Port Chantereyne Cherbourg

"My wife and I had an absolutely surreal, exhilarating, and unforgettable experience at Port Chantereyne during the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025, held from July 24 to August 1. The vibrant energy of this centenary edition of the world’s largest offshore yacht race, set against the stunning backdrop of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin’s Plage Verte, was nothing short of extraordinary. The port’s modern facilities and the festive race village created a perfect stage for this iconic event, blending maritime prestige with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that left us in awe.
As a participant in the #Avenir Analyse-et-Action professional training program, I had the privilege of volunteering at this historic event, and I cannot express enough gratitude to the exceptional individuals who made this a transformative experience. A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Martin Colliat, an intern with the AVF team and part of the Rolex Fastnet Race organizers, for his professionalism and leadership. His generosity in granting #Avenir trainees the opportunity to interview him and his guidance in tasks like distributing flyers, posters, and assisting with event management were invaluable. Martin’s direction was a masterclass in organization and teamwork.
I also want to extend my deepest appreciation to Mr. Florent Pasdelou, the Régisseur, whose calm and composed demeanor was truly inspiring. Managing a massive team and juggling countless tasks—such as setting up tents, banners, performance stages, and scaffolding—Florent ensured everything ran smoothly while prioritizing safety. His ability to stay professional under pressure taught me a profound lesson in leadership and resilience.
Madame Flavie Liége, Responsable Communication, was equally remarkable in her professional approach, providing clear and effective direction to the #Avenir trainees. Her expertise in communication elevated the event’s visibility and made our contributions feel meaningful. Additionally, I’m immensely grateful to our trainers, Madame Kelly Sauvey (our main Référent Pédagogique) and Madame Aurélie Dehautbois, for their outstanding professionalism and dedication. They transformed this opportunity into a rich, hands-on learning experience, equipping us with skills in event management, teamwork, and more.
A special thank you goes to the Normandy Region and Rolex Fastnet, for facilitating the #Avenir G9 group’s participation as volunteers. This brilliant initiative exposed us to a demanding yet deeply fulfilling environment, where we engaged with diverse professional teams in sound and visual setup, stage construction, marketing, and communication. It was a remarkable opportunity to witness and contribute to such a prestigious international event.
Finally, I want to express my profound gratitude to Lawrence Herbert, the talented 28-year-old skipper of the J/133 Corazon, who won the Duncan Munro Kerr Trophy for the top skipper aged 18–30 in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025. It was an honor to interview Lawrence after the prize ceremony on August 1, 2025, at Plage Verte. His humility and passion for sailing shone through, making the conversation a highlight of my experience. In addition to this prestigious award, Lawrence led his amateur crew to an impressive sixth place in the highly competitive IRC Two division, a notable achievement in a field of 70 boats dominated by top French doublehanded teams. Congratulations, Lawrence, on your well-deserved victory! Wishing you Bon Vent and a stellar career ahead—I look forward to the chance to interview you again at future races.
Port Chantereyne and the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025 delivered an unparalleled blend of excitement, professionalism, and community spirit. My wife and I left with memories we’ll cherish forever, and I wholeheartedly recommend visiting this vibrant port for future editions of this legendary race. A truly world-class experience! The Patrouille de France Airshow was absolutely brilliant!!!"

Lovewell Siwela

"The port water is filled to the brim with small boats and yachts... An unmistakable visual addition to Cherbourg.

There's Deep Sea historical museum within walking distance as well.

On the other side of the Chantereyne port is the Port of Cherbourg with deep sea facilities. Catering for huge cruise. Vessels like the MSC Virtousa. Great history behind here but the city still looks largely sleepy!

But and amazing experien just touring"

Emmanuel Feyisetan

"Very popular with the sailing community - we're here for the Solstice Celebrations. Empty Visitors berths can be difficult to find - not always visible until you've motored down between the pontoons"

Doug Brown