Founded in 1976 by Jean-François Fountaine, Yves Pajot, Daniel Givon and Rémi Tristan, four passionate racing enthusiasts and naval engineers, soon joined by Pierre Fountaine, Fountaine Pajot was born from a bold dream: to combine technical excellence, innovation and user understanding to design racing boats and then catamarans. Rooted in racing culture and driven by a collective spirit, the shipyard progressively structured its development while maintaining a long-term approach, both industrial and human. This continuity is reflected today in its governance, led by Claire Fountaine, Chair of the Board of Directors, who guides the Group’s major directions in line with its founding values.
Since its very beginnings, Fountaine Pajot has followed a logic of sustainable construction, technical demanding and long-term vision. Managed by a team of visionaries, the shipyard very early made the choice of a clear positioning: to design liveable cruising catamarans produced in series, at a time when this segment did not exist. This strategic choice helped to structure the global cruising multihull market. By developing a consistent product range, investing in its industrial infrastructure and building an early international presence, particularly in North
America and Australia, Fountaine Pajot progressively consolidated its position as a benchmark in the cruising catamaran market.
Fountaine Pajot has also played a major role in raising standards in leisure boating and the marine industry, whether through manufacturing processes such as infusion, architectural innovations that have become brand signatures, or the evolution of interior volumes and layouts for enhanced onboard comfort. This ability to anticipate user needs and integrate innovation within a controlled industrial framework is one of the cornerstones of its growth and success.
In 2014, Jean-François Fountaine stepped down from operational management to devote himself to his public responsibilities. He served as Mayor of La Rochelle for two terms, until 2025. Around Nicolas Gardies, as CEO, Romain Motteau, Deputy CEO, a key driver of strategic development, innovation and environmental commitment, Mathieu Fountaine, Deputy CEO for industrial operations and Stéven Guédeu, who witnessed the Group’s international expansion. The company evolved in scale while remaining true to its founding values. Claire Fountaine
took the helm as Chair of the Board of Directors.
« Building for the long term also means protecting what allows us to sail » — Claire Fountaine, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Today, nearly 5,000 Fountaine Pajot catamarans sail the world over. The Group brings together 1,600 employees and relies on an integrated industrial organization, stable and still family governance, and a consolidated international commercial presence. The Fountaine Pajot Group ranks among the world leaders in cruising catamarans. To mark its 50th anniversary in 2026, Fountaine Pajot opens a new phase of its development: complete renewal of the range, creation of a brand dedicated to large vessels with Fountaine Pajot Yachts, acceleration of electric propulsion and deployment of a climate roadmap targeting carbon neutrality by 2050. Fifty years after its founding, Fountaine Pajot continues a constant ambition: to sustainably structure its market, strengthen its international leadership and accompany the evolution of owners' expectations in a constantly changing environment.
60 MODELS IN 50 YEARS: FROM THE FIRST FOUNTAINE PAJOT CRUISING CATAMARAN TO AN INTERNATIONAL, ELEGANT AND ICONIC LANDMARK
2026, Fountaine Pajot Reinvents Cruising
Pioneer of the cruising catamaran with its innovations that have become iconic throughout the years and history of the multihull, Fountaine Pajot reaches a new milestone with ever more innovative models in harmony with the sea.
The cycle underway today marks a new structural milestone. The complete renewal of the range by 2026 reinforces the brand's fundamentals: optimization of living spaces, improved perceived quality, native integration of electric and hybrid solutions, improvement of energy autonomy.
In the Fountaine Pajot world, one now has access to models where space reigns supreme. This is how the FP41 and FP44 take over from the two iconic catamarans, the Isla 40 and the Astréa 42. The priority given to optimized living spaces gives full meaning to the live inside-outside concept. Whether at the bow, on the flybridge or in the cockpit, relaxation spaces are true havens of tranquility or conviviality. A brand DNA, the balance between generous volumes, the pleasure of life on board and good performance remain very much present. The entire Fountaine Pajot
Sailing Catamarans range now meets these new requirements. In line with the shipyard's long-standing commitment to sustainable development, the new range tends towards energy autonomy with photovoltaic panels capable of generating up to 2,000 watts and lithium batteries to new standards. With the available electric motorisation, these “new generation” catamarans allow sailing in an increasingly eco-responsible way.
