Every autumn, something shifts in Saint-Tropez. The superyachts that fill the port all summer slide out of their berths to make room for a different kind of fleet: century-old gaff schooners, J-Class yachts with masts rising above the rooftops, carbon-hulled maxis built for pure speed. For nine days in late September and early October, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez becomes the setting for Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez (LVST) — the Mediterranean’s premier sailing regatta and one of the most visually extraordinary events the Côte d’Azur produces all year.
2026 Edition: September 26–October 4, 2026
An Overview of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
Organized by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, a club with roots going back to 1862, Les Voiles brings together around 250 boats across three competitive fleets: Modern, Tradition and Maxis. Classic wooden yachts built over a century ago share the same water as the most technically advanced racing machines currently sailing anywhere in the world.
It is a sporting event, but it is also something harder to define: a shared love of the sea given a very specific, very Tropezian form. The guiding spirit has remained unchanged since the very beginning — the best racing on the water and the best atmosphere on land.
Access for spectators is free. The Village des Voiles, set up in the harbour, is open to the public throughout the event, with stands, exhibitions, and live music running across the full nine days. The racing unfolds across the Gulf, with the fleet departing and returning through the port each day in a spectacle that alone justifies the trip.
History and Spirit of the Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Regatta
The event began on September 29, 1981, when Patrice de Colmont of Club 55 organized a race between Pride and Ikra. The course ran from the Tour du Portalet to Club 55 via the Nioulargue shoal. Ikra won. The loser bought lunch.
The race returned the following year with more boats, evolving into La Nioulargue and growing through the 1980s. After a fatal collision in 1995 halted the event, it was revived in 1999 as Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez under the Société Nautique, retaining the spirit of that original race.
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2026 Schedule
The 2026 edition runs from September 26 to October 4. The opening days are given over to competitor registration and boat inspections, with the Village des Voiles opening to the public from the first evening. Racing across all three fleets runs daily, with starts from approximately 11am and courses tracing both the coastline and the open waters of the Gulf.
This edition carries particular weight. It marks the 20th anniversary of the partnership between Les Voiles and Rolex, the 100th anniversary of the International Mediterranean Committee, and the 150th anniversary of the Edmond de Rothschild family’s involvement in sailing. The J-Class yachts, former America’s Cup vessels among the most spectacular craft afloat, are confirmed to return to the Gulf. Prize-giving ceremonies for the Modern and Tradition classes are scheduled for October 3 and 4.
Best Spots to Watch Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
The Old Port is the focal point, where boats moor and the daily departures unfold. The Môle Jean Réveille offers clear sightlines out into the Gulf and is the best fixed vantage point for watching the larger maxis maneuver in and out.
For elevation, the Citadel overlooks the bay and provides one of the best perspectives of the fleet under sail. Pampelonne Beach, at the far end of the historic race course, offers a more relaxed vantage point.
Spectator boats, including La Rose des Vents, Les Bateaux Verts, and Les Vedettes Îles d’Or, run excursions throughout the event, offering close-up views on the water.
Official LVST Clothing and Merchandise
North Sails returns in 2026 as the official clothing partner of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, releasing a dedicated LVST capsule collection for each edition. The 2026 range covers polos, tees, shirts, jackets and accessories, combining technical fabrics with a relaxed coastal aesthetic that works as easily on a harbour terrace as it does on deck. The collection is available through North Sails’ flagship store on Quai de l’Epi, positioned at the heart of the event.
A separate brand, VST43°, operates boutiques in Sainte-Maxime and Port Grimaud, specializing in nautical-influenced sportswear with a Riviera sensibility. As for what spectators should wear, there is no official dress code. Late September in Saint-Tropez calls for lightweight layers, comfortable shoes and a jacket for the evenings, when temperatures drop to around 15°C (59°F) after warm days averaging 19 to 24°C (66 to 75°F).
What to Do in Saint-Tropez During Les Voiles
Place des Lices is the social heart. Beneath the plane trees, Tuesday and Saturday markets give way in the evenings to the Pétanque des Voiles, a competition open to crews and visitors alike that sums up the spirit of the event better than anything else.
The Musée de l’Annonciade, housed in a 16th-century chapel a short walk from the port, holds a focused collection of post-Impressionist and Fauvist work (Signac, Matisse, Bonnard, Derain) artists drawn here by the particular quality of this light.
Getting here during Les Voiles requires planning. There is no direct train service to the Saint-Tropez peninsula and road traffic builds significantly. Arriving by boat is the cleanest option: the ferry from Sainte-Maxime crosses the Gulf in minutes and arrives directly at the port. For those flying in, La Môle Airport is 10km from the town and well-suited to private aviation.
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Plan Your Visit to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is one of those events that asks to be experienced rather than described. The scale of the fleet, the sound of the sails, the easy movement between racing and socializing — it is a combination that photographs approximate but cannot capture. If you’re planning to attend in 2026, accommodation in and around Saint-Tropez fills well in advance.
The Bucket List Villa reservation team can help you find the right property for the week.
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