The history of the Grand Pavois salon
It all started in 1973, during the oil shock. The Grand Pavois show has its origins in an ambitious vision and a profound desire to promote maritime culture. Four pioneers of Chantiers Rochelais come together. They form an independent professional association.
This association aims to coordinate and promote the interests of the nautical sector. At the time, the objective was simple: bring together a few exhibitors and attract a local audience. But quickly, the living room grew.
From its first edition, the Grand Pavois has distinguished itself by its unique setting. Located on the Atlantic coast, it is an iconic place that reflects the city's rich maritime history.
Nestled between the island of Ré and the island of Oléron, this port is protected by a large natural bay. This has made it an ideal shelter for sailors for centuries. This port is both historic and modern. The event takes place on the water, with boats afloat. This specialty attracts attention and makes it unique among other salons.
In the 1980s, the Grand Pavois entered a new dimension. The show is becoming international and is becoming an essential place for sailing enthusiasts, boat builders and equipment manufacturers.
Every year, more and more professionals participate, coming from all over the world to present their latest innovations. The strength of the salon is its ability to mix different worlds. Classic sailing boats are next to modern yachts. Visitors can also discover niche products and new trends.
Grand Pavois 2024 - La Rochelle: focus on ecological innovation and maritime diversity
The Grand Pavois 2024 boat show in La Rochelle presents 800 brands and 700 boats. Of these boats, 300 will be afloat. More than 80,000 visitors are expected. There will be 100 previews and new features. In addition, 1500 baptisms, trials and sea trips will be offered.
One of the particularities of the show and a real advantage is that it is possible to try out the boats at sea from 10:00 to 19:00 every day. The boats are brought together either in the “Test Boats” area, or in the heart of the Grand Pavois Fishing Marina. At 6 pm, the pontoons open. This allows exhibitors to go out to sea to test.
Great novelty for this 2024 edition, the Grand Pavois Beach, a space dedicated to skiing and light sailing. Minimes beach has changed its appearance. It wants to meet the needs of water sports professionals. They will be brought together in the same dynamic space.
This new space will be open for 4 days, from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 October, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. It will meet the needs of water sports professionals.
The four days will include exhibitions of equipment and news. There will be trials, sea baptisms and demonstrations for everyone. Conferences and meetings will also be organized. A DJ Set will take place in the beach bar, created for the occasion.
This year, the exhibitions feature invited regions, such as French Polynesia. This guarantees a change of scenery with its traditional boats and local artisans. They come to share their unique know-how. This focus on maritime cultures from around the world enhances the visitor experience. It immerses them in the diversity of nautical practices.
The main conference of this edition is called “Navigating towards a sustainable future.” It brought together experts and leaders who discussed ongoing initiatives and future challenges. Representatives of major companies and environmental associations say there is an urgent need to adapt the maritime sector to climate challenges.
The eco-navigation space and sustainable innovations - solutions for today and tomorrow
The Grand Pavois de La Rochelle 2024 honors the future of navigation through its Eco-Navigation and Sustainable Innovations area. This sector of the show has become an important place for professionals and environmental enthusiasts. It is a real laboratory for green and new solutions. These solutions are designed to meet climate and ecological challenges.
The Eco-Navigation space brings together exhibitors committed to the energy transition and the protection of marine ecosystems. From daring start-ups to big businesses, all show off advanced technologies. These innovations aim to make navigation more ecological, such as 100% electric motors.
“According to the conclusions of a report published by IDTechEx, the electric boat market is expected to grow exponentially over the next ten years. While a hundred manufacturers are already present on the market, the report estimates that the electric and hybrid boat segment could reach up to 20 billion dollars globally in 2027.
According to the authors of the report, the yachting sector will experience the most significant growth, driven by regulations that are increasingly favorable to electric propulsion, especially on inland waterways in Europe and the United States, which will gradually be banned from thermal boats” Source: AFBE.
The Eco-Navigation and Sustainable Innovations space at the Grand Pavois in La Rochelle 2024 is more than an exhibition. It shows a shared commitment to a future. This future combines passion for the sea and environmental responsibility. It is an invitation to discover, today, the solutions that will build the navigation of tomorrow.
On this occasion, Weenav was able to present its innovations, including the presentation of its new engine KRONOS. A revolution in the world of carbon-free boating is different from other low-power solutions. These solutions have existed at the show for many years.
The 2024 edition marks a decisive turning point, where a passion for the sea is now combined with a strong commitment to a more sustainable future. An appointment that sea lovers did not miss.
