“If I hadn't gotten married in Vegas, I would have done it here!”: In La Grande-Motte, the success of mini-cruises on a catamaran

There were about a hundred on the catamaran. Midi Libre – RAYAN DEWALQUE

Friday July 26, there were more than a hundred to board the Lucile Experience, a Grand-Mottois catamaran, for the sunset. What did they think of it?? Immersion.

Friday, 7:30 p.m., the Lucile catamaran moves away from the shore with on board “107 passengers exactly”, confides Thomas, one of the sailors on this tourist boat. The vacationers are spread out between the deck, the rooftop and the net installed at the front.
The sailors are busy tending the bar and preparing the meal. “A few days ago, we organized a party evening, with the guitarist from Daft Punk”, says Ruben, who is doing his first season. The catamaran heads towards the horizon to house music, mixed by Franck, the DJ.

Captain Alexis Lasserand is delighted with the perfect weather conditions. Midi Libre – RAYAN DEWALQUE Behind the helm, Captain Alexis Lasserand. CEO of the company that operates the boat, he is delighted with the “perfect sailing conditions”. The company that owns the catamaran has been based in La Grande-Motte since 1986. It was created by his father, and he took over in 2011. Since then, he has developed the business, investing in several boats to complement the offerings his parents had been making until then.

“It's chill”

Lucie, Anaïs and Émeline seem satisfied with the experience. Midi Libre – RAYAN DEWALQUE

At the front of the ship, three girlfriends are sunbathing. “We offered the cruise to our friend Anaïs, for her birthday”, say Lucie and Émeline, two 24-year-old women from Gard. “It's chill.” The queen of the day, who had never been on a cruise, is delighted with a “very nice surprise”.

The sailors are busy behind the bar. Midi Libre – RAYAN DEWALQUE
“Chicken skewers or tuna steak ?”, suggests Thomas, a member of the crew. Plastic vines on the ceiling, lounge music: it feels like a beach terrace. On the menu, mixed salads and recipes prepared "by a caterer from La Grande-Motte with fresh and local products".
After finishing their plates, the three friends take stock. "At 160 euros for three with the cruise and the meal, frankly it's ok", confides one of them.< /p>

"If I hadn't gotten married in Vegas…"

Valérie and her son Léo sympathized with Rémy and Viviane. Midi Libre – RAYAN DEWALQUE

Viviane and Rémy seem won over too. This retired couple from Nîmes made friends with "Valérie de Paris", as she introduces herself. “Rémy is in love with sunsets” explains Viviane, who offered the cruise to her husband for his birthday. The latter seems won over. He also remembers sending her “postcards with pictures of sunsets” to woo her.
As for Valérie, she mentions the option of privatizing the boat: “If I hadn't gotten married in Vegas, I would have done it here!” His son Léo, who uses the net as a trampoline, would also come back without hesitation.

A magnificent sunset. Midi Libre – RAYAN DEWALQUE
As the sun sets, the rhythm of the music intensifies and the glasses are emptied on the brand new catamaran, partly built with recycled plastics, “A world first” according to the captain. Solar panels make the ship self-sufficient in electricity.
As the tourists begin to dance, it is already time to go home. The Lucile Experience, which returns to the port at exactly 9:30 p.m., unloads its passengers still amazed by the show.

Captain Alexis Lasserand, surrounded by the three sailors who provided the service. Midi Libre – RAYAN DEWALQUE

The day is not over for the crew members. One of them is already busy attracting passers-by for the last circuit of the day. “30 minutes for only 10 euros per adult and 6 euros per child”, an offer available only in summer.

A brand new catamaran. DR Prices: from 49 euros to 18 euros for adults, 35 € to 14 € for children, depending on the formula chosen. Info on catamaran-lucile-experience.com.