The Paris Boat Show makes its grand return in 2025 with the Paris Nautic Show.
Paris Nautic Show Returns: A Century of History and a New Beginning
With two exhibition halls, 40,000 square meters of space, 350 expected exhibitors, and between 300 and 400 boats on display, the event aims to gather nearly 100,000 visitors. This refocused, more realistic format is designed to reconnect with the fundamentals of the show: uniting the industry, giving visibility to sector players, and recreating a strong event for enthusiasts. It’s a show geared towards the future, designed to better reflect the changes in boating and the expectations of new generations.
A Century-Old History Rooted in the Nautical Landscape
Since its first edition in 1925 on the banks of the Seine and at the Grand Palais, the Paris Boat Show has always been a highlight for the industry. In 1962, driven by enthusiasts, the International Boat Show was established at the CNIT in La Défense, laying the foundation for an event that would become essential each year.
In 1965, the show was marked by its inauguration by General de Gaulle, symbolizing the democratization of boating in France. The record attendance figures achieved in the 1990s (over 300,000 visitors) testify to the cultural and economic importance of this event, now stabilized around 200,000 visitors.
In 2021, for its 60th edition, Nautic still welcomed 200,000 visitors, 785 exhibitors, 1,300 brands, and 650 boats. However, the last edition dates back to 2022, with attendance declining to 152,000 visitors. Since then, nothing.
A Frustrated Revival, Before the New Start
2023 was supposed to mark the show’s return, but the event was canceled. In December of the same year, the Federation of Nautical Industries (FIN) unveiled an ambitious project: to relaunch the show in a new form, “Nautic en Seine,” in the Hauts-de-Seine, on the nautical park of Île de Monsieur and the Port Legrand site in Boulogne-Billancourt. A redesigned, more open format, directly linked to the river and partner territories. The announcement raised hopes.
But as early as January 2024, the project was postponed to spring 2025… before being finally canceled in November. The economic context, deemed too unstable, and disappointing pre-sales proved too much for this attempt, despite being praised for its quality and local roots.
A New Course for the French Nautical Industry
With the Paris Nautic Show, the Federation of Nautical Industries is turning the page on a turbulent period and starting a new chapter. This long-awaited return aims to rebuild a benchmark show, rooted in its time, capable of showcasing all the richness of the French industry, with the ambition in the years to come to aim for an international dimension.
Mark your calendars for the end of November 2025 at Le Bourget, to celebrate a century of history… and lay the foundations for the next 100 years.
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