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?
The Route du Rhum Village will open on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at noon and remain open until 5:00 p.m. on November 1. Admission is completely free.
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with extended hours until 10:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, a stroll through the Route du Rhum Village is truly a delight. Spanning nearly 70,000 square meters, booths will showcase the cultural heritage of Saint-Malo and Guadeloupe. There will be 150 exhibitors presenting their products throughout the village’s 13-day run.
This year, there will also be a large area called “Terre de départ.” Its purpose will be to highlight Breton heritage through its craftsmanship and cultural richness.
Admittedly, the crowd—which is more than just dense—is a bit unpleasant. But the friendly atmosphere there quickly makes us forget this minor inconvenience. The experience is truly enjoyable, and the skippers are particularly approachable with visitors.
No matter the purpose of your visit—whether it’s simply to offer your encouragement or to learn more about how a sailboat works—the experience is always positive.
Please note that every day, there will be a “quiet hour” from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. to accommodate visitors who are very sensitive to noise.
Take this opportunity to explore Saint-Malo
Of course, the heart of the festivities will take place in the Route du Rhum village, along the harbor quays. But the city has planned plenty of activities in other neighborhoods as well. It would be a shame to miss them!
Here are a few examples of the activities:
- Courtoisville: colorful storefront displays and a “boat count” game (guess the number of boats in the large display to win gift baskets)
- Paramé: meet-and-greets with authors
- The train station: an exhibition of maritime art reimagined by tattoo artists
- Intra-Muros: cocktail-making classes or the “skipper’s bag” game (at Marée Haute Marée Basse :D)
- Saint-Servan: making soap with oyster shells and recipes inspired by Guadeloupe.
Parking in Saint-Malo During the Route du Rhum
During the Route du Rhum, access is inevitably more complicated. One of the locks is closed, so traffic can get a bit backed up. This is especially true since almost all of the parking lots surrounding the city are being used by the race village. To compensate, park-and-ride facilities with shuttles running every 15 minutes have been set up (shuttles run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.). The cost will be €10 per day per car. These include:
- The Paul Féval parking lot
- La Houssaye
- The Hippodrome
Throughout the Route du Rhum and until November 12, 2026, special routes will be established for public transportation.
Please note that a pass will be required to enter the city center (Intra-Muros). This pass is available only to residents and professionals working in Saint-Malo.
The Route du Rhum Village in Saint-Malo
Major Events: Festivals and Entertainment Throughout the Route du Rhum in 2026
The Route du Rhum is a great occasion for numerous exhibitions and parades. Here are the key highlights, but a hour-by-hour schedule is available on the official Route du Rhum website.
Skipper Presentations
The must-attend event of the Route du Rhum: the official presentation of the skippers.
📍 Main stage on the esplanade
⏰ Sunday, October 25 at 5:00 PM
Route du Rhum Daily Journal
Skippers will drop by to share their final thoughts before the start of the race, and it will also be a chance to hear the latest news from the event.
📍 Main stage on the esplanade
⏰ Daily between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM
Sound and Light Show
Every evening, the Jardin de la Légion d’Honneur will light up for a 20-minute sound and light show. The first performance starts at 8:30 PM and repeats until 11:00 PM.
📍 Jardin de la Légion d’Honneur
⏰ Every evening from 8:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Red Bull – Up the Mast
Red Bull’s flagship attraction will be featured for the occasion.
⏰ Saturday, October 24 between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Lock Crossings
The passing through the locks is a major highlight! Nearly 2,000 spectators will be able to attend each time.
⏰ Tuesday, October 20, from 12:45 PM to 2:45 PM: Vintage Multi and Ocean Fifty (lock crossings at 12:45 PM, 1:45 PM, and 2:45 PM)
⏰ Wednesday, October 21, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM: IMOCA (lock crossings at 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM)
⏰ Friday, October 23, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM: Class40 and Vintage Mono (lock crossings every hour from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM)
⏰ Saturday, October 31: Lock departures starting at 10:00 AM
Presence of the Art Explora Boat
In 2026, the world’s first museum-boat, the catamaran Art Explora, will be in Saint-Malo. Visitors will be able to step aboard and discover various artists through a range of exhibitions. Highlights on board include an immersive exhibition created in partnership with the Louvre Museum.
There will also be concerts and workshops organized by local artists.
⏰ Every day
Boat Parades
Several parades featuring boats participating in the Route du Rhum will take place in the Bay of Saint-Malo.
📍 Bay of Saint-Malo
⏰ Friday, October 24 for the smaller boats, and Thursday, October 29 for the ULTIM class from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Skipper Parade
Head out on Friday, October 25 to watch the skippers parade through the crowds along Esplanade Saint-Vincent to the open-air stage.
⏰ Saturday, October 25 at 4:00 PM
Open-Air Stage
A large 360° open-air stage will be set up on Esplanade Saint-Vincent. You can watch community associations, dance groups, and live music concerts, alongside the traditional conferences and skipper interviews.
Rhum Park
A fun-filled area featuring a Ferris wheel with fantastic views over the docks. There will also be a giant zipline called “La Charalienne.”
Off the Rhum (Fringe Events)
This year, the organizers are encouraging visitors to explore beyond the Route du Rhum village, especially into the streets of Intra-Muros and other neighborhoods. For instance, at Marée Haute Marée Basse, we will be hosting a fun little activity throughout the event with prizes to win! 😉
There will also be great exhibitions, including one showcasing model ships inside the Chapelle de la Victoire.
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
- Ultimes: The “Queen” category. These are giant multihulls with no size limit.
- Ocean Fifty: 50-foot multihulls (about 15m long).
- 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!
- Class40: 40-foot monohulls. This is the largest class, with about 50 boats.
- Vintage Multi: Larger vintage multihulls (up to 60 feet).
- 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!
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