A fire has destroyed the Brittany, France, based Grand Largue shipyard which specialises in building small, classic wooden sailing yachts.
The fire broke out in warehouses adjoining the Saint-Briac-sur-Mer based shipyard on July 2 with the wind fanning the flames which spread to the yacht building site.
No-one was injured however the shipyard’s equipment, timber, stock and tools have been destroyed.
In a statement, the shipyard said: “We left the construction site on Wednesday evening to end the day with a barbecue with friends.
“Ironically, it was at the construction site that the fire was at its strongest.”
The statement continued: “A fire, as rapid as it was violent, broke out around 8pm in a building adjoining the construction site and the wind pushed the flames towards our company.
To get the project back up and running quickly, we are counting on the loyalty of our many customers and on future orders.
Grand Largue
“Fortunately, there was no human damage, just material damage, but not insignificant: nothing remains.”
The shipyard is now doing everything it can to resume activity as quickly as possible and is planning to fulfill current and future orders and is counting on its customer’s support.
The company’s statement concluded: “Thank you for your many messages of support and your trust.
“We are very well supported by our family and friends, and we also receive numerous offers of help from all sides. This means a lot to us.
“To get the project back up and running quickly, we are counting on the loyalty of our many customers and on future orders.
Classic sailboats
“Thank you very much for your gestures of support and your understanding during this ordeal.”
Grand Largue was founded in 1999 and launched its latest model, Guillaume Verdier’s Z’Toon 5.50 at the Saint Malo Boat Show earlier in 2025.
The shipyard specialises in building classic plywood-epoxy sailboats and kits with naval architecture by François Vivier and Pierre Delion’s Clin d’Oeil.
The range currently includes six models which can be purchased as completed yachts or as kits.
Since Grand Largue was founded, the shipyard has built 120 units and supplied more than 150 amateur building kits.
