Established in 1978, the ARMEN Festival stands as a venerable and widely celebrated event, often attracting over 70 participating yachts. The festival’s name, “ARMEN,” derived from ARt MEr Neige, not only reflects its commitment to art but also pays homage to the iconic lighthouse sharing the same name.
Beyond the individual rankings in each discipline—Sailing, Skiing, and Art—the competition includes three coveted prizes that participants vie for:
- André Hermann Challenge: Awarded for the best combined ski and sail ranking.
- René Perrier Challenge: Recognizing the best combined Art-Sailing ranking.
- ARMEN Trophy: Honoring the best combined Art-Ski-Sailing ranking.
It’s worth noting that the ARMEN Festival is a featured event in the IRC Mediterranean crewed ranking.
Key Tenets of the Festival
- Celebrating Art: Throughout the festival week, a unique work of art is created by one of the crew members of the participating sailboat. The theme is predefined (refer to Art Contest Rules), and the theme for 2024 is “Design of the ARMEN 2025 Festival All-Class Sailing Trophy.”
- First Weekend Regattas: Weather permitting, the initial weekend of regattas involves a distinct route. Departing from Saint-Tropez, yachts navigate to Cavalaire, returning the following day.
- Ski Event: A skiing extravaganza takes place on Friday at Auron.
- Second Weekend Races: The festival continues with a second weekend of racing in the picturesque Gulf of Saint-Tropez. This event welcomes modern OSIRIS Habitable, IRC, and Traditional yachts.
Fees
| Before 26/02 | After 26/02 |
|---|---|
| Participation per boat/crew/accompanists | Ski event on 15/03 Auron – Crew evening on 16/03, Jean Despas Room, by reservation – Limited places |
| < 9m: €90 | €135 |
| ≥ 9m and < 10m: €130 | €195 |
| ≥ 10m and < 11m: €170 | €255 |
| ≥ 11m and < 12m: €210 | €315 |
| ≥ 12m and < 13m: €250 | €375 |
| ≥ 13m and < 14m: €270 | €405 |
| ≥ 14m: €290 | €435 |
The Program
The art exhibition will take place at Salle Jean Despas from March 8 to March 17, from 9 am to 8 pm. (Closing on Sunday, March 17, at 6 pm).
FRIDAY, MARCH 8
- 9:00 am to 6:00 pm: Registration confirmation at the SNST clubhouse
- Reception of artworks at the SNST clubhouse
- 7:00 pm: Welcome cocktail and opening of the art exhibition at Welcome cocktail and opening of the art exhibition at the Jean Despas Room (Welcome drink offered by the exhibiting artists and Bertaud Belieu wine.).
SATURDAY, MARCH 9
- 8:30 am: Coffee and breakfast at the Clubhouse
- 11:00 am: Regatta Saint-Tropez/Cavalaire – Course Committee availability in the starting area of Saint-Tropez (committee boat)
- 7:00 pm: Announcement of the day’s results and welcome reception at the Maison de la Mer in Cavalaire
- Free evening: Restaurants in Cavalaire will welcome you (e.g., Le Pizzaiole 04 94 05 46 16, Les Rôtisseurs de la Côte 04 94 15 46 47, etc.)
SUNDAY, MARCH 10
- 8:30 am to 10:00 am: Coffee and croissants at the Yacht Club de Cavalaire
- 11:00 am: Cavalaire starting area (or Saint-Tropez depending on the weather)
If weather conditions do not allow going to Cavalaire, alternative courses will be organized in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
FRIDAY, MARCH 15
- Ski day (for registered participants)
- 6:00 am: SNST Clubhouse – Bus departure
- 6:05 am: La Foux bus stop – Stop
- 6:15 am: Sainte Maxime Port Parking – Stop
- 6:45 am: Fréjus Saint-Raphaël Highway Toll – Stop
- 9:30 am: Coffee break offered by the Auron station (to be confirmed)
- 10:00 am: Auron Station – Distribution of ski passes and instructions, followed by free time (Bus arrival)
- 12:30 pm: Le Bataclan Restaurant – Meal
- 1:30 pm: Bib distribution (Cabane bas piste stade slalom)
- 2:00 pm: Slalom on the course set up by the ski school
- 6:00 pm: Auron Station – Bus departure
- Around 10:00 pm: Saint-Tropez – Bus arrival
SATURDAY, MARCH 16
- 8:30 am: Coffee and breakfast at the Clubhouse
- 11:00 am: Course Committee availability
- 7:30 pm: Crew evening at Salle Jean Despas
SUNDAY, MARCH 17
- 8:30 am: Coffee and breakfast at the Clubhouse
- 11:00 am: Course Committee availability in the starting area of Saint-Tropez (committee boat)
- 5:00 pm: Prize ceremony and closing cocktail at the SNST Clubhouse
The Exhibition
Salle Jean Despas: 9 am to 8 pm
From Friday, March 8, to Sunday, March 17
The Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, in accordance with its principles of good manners on land and at sea, incorporates an art exhibition into the artistic program of the ARMEN Festival. The ARMEN Festival, without this artistic activity, would not be the same. Thus, for many years, the exhibition prepared and organized by Cécile DE KOCK has surprised us with the originality and quality of the displayed artworks. Below is the list of artists who will exhibit this year at Salle Jean Despas in Saint-Tropez. The artworks of the ARMEN Festival participants (one crew member per boat) to take part in the René PERRIER challenge will also be exhibited there. Closure on Sunday, March 17, at 6 pm.
The Sculptors
Cécile DE KOCK – Sculptor
Roland DELSEMME – Art Design
Carl Jaunay – Sculptor Designer
JEAN YVES SALIOU – Sculptor
The Painters
Claire BOUDONIS
Laurence MAUVIEL
Olivier MESSAS
Odette MULLER
Partners:
BMW, SUZUKI MARINE, BRIG