This edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez held special significance for us. We celebrated Gitana’s 150th anniversary and the centenary of Baron Edmond de Rothschild’s birth. Nine days of regattas and gatherings, both on the water and at the Place des Lices.
The Maxis: a family affair
Over 250 sailing yachts, including a record fleet of 51 Maxis. A single stretch of water opening out to the open sea: the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. From 26 September to 4 October, Les Voiles brought together every era of yachting, from century-old yachts to the J-Class, heirs to the America’s Cup of the 1930s.
Baron Edmond de Rothschild recognised the potential of these large racing yachts very early on. As the first president of the ICAYA, founded in 1979 and the forerunner of the current International Maxi Association, he played a decisive role in bringing them to Saint-Tropez. In 1983, the Maxis took part in the Nioulargue. The following year, Gitana VIII won the race there. More than forty years later, their successors are cutting through the same waters, with the same high standards as ever.
Among them, the Maxi 1s, ranging from approximately 22 to 33 metres, form the premier class. On Saturday 3 October, Ariane de Rothschild presented the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy to the best of them. Jethou came out on top in the final race.
On the Place des Lices, 150 years of Gitana
This year, our connection with Saint-Tropez took on a special significance.
By 1876, La Gitana was already gliding across Lake Geneva. One hundred and fifty years later, Gitana 18, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild launched in February 2026, continues this tradition in which daring goes hand in hand with risk management.
To celebrate Gitana’s 150th anniversary and the centenary of Baron Edmond, Ariane de Rothschild brought together the Gitana Team, sailing enthusiasts and friends of the House for our pétanque tournament at Place des Lices. Launched in 2025, this event carries on the spirit of Les Voiles. Sailors and their loved ones come together here, far from the race courses but never far from the sea.
From generation to generation, the same passion for the open sea and the same freedom to chart one’s own course, at sea as on land.