The SNM history

Société Nautique de Marseille has been present
for over a century in the maritime world

February 12, 1887 The creation of Société Nautique de Marseille by a group of sailors from the Société des Régates Marseillaises which had been set up in 1862, with the management of two wharves.
March 13, 1887 The first regatta organized by SNM and won by Alcyon, Mr. Emilien Rocca’s boat with a Gunter rig.

1896 The Ponts et Chaussées administration granted a Public Land concession in the Anse du Pharo cove for a permanent slipway for yachts.
January 19, 1897 Creation of a rowing section which, with the rental of the Roucas Blanc bathing areas, gave rise to the La Pelle club.
1897 Construction of the Floating Club House.
October 1899 To mark Marseilles’ 2,500th anniversary, the Floating Club House sailed out of the Vieux Port at the head of a procession of numerous boats.
1900 Competition to produce a one-design off-shore racing boat. The competition was won by Léon SIBILLE with a 6.0 m boat.
1904 SNM and its members contributed towards the foundation of the Société des Oeuvres de Mer de la Méditerranée to help the latter create a home for retired sailors and an orphanage for sailor’s children. The COURBET school was founded with the vocation to train marine wards in sea-related trades.
1910 From early on SNM has been involved in environmental protection and in 1910 started a petition to save the Port Miou calanque which was under threat from the activities of a quarry.
1911 SNM joined the Union des Sociétés Nautiques de Méditerranée.
March 2, 1932 SNM became an Association recognized under the French 1901 law as being of public benefit.
Club House moved to the Quai de la Fraternité.
Organization of the Star European championship.
1938 SNM moved from the Quai de la Fraternité to the Quai de Rive Neuve and was granted the management of two additional wharves.
1939 First international spring regattas.
July 4, 1944 Club House requisitioned by social services for workers in Germany.
End of 1945 End of requisition of the Club House.
1948 Creation of the Vire Vire regatta, formerly known as the Carrousel.
1952 Participation of Chabert/Dauris in the Helsinki Olympic games in the Star class.

1959 Star International Championship.
1961 Shark yacht Mediterranean Championship.
1964 Star European Championship
1965 Creation of the Marseille International Nautical Week (SNIM).

1973 SNM backed Baron Bich’s America’s Cup Challenge, with André Mauric as architect.
1975 Marseilles/Algiers/Marseilles regatta.
1976 One Ton Cup.
1977 SNIM Loss of the AIREL and its crew.
1981 Quarter Ton Cup.
1985 SNM backed Y Pajot’s America’s Cup Challenge.
1994 One Ton Cup.
1997 Mumm World Championship.
1999 Creation of the André Mauric trophy. SNM’s records and works made available to the public with the creation of the André Mauric library.
2000 One Ton Cup.
2001 8 M JI World Championship.
July 2002 Participation of Ingrid Petitjean/Nadège Douroux in the Athens Olympic Games in the 470 female class.
2006 Acquisition of property at 23, Quai de Rive Neuve.
January 1, 2007 Granted a Public Service Delegation with the:
- management of three additional wharves.
- creation of a traditional sailing boat center.
- organization of sporting events in the Vieux-Port.
August 2007 Club House is given listed-building status.
September 2007 Organizers of the Commodores’ Forum (bringing together 25 foreign clubs from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, South Africa, Denmark, Sweden, etc.).
May 2008 Jean-Paul Mouren won the AG2R transatlantic crossing.
July 2008 Participation of Ingrid Petitjean in the Quingdao Olympic Games.
November 12, 2008 Creation of a traditional sailing boat center.
December 18, 2008 Inauguration of the Espace Nautique.
In 2009
- 61st Vire Vire regatta
- 44th Marseille International Nautical Week (SNIM)
- 9th André Mauric trophy
- 1st Calanques classiques