Overview
Founded on 12 February 1887 by racing sailors from the Société des Régates Marseillaises, the Société Nautique de Marseille is based on the Pavillon Flottant, a listed 1899 wooden floating clubhouse moored on the Quai de Rive-Neuve in the Vieux-Port. Recognised as a public-interest association in 1932 and affiliated to FFVoile, it has 546 members and since 2007 has managed 543 berths in the Vieux-Port under a public-service concession. Its sailing school, labelled École Française de Voile, racing school and cruising school, sails all year on a Salona 42, an A35 and a Grand Surprise. It runs about ten regattas a year, including the SNIM at Easter since 1966, the Vire-Vire since 1948, the Calanques Classique and the Voiles du Vieux-Port; its racing team has repeatedly been France's top IRC club.
- Founded
- 1887
- Members
- about 546 (club figure)
- Federation
- Fédération Française de Voile
- Phone
- +33 4 91 54 32 03
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreHere CROSS Méditerranée – the app switches centre as you move, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- SNIM – Semaine Nautique Internationale de Méditerranéebig Easter regatta in Marseille roads, created in 1966; 60th edition 3–6 April 2026
- Calanques Classiqueclassic-yacht regatta along the Calanques, created in 2009
- Les Voiles du Vieux-Portregatta in and off the Vieux-Port
- Quadra Solo Duosingle- and double-handed offshore race, 22–28 August 2026
- Baticup Méditerranéecorporate regatta, 12–13 September 2026
- Vire-Vire Banque Populaire Méditerranéerace round the islands of the roads, created in 1948 (as 'le carrousel')
- Guérir en mercharity regatta
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingSailing school and courses
- Sailing school – courses and booking ↗
- Sailing school prices ↗
- Offshore racing team ↗
- Classic yachts section ↗
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1887Founded on 12 February by racing sailors from the Société des Régates Marseillaises (1862); first regatta on 13 March
- 1897A rowing section is created, the origin of the La Pelle club
- 1899The Pavillon Flottant is delivered on 15 January and moored in the Vieux-Port
- 1910Petition to save the Port-Miou calanque from a quarry
- 1932Recognised as a public-interest association (2 March)
- 1936Hosts the Star European Championship
- 1948The Vire-Vire is created, first called 'le carrousel'
- 1966The Semaine Nautique Internationale de Méditerranée (SNIM) is created
- 1976Hosts the One Ton Cup (again in 1994 and 2000)
- 20018 Metre World Championship
- 2004The sailing school is created
- 2007Public-service concession for the berths; the Pavillon Flottant is listed as a historic monument
- 2011The racing team is created; France's top IRC club 2011–2016, 2018 and 2022
- 2023A racing-team yacht wins the IRC European Championship overall
Home harbour & location
- Position
- 43°17.60′ N 5°22.19′ E
43.29336, 5.36986 - Address
- Pavillon Flottant, Quai de Rive-Neuve
- Radio
- VHF 60
emergency VHF 16 · DSC 70
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: Sailing school – courses and booking, Sailing school prices, Offshore racing team and Classic yachts section.
Who do I call in an emergency at sea here?
Sea rescue: CROSS Méditerranée 196. Or call 112. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16.
When was Société Nautique de Marseille founded?
In 1887.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: SNIM – Semaine Nautique Internationale de Méditerranée, Calanques Classique, Les Voiles du Vieux-Port and Quadra Solo Duo.