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In the early evening of Wednesday July 2, 2025, a fire broke out in a building adjoining the Grand Largue shipyard in Saint-Briac-sur-Mer (Ille-et-Vilaine). Driven by the wind, the flames quickly spread to the building site, leaving nothing behind. No injuries were reported, but all equipment, timber, stock and tools were destroyed.
"We left the site on Wednesday evening to finish the day with a barbecue among friends. Ironically, the fire was strongest at the construction site, bitterly recounts the site's press release.
An emblematic site for classic wood
Founded in 1999, the Grand Largue shipyard specializes in the hand-built construction of classic plywood-epoxy sailboats, often based on designs by naval architect François Vivier. The first model, the Stir-Ven, relaunched by Pierre-Yves de la Rivière after having been forgotten, marked the start of an exemplary craftsmanship adventure.
Over the past 25 years, Grand Largue has built 120 units and supplied over 150 amateur building kits. From the Minahouët to the Méaban, via the Pen Hir, each unit leaving the yard is the fruit of between a hundred and a thousand hours of work, in a spirit of transmission and dialogue with owners.
One man, one vision: Pierre-Yves de la Rivière
Trained as a marine carpenter and a graduate of a business school, Pierre-Yves de la Rivière was able from the outset to combine artisanal skills with entrepreneurial management. His meeting with François Vivier gave rise to a long-term collaboration, based on respect for classic lines and optimization of modern manufacturing processes.
Boosting production, despite everything
Despite the extent of the damage, the shipyard is determined to resume business as soon as possible. With two committed employees, a network of loyal customers and an ever-present demand for its boats, Grand Largue hopes to be able to honor current orders and maintain the link forged since 1999 with the community of classic sailing enthusiasts.
The yard is appealing for solidarity and patience. It will take time to rebuild the production facilities, but not to rekindle the team's passion for wood and wake.
