The Next Route du Rhum in November 2026: What is To Know?

The next Route du Rhum will take place in November 2026, with the official start scheduled for Sunday, November 1st at 1:02 PM. This will be the 13th edition of the race.

Every four years, the Route du Rhum in Saint-Malo becomes the “place to be” for sailing enthusiasts. The last edition was in November 2022, and I was lucky enough to be there! To help you prepare, I’ve put together this guide so you can learn everything there is to know about the race.

I will update this first section regularly with the latest news on the 2026 edition:

• Route du Rhum 2026: What’s happening?
• The Route du Rhum Village in Saint-Malo
• How to attend the 2026 edition?

Further down, you’ll find more details on the race itself:

• What is the Route du Rhum?
• How does the race work?
• The boats competing in the Route du Rhum
• A look back at the 2022 edition

Route du Rhum 2026: What’s happening?

Information is being released bit by bit. However, we already know that a parade featuring part of the fleet will kick off the festivities in the Bay of Saint-Malo. A new feature for the 2026 Village is the “Terre de départ” (Land of Departure) area, which will showcase the heritage and culture of the Brittany region.

The Route du Rhum Village in Saint-Malo

The Village will open its doors on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Access is entirely free. Open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (with late-night openings until 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays), wandering through the Village is a fantastic experience. Spread over nearly 70,000 square meters, various stalls highlight the local heritage of both Saint-Malo and Guadeloupe.

Admittedly, the crowds can be quite dense, which can be a bit overwhelming. However, the friendly atmosphere quickly makes you forget that minor inconvenience. It’s a truly wonderful experience, and the skippers are often surprisingly available to chat with visitors. Whether you’re there to cheer them on or to learn how a racing yacht works, you’ll leave with a smile.

How to attend the 2026 edition?

You need to plan well in advance if you want to be part of the magic! Hotels are fully booked months ahead. As you know, I always recommend Hôtel des Abers, managed by my parents (where I also work!), if you’re looking for accommodation in the Old Town (Intra-Muros). But I must be honest: we are already fully booked for much of the period! You can also check larger hotels like Les Thermes Marins or Le Nouveau Monde, located along the Sillon beach.

Regarding restaurants in Saint-Malo, remember to book early too! It might sound silly, but I advise calling your favorite spots at least a month before your stay. If you wait until the day of, you won’t find a table.

Don’t forget to check my article on “Things to do in Saint-Malo“ to learn more about our “Corsair City”!

What exactly is the Route du Rhum?

A quick refresher: I keep telling you how magical this event is, but do you know its history? The Route du Rhum is a transatlantic sailing race that starts in Saint-Malo, Brittany, and finishes in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe. This legendary crossing has existed since 1978.

During each edition, Saint-Malo turns into a massive festival. The boats arrive in the harbor about ten days before the start, giving fans a chance to see these giants up close. In 2022, 138 vessels were moored in the port. Whether you like trimarans, catamarans, or monohulls, the atmosphere is unbeatable.

Why was it created?

In 1960, the British launched the Transat, a legendary race. However, they soon decided to limit the size of the participating boats. France decided to launch its own race to counter this limitation. Thus, the Route du Rhum was born and presented to the press for the first time in May 1977. It takes place every four years, alternating with the Vendée Globe.

Where does the name come from?

The name wasn’t chosen by chance. In 1976, Guadeloupe was suffering from the eruption of the Soufrière volcano and needed to rebuild its image. Rum producer unions mobilized to ensure the race would promote the island’s famous spirit. Parisian advertiser Michel Étevenon then turned this partnership into a legend.

My advice: to learn more about the race or other events in Saint-Malo, download my 200-page ebook! (only available in French for now)

The Route du Rhum in Numbers

• 138: The number of boats at the start in 2022.
• 47 years: The age of the race.
• 1.5 million: The (incredible!) number of visitors in Saint-Malo during the 10 days of the 2022 event.
• 1990: The year the first woman, the late Florence Arthaud, won the race.
• 6 days, 19 hours, 47 minutes, and 5 seconds: The record set in 2022 by Charles Caudrelier.

How does the race work?

The race is open to both men and women, but it must be completed solo (no crew). You don’t necessarily have to be a professional sailor, provided you have the skills, a boat, and sponsors. Participants must cover 6,562 kilometers (approx. 3,543 nautical miles). They all start at the same time on a line located off Pointe du Grouin in Cancale. Because different types of boats are allowed, there are actually 6 winners (one for each class). However, the first boat to reach Guadeloupe is usually a “Ultime” maxi-multihull.

The different boat classes

1. Ultimes: The “Queen” category. These are giant multihulls with no size limit.
2. Ocean Fifty: 50-foot multihulls (about 15m long).
3. Imoca: 60-foot monohulls, the same used in the Vendée Globe. The fastest are equipped with foils—wings that lift the hull above the water, reaching speeds of 70 km/h!
4. Class40: 40-foot monohulls. This is the largest class, with about 50 boats.
5. Vintage Multi: Larger vintage multihulls (up to 60 feet).
6. Vintage Mono: Vintage monohulls that don’t fit into other categories.

A look back at 2022

The city really went all out for the last edition!

• Sound & Light Shows: Every night, a show was projected onto the walls of Saint-Malo, honoring the 10 previous winners. Another show traced the history of Jacques Cartier, the explorer who discovered Canada (maybe that’s why I ended up in Montreal!).
• XXL Village: The village was 15% larger than previous years, with 300 exhibitors.
• The Trophy Tour: The race trophy traveled through 18 local towns to involve the entire region.
• Vacation Workbook: The city even created a workbook for children with puzzles and coloring pages to teach them the secrets of the sea!