Yacht Club de Monaco organised another edition of the annual Fête de la Mer, celebrating St Peter, Patron Saint of Fishermen. The theme this year was ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’ for a day that saw families, sea lovers, associations and visitors flock to the YCM Marina to enjoy a programme of nautical activities, entertainment and workshops in a festive family-friendly atmosphere. All the principle nautical and environmental institutions participated, including Les Pontons de Monaco; Société Nautique de Monaco (rowing club); Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation; Mairie de Monaco; Roca Jet Club; Oceanographic Museum; Oceanographic Institute of Monaco; Club d’Exploration Sous-Marine de Monaco (scuba diving); Monaco’s port authority (SEPM); the Monaco Government; the Monaco Protection for Nature association; the Institution François d’Assise-Nicolas Barré; PELAGOS; and the Rotary Club Monaco. “The Fête de la Mer retains its simple, intergenerational appeal that is behind its success. It’s about families coming together, discovering new activities, interacting with associations and enjoying the sea another way. It’s a day that reflects Monaco’s strong attachment to the marine environment and maritime cultures,” says Bernard d’Alessandri, Yacht Club de Monaco’s General Secretary and Director.
The 2026 edition was part of World Boating Day, an international event to showcase the inner workings of the nautical industry in general and yachting professions. Several of the participants, including the International University of Monaco and YPY Monaco, were also involved in the parallel meetings and visits organised by the Cluster Yachting Monaco.
As every year, the morning started with a boat parade at sea and the blessing that takes place in front of the Oceanographic Museum, officiated this year by Monseigneur Dominique-Marie David, Archbishop of Monaco, in homage to sailors lost at sea. The fleet then returned to Port Hercule watched by everyone assembled on the quays. Throughout the day, Quai Louis II and the YCM Marina were buzzing with activities including Sipaboards demonstrations, electric paddleboards developed in partnership with BMW, introductory sessions to sailing on Echo and Hansa 303 dinghies, inclusive sailing workshops, paddleboarding, kayaking and E-Foiling, scuba diving initiations, educational workshops, Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (13th edition 8-11 July) simulator games, giant inflatables and nautical demonstrations. Highlights included the presence of Maxime Nocher, representing Team Monaco E1, and remote-controlled E1 boats, as well as jet-ski rescues conducted by the maritime police.
Young and old alike seized the opportunity to visit the stands and activities put on by the associations and institutions at the event. True to the spirit of the Fête de la Mer festival, the ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’ theme invited the public to explore the maritime universe in all its guises from raising awareness of the marine environment, discovering nautical activities and enjoying time with the family.
This year’s event also hosted the first edition of the Spring Cup, a friendly two day regatta open to YCM members in Monaco’s bay sailing on Fusion II boats with around15 teams taking part. Over the years, Fête de la Mer has grown to be one of the most popular events in the Principality, the aim being to share maritime culture with as many people as possible. Next up on Yacht Club de Monaco’s programme is the international 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge on 8-11 July 2026 for sustainable propulsion technologies.
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