Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to helm a racing yacht in the middle of a raging ocean? In the city of Lorient, there is a unique place where these dreams become reality. The Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly is not just a museum, but a modern interactive complex in the heart of France, entirely dedicated to sailing and the technology of conquering the elements.

Eric Tabarly Sailing City. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

Spanning an area of over 1,000 m², the complex invites visitors to embark on a thrilling journey into the world of maritime navigation, meteorology, and shipbuilding. Here, educational exhibits blend harmoniously with entertaining attractions, making it an engaging destination for both professional sailors and families with children.

The site's location at Lorient La Base—Europe’s premier hub for ocean racing—adds to its significance. Guests can not only see the legendary yacht Pen Duick, which belonged to Éric Tabarly himself, but also observe the construction of modern high-speed racing machines preparing for round-the-world regattas.

To clarify details for your visit or to book special programs, you can use the official communication channels. The center's staff are always ready to help tourists navigate the variety of activities on offer.

At the Cité de la Voile, there is never a dull moment for adults or children. One of the most exciting activities is the racing simulator, designed for 10 people: it allows you to feel every movement of the vessel and the spray of the ocean waves. A state-of-the-art 4D cinema complements these sensations, literally transporting viewers onto the deck of a yacht flying over the waves.

For those who prefer a hands-on experience, there are interactive stands with rigging games where you can learn to tie nautical knots, and areas for operating radio-controlled model sailboats. Younger visitors aged 3 to 6 can spend time in the special Cité des Moussaillons area, which features a giant play boat for discovery and fun.

If you want to feel the real wind, the museum offers sailing trips (balade sous voiles) or an extreme descent on the TyRoll zipline. We recommend following the main seven-stop route, which gradually reveals all the secrets of navigation—from the basics of sail physics to winning strategies for global regattas.

Finding the Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly is easy, as it is located in the heart of the famous Lorient La Base sailing hub on Rue Roland Morillot. This site is a magnet for all sea lovers, and directional signs can be found throughout the city.

If you are already in the city center, a pleasant walk or bike ride will take about 20–30 minutes. You can also take local bus routes that run regularly to the stop at the entrance of the base. For those who prefer comfort, a taxi ride from the main square will take no more than 10 minutes.

Travelers arriving from other regions typically take the train to Lorient (SNCF) station. From the station, you can reach the museum by bus or taxi, covering a distance of about 5–10 km. For those driving, there is a spacious parking lot directly on the grounds of Lorient La Base.

The history of this place is inextricably linked to the name of Éric Tabarly—the legendary French yachtsman who, in the 1960s and 70s, revolutionized the world of sailing. The museum opened in 2008 and stands as a living monument to his achievements. The crown jewel of the collection is the famous yacht Pen Duick, on which Tabarly secured many of his victories.

The museum itself is situated within Lorient La Base—a former submarine base that, after large-scale reconstruction, was transformed into Europe's leading center for ocean racing. It is a remarkable example of how a military site from the past has become a cradle for modern sport and technology.

The city of Lorient also boasts a rich maritime heritage. It was founded in 1666 by the French East India Company under the decree of Louis XIV to trade spices, porcelain, and textiles. The city was named after the ship "Soleil d’Orient", highlighting its original orientation toward maritime adventures and distant horizons.

To fully immerse yourself in the world of ocean racing, it is recommended to set aside 3 to 4 hours for your visit. The tour, which includes seven main thematic stops, takes over three hours on its own, not including time for breaks and additional activities.

If you are planning a visit with children, it is best not to rush: the interactive zones and simulators are a huge hit with young visitors, and they may spend much more time there than originally planned. Overall, half a day is the perfect format to explore all the exhibits without haste and enjoy the harbor atmosphere.

The Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly is warmly open to visitors daily, making it easy to fit a visit into any travel itinerary. The museum follows a consistent schedule throughout the week, with no days off or lunch breaks.

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Monday — Sunday). It is recommended to arrive no later than two hours before closing to ensure you have time to see at least part of the exhibition.

A visit to the Cité de la Voile is just one part of what this area has to offer. Its location within a former naval base allows tourists to see several unique sites dedicated to naval history and engineering in a single day.

Exploring the surroundings of Lorient La Base will enrich your experience: here, you can touch the massive concrete structures from the World War II era or relax in modern recreational areas.