Publication of the book "Prélude au Vendée Globe. Regards d'écrivains et de marins"

On July 4, 21 skippers lined up in Les Sables d'Olonne at the start of the Vendée-Arctique-Les Sables d'Olonne solo unassisted non-stop race on 60-foot monohulls, a preparatory event ahead of the Vendée Globe race.

This unprecedented race, held during an equally unprecedented context because of the health crisis, was the opportunity for a unique project: sailors, authors for Éditions Gallimard – including Erik Orsenna – and Institut Pasteur scientists came together to produce a special illustrated compilation volume published by Éditions Gallimard.

The book, entitled "Prélude au Vendée Globe. Regards d'écrivains et de marins" (A Prelude to the Vendée Globe, Through the Eyes of Writers and Sailors), contains specially written texts on topics related to the sea, freedom and traveling. Its publication coincides with the famous Vendée Globe race, set to begin on November 8.