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Join a sailing adventure on a Tall Ship and set course for new horizons!

Le Havre (FR) - Dunkirk (FR)

06 July - 12 July 2025

6 days, Valborg

From € 790,-

Book this journey

Tall Ships Races Sail Training

15-25: € 790,-
26+: € 1090,-

Book this journey

Valborg:
Le Havre (FR) - Dunkirk (FR)

06 July - 12 July 2025

The Tall Ships Races 2025: Race 1. Embark on an exhilarating voyage from Le Havre to Dunkirk aboard the Valborg, a Finnish tall ship where you’ll gain hands-on sailing experience. Learn the ropes by working with the sails, navigating, and taking the helm to voyage through a thrilling race. Sail in shifts around the clock, sailing to win. Upon reaching Dunkirk, join in the maritime celebrations. Spend two days in port, mingling with international crews, participating in a Crew Parade, Crew Party, and various competitions. Forge new friendships and create unforgettable memories!
Open to all Windseekers aged 15+

The Tall Ships Races 2025

Every year, a diverse array of Tall Ships, small Ships, and Yachts gather to promote Sail Training and foster international frienship among young people. With a stipulation that mandates at least half of the participants fall within the age bracket of 15-25, these vessels engage in Races and Cruise in Company legs, navigating between various host ports and engaging in vibrant harbour festivals.

Each journey includes a cheerful sail-out of the harbour in a spectacular Parade of Sail, followed by several days at sea, and ends with the last two days spent in the destination port. Here, trainees paricipate in a series of events including the Crew Parade, award ceremonies, Crew Party, as well as games and competitions. Are you ready to embark on this exhilarating journey?

Ports

Le Havre is a large north French maritime commercial and passenger port established in the early XVI century. The city in on the UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical buildings and is considered a birthplace of impressionism. Walk in the steps of Monet and discover the places you know from modern art. Take a hiking tour, visit one of the nearby castles (chateau), the Graville abbey, see the hanging gardens or take a walk in one of the many city parks.

Dunkirk is the northernmost city in France and one if its biggest harbours. It lies very close to the Belgian border and dates back to middle ages when it was a fishing village. Dunkirk's maritime heritage is clearly visible, and celebrated. You can visit the Port Museum (Musée Portuaire), climb to the top of Le Beffroi de Saint-Eloi for unforgettable views or relax in one of the multiple seafront cafes and bars.

  • Le Havre (FR)

Key points

  • Dates: 6 July 2025 - 12 July 2025
  • Embarkation: 17:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
  • For Windseekers of all ages, minimum age 15 years
  • Windseekers joining: maximum 24
  • No sailing experience required!
  • Official language on board: English
  • Price includes: accommodation and meals, excludes drinks at the bar
  • Price excludes transportation costs to-and from the ports. Our travel counsellor can advise you and book your transfers
  • Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
  • Need to take with you on board: bottom sheet, sleeping bag, pillow & pillowcase, towels
  • You will sleep in a bunk. You might have to share a double bunk with another person.

  • "Take chances. If you don't try, you'll never know."

    Myriam (20), Belgium

You sail on the Valborg

Shipping type: 2-masted galeas
Homeport: Helsinki
Date built: 1948
Trainees:
Length: 36 m
Height of mast: 20 m
Sail: 360 m2

Nowadays Valborg serves as a Sail Training vessel, participating in events like the Tall Ships Races and offering charter trips to companies and private groups to finance the Races. During winter Valborg stays in water (and ice), and serves as …

Read more

Windseeker logs

  • This is Where I Belong

    Oosterschelde, 2013

    Sailing from Maurituis to Australia

    – by Hannah Hurford

    When I found out that you could still sail traditional ships I remember thinking: a) this is probably a joke, and b) why have I not done it yet? I had experience sailing on yachts and dinghies but with an interest in naval …

    Read log

  • Arrival at Mindelo, Sao Vicente

    Europa

    Mindelo, Sao Vicente

    – by Windseeker Jules

    All the things to do: maintenance on board, going for a walk down town, having a beach day, taking a taxi around the island, exploring neighbouring islands by ferry, going out to eat and drink... A jolly good time it was …

    Read log

Photos

  • Trainee
  • Sørlandet
  • Sørlandet

OTHER JOURNEYS YOU MIGHT LIKE

STO Garant

This Journey is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).

This process is automatic and you do not need to do anything else. After receiving your booking, Windseeker will send you detailed information on how and when to pay for your journey – together with all the other important details.

 

What does it mean?

In short: you do not pay the booking amount to Windseeker but instead into an escrow account. This trust account holds your payment in reserve until your journey’s end. The booking amount is then released to Windseeker on the day after your trip ends. If Windseeker or the Ship should become financially insolvent before the end of your trip, STO Garant will implement the guarantee. The Guarantee Scheme details how you can make a claim under the guarantee in such cases. You can read more about this here.