The start of the 13th Route du Rhum is scheduled for Sunday 1 November 2026 at 13:02, off Saint-Malo. 115 boats will cross the Atlantic, some 3,500 nautical miles, to Pointe-à-Pitre, after sailing around Basse-Terre. Between the Breton start and the finish in Guadeloupe, seven islands mark the course. Here is how to discover them, before or after the race.
By The Dem-Tukki editorial team·Published ·6 min read⛵ At the start: the Channel islands of Brittany and Normandy
Chausey, the archipelago that changes shape
An hour by sea from Granville, Chausey has 365 islets at low tide and 52 at high tide. Life follows the biggest tides in Europe, with a tidal range of up to 14 m. There are no cars on Grande Île: a lighthouse, a fort, coves of golden sand and oyster beds. Bring water and a picnic, and keep an eye on the time of the incoming tide.
Bréhat, the island of flowers
15 minutes by boat from Paimpol, Bréhat grows mimosas, hydrangeas and fig trees thanks to the Gulf Stream. Its two islands are linked by the Pont ar Prat, attributed to Vauban. There are no cars at all: you go round it on foot or by bike, between pink granite coves and the Paon lighthouse.
Ouessant, the last land before the open sea
“Qui voit Ouessant voit son sang” (“Whoever sees Ouessant sees their own blood”). 20 km off the tip of Finistère, Ouessant is the westernmost of the Breton islands: cliffs, moorland, free-roaming sheep and five lighthouses, including Le Créac’h. It is off this island that the skippers leave Brittany for the Atlantic.
🏝️ At the finish: the Guadeloupe archipelago
La Désirade, the first land in sight
Christopher Columbus is said to have named it “la Désirée” in 1493, when he sighted it after the crossing. Today it is a calm, unspoilt island, classified as a geological nature reserve, where you meet iguanas on the trails. It lies about 45 minutes by boat from Saint-François.
Marie-Galante, the “big pancake”
Round and flat, Marie-Galante (158 km²) once had 106 sugar-cane mills. It has stayed what Guadeloupe was fifty years ago: agricultural, quiet, with beaches that are often deserted.
Les Saintes, one of the most beautiful bays in the world
South of Basse-Terre, Terre-de-Haut lines up its Creole houses along a renowned bay, overlooked by Fort Napoléon. You can snorkel at the foot of the Pain de Sucre. The competitors pass nearby before heading up to the finish.
Guadeloupe, the butterfly island
Two wings: Grande-Terre and its beaches, Basse-Terre and its volcano, La Soufrière (1,467 m), its rainforest and the Carbet falls. The boats sail around it before crossing the line in Pointe-à-Pitre.
→ Discover Guadeloupe, its accommodation, restaurants and activities
📍 Watching the start in Saint-Malo
- Race village: from 20 October to 1 November 2026, free entry, around the Vauban and Duguay-Trouin docks. You can see the boats moored and attend the skipper presentations.
- Start day: on Sunday 1 November the village is open from 10:00 to 17:00. The starting gun is scheduled for 13:02.
- Good to know: the weather can change the schedule. Storm Austen forced the village to close on 23 October. Check the times with the organisers and the town of Saint-Malo before you go.
🧭 After the race: extend your trip
Arrivals are spread over several days, or even several weeks depending on the class. It is a chance to discover the Guadeloupe archipelago in the best season. Our guides help you choose: Martinique or Guadeloupe? and the islands with sunshine in winter.
ℹ️ Times, prices and access conditions may change without notice (season, weather, decisions by organisers, companies or authorities). Check the information with the organisers and service providers before every trip.
❓ Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 Route du Rhum start?
The start is scheduled for Sunday 1 November 2026 at 13:02, off Saint-Malo. The weather can change the schedule: check with the organisers.
How many boats take part and how far do they sail?
115 boats cross the Atlantic, some 3,500 nautical miles, to Pointe-à-Pitre, after sailing around Basse-Terre.
Where can I watch the start?
At the race village in Saint-Malo, around the Vauban and Duguay-Trouin docks (free entry, from 20 October to 1 November 2026). On start day it is open from 10:00 to 17:00.
🏨 Book your accommodation
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🔗 Read next
- Martinique or Guadeloupe: which one to choose?
- Islands with sunshine in winter
- Which Breton island to choose? (1) Belle-Île, Ouessant or Bréhat
- Guadeloupe travel guide
Still hesitating? Our destination pages detail every island: beaches, accommodation, flights, car hire.
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