The grand departure of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026 will take place from Perros-Guirec!

After Rouen in 2024 and 2025, Brittany will once again host the start of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec in 2026. And to celebrate this return in style, the Figaro Beneteau fleet will gather in the heart of one of the towns most loyal to the race since its inception in 1970. Perros-Guirec, an iconic resort on the Pink Granite Coast, will welcome the most demanding of solo one-design races for the 17th time in its history. The start will take place on May 17th, off the Sept-Îles archipelago, on one of the most beautiful stretches of water that Brittany has to offer.

Since 1970, the year of its first edition under the name Course de l'Aurore, the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec has seen its history marked by loyalty. This loyalty stems first and foremost from the sailors who have always come to experience it for the first time, discovering its harshness and unforgiving nature, forging their own methods and sometimes even making a name for themselves, before returning with the same enthusiasm after having sailed the oceans at the helm of other boats. The winner of the 2025 edition, Alexis Loison, is one of these sailors who has never turned his back on the race, even attempting it 19 times before adding his name to his list of winners. Hugo Dhallenne and Chloé Le Bars, the two skippers from the Macif team, Hugo Cardon, a brilliant rookie who won a leg this year, and the Irishman Tom Dolan, all bitten by the one-design racing bug, see the race as a holy grail to conquer or re-conquer. And what about Yoann Richomme, Paprec skipper and two-time winner (2016, 2019), already confirmed for the start in 2026, as well as Nicolas Troussel, also a two-time winner (2006, 2008), who has expressed his desire to return to the race and make his comeback next year. The Solitaire du Figaro Paprec is an event that sailors mark on their calendars every year, and even more so, a race that many carry within them, to the point of never truly letting go of it.

©A. LAMOUREUX

Perros-Guirec for a big start and unquestionable loyalty

But loyalty to the race is also a strong indicator for cities. In this respect, some show a particular attachment to the event, starting with the one that will host the Grand Départ of the 2026 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. For the 17th time in its history, Perros-Guirec will welcome back the sailors of the most selective of solo one-design races, a record number of participations that only the Irish port of Kinsale can rival with its 21 stopovers. From 1972, the year of the third edition, the city of hydrangeas began its long-term involvement with the race, becoming an essential stop for the fleet. Since 2011, the year of Jérémie Beyou's victory and the first participation of a certain Charlie Dalin, the pearl of the Pink Granite Coast had not had its name on the program. 2026 will therefore mark its grand return, much to the delight of OC Sport Pen Duick, the race organizer, its partners, and the sailors, who are thrilled to be back in the sublime setting of this small port in Côtes-d'Armor. From May 13, 2026, the Figaro fleet will gather in Northern Brittany for the final preparations before the Grand Départ, which will take place on Sunday, May 17, off the Sept-Îles archipelago, in a picture-postcard setting of pink and blue.

In a few weeks, OC Sport Pen Duick will unveil the full route of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, which we already know will offer three stages between May 13 and June 7, 2026. A new positioning in the calendar, at the beginning of the season, which should allow partners and stakeholders of the race to make the most of the event experience.

©Chimair

They said:

Julie Coutts, General Manager of OC Sport Pen Duick: “It is with immense joy that we announce Perros-Guirec as the host city for the Grand Départ of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026. This emblematic city of the Pink Granite Coast offers an exceptional setting, worthy of this mythical race which highlights the talent, commitment and determination of our skippers. Perros-Guirec, the Brittany Region, and all our partners share the same ambition: to offer the public, residents, and visitors a unifying, popular event open to all. On land and on the water, everyone will be able to experience a unique immersion in the world of offshore racing. I would like to warmly thank the City and the Region for their trust. Together, we will bring to life a memorable Grand Départ, one that is sporting, festive, and profoundly human.

Erven Léon, Mayor of Perros-Guirec: “It is with immense pride that we announce that Perros-Guirec will be the starting city for the 2026 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. Starting May 17th, thanks to the remarkable work of OC Sport Pen Duick, a subsidiary of the Télégramme Group, our city will once again shine at the heart of a major international sailing event. This announcement is part of the momentum we have been building for several years. Last year, during the Tour de Bretagne à la Voile (Tour of Brittany by Sail), the twenty-nine Figaro Beneteau 3s experienced a magical stage in Perros-Guirec, in the heart of the Pink Granite Coast off the iconic site of Ploumanac'h. We are thus confirming our ability to host major events, thanks in particular to the significant investments made in our access point, which is now automated and widened to 12 meters.” Perros-Guirec, a leading town on the Breton coast, is reviving a strong tradition of offshore racing by hosting the Solitaire du Figaro for the 17th time. May 17th will mark the 14th Grand Départ from Perros-Guirec. This is a source of pride shared by the entire population, eager to see the town once again pulsate to the rhythm of the skippers and to celebrate this great nautical event.

Loïg Chesnais-Girard, President of the Brittany Region : “Over the years, Brittany has established itself as one of the most sporting regions in France, and major competitions have played a significant role in this. By renewing its partnership with OC Sport Pen Duick for hosting the Grand Départ of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec in Perros-Guirec, the Brittany Region intends not only to celebrate top-level athletes but also to offer, a few weeks before the summer season, a major festive and popular event.

Following the Tour de France in 2021 and the Tour de Bretagne sailing race in 2025, the Region is therefore proud and enthusiastic to support the organization of a new benchmark event on the Pink Granite Coast.”

Jean-Bernard Le Boucher, President of the Figaro Beneteau Class : “We are delighted with the agreement reached between the beautiful town of Perros-Guirec and the organizer OC Sport Pen Duick, to provide a prestigious setting for the sailors of the 57th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. The Figaro Beneteau Class and its members are already hard at work to ensure that the Figaro Beneteau 3 one-design boats can set sail from the Côtes d'Armor on Sunday, May 17, 2026, for this iconic race of the French Elite Offshore Racing Championship, under conditions of strict fairness.”

Jean-Luc Denéchau, President of the French Sailing Federation: “After a successful 2025 edition, I have no doubt that the 2026 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec will be a top-level sporting event and the major event of the French Elite Offshore Racing Championship. With increasing participation, new talents are emerging with each edition, particularly thanks to the development of the “academy” circuit, the work of the Figaro class, and that of our Finistère Offshore Racing Center. Charlotte Yven has already demonstrated that with the same preparation and resources as the men, a woman can win this race! I am convinced that her results will inspire other female sailors. Why not a women's victory this year, starting from Perros-Guirec? That would be my greatest satisfaction!”

The Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026, key dates:

Boat arrivals in Perros-Guirec: May 13

Village in Perros-Guirec: May 13-17

Grand Departure: May 17

ETA Arrivals Stage 1: May 20/21

Village Escale: May 20-24

Stage 2 Departure: May 24

ETA Arrivals Stage 2: May 27/28

Village Escale: May 27-31

Departure Stage 3: May 31

ETA Grand Arrival: June 3/4

Grand Arrival Village: June 3-7