In 2025, Fountaine Pajot also created a new brand dedicated to large vessels, where this notion takes on even greater meaning. The creation of Fountaine Pajot Yachts, extending to a new 120-foot yacht, completes this product architecture and reflects the Group’s desire to address all segments of the cruising catamaran market, from the core market to the ultra-premium segment, while demonstrating its integrated industrial and engineering capabilities.
FROM FAMILY BUSINESS TO INTEGRATED INTERNATIONAL GROUP
Structured and controlled growth: Fountaine Pajot has progressively evolved from a specialist shipyard to an integrated
international nautical group. This transformation has been achieved through successive consolidation of its
industrial expertise, global commercial networks, the skills of its employees, and the appeal of its models.
La The Group’s growth has been built on four structural levers:
* Continuous investment in industrial infrastructure
* Integration of strategic expertise
* Development of a direct international commercial presence
* Know-how and knowledge transfer
Today, the Group brings together 1,600 employees and ranks among the world leaders in the cruising catamaran. In fifteen years, production has been multiplied by four while improving quality standards, confirming the Group's ability to combine growth and industrial mastery. A rare achievement in the nautical industry, confirming the Group's ability to combine growth and rigour. Quality is one of the hallmarks of each vessel produced in the factories. This trajectory is supported by stable governance and a long-term vision.
The generational handover that has been underway for several years, with Mathieu Fountaine and Romain Motteau as Deputy CEOs, is part of this continuity. It allows heritage, industrial excellence and strategic vision to be combined in an evolving nautical environment.
The international dimension is another pillar of the Group’s leadership. Long established in North America and Australia, Fountaine Pajot has progressively consolidated its network, to the point of strengthening its direct presence in these strategic markets. This proximity enables lasting support for owners and a better understanding of local market dynamics.
On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, Fountaine Pajot confirms a position built progressively: that of a structured international group, capable of anticipating economic cycles, investing in innovation and sustainably accompanying the evolution of the world cruising catamaran market. This while always maintaining a direct and privileged relationship with its dealers and clients.
HEADING TOWARD A CARBON-FREE CRUISE
Pioneer of eco-cruising since 2011, Fountaine Pajot has undertaken a progressive transformation of its industrial and technological model to sustainably reduce the carbon footprint of sailing. The Group's climate strategy is based on a measured and structured trajectory, founded on a complete assessment of its greenhouse gas emissions. Fountaine Pajot was a pioneer in this approach, deploying from the earliest phases a protocol compliant with GHG Protocol standards, now adopted and disseminated across the French Nautical Industries Federation (FIN), as well as at European level (EBI). This analysis identified a priority lever: the impact linked to the use of boats and onboard energy production.
ODSea+: the integrated hybrid electric solution
ODSea+ is the hybrid electric solution developed by Fountaine Pajot and progressively integrated into various ranges. It aims to significantly reduce dependence on combustion engines by combining production, storage and optimized energy management on board.
This solution is built on several complementary technological building blocks:
* Increased use of onboard photovoltaic panels
* High-capacity lithium storage
* Intelligent and centralised energy management
* Hydro-generation and energy recovery under sail
* Hybrid and electric propulsion integrated from the design stage
The evolution of onboard energy capacities is significant: increases in photovoltaic power installed, increased battery capacity and optimization of onboard energy flows. The objective is to maximize energy autonomy, both at anchor and under sail, while reducing the use of the thermal engine.
Within this dynamic, the hybrid electric solution developed by the Fountaine Pajot Group is now structured to become a shared technological benchmark within the nautical industry. The progressive generalization of the hybrid electric solution is part of a broader climate roadmap, structured at Group level. The objective is to significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with boat usage, while raising industrial standards. Fountaine Pajot is thus aiming for a 50% to 60% reduction in its emissions by 2030, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
This roadmap does not rely solely on the evolution of propulsion systems. It also involves a progressive transformation of industrial processes, logistical optimization, and increased attention to the choice of materials and product lifecycle management. Environmental performance is thus integrated from the design stage and considered within a global and sustainable logic.