Between the departure from Nantes and the final arrival in Saint-Nazaire, the boats will make a double crossing of the Bay of Biscay. This mythical race permanently anchored to the Loire-Atlantique région will arrive from September 7th to 11th at Saint-Nazaire.
The prestige of this solo race is a source of pride for the Loire Atlantique department. From 2021 until 2026, all major departures and all final arrivals of the fifty-year-old event will take place in one of the region's ports. An unprecedented commitment in the 50-year history of the race! La Solitaire had never before had the opportunity to create lasting ties with a single territory. A partnership that earned the department the title of "major partner of the race".
A dynamic ecosystem
The Solitaire of Figaro is also a great showcase for the excellence of the maritime and naval sector of the territory. For several years, the ecological transition of Saint-Nazaire has server as an example: "this is a sector that has 50,000 jobs in the region, with particularly dynamic and innovation-oriented companies," emphasizes Christelle Morançais, President of the Pays de Loire Region. Three hundred thousand Loire regulars practitioners share the passion for boating, in amateur or high-level sport. This emblematic place for the maritime economy is justified in hosting the final stage of this 53rd edition
Inventing a sustainable nautical future
The Loire-Atlantique has always borne the imprint of the ocean. The department therefore has full legitimacy to host the final of one of the largest single-handed ocean events. "A great popular gathering, this event will be an opportunity for the next six years to connect our main port cities with other maritime territories. To celebrate, during the space of a magnificent sporting event, the endurance, audacity and skill of great sailors. "To also contribute thereby to a better knowledge of the sea and to commit ourselves ever more to its protection" declares Michel Ménard, president of the department of Loire-Atlantique.
A mythical race
The skippers of this 53rd edition will compete on long legs of four successive nights at sea. Thirty-four sailors and their Figaro Bénéteau 3 vessels will line up at the start in Nantes. To claim victory, it will be necessary to avoid the pitfalls of a route with the three legs: the first 644 nautical miles long connects Nantes to Port-La-Forêt via Skokholm Island, a small island at the end of Wales. From Port-La-Forêt to Royan, via the Eddystone lighthouse in English Cornwall and the Channel Islands, the second leg will be 635 nautical miles long. Finally, the last leg, a great classic of the Solitaire du Figaro, includes a double crossing of the Bay of Biscay, leaving from Royan and bound for Saint-Nazaire, over a total distance of 700 nautical miles.
A 2022 course of 1979 nautical miles
Step 1- 644 miles
Nantes-Port-La-Forêt
Departure 21 August
Step 2- 635 miles
Port-La-Forêt_Royan
Departure from 28 August
Step 3 - 700 miles
Royan- Saint-Nazaire
Departure on September 4th
SMARTAPPART, the housing solution in the city of Saint-Nazaire
They SMARTAPPART residences are partners of the Solitaire du Figaro with free nights for skippers. The SMARTAPPART residential hotel is a budget alternative to hotels in the city of Saint-Nazaire. Rates are discounted starting from two nights. Its furnished apartments are suitable for any type of stay, business trip or family getaway. An innovative online booking and payment system allows you to access the apartments in a self-service fashion.
Related reading:
5 good reasons to make a stopover in Saint-Nazaire in 2022
The Port of Saint-Nazaire is undergoing a revolution
Chantiers de l'Atlantique launches its first liner powered by liquefied natural gas
