CNTL-Marseille Yacht Club

What CNTL-Marseille Yacht Club does

CNTL-Marseille Yacht Club, legally Le Cercle Nautique et Touristique du Lacydon, is a French non-profit association (loi 1901, Siret 782 897 43300010) founded at the Vieux Port de Marseille, with documented operations spanning at least 1975 to the present and over 600 active members. The club sits on Quai Marcel Pagnol and operates approximately 600 berths divided between sailing boats and motorboats, alongside a floating pavilion, club house with restaurant, meeting rooms, and modern facilities. CNTL runs a federal sailing school (École de Voile) that is open to the public and offers courses ranging from discovery to mastery, including theoretical courses, perfectionnement days, multi-day embarked cruise stages (e.g., a €270 3-day cruise), and a winter regatta series.

The club's core products are organized competitive sailing events and education rather than technology. Flagship properties include the Massilia Cup Inshore (44th edition in 2026, record 120 pre-registered boats) and Massilia Cup Offshore (multi-stage Mediterranean race with Barcelona and Corsica legs), plus the Juris Cup (legal-profession regatta since 1991), Duo Sail, Challenge Florence Arthaud, Rallye des Iles, Régates Roses, and three winter cups. Revenue is generated from five streams: annual membership dues, sailing-school courses (unit-priced), regatta entry fees (transaction-based), recurring berth rentals, and restaurant/event hosting. Distribution is direct via the Vieux Port facility, supplemented by twinning partnerships with Sidi Bou Saïd (Tunisia), Reial Club de Masnou and Reial Club Maritim de Barcelona (Spain), and corporate sponsors (CIC Lyonnaise de Banque as flagship, plus SeaYou, Uship Marseille AC Yatching, and Team Winds).

Technology is deliberately minimal: the club's digital footprint consists of a content-managed website, Google Analytics for traffic analytics, and Axeptio CMP for RGPD-compliant cookie consent. There is no public API, mobile application, or AI/ML integration. CNTL was the first private club in France to obtain the Pavillon Bleu environmental certification in 1999, retaining it consecutively for 26 years through 2025, and is affiliated with FFVoile, Fédération Française des Ports de Plaisance, Fédération Française des Pêcheurs en Mer, and UPACA. The current president is Franck Recoing (since 2021).

Name

CNTL-Marseille Yacht Club

Legal name

Le Cercle Nautique et Touristique du Lacydon

Website

https://cntl-marseille.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cercle Nautique et Touristique du Lacydon (CNTL) is a non-profit yacht club at Marseille's Vieux Port serving 600+ members and approximately 600 berths, operating a public sailing school, the Massilia Cup regatta series, and a club house restaurant.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sailing Club & Marina Services

NAICS

Marinas (713930), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing & Water Sports Teams/Clubs (Sailing, Rowing, Surfing) (MPAKABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)

Keywords

• Sailing club services
• Marina berth rentals
• Sailing school courses
• Regatta organization
• Yacht club membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Marseille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for club members who gain access to facilities, berths, and club services. The club has over 600 members.
2. Sailing School Courses: Revenue from sailing courses ranging from discovery to mastery level, as well as customized and à la carte formations. Also includes theoretical courses, perfectionnement days, and embarked cruise stages.
3. Regatta Entry Fees: Registration fees for organized regattas including Massilia Cup Inshore/Offshore, Duo Sail, Juris Cup, Challenge Florence Arthaud, and various winter cups.
4. Port/Berth Services: Berth rentals and port services for approximately 600 boat locations, roughly equally divided between sailing boats and motorboats.
5. Restaurant and Event Hosting: Restaurant and club house operations, meeting room rentals, and event hosting for various manifestations including seminars and themed evenings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CNTL operates a sailing and nautical tourism club at the Vieux Port de Marseille, providing marina berths (approximately 600) for sailing boats and motorboats, a federal sailing school open to the public, and an annual calendar of competitive regattas (Massilia Cup Inshore and Offshore, Juris Cup, Duo Sail, winter cup series). Supporting services include a clubhouse restaurant, meeting rooms for events, and multi-day cruise programs to Mediterranean destinations.

