Hygie, a Marconi ketch built in 1930: a classic sailboat to charter privately in Marseille

The classic sailboat Hygie is not a production boat: every element of her deck, masts and interior was designed at a time when yachts were built to last. Her fine lines and wooden hull give her a gentle motion in the swell, much appreciated by guests discovering sailing. Under sail, the classic sailboat Hygie glides along without engine noise, and that is often the favourite moment of the day.

On board, space is generous: the clear deck lets everyone find their spot, in the sun at the bow or in the shade of the awnings around the table. The saloon, all woodwork, offers shelter when the wind is cool and serves as a dining room on dinner evenings. The four double cabins, each with its own shower room, make it possible to extend the adventure over several days, from the Frioul to the calanques of Cassis.

The professional crew of the classic sailboat Hygie takes care of sailing, safety and service on board. They know the local anchorages, the rules of the Calanques National Park and the best spots to watch the sun set over the bay. All you have to do is enjoy.

The price of Hygie is for the whole boat, crew included. The bigger the group, the lower the price per person: with 20 guests, a day on a 1930 yacht comes to €138 each.

For a smaller group, the IA Orana catamaran or our full-day sailboat trips are better suited. The whole fleet is presented on the boat charter in Marseille page.

Yachts built before the Second World War have become rare. Wooden hulls, traditional rigs, brass fittings: each of these boats represents thousands of hours of work by shipwrights, varnishers and riggers. Those still sailing today owe their survival to passionate owners and constant maintenance.

In the Mediterranean, these sailboats meet every year at the great traditional regattas, where their sleek silhouettes turn heads. Sailing on a classic yacht means rediscovering a slower, more attentive way of experiencing the sea: you listen to the wind, trim the sails by hand, and enjoy a wide, clear deck rather than an enclosed lounge.

Ketch, yawl, schooner: how to tell them apart

The ketch, like Hygie, has two masts, the smaller of which, the mizzen, is at the stern but forward of the helm. The yawl also has two masts, but its even smaller mizzen is placed aft of the helm. Finally, the schooner has its tallest mast at the back. Hygie carries a Marconi rig, also called Bermudan: triangular sails hoisted along tall masts, which appeared in the 1920s and perform better upwind than the old gaff sails. These two-masted rigs divide the sail area into several sails that are easier to handle, an advantage on a large boat.

From L’Estaque, three great playgrounds are open to Hygie. Each morning, the crew chooses the one that will be most sheltered, depending on the direction and strength of the wind.

The Frioul islands

Half an hour’s sail away, the archipelago of Pomègues and Ratonneau offers coves with clear water, sheltered from the mistral when it blows moderately. You sail past the Château d’If, anchor facing the limestone cliffs and enjoy a swim in turquoise water, with the city of Marseille in the background.

The Côte Bleue

West of L’Estaque, the Côte Bleue unfolds its wilder calanques, pine forests and railway viaducts. The small coves of Méjean, Niolon or La Redonne are ideal for lunch at anchor away from the crowds. It is often the best choice with an east wind.

The calanques of Marseille

South of the bay, the calanques of the National Park offer the most spectacular scenery: white cliffs, deep water and steep-sided coves. The park strictly regulates sailing and anchoring to protect the posidonia seagrass: the crew knows the authorised areas and follows these rules on every trip.