah Blah
03 June: 9pm With U (Tribute to U2)
04 June: 8pm DJ Arthur, then at 9pm D & S Project which is Cyrille a.k.a DJ Seven and Laurent a.k.a Debector
For an aerial view of the event location, see below:
Les Voiles d’Antibes
Carparks near Les Voiles d’Antibes
The car parks marked as blue ‘Ps’ on the map above are usually very busy, especially the underground parking at Pré aux Pêcheurs opposite the port. It’s crucial you check exit times for carparks to avoid lock-ins!
Note: The map above from the official website shows the carparks at place Nationale and rue Lacan, but these are both currently closed due to construction.
Alternative secure underground pay carparks not shown on this map are at Parking Poirier on boulevard Dugommier, or Parking avenue Frères Olivier. Click here for details of carparks in Antibes.
Trains, buses, taxis
If you’re traveling by bus or train, please note that public transport after 9pm is usually limited.
Timetables for local buses are found at www.envibus.fr or http://www.ter.sncf.com/paca/ for train times and information regarding strikes.
The Nice to Cannes number 200 bus line also stops in Antibes from Nice direction at ‘Dir. Chaudon stop’, (15 minutes walk to the port) or from Cannes direction at ‘Dugommier’ stop or ‘Pole echange Antibes’ stop (both are 10 minutes walk to the port).
Taxis can be found outside the Antibes train station.
Les Voiles d’Antibes Programme
For the list of registered yachts, visit http://www.voilesdantibes.com/yachts-inscrits
For the programme schedule, visit Les Voiles d’Antibes Programme (in French only).
(image: http://www.damienravello.book.fr)
Accessibility information for Les Voiles d’Antibes
The quays at Port Vauban and the Village zone are on flat ground and accessible for families with baby strollers, or persons with reduced mobility | wheelchair-bound.
In this photo below, the light brown area in the central area of the Village is temporary decking set up for the bar zone and concert stage and it should be noted this is raised and one step up to the bar areas, so its not wheelchair-friendly.
Le Village at Bastion St Jaume at Port Vauban is the hub of all the action during Les Voiles d’Antibes
There are onsite toilets at the Village – these toilets are in trailers accessed by stairs only, therefore the closest accessible ground level toilets are on the quay near plage Gravette, at both Félix Café and Gusto pizzeria just inside the first archway to the port and at automated pay toilets by the boules pitch near the Capitanerie.
Enjoy Les Voiles d’Antibes and please share this post if you found it useful! Thank you
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