Meta Yachts: A Legacy Cut Short
Based in Tarare, in the Rhône region of France, Meta Yachts was a well-known name among enthusiasts of long-distance sailing. The shipyard gained recognition in the 1960s for building robust aluminum hulls designed for extended voyages. One of its sailboats, Joshua, became famous in 1968 when Bernard Moitessier embarked on a solo round-the-world journey aboard it, famously choosing to abandon the Golden Globe Race and continue sailing freely towards the Southern Seas.
Another loyal customer was the singer and sailor Antoine, who frequently used Meta Yachts boats to traverse the oceans. In his books and videos, he often highlighted the durability of these vessels, which became a hallmark of the shipyard over time.
An Ambitious Revival
After a period of slowdown, Meta Yachts was acquired in 2020 by naval architect Philippe Brabetz. At the time, the company had a turnover of approximately €500,000 and employed five people. Over four years, it experienced rapid growth: by 2024, turnover had reached nearly €2 million, and the team had grown to 15 employees.
In January 2024, the shipyard leased an 800 m2 workshop in Villefranche-sur-Saône, within the port of the Beaujolais community, to assemble hulls of 15 meters and larger. Simultaneously, a second project was launched in Saint-Louis-du-Rhône (Bouches-du-Rhône), where a former repair shop was to be transformed into a workshop dedicated to the construction of aluminum catamarans.
A Scientific Project Weighs on Finances
The year 2024 also marked the beginning of difficulties. Meta Yachts signed a contract with Inrae (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment) to manufacture a scientific vessel. The shipyard devoted more resources to this project than anticipated.
According to reports, “This project was not profitable; we spent much more time on it than expected. Our cash flow became strained,” explained Philippe Brabetz.
This initial warning was followed by a glimmer of hope: in September, Meta won a €4.8 million tender to build two electric river shuttles for the Paris Est Marne & Bois community, in Joinville-le-Pont (Val-de-Marne). This contract could have secured the shipyard’s future. However, the dissolution of the National Assembly in June 2024 blocked the vote on the community’s budget, preventing the contract from being finalized. The funding was to come in part from Île-de-France Mobilités, which itself was dependent on the political context.
Liquidation Declared in July
Placed in receivership in April 2025, the company attempted a recovery plan with the support of a business angel. But it was in vain. The commercial court of Villefranche-sur-Saône declared judicial liquidation in early July, facing liabilities estimated at €1.4 million. The company then had ten employees.
Philippe Brabetz stated that he was still in contact with an investor interested in acquiring the assets from the liquidator. There is no certainty for the moment, but there is hope to preserve at least part of the shipyard’s expertise.
Meta Yachts represents more than sixty years of history, boats designed to last, and an image associated with long-distance cruising. While the revival efforts of recent years have not withstood economic and political challenges, the shipyard’s name remains associated with major figures in French yachting and a rare type of construction: the aluminum boat designed to face all seas.
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