ABOUT THE FAIR
The SALON DU NAUTISME is an annual regional boat and watersports show held at Petit Port in Aix-les-Bains. It has established itself as the leading nautical showcase for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The event is organised by the Club des Plaisanciers du Lac du Bourget, a long-standing local boating association dedicated to promoting leisure and recreational boating on the lake.
The show takes place on the shores of Lac du Bourget, France’s largest natural lake. Its expansive cruising grounds provide excellent conditions for sailors, motor boaters and anglers alike. This waterfront setting defines the character of the event: boats are not only displayed ashore but also exhibited afloat, allowing visitors to experience them on the water. Around 50 exhibitors take part across approximately 14,000 square metres of open-air exhibition space, including leading regional dealers and boatyards from Rhône-Alpes. They represent well-known boat and engine brands and offer both new and pre-owned vessels. A dedicated brokerage area for used boats enhances market transparency and gives both first-time buyers and experienced owners tangible purchasing opportunities.
The show covers the full breadth of the marine sector, from sailing yachts and motorboats to advanced propulsion systems and state-of-the-art onboard electronics, as well as accessories, safety equipment and services related to maintenance, finance and berthing. Live demonstrations, sea trials and on-water presentations provide clear added value compared with indoor-only exhibitions. The programme is complemented by information stands from regional stakeholders such as the Compagnie nationale du Rhône, which present initiatives in environmental management, sustainable water use and biodiversity, underscoring the link between boating and ecological responsibility.
The SALON DU NAUTISME serves as a meeting point for private boat owners, sailors, motor boaters, anglers, yacht clubs, dealers, service providers and trade visitors from the marine and tourism sectors. Alongside new product launches, the focus is firmly on professional exchange, networking and informed purchasing decisions.
For Aix-les-Bains and the wider region, the show is of considerable economic and tourism significance. It reinforces the town’s standing as a historic spa and watersports destination and supports the local marine industry on Lac du Bourget. Thanks to its location at Petit Port, the site is easily accessible both by car, with clearly signposted free parking available, and on foot from the town centre. On-site catering, including bar and snack facilities, further enhances the visitor experience.
In short, the SALON DU NAUTISME is far more than a conventional exhibition. It is a practical, on-the-water showcase for the region’s boating community, where innovations can be experienced first-hand, vessels can be trialled and the local marine sector comes together each year by the water’s edge.
The SALON DU NAUTISME in Aix-les-Bains took place from Friday, 10. April to Sunday, 12. April 2026.