Yachting Art Magazine

Founded in 1884 in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, the Bénéteau shipyard has evolved from a family workshop focused on fishing to a leading industrial company in the pleasure boating sector. From the intuition of its founders to technological and commercial upheavals, we look back at the key stages of a continuous transformation.

In 1884, in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie in the Vendée region (France), Benjamin Bénéteau, a shipwright, established his first shipyard. Although prone to seasickness, he was passionate about boat building. From the outset, he aspired to design fast ships, convinced that, for fishermen, being among the first to return to port was a decisive commercial advantage.

From the 1920s onwards, innovation became a constant feature of the company. Benjamin Bénéteau built the Vainqueur des Jaloux, the shipyard's first motorised sardine boat, defying the traditions of pure sailing. The noise of the engine was met with suspicion at the time, but it became a guarantee of efficiency.

In 1928, after Benjamin's death, his son André Bénéteau took over the shipyard. A father of five, he involved his entire family in the business. Before each new construction, they chose the wood together in the nearby forest, and each boat was built with care and precision.

After the Second World War, the company benefited from the need to renew the fishing fleet. This period marked a sustained recovery in activity, opening up prospects for long-term growth.

The 1960s were a turning point. Fishing declined and orders became scarce. André and his children had to rethink the future of the company. Polyester, a new material, allowed for innovation in hull design. André and his sister Annette, joined by their brother Yvon, seized the opportunity to turn to recreational boating. In 1965, their presence at the Paris Boat Show, with an offering that differed from that of other exhibitors, aroused curiosity.

The following decade saw the birth of iconic models such as the First. Bénéteau became a player in the recreational sailing market. The arrival of François Chalain and Jean-Bernard Boulay strengthened the team. The First 30, launched in 1977, embodied this new direction. It quickly established itself, helped by Michel Malinovski's victory in the Aurore race.

In 1981, Xavier Fontanet was appointed CEO. Under his leadership, the company developed an industrialisation strategy, making its boats more accessible than those of its competitors. The objective was clear: to democratise the nautical market. Bénéteau opened new sites in the Vendée region and began its international expansion. The American expansion began in the 1980s, with a first site in Marion, South Carolina, in 1986. This period also marked the launch of the Oceanis range, focused on comfort and safety.

In 1984, the company celebrated its centenary, went public and expanded its presence in Asia with a dealership in Hong Kong and a subsidiary in Australia. These developments were accompanied by product diversification, notably with the introduction of motor models.

The death of Louis-Claude Roux in 1994 led his wife, Annette Roux, to take over the management of the company. She was later succeeded by Bruno Cathelinais. Under their leadership, Bénéteau became a structured group, diversifying its ranges and making acquisitions to expand its offering: sailing boats (First, Oceanis, Figaro, Sense), powerboats (Flyer, Antares, Swift Trawler, Barracuda). These brands cover different market segments, from regatta to ocean cruising.

In the early 2000s, Annette Roux moved the group's headquarters to the former Les Embruns restaurant in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, where André Bénéteau used to take his children to watch the boats being launched. This choice marked a desire to maintain a link with the company's history.

In 2013, the Bénéteau brand headquarters moved to the neighbouring town of Givrand. The group, now called Groupe Bénéteau, remains a major player in the global boating industry, while maintaining strong local roots. The family history lives on in the corporate culture, even though the company now has an international reach.

Bénéteau emphasises its focus on quality and adaptability. The current motto, ‘Designed to be remarkable’, reflects this ambition. Although the group has moved away from its artisanal origins, it continues to emphasise its proximity to its customers and its spirit of innovation. Each boat is still seen as the result of shared expertise between designers and users, with a focus on sustainability and performance.