The Vendée Globe village, a unique immersion in the adventure of ocean racing
by Vendée Globe media 9 Oct 2024 19:43 BST
19 October - 10 November 2024
The Vendée Globe village © Mark Lloyd / DPPI / Vendée Globe
The Vendée Globe is getting ready to celebrate its 10th edition with the long-awaited opening of its Start Village, from Saturday 19 October to Sunday 10 November 2024.
This 30,000 m2 space offers a total immersion in the world of ocean racing, with a rich programme of events, activities and meetings. Free of charge but accessible by reservation, the Village will be an opportunity for the public to meet the skippers, discover what goes on behind the scenes of the race and take part in a wide range of interactive activities.
Opening times and access
The Vendée Globe Village will be open from 10am to 8pm for the stands, while the restaurant will be open until midnight and the bar until 1am on weekdays and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. Access to the Village is free, but an e-ticket is required to regulate attendance. These e-tickets have been available on the Vendée Globe website since 19 September 2024.
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An immersive experience
The Département de la Vendée is offering a 1,200 m" exhibition dedicated to the Vendée Globe. This immersive exhibition lets visitors discover the life of the skippers aboard an IMOCA boat, through visual and sound effects. Visitors can also admire the 40 skippers' boats moored at the emblematic Vendée Globe pontoon. Several Vendée Globe legends, including Titouan Lamazou, Michel Desjoyeaux, Alain Gautier, Armel Le Cleac'h and François Gabart, have already confirmed their presence in the village.
Catering and bar
The Village will feature a restaurant, 'La cantine du Vendée Globe', as well as foodtrucks, including 'La Foodmobile' from Major Partner Sodebo and V and B beer trucks. Water fountains will be available throughout the village for the convenience of visitors. The V and B Globe Bar will be open to the public every day with a wide range of entertainment. Signings by skippers, concerts every evening...
Round-table discussions will be held from Wednesday to Sunday at 2.15pm throughout the Village, covering a range of themes, such as the oceanographic instruments carried by the skippers with UNESCO and the Vendée Globe Foundation on 23 October.
Partner stands and official shop
The stands of the Vendée Globe partners and the skippers' sponsors will offer interactive activities and games throughout the day. A whole range of merchandise, including the official water bottle, the Panini album of the 2024 edition and the race mascot will be on sale in the Official Shop. Vendée Globe partners' and skippers' sponsors' stands will be offering interactive activities and challenges throughout the day. Visitors will be able to visit Ocean Calling's IMOCA boat, climb the mast with Charal, enjoy an immersive experience in the sodebox, etc.
Positive initiatives
An area will be dedicated to social and environmental projects, highlighting initiatives to protect the oceans and raise awareness of a sustainable future. This will include the Vendée Globe Foundation stand.