Product overview

CNTL-Marseille (Cercle Nautique et Touristique du Lacydon) is a sailing club and marina located at the Vieux Port of Marseille with over 600 members and approximately 600 berths. The club offers a unified portfolio of services centered around sailing education, competitive racing events, and port facilities. Its core products include the Ecole de Voile (federal sailing school with courses from discovery to advanced levels), major regattas such as the Massilia Cup Inshore and Massilia Cup Offshore, Juris Cup, Duo Sail, Rallye des Iles, and a series of winter races. Supporting services include marina berths, a club house restaurant, meeting facilities, and multi-day cruise programs. The club maintains sister club relationships with nautical clubs in Tunisia, Spain, and Barcelona.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ecole de Voile du CNTL: Federal sailing school open to the public offering sailing lessons, cruising courses, and water sports training
• Massilia Cup
• Club House Restaurant

Products and services

• École de Voile (Sailing School) Federal sailing school open to the public offering courses from discovery to mastery levels, including theoretical classes, perfectionnement days, embarked cruise stages, and customized or à la carte formations. Training uses monohulls including a First 40 RC and serves beginner through advanced sailors in Marseille.
• Massilia Cup Inshore Annual spring sailing regatta held in Marseille's harbor, in its 44th edition in 2026. Open to IRC, OSIRIS, monotypes (Surprise, Grand Surprise, J70), and Multi2000 class yachts, drawing 120 pre-registered boats for 2026 (a record) and 108 boats with 745 crew in 2025.
• Massilia Cup Offshore Offshore sailing race departing from Marseille, recognized as the largest offshore race from the city, with routes to Mediterranean destinations including Barcelona and Corsica. The 2026 edition was held from June 19-27, 2026.
• Juris Cup Annual sailing event exclusively for legal and judicial professionals, featuring double-handed races on IRC and OSIRIS yachts. Combines competitive sailing with networking for the French legal community.
• Duo Sail Final stage of the IRC Mediterranean Inshore Championship, a weekend sailing competition exclusively for two-person IRC-rated yachts held in Marseille's waters.
• Rallye des Iles Island rally combining coastal races and leisurely sailing stages between Marseille, Bandol, and Deux Frères. Open to OSIRIS and IRC-rated boats.
• Port/Marina Services Port facilities with approximately 600 berths for sailing and motor vessels, roughly equally divided between sailing boats and motorboats. Includes passenger reception, weather forecasts, and port infrastructure services at Quai Marcel Pagnol in Marseille's Vieux Port.
• Club House and Restaurant Modern on-site restaurant and meeting rooms for hosting events, seminars, themed evenings, and private functions at the club's Vieux Port location.
• Régates Roses Charity sailing regatta supporting breast cancer awareness, pairing sailors with cancer survivors for a friendly race.
• Winter Regatta Series Three winter sailing races held at L'Estaque: Coupe de Noël (December), Coupe des Rois (January), and Coupe des Pieds Gelés (February), open to OSIRIS-rated boats.
• Challenge Florence Arthaud Winter regatta series organized by CNTL, previously known as the Winter Challenge, featuring multiple acts throughout the sailing season.
• Cruise Programs Multi-day sailing cruises to Mediterranean destinations including Côte Bleue, Calanques, Les Embiez, Porquerolles, and Corsica. A 3-Day Cruise is offered at 270€ with fuel and port fees included.
• Annual Membership Annual club membership providing access to facilities, berths, sailing school, member-only spaces, clubhouse restaurant, commissions, and member events. Specific pricing is not publicly disclosed. The club has over 600 active members.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26 consecutive Pavillon Bleu certifications
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• CIC Lyonnaise de BanqueflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 March 2026CIC Lyonnaise de Banque is a partner of the Massilia Cup Inshore 2026. Patrice Cauvet, Director General of CIC Lyonnaise de Banque, stated the partnership underscores the importance of alliance between economic actors and sports clubs to strengthen the attractiveness of nautical events in Marseille.
• SeaYoucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner supporting the Massilia Cup Inshore 2025. SeaYou, along with Uship Marseille AC Yatching, invited crews to participate free of charge in the regatta.
• Uship Marseille AC YatchingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner supporting the Massilia Cup Inshore 2025. Uship Marseille AC Yatching, along with SeaYou, invited crews to participate in the regatta.
