3 - 13 December 2004

The sea breeze will soon be blowing into Paris Expo-Porte de Versailles. From 3 – 13 December 2004, the Salon Nautique will be casting off, taking on board close to 300,000 boating enthusiasts and marine trade professionals to share the adventure with 823 exhibitors and 1,200 boats, including 300 new models.

Ever richer in events, activities and meetings, the Salon Nautique de Paris—in partnership with Radio France—is focusing its 44th show not only on freedom, but also on sharing, ecology, and innovation. A technological innovation, central to the federative project from Aquitaine—the region of honour for 2004 which is designing a hydroplane, the “Médiatis - Région Aquitaine”, in partnership with Yves Parlier. This “boat of the future” will be showing opposite other exceptional craft: legendary boats or Formula 1 of the seas, such as Eric Tabarly’s mythic Pen Duick II, winner of the 1964 Transat, and the America’s Cup class BMW Oracle Racing, both to be exhibited on the forecourt at the entrance to the show.

Discovering the world linked to the sea, a subject dear to yachtsmen’s heart, is a priority for this 44th show which will be increasing the number of activities for visitors big and small. Beginners’ courses, games and things to discover in the children’s beach club–Club de Plage du Journal de Mickey, ecological awareness through conferences run by the Nicolas Hulot Foundation, will be devoted to the show’s younger visitors, accompanied by their class or family.

For bigger visitors, 2004 will be marked by the return of a theme area devoted to fishing. Great news for all those fishing enthusiasts who together make up the largest number of licence holders in France (1,800,000 persons). Focusing on great encounters, this year’s show will be granting a choice place to ‘ocean oarsmen’ and skippers, to whom emotive tributes will be rendered in the Café de la Course au Large. The area dedicated to Traditional Boatbuilding will be offering a detour by way of Brazil, in welcoming the jangadas, fantastic traditional craft with coloured sails.

The Surf Sports Village will be adorned with the colours of Polynesia and Tahiti. Those keen on extreme sensations will find a totally reorganised Village with a new decor on this South Sea theme, combined with a world of music and video embodying the lifestyle of the young. On the programme: ethnic cultural events, windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, surfing, water skiing, or canoeing and kayaking,… plus beginners courses and demonstrations planned on the “Water Tube”, a 10 m x 45 m activity pool.

A must place for meeting and sharing, the Salon Nautique de Paris is placing the sea, invention and great human adventures in the spotlight again this year with the 3rd Prix Littéraire Salon Nautique – Le Point, the Forum des Navigateurs, the Clin d’œil Environnement , as well as the Innovations 2004 competition.

The 2004 version of Salon Nautique de Paris, a “passion” show of more than 100,000 sqm that is absolutely in sync with its visitors’ expectations (98% satisfaction rate in 2003): more than one out of every two visitors acknowledged they were either planning to make a purchase at the show or intending to place an order. Enough to confirm the trend of a French market whose growth in 2004 (sail + motor) should be between 5 and 10%!

PRESS RELATIONS FOR THE 2004 SALON NAUTIQUE INTERNATIONAL DE PARIS
Agence Olivia Payerne
20, avenue Rapp 75007 Paris, France
Tel. +33 (0) 1 47 05 84 43 - Fax: +33(0) 1 47