La Solidaire du Chocolat has not yet cast off from the dockside but is already a great hit with the public. The pre-start events got off to a great start in Nantes last weekend, reaching levels of popularity way beyond expectations. Seeing the competitor fleet lining the dockside along with the Belem, seems to have left a mark in the minds of the ,locals who turned up in their masses to see what was going on. The image of the yachts and their multicoloured flags on the Loire was quite a sight to behold ! Nantes was cast back in time to its rich maritime history. All day Saturday, the village was full : 10 000 people came to see the activities and events on the programme all based on the theme of chocolate. People also came to meet and exchange with the associations working on a day to day level in social, support and environmental domains. The official presentation of the race stood out as the highlight of the day during which sponsors presented cheques to the associations taking part. La Solidaire affirme dits identity and its reason for being.

A fairytale magical parade !
On Sunday, the Grande Parade Solidaire, drew the crowds in.
Setting out from Nantes, smiling children from local colleges along with handicapped children touched peoples’ hearts, sharing a common smile as they set foot on a boat for the very first time. A wave of emotion sailed down the estuary. Once again, the public was loyal. They saluted the Belem and the Class 40 fleet down to Saint Nazaire. When the boats arrived, the race village was taken by assault. Solidarity and ocean sailing go together. 

Make way for sport !
On Wednesday the « Grand Choc’ » will be opening its doors and the Solidaire du Chocolat will be moving into the sporting dimension of particular significance to the 48 sailors taking part. You can continue to keep up with the race on the internet. You can even sign up to take part in the virtual race which is likely to be a total success, if the popular interest thus far is anything to go by. Emotion gives way to the competition !

You could be forgiven for thinking that there was a master plan behind it all. There were lots of visitors in Nantes when the fleet cast off from the quayside this morning. Bis repetita this afternoon in Saint Nazaire for the arrival of the Class 40 and Belem at the end of the Grande Parade Solidaire. Enthousiastic, curious and excited by the programme of the Solidaire du Chocolat, tons of people were waiting on the wall of the main lock to welcome the fleet in. The boats had to wait a while before being able to enter the dock of the submarine base. The official opening of the Grand Choc’ race village for this transatlantic over to Mexico is to be held on Wednesday 14th October. The starting shot of the race will to Progreso au Yucatan will be fired at 17h00 next Sunday after four days of festivities all with a distinctly chocolately flavour ! What else?

The fleet of the Grande Parade Solidaire made it to Saint Nazaire shortly before 4pm today. Tribute was paid to the oldest and most emblematic ambassador of the chocolate trade route. The Belem three-master was first into the lock, followed by the Class 40 monohulls and their crews.  An emotional moment when the fleet passed under the bridge of Saint Nazaire thus marking the end of the great parade. Once again, the crowds were out to appreciate the sight of the Solidaire du Chocolat fleet before they set out across the Atlantic bound for Mexico. Race start : 5pm next Sunday.

France 3 Ouest, media partner  to La Solidaire du Chocolat has opened a page dedicated to the event where you are able to review all of the film shot during the race.
Consult the page now to view the videos already shot on the race village in Nantes by clicking here.

Nine big chefs belonging to the APCAL (Association for the promotion of cooking from the Loire and Atlantic regions) have struck on an idea to titillate the taste buds of visitors. From 11h this morning to 20h this evening, they are to take turns at giving an hour long demonstration of the particular speciality which has gained them a reputation. Why not go along and sample the “Saint Jacques marinées au youzou » by Christophe Fourré (Le Rive Gauche restaurant) ? Why not the « foie gras mi-cuit et thon cru au vinaigre de chocolat » by Alain Ruffault (Ll'Atelier d'Alain restaurant) ? Tough not to be tempted ! All the more so when you consider that the profits raised (2€ per portion) will be paid over to the Mexican associations involved in the race.