For over 10 years, Sylvie Ernoult has been the Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival, an event that each year remains one of the most anticipated. Two months before the opening of the festival, in the heart of the French Riviera, we met with Sylvie Ernoult to interview her and find out what new features await us.
Sylvie Ernoult, you’ve been at the helm of one of the world’s most significant boat shows for over ten years: what has driven this irresistible growth?
Irresistible is a word that captures the concept very well. The festival is 47 years old and became significant long before my direction; it all started in the dry-docking area at the Vieux Port. Thanks to the passion of everyone involved, it has become the most beautiful boat show in Europe.
I simply took this gem that was handed to me and used my experience to consolidate its beauty, while trying to preserve the essence of what it represented. I sought the right ways and means to develop the magic of all of this.
What have been the most important changes in recent years?
The Cannes Yachting Festival underwent a significant change when we decided to separate the world of sailing from the world of motorboats, designating two different areas: Vieux Port and Port Canto. This was necessary because the festival was growing larger and needed a more organized layout, especially to help visitors easily find what they were looking for. Initially, this was not easy, as splitting the show required greater effort from exhibitors representing both sailing and motorboat sectors. However, today I am pleased with this decision.
We also introduced color coding to divide the sectors and immediately identify the different areas. It is important for visitors to find what they are looking for and for exhibitors to be easily located; this is the magic of a show. Today, the sailing exhibition at Port Canto is one of the largest in the world, with over 120 boats on display.
What new features can we expect for the 2024 edition of the Cannes Yachting Festival?
The most significant new feature is the creation of the “Power Boat Marina” by utilizing the previously unused areas at Port Canto. The new marina will offer approximately 350 meters of dock space and will be dedicated to boats ranging from 6 to 13 meters, with around 140 boats in the water and 30 on land. This major innovation will allow visitors interested in these sizes to find all the boats in a single location, enhancing the visibility of the shipyards and exhibitors. Additionally, this new area will provide the opportunity to walk the entire perimeter of Port Canto without interruptions. We have installed floating docks to facilitate crossing from one side to the other, further easing movement.
A very promising boat show: are there any early details on exhibitor participation?
The Cannes Yachting Festival is set to take center stage in the yachting world, with over 600 different companies and more than 700 boats already confirmed. Our goal is to present a well-balanced show, featuring 350 boats at Port Canto and 350 boats at Vieux Port.
How will transfers between Vieux Port and Port Canto be managed?
As always, we will have both boats and inflatables departing from various rendezvous points located around the Cannes Yachting Festival to provide shuttle services between the two locations. We anticipate 55,000 visitors, and there is never a long wait for the crossing. Additionally, the seven-minute journey with the Croisette as the backdrop is a unique and magnificent sea walk, offering an incredible pleasure. The festival is a great success, and we strive to provide maximum comfort for our visitors.
How are you addressing Green Economy initiatives?
We have introduced the Innovation Route dedicated to new technologies and exhibitors who have invested in these frontiers. This will include specific pathways that visitors can follow to thoroughly explore this sector.
