The Vauban port in Antibes is acquiring a craftsmen's village, "a great tool" to "become the yachting capital of the Mediterranean"

Ah, this third millennium! It's as if it's not easy to get into it, as it's on everyone's lips when it comes to the Vauban port, which has been the subject of a vast redevelopment project since 2017 (estimated at 135 million euros, all the same).

This was already, eight years ago, the benchmark desired by Vauban 21, the subsidiary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), delegate of the structure, which was already determined, at the time, to give it a major clean-up – and a second wind at the same time, aware of its strengths and its untapped potential.

Yesterday, the goal was to further mark the occasion, with a new milestone reached: the creation of its own craftsmen's village, at the foot of the shipyard, on the east side of the port, a stone's throw from Fort Carré. This is a significant milestone, as the creation of this site launches the second phase of this major redevelopment.

This village is in reality nothing more than a simple structure housing workshops (mostly) dedicated to the careening of boats, with all the specificities that this entails, whether it be hydraulics (design for example of jacks allowing the opening of doors or the lifting of mobile pontoons), painting (but also sandblasting), scuba diving, renovation of tanks or engine mechanics.

Ten workshops dedicated to fairing

In total, two buildings, on a length of approximately 150 meters, house ten premises dedicated to crafts (nine have so far found tenants, one workshop remaining unoccupied despite a waiting list as long as the arm, warns the CCI). At the entrance, a restaurant open to boaters, craftsmen and walkers allows for social bonding. Downstream, a section is reserved for boaters, with for example toilets, showers, etc. Finally, at the other end, a room has been specially fitted out for Monaco Marine, which has the delegation of the shipyard of careening and will, in fact, be able to work with the craftsmen present on site.

More than that, Vauban 21 hopes to create a whole synergy. And the first interested parties won't be complaining: "We have premises in Mouans-Sartoux that we have kept," explains Montasser El Ouertatani, general manager of the company Fleximat, which specializes in hydraulics. "We have been installed in these premises since September. It's still a bit new, but we gain a lot from being present directly in the port, that's for sure. It's very practical. It's a great tool that allows us to be very responsive." Olivier Scherrer, chief operator for the company, continues: "We work a lot with Monaco Marine. And then Vauban is one of the largest marinas in the Mediterranean, we mustn't forget that. We couldn't pass up this opportunity."

“To become the yachting capital of the Mediterranean”

"Becoming the yachting capital of the Mediterranean," according to Jean-Pierre Savarino, the president of Vauban 21, "a strong commitment and a long-term project," according to the architect in charge of the project, Philippe Prost, or "a complicity, a connivance and a desire to do well," according to the mayor, Jean Leonetti: one thing is certain, everyone was delighted yesterday with this new milestone reached towards the good old third millennium.