From the rugged coastlines of Normandy, France, emerges Allures Yachting, a distinguished builder renowned for its robust and reliable aluminum cruising yachts. Founded on a clear vision for ultimate blue-water performance and safety, Allures has carved a significant niche in the global marine industry, catering to the most adventurous of sailors.
The Origin Story
Allures Yachting was founded in 2003 by two visionary engineers, Stéphan Constance and Xavier Desmarest. Their shared passion for ocean sailing and a deep understanding of marine engineering fueled their ambition: to design and build truly robust yachts capable of undertaking challenging long-distance voyages. Their innovative approach focused on creating aluminum centerboarders, a design choice that would become a hallmark of the brand, offering unparalleled versatility for exploring shallow anchorages while maintaining deep-keel performance offshore.
The company's inaugural vessel, the Allures 40, quickly made its mark. This pioneering model not only garnered widespread popularity but was also recognized as the "Yacht of the Year" in 2005, cementing Allures Yachting's reputation for quality and innovation from its earliest days. The Allures 40 later evolved into the refined Allures 40.9, continuing its legacy as a strong entry in their range.
History and Evolution
Established in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin in Normandy, France, Allures Yachting has steadily grown since its inception in 2003. A pivotal moment in the company's history came in May 2019 when it became a part of the Grand Large Yacht Group. This strategic integration positioned Allures alongside other highly respected names in the blue-water cruising segment, including Garcia Yachts, Outremer Yachts, and Gunboat, further solidifying its place within a collective dedicated to serious offshore sailing.
Over its two decades of operation, Allures Yachting has celebrated significant milestones, including its 20th anniversary. In this time, the shipyard has delivered over 250 yachts, each destined to carry its owners across the world's oceans.
Design Philosophy and Identity
Allures Yachting has cultivated a distinct reputation in the sailing world for producing rugged, safe, and comfortable blue-water cruising yachts. The company's core philosophy is deeply rooted in the needs of long-distance sailors, prioritizing robustness and reliability above all else. Their signature construction technique involves building hulls entirely from aluminum, known for its strength, durability, and resistance to impact, making their yachts exceptionally well-suited for extended voyages to remote destinations. Complementing the robust aluminum hull, Allures yachts often feature a composite deck and superstructure, optimizing weight distribution and enhancing interior volume.
A defining characteristic of Allures yachts is their innovative centerboard design. This allows the keel to be retracted, significantly reducing the draft for access to shallow anchorages and optimizing performance in varying conditions, while ensuring excellent stability offshore. Allures Yachting frequently collaborates with esteemed naval architects to achieve their design goals. A key partnership has been with Olivier Racoupeau of Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design, who has been instrumental in shaping the lines and performance of many Allures models.
Iconic Models and Legacy
Allures Yachting's commitment to ocean cruising is evident in its range of iconic models, each designed for serious voyaging. Beyond the foundational Allures 40, subsequent models have continued to uphold the brand's reputation for quality and capability. The Allures 45.9 is celebrated as a lighter, high-performance monohull that seamlessly blends speed with the brand's core values of safety and elegance, making it ideal for fast blue-water cruising.
The Allures 51.9 stands out as one of the most accomplished units in their current range, evolving from previous 51 and 52-foot models. This 52-foot sailboat embodies the brand's design principles, offering a capable and comfortable platform for couples or families undertaking extensive cruises. The Allures 44 also holds a special place in the hearts of many, and one notable example, the Allures 44 Opale, famously undertook a challenging crossing of the Northwest Passage, showcasing the inherent capabilities of these vessels. More recently, Allures Yachting has continued to innovate, unveiling the design for a brand-new 47-foot yacht at the Cannes Yachting Festival.
The Builder Today
Today, Allures Yachting operates as a vital part of the Grand Large Yacht Group, a collective specializing in blue-water cruising yachts. This affiliation reinforces Allures' position as a leader in its niche, benefiting from shared expertise and resources within the group. The shipyard continues to be based in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, maintaining its commitment to French craftsmanship and know-how.
Allures yachts appeal primarily to experienced and aspiring ocean cruisers who prioritize robustness, safety, and self-sufficiency for extended voyages. The ownership experience is characterized by a strong sense of community and support, with Grand Large Services providing dedicated assistance to owners worldwide, including in cruising hotspots like the West Indies. Allures Yachting remains dedicated to its founding principle: building yachts "by and for long-distance sailors," ensuring that each vessel is a true companion for exploring the world's most remote corners.