• Team WindscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTeam Winds provided a fleet of Grand Surprise boats for the Massilia Cup Inshore 2025, enabling the regatta to have a homogeneous and engaged fleet.
• Sidi Bou Saïd (Tunisia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNTL is twinned with the Club Nautique de Sidi Bou Saïd in Tunisia. This twinning relationship fosters international nautical community connections.
• Reial Club de Masnou (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNTL is twinned with Reial Club de Masnou in Spain, facilitating international sailing exchanges and joint activities.
• Reial Club Maritim de Barcelona (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNTL has been twinned with Reial Club Maritim de Barcelona since 2004, supporting cross-Mediterranean sailing connections and events like the Duo Max race.
• Fédération Française de Voile (FFVoile)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNTL is affiliated with FFVoile, organizing regattas registered under FFVoile calendars including IRC Mediterranean Championship and federal OSIRIS Championship.
• Fédération Française des Ports de PlaisanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNTL is affiliated with the French Federation of Pleasure Ports, representing port interests.
• Fédération Française des Pêcheurs en MerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNTL is affiliated with the French Sea Fishermen Federation.
• Union des Ports de Plaisance de Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur (UPACA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNTL has been affiliated with UPACA since 2003, representing ports in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
• Grupidement des Clubs de Marseille (UNM, SNM, YCPR, La Pelle)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNTL is a member of the Marseille Clubs Grouping, coordinating with other nautical clubs in the area.
• Association Vieux Port coeur de MarseilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNTL is a member of the Vieux Port coeur de Marseille association, participating in programs for port improvement and development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Société Nautique de Marseille: Another historic Marseille-based sailing club operating marina and regattas in the Vieux Port area. Co-member of the Grupidement des Clubs de Marseille and the most direct head-to-head competitor for members, berths, and local regatta participants.
• Yachting Club de la Pointe Rouge (YCPR): Major Marseille yacht club with marina and regatta operations. Overlaps with CNTL on member profiles, sailing school offerings, and event calendar; coordinates via the Grupidement des Clubs de Marseille.
• Real Club Náutico de Palma: Mallorca-based yacht club operating marina, sailing school, and a year-round regatta calendar. Comparable in scale and Mediterranean regatta organization, including major international events (Copa del Rey).
• Yacht Club Italiano: Historic Genoa-based Mediterranean yacht club with marina, regatta organization, and member amenities. Closest Italian analogue to CNTL in combining heritage, competitive sailing, and a port-based club model.
• Yacht Club de Monaco: Prestigious Mediterranean yacht club organizing elite regattas (Monaco Yacht Show, Monaco Classic Week) from a premium Monaco location. Comparable as a Mediterranean yacht club combining marina, regattas, member dining, and event-driven positioning.
• Reial Club Nàutic de Masnou: Catalan yacht club and formal CNTL twinning partner. Comparable as a Spanish/Catalan marina club serving recreational sailors and competitive regattas in the Western Mediterranean.
• Club Nautique de Sidi Bou Saïd: Tunisian yacht club and CNTL twinning partner. Comparable Mediterranean marina/club model operating berths, regattas, and sailing instruction in the Gulf of Tunis.
• Union Nautique Marseillaise (UNM): Marseille nautical club operating berths and sailing activities. Competes with CNTL for local members and berth tenants in the same harbor ecosystem, and is part of the same Grupidement des Clubs de Marseille.
• Reial Club Marítim de Barcelona: Historic Barcelona yacht club and CNTL's formal twinning partner since 2004. Co-organizes the Duo Max race and shares member exchange, Mediterranean regatta tradition, and port-based club operations.

Broad incumbents

• Yacht Club de France: France's flagship national yacht club with a broader, more elite membership base and national footprint. Comparable as a legacy French sailing organization but at a much larger, more established scale than CNTL.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CNTLMarseille
• Facebookfacebook.com/CNTLMarseille
• Instagraminstagram.com/cntlmarseille
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cntl-marseille-yacht-club

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CNTL-Marseille Yacht Club