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The organizers were hoping for 100,000 visitors. We're still a long way off, but in a context of economic recovery and stagnation, this figure remains encouraging. For comparison, the Boot in Düsseldorf attracts around 200,000 visitors, the Cannes Yachting Festival approaches 55,000, the Grand Pavois in La Rochelle has 70,000 visitors, and the last "Nautic" in Paris, in 2019, welcomed 150,000 visitors over eight days.
It was a daring gamble. Change venue, shorten duration, relaunch a brand in a new form. And yet, this first Paris Nautic Show turned out rather well. Numerous shipyards were missing, particularly multihulls, as well as several major names in marine electronics. Those nostalgic for the Porte de Versailles are not wrong: it was different, larger, more central, with its own atmosphere. But it was also the world before. For a first, the Paris Nautic Show held its own. And it laid the foundations.
Already, strong signals: a qualitative attendance and tangible enthusiasm from new entrants. The condensed format seems to have appealed, both easier to read for visitors and more realistic for professionals.
The visitors we met in the aisles weren't just strollers: they were experienced boaters, future buyers, and the technically curious. In other words, an active visitor base, tuned in to innovations, sustainable products and navigation solutions adapted to their projects. Perhaps what was missing was the young public, the ones who will be shaping the yachting of tomorrow.
On the industry side, the mobilization was real. Certainly, some of the smaller builders had come in "scouting mode", but the leaders were there. And they played the game, like Groupe Bénéteau with the preview launch of the Sun Odyssey 455. This first edition also showed that the equipment manufacturers had a much more welcoming space here than in the "cellar" at Porte de Versailles.
Institutionally, the support was there, and not just for form's sake. Minister Catherine Chabaud, the Vendée, the Finistère, the FFV, the organizers of the major races - they all pulled together.
For 2026, the objective is clear: consolidate. Maintain this density of exchange and increase the number of exhibitors. The industry needs it. The Paris Nautic Show has had its baptism, and now it needs to become a long-term fixture